arold Mauck lived life in the fast lane. The
professional photographer, amateur race car driver,
and pilot was born on the family farm west of
Plainview in Pierce County in 1921. After serving in
the Army Air Force during WWII, he returned to Plainview
and opened a photography studio in his aunt's home. The
business thrived.
Luckily for us, Harold took his work home while he
explored his hobbies. On weekends, Harold raced stock cars,
flew airplanes and pursued adventure. Harold's passion for
racing and his love of photography blended to create this
collection of photographs unlike anything in the Midwest.
By the 1950s, pre-World War II automobiles seemed
hopelessly out of date, no matter their condition, and were
sent to junkyards by the millions. These cars fueled the new
sport of stock car racing.
Passenger autos of the 1930s were not designed with
racing in mind, and did not handle especially well when
pushed to their limits. This racing was a contact sport. Car
owners cut away fenders to keep them from folding in on
the tires, and added large bumpers to protect the radiator and
other vital organs.
Below, Harold Mauck and his wife, Tina, pose atop a race
car. Harold's football helmet may not have been the best
choice for head protection, but it was typical of the day.
Racers were required to have such safety equipment, but
couldn't always afford the latest in racing helmets.
Necessity is the mother of invention. Above opposite, a
local racer is using flex-hose for exhaust tubing. While not
as sturdy or long-lasting as exhaust tubing, flex-hose is easy
to work with and replace. This driver seems proud of the
result.
Harold and Tina operated Mauck Studio for 39 years,
retiring in 1986. The photo collection came to History
Nebraska shortly after Harold's death in 2010. Starting
Aug. 25, the Nebraska History Museum in Lincoln is
hosting an exhibit of Mauck's racing photos plus cars
and artifacts from Speedway Motors Museum of
American Speed. ■
Visit History Nebraska's website at history.nebraska.gov.
Harold and Tina Mauck pose atop a race car. Harold's football helmet was typical of the day as head protection. HN RG5705-2-7.
A Brief History
Start Your Engines!
By History Nebraska
(Nebraska State Historical Society)
H
10 NEBRASKAland • AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2018
