Speedball Tucker says
Lotta people say that I’m crazy Because I don’t know how to take it slow
I got a broomstick on the throttle. I got her opened up and head right down. Nonstop back to Dallas Poppin’ them West Coast turn-arounds.
Is he somehow jamming the throttle down with a broomstick? Why? Is this a real trucker thing?
Jim Croce did drive trucks for awhile. He knew the jargon. West Coast turn-arounds are amphetamines. Speed ball is another drug reference. 
Haven’t heard that song in ages…
It’s a homemade cruise control. It explains it later in the song…
He got a broomstick on the throttle
To keep his throttle foot a-dancin’ round
With a cupful of coal black coffee
And a pocketful of West Coast turn-arounds
Probably because he is so jumpy from being wired on pills and coffee, he can’t keep his foot steady on the trottle.
ah, that’s right, cruise control wasn’t around when Jim wrote this one. Thanks!
We used to call the black beauties the west coast turnarounds. back in the 70’s and 60’s trucks had throtte cables intended for use when idling and running a/c.
I was on youtube and found this vid of Jim explaining Speedball Tucker and the broomstick.
I’ve watched a lot of Jim’s live stuff on youtube. Never ran across this video before. Really cool seeing him and Maury do this one live.