Home | Register | Contact | Verify Email | FAQ |
Blogs | Photo Gallery | Press Release | Results | HoseheadsClassifieds.com


Welcome Guest. Already registered? Please Login

 

Forum: Racing From The Past (go)
Moderators: Racing From The Past


Records per page
 
Topic: Whatever happened to? Email this topic to a friend | Subscribe to this TopicReport this Topic to Moderator
Page 1 of 101   of  2004 replies
jdsprint71
September 11, 2008 at 01:50:34 PM
Joined: 05/02/2005
Posts: 1337
Reply

What happened to the stickers like NCRA use to give out when you raced at a series race, those round stickers with gold and black with the United States and NCRA in the middle of it and what race/town it was from. Showed everyone all the wars you had been to that season and you displayed them with pride.

What happened to non wing racing , except for a 2 day stint this past Aug. here in Okla. , it's the only time you see it and dammit that made me miss it even more and sure wish someone would try the concept again in this area on a local weekly or series level.

What happened to the Non Downtube car, not many are raced anymore except for a few and sure makes me glad I kept my Stealth for future restoration, besides those Hoods on the downtube cars have WAY TO MANY DZUS, 13 to be exact and that makes it a pain to remove to get to the motor, the Non Downtube 5 Dzus to be exact and the hoods off and your looking at the motor.

What happened to day races and I mean where they start at 1 pm and race in the afternoon, guess with EPA and all there regulations that you have to deal with makes it not a viable thing to do anymore, but sure do miss them.

What happened to open trailers.

What happened to the smell of popcorn popping at the track,use to smell it all the time growing up when going to a racetrack, now hardly ever, maybe the EPA thought that was a bad thing to and put a air filter on the popcorn machine.

Whatever happened to officials who wore a complete officials uniform Pants and a Officials shirt, guess the economy made it to expensive for tracks to afford a complete uniform.

Whatever happened to the pit pass tag that you use to hang on your belt loop, now it is a wrist band and I would think that the tag is another victim of cost these days but you can't collect wrist bands like you could those pit pass tags.

Whatever happened to 50 lap A mains.

Whatever happened to contingency money for wining an A main or for a top 3 finish, you could win a case of racing oil or Plugs or Filters along with the money for that place you finished.

Whatever happened to Hand Lettered Cars, (RIP Harold Leep Jr., I sure miss ya buddy)

Just a few things I wondered whatever happened to.




brian26
September 11, 2008 at 02:07:48 PM
Joined: 12/03/2006
Posts: 7918
Reply

YEAH! Preach on Brother!

 

A few more...

 

Heroes that stood ten feet tall

The chance to save the day with a 10 cent item that your favorite team forgot to pack

True individuality

Cars you could know for the rest of your life like the people that owned and drove them

Classes of cars so cool, you couldn't get to the concession stand even if you were starving.

 

Fewer people will remember a downtube Maxim from today than they will remember a beat-up modified from 30 years ago. In the pursuit of "getting it all", we left something behind. But not out of reach.

 

 

A headline I'd like to see-

 

FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY, THE SUPERS ARE BACK!!!!!

 

 

I don't wish to see sprint cars die out, but they do need a little spicing up in the shows. Everybody runs alongside the memories of what they've seen, and wish to measure up somehow. Young and old(like me)




roostasix
September 11, 2008 at 03:35:54 PM
Joined: 03/29/2007
Posts: 85
Reply

Right on JD!

I used to feel so grown up when someone would give me one of those pit pass tags to put on my beltloop... or a drink of their beer after the races...

Do you remember the cups at 81 speedway with the driver's names written on them? Or the BBQ sandwiches at 81 at the front gate?

Sure was a neat way to grow up.

Kyle




jdsprint71
September 11, 2008 at 04:42:27 PM
Joined: 05/02/2005
Posts: 1337
Reply

Brain , you keep preachin too, great additions.

Kyle , Those tag pit passes were way to cool , so cool , still got a bunch of them , just wished I would have dated them and what race they were for. But ya don't think about that stuff as a kid and yep never felt more grown up back then when you was wearing one.

I use to have one of those cups with Herb Copeland name on ones and 81 Speedway logo on the other, still wish I had it.

I still have one of those NCRA logo Cups that I believe I got from the Hutch Nat. one year 78 or 79 , just never used it much and still in decent shape and now you probably could not get me to part with it and yes we did have one of those BBQ Sandwiches at 81 and your correct had a great time as a kid going to races all over this 3 state area. Would not change nothing.



welder
September 11, 2008 at 05:19:28 PM
Joined: 11/29/2006
Posts: 595
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: jdsprint71 on September 11 2008 at 01:50:34 PM

What happened to the stickers like NCRA use to give out when you raced at a series race, those round stickers with gold and black with the United States and NCRA in the middle of it and what race/town it was from. Showed everyone all the wars you had been to that season and you displayed them with pride.

What happened to non wing racing , except for a 2 day stint this past Aug. here in Okla. , it's the only time you see it and dammit that made me miss it even more and sure wish someone would try the concept again in this area on a local weekly or series level.

What happened to the Non Downtube car, not many are raced anymore except for a few and sure makes me glad I kept my Stealth for future restoration, besides those Hoods on the downtube cars have WAY TO MANY DZUS, 13 to be exact and that makes it a pain to remove to get to the motor, the Non Downtube 5 Dzus to be exact and the hoods off and your looking at the motor.

What happened to day races and I mean where they start at 1 pm and race in the afternoon, guess with EPA and all there regulations that you have to deal with makes it not a viable thing to do anymore, but sure do miss them.

What happened to open trailers.

What happened to the smell of popcorn popping at the track,use to smell it all the time growing up when going to a racetrack, now hardly ever, maybe the EPA thought that was a bad thing to and put a air filter on the popcorn machine.

Whatever happened to officials who wore a complete officials uniform Pants and a Officials shirt, guess the economy made it to expensive for tracks to afford a complete uniform.

Whatever happened to the pit pass tag that you use to hang on your belt loop, now it is a wrist band and I would think that the tag is another victim of cost these days but you can't collect wrist bands like you could those pit pass tags.

Whatever happened to 50 lap A mains.

Whatever happened to contingency money for wining an A main or for a top 3 finish, you could win a case of racing oil or Plugs or Filters along with the money for that place you finished.

Whatever happened to Hand Lettered Cars, (RIP Harold Leep Jr., I sure miss ya buddy)

Just a few things I wondered whatever happened to.



Come to the 2nd Annual All Vintage Bill Hall Memorial Show on Sept. 26-27-28. NCRA 360 cars will run on the 27th with the vintage cars. Right now 40 some cars are going to be there, mostly supers more info on the home page. Thanks



Racing From The Past
MyWebsite
September 11, 2008 at 09:46:35 PM
Joined: 12/04/2004
Posts: 2303
Reply
This message was edited on October 27, 2008 at 01:10:36 PM by Racing From The Past

Do they still make the popcorn at the track or is it prepackaged?

Wasn't it Jim's Bar B Que?

As a kid my track was Mohawk Speedway west of Hutchinson. It was where Hutchinson Raceway Park is now. A 1/4 mile in a river valley. The bleachers were somewhat up on a hill side and you had a great view of the track. That is if you could see, as lighting was not so great. I just drove by Outlaw Speedway south of Muskogee tonight. The lights were so bright it was almost blinding from US 69.

 

Posted from Muskogee


Warren Vincent
Cans 4 Kansas Heroes


sprintcar21n
MyWebsite
September 11, 2008 at 09:48:35 PM
Joined: 08/17/2005
Posts: 50
Reply

What happened to the driver intros before the feature??

What happened to the races being a "Event"

What happened to planning your schedule around the NCRA schedule?

What happened to those out of towners showing up at your local track on a regualr show night?

What happened to Mario Fuentez?

What happened to the 10,000 fans that would show up for a saturday night race in Tulsa?

What happened to the days when you knew more about the NCRA drivers then you did about politics or your own family issues?

What happened to Chuck Sterling?

 


The older I get the faster I use to be

brian26
September 12, 2008 at 12:40:01 AM
Joined: 12/03/2006
Posts: 7918
Reply

Back when it was okay to be ugly as long as you were a true WHEELMAN(there are a few who still qualify)

Guys like Dutch Ter Steege who was said to have changed a head on his engine while being towed down the highway at 75 mph ON AN OPEN TRAILER!

The shock of finding out the plumber you called not only had the same name as Buddy Cagle, but WAS Buddy Cagle .....(happened to my uncle)

When you checked out every pickup and trailer combination from a mile away wondering if there was a race car on the back-.........and the quiet thrill when you were right

The astonishment of seeing people leaving town as you were going in to catch the show.

Winning the Hutch Nationals was close enough to the big time to please just about anybody.

When every neighborhood had at least one race car

 




jdsprint71
September 12, 2008 at 09:19:47 AM
Joined: 05/02/2005
Posts: 1337
Reply

Welder, I had that on my calender to go to and then ASCS Sooner Reg. show at Dallas rained out this past month and now they rescheduled it, yep on the 27th, got to go and watch my driver shoe his family owned ASCS car at Dallas he is sitting 3rd in the Pts. or I would make the trip to 81 and check that out , dissappointing to miss all the Vintage stuff too, Was looking foward to going to 81 have not been there since 01 for the All Star races and I think they had 153 Cruisers and 37 Sprint Cars and a packed house and was well aware that C Ray Hall had not forgot how to promote a show.

Warren, That is a good question on the popcorn, probably pre packaged , that is why you can't smell it when entering the track anymore.

sprintcar21n and Brian , that is some good stuff there in those 2 posts.

 




DGM 7620
September 12, 2008 at 10:54:17 AM
Joined: 07/18/2007
Posts: 377
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: brian26 on September 12 2008 at 12:40:01 AM

Back when it was okay to be ugly as long as you were a true WHEELMAN(there are a few who still qualify)

Guys like Dutch Ter Steege who was said to have changed a head on his engine while being towed down the highway at 75 mph ON AN OPEN TRAILER!

The shock of finding out the plumber you called not only had the same name as Buddy Cagle, but WAS Buddy Cagle .....(happened to my uncle)

When you checked out every pickup and trailer combination from a mile away wondering if there was a race car on the back-.........and the quiet thrill when you were right

The astonishment of seeing people leaving town as you were going in to catch the show.

Winning the Hutch Nationals was close enough to the big time to please just about anybody.

When every neighborhood had at least one race car

 



You guys all have very interesting comments, so I'm going to touch on a few of them.

Don't know about Dutch changing that head but I did take him a SJ 327 rod to Lawton once and we heated the rod up with a torch dropped a new piston and pin on put the motor back together and won the heat and ran 6th in A-FEA. spitting another rod out as he took checks.

Watching Bob Brotherton take 2 ball peen hammers and peen the block deck back up and filing it flat then putting the head back on for Bobby Walker at Tulsa SPDY between heat race and A-FEA.

Seeing a full size GM starter fall off and hit Pat Paterson square in the face going down the front stretch at OKC 1/2 mile and then he proceeded to knock down a section of turn 1 guard rail unknowning to him.

Going to Baptist burn center to see my good friend Stan Constant go through Burn treatment after we told him about the wonders of Hydrozine in your fuel. It is the only time I ever saw this MAN cry like a baby when they scrubed his hide off.

Watching Ojar Peters when he was a kid get clocked by a run away tire and wheel at Tulsa breaking his foot.

Helping Lyndon Moss win the Firecracker 50 lapper at Lawton where he drove the last 10-15 laps with no seat belts as his glove got hooked in latch and released them.

Being at the Ingersoll Rand 50 lapper at Big Tulsa track and pouring 140w Old Dutch RE lube into the dry sump tank on 46th lap red flag while leading so we could finish the race on 6 cyl.(Ray Crawford would remember this)

Watching Mike Peters powder Carol Nance on the front stretch after the above mentioned race (priceless)

Watching the old man torch a rod bolt out of a carrillo rod then put it back in the motor and telling Shane not to bring it back fixable.

Watching Howie Sewell describe to the old man how bad Buddy Rice balance jobs were.

Watching Indian Tom Hatari the Brown Jeep push truck at Lawton (very priceless)

Watching Harold Leep Sr give Ray Crawford a driving lesson at Tulsa Big track in the old mans car for 18 laps!! (This rates as 1 of my all time favorites)

Watching Shane climb into the Gambler 76s at Lawton NCRA (50 lapper) with a broken left knee cap winning his heat and running 2nd to John Werthen in Mr Bill's 97 in the A-FEA. putting screws in knee on tuesday and winning OKC on friday.

Winning the USAC vs NCRA race at OKC. That Shane wasn't going to be denied and he did it without taking anybody out.

And last Hutch, at one time I think it was as big in this area as Knoxville I know I cherish my 3 wins there very much. Especially '85 when Shane won off the back, when he drove by those 3 Nance cars Johnson,Ewell & Sewell now that was priceless!!!

This is just a very small few of the memories and it is to bad things have changed so much but I wouldn't give it up to do it differant and I'm sure most of you wouldn't either!!!



jdsprint71
September 12, 2008 at 12:55:26 PM
Joined: 05/02/2005
Posts: 1337
Reply

Man this is one hell of a thread,good stuff David.

A few more Contributions

Bob Ewell, John Ewell , and with a little help from me pull the head off of his #18 car after winning the heat race after sticking a valve in it at Lawton and borrowing a head from Paul Ott which lost Oil Pressure in his heat and putting the head on borrowed from Ott and going out and running second in the Cyclone 50 on Memorial day weekend in 78.

Watching Richard Gillam (Late Model Driver) slam head on into the front straightaway pipe fence at Lawton one Saturday night and just junk his car and his cigarette lighter flew out of his Drivers suit pocket and landed on the path between the track and the stands , He notices it after he gets out of the car to survey the damage and goes and gets it, reaches in his pocket and pulls out a cigarette and lights it with the cigarette lighter and smokes one while scratching his head and I would imagine thinking how bad it's going to hurt Sunday morning. But I thought he was sure one tough hombre from then on.

Watching J.L. Nash load his car after Hot Laps in the late 74 or 75 season while leading the pts. at Lawton because engine builder W.A. Gregory of Grandfield,Ok. would not pull a valve cover at the track to see if there was a valve train problem ,W.A. said if you have to do that then load it, some thought that cost J.L. the champioship that year which A.J.Little won if I remember correctly.

Seeing Randall Buzbee 6 cyl. Modified driver at Lawton in the 70's take him and his 2 girls to walk the track after the races each week and pick up the used tear offs and clean em up for the next week and re use them the next Sat. night , said it saved on his tear off bill and he put that money in the car.

Going to Tulsa Speedway for the first time and seeing 10,000 plus people in the grandstands for an NCRA in the 70's and just amazed when Emmit Hahn name was introduced to the crowd and half booed him and half cheered him and he would just smile and wave to the crowd and then the same for Ray Crawford. To a young kid,that was pretty good stuff .

Thinking back in the 70's that Fred Hembree purple # 79 was a really good looking car , heck it is one of the reasons I have some purple on my Champ Sprint to this day, just thought purple was cool and Hell Hembree made it that way to me.

Remembering Harold Leep Sr. getting interviewed before an NCRA race at Lawton on KSWO 1380 AM Radio which in the 70' s use to broadcast the first 30 min. of the races each Sat. night over the radio and thinking now this is BIG Time.

Remembering Shady McWhorter of Grapevine,Tx. (Which was my all time Hero in this sport) come up to Lawton and pull into the pits late and start on the back of the B and win it and then start on the back of the A and win it and then when you got down to the pit area afterwards , Shady was in slacks and collared shirt drinking a Pearl Beer, the guy looked like he never drove a race car that night and I remember my dad asking him why don't you get to the track earlier and run the Heat and his answer was B pays more money than the Heat and I have to start on the back anyway.

Watching Jr. Bruner in the Orange #32 win the Super Modified Championship at Lawton in 77 after coming so close several times before and then getting it accomplished and how he had a huge crowd around his car for hours on the last night of the season.

 

Driving out to Amarillo , Tx. to watch an NCRA at the Speedbowl and watchin that backstretch dirt wall seem to reach out and grab a Super and just send it flipping and always thinking that Amarillo must be dam near to the Pacific Ocean caused it always seem to take forever to get there.

Things have changed David, but this is stuff I will never forget.

 



DGM 7620
September 12, 2008 at 04:25:37 PM
Joined: 07/18/2007
Posts: 377
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: jdsprint71 on September 12 2008 at 12:55:26 PM

Man this is one hell of a thread,good stuff David.

A few more Contributions

Bob Ewell, John Ewell , and with a little help from me pull the head off of his #18 car after winning the heat race after sticking a valve in it at Lawton and borrowing a head from Paul Ott which lost Oil Pressure in his heat and putting the head on borrowed from Ott and going out and running second in the Cyclone 50 on Memorial day weekend in 78.

Watching Richard Gillam (Late Model Driver) slam head on into the front straightaway pipe fence at Lawton one Saturday night and just junk his car and his cigarette lighter flew out of his Drivers suit pocket and landed on the path between the track and the stands , He notices it after he gets out of the car to survey the damage and goes and gets it, reaches in his pocket and pulls out a cigarette and lights it with the cigarette lighter and smokes one while scratching his head and I would imagine thinking how bad it's going to hurt Sunday morning. But I thought he was sure one tough hombre from then on.

Watching J.L. Nash load his car after Hot Laps in the late 74 or 75 season while leading the pts. at Lawton because engine builder W.A. Gregory of Grandfield,Ok. would not pull a valve cover at the track to see if there was a valve train problem ,W.A. said if you have to do that then load it, some thought that cost J.L. the champioship that year which A.J.Little won if I remember correctly.

Seeing Randall Buzbee 6 cyl. Modified driver at Lawton in the 70's take him and his 2 girls to walk the track after the races each week and pick up the used tear offs and clean em up for the next week and re use them the next Sat. night , said it saved on his tear off bill and he put that money in the car.

Going to Tulsa Speedway for the first time and seeing 10,000 plus people in the grandstands for an NCRA in the 70's and just amazed when Emmit Hahn name was introduced to the crowd and half booed him and half cheered him and he would just smile and wave to the crowd and then the same for Ray Crawford. To a young kid,that was pretty good stuff .

Thinking back in the 70's that Fred Hembree purple # 79 was a really good looking car , heck it is one of the reasons I have some purple on my Champ Sprint to this day, just thought purple was cool and Hell Hembree made it that way to me.

Remembering Harold Leep Sr. getting interviewed before an NCRA race at Lawton on KSWO 1380 AM Radio which in the 70' s use to broadcast the first 30 min. of the races each Sat. night over the radio and thinking now this is BIG Time.

Remembering Shady McWhorter of Grapevine,Tx. (Which was my all time Hero in this sport) come up to Lawton and pull into the pits late and start on the back of the B and win it and then start on the back of the A and win it and then when you got down to the pit area afterwards , Shady was in slacks and collared shirt drinking a Pearl Beer, the guy looked like he never drove a race car that night and I remember my dad asking him why don't you get to the track earlier and run the Heat and his answer was B pays more money than the Heat and I have to start on the back anyway.

Watching Jr. Bruner in the Orange #32 win the Super Modified Championship at Lawton in 77 after coming so close several times before and then getting it accomplished and how he had a huge crowd around his car for hours on the last night of the season.

 

Driving out to Amarillo , Tx. to watch an NCRA at the Speedbowl and watchin that backstretch dirt wall seem to reach out and grab a Super and just send it flipping and always thinking that Amarillo must be dam near to the Pacific Ocean caused it always seem to take forever to get there.

Things have changed David, but this is stuff I will never forget.

 



jd, this is good stuff just a few more to throw at you:

What ever happened to buying your Z-28 short block at Craig Ayers Chevy or Scott Chev bolting in a RK-38 Engle Cam putting on your doublehump heads and going out and winning &1000.00 to $1500.00 at a NCRA race and having $2500.00 in your motor that you could run all year.

What every happened to promotors that did go out and get lap money that went along with that $1000.00 dollars that you won in NCRA. What ever happened to track officals who really had an idea about what it took to do there job, we never used to race in track conditions week after week like we do know. There is no integraty in track prep,scoring or tech like there use to be.

Of course gas was only .10 cents a gallon the first time I went to Taft stadium but $100.00 a week pay check was big money then. Those 8000-10,000 spectator crowds were because we had promoters, good car owners, great rivilries between Tulsa, OKC,Lawton,Dallas,Amarillo& Whicita.

We had drivers who could muscle around those cars for 50 laps with no power steering and big RF tires and get out and look like they had just went for a stroll in the park.

What ever happened to going to Babe Gorden's salvage and getting a set of 1/2 ton Ford spindles for your frt axle.

What ever happened to making your own parts that is 1 thing that gave these cars (supers & modifieds) there own style.

Some times I wonder just how fast a good super would get around at OKC bet not much difference in speed per dollar spent to get faster!!!

What ever happened to the PIT STOP parts truck guys who went to Tulsa and OKC every friday & saturday night (Smith&Hans)

The Ewell&Sewell show at Lawton in '82-'83 if I remember right they won 32 of 46 A's in those 2 yrs.

Jerry Stone sailing out over the 3rd turn fence at Knoxville NCRA race and my buddy Shane breaking my fingers while changing the RR tire during this red flag.

Davey Och with those pliers on his belt when he could barely drive a tractor, I would almost bet he still has them.

Man I could just go on & on, see you at ADA saturday if they race.




jdsprint71
September 12, 2008 at 04:52:55 PM
Joined: 05/02/2005
Posts: 1337
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: DGM 7620 on September 12 2008 at 04:25:37 PM

jd, this is good stuff just a few more to throw at you:

What ever happened to buying your Z-28 short block at Craig Ayers Chevy or Scott Chev bolting in a RK-38 Engle Cam putting on your doublehump heads and going out and winning &1000.00 to $1500.00 at a NCRA race and having $2500.00 in your motor that you could run all year.

What every happened to promotors that did go out and get lap money that went along with that $1000.00 dollars that you won in NCRA. What ever happened to track officals who really had an idea about what it took to do there job, we never used to race in track conditions week after week like we do know. There is no integraty in track prep,scoring or tech like there use to be.

Of course gas was only .10 cents a gallon the first time I went to Taft stadium but $100.00 a week pay check was big money then. Those 8000-10,000 spectator crowds were because we had promoters, good car owners, great rivilries between Tulsa, OKC,Lawton,Dallas,Amarillo& Whicita.

We had drivers who could muscle around those cars for 50 laps with no power steering and big RF tires and get out and look like they had just went for a stroll in the park.

What ever happened to going to Babe Gorden's salvage and getting a set of 1/2 ton Ford spindles for your frt axle.

What ever happened to making your own parts that is 1 thing that gave these cars (supers & modifieds) there own style.

Some times I wonder just how fast a good super would get around at OKC bet not much difference in speed per dollar spent to get faster!!!

What ever happened to the PIT STOP parts truck guys who went to Tulsa and OKC every friday & saturday night (Smith&Hans)

The Ewell&Sewell show at Lawton in '82-'83 if I remember right they won 32 of 46 A's in those 2 yrs.

Jerry Stone sailing out over the 3rd turn fence at Knoxville NCRA race and my buddy Shane breaking my fingers while changing the RR tire during this red flag.

Davey Och with those pliers on his belt when he could barely drive a tractor, I would almost bet he still has them.

Man I could just go on & on, see you at ADA saturday if they race.



David , Those 12 points you made there are great stuff and agree with you on the racing now vs. then, and when you get some time go on and on , don't think you'll hear any complaints or at least not from me.

Hope to be there at Ada if the wet stuff stays away, if they do get the show in, come by and see me. J.D.



Racing From The Past
MyWebsite
September 12, 2008 at 09:34:28 PM
Joined: 12/04/2004
Posts: 2303
Reply
This message was edited on September 12, 2008 at 10:25:02 PM by Racing From The Past

"Winning the USAC vs NCRA race at OKC. That Shane wasn't going to be denied and he did it without taking anybody out."

That comment was great!!!

"and he did it without taking anybody out."

The last time Frankie Lies won the Hutch Nationals with Kenny Riffel and the #55. He parked at the finish line and the right rear tire blew out. Anyone remember that?

Welder, I know GOTRA Good Ole Time Racing Association http://www.gotra.com and the Midwest Outlaw Vintage Racers http://www.movr.us/Members.php are far from vintage, but those coupes and sedans etc would look so cool on the weekend with KAR and the NCRA Sprints.


Warren Vincent
Cans 4 Kansas Heroes

welder
September 13, 2008 at 11:18:08 AM
Joined: 11/29/2006
Posts: 595
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: Racing From The Past on September 12 2008 at 09:34:28 PM

"Winning the USAC vs NCRA race at OKC. That Shane wasn't going to be denied and he did it without taking anybody out."

That comment was great!!!

"and he did it without taking anybody out."

The last time Frankie Lies won the Hutch Nationals with Kenny Riffel and the #55. He parked at the finish line and the right rear tire blew out. Anyone remember that?

Welder, I know GOTRA Good Ole Time Racing Association http://www.gotra.com and the Midwest Outlaw Vintage Racers http://www.movr.us/Members.php are far from vintage, but those coupes and sedans etc would look so cool on the weekend with KAR and the NCRA Sprints.



Hi Warren; I have been to one of GOTRA races, they are into racing the KAR is into perserving the history of Vintage Cars. If you notice there is no reference to racing in our events, we will not post results just attendence. They have there own Nationals in Neb. they are into there own thing. The two should never be on the track at the same time, this is my opinon. Dwane




sprintcar21n
MyWebsite
September 13, 2008 at 11:42:49 AM
Joined: 08/17/2005
Posts: 50
Reply

DGM, When Stone went over the wall at Knoxville that was due to him breaking the center out of his RR wheel. I always thought that was one of the strangest things I had ever seen, as I had never witnessed the center getting broke out of a RR wheel before.

With the comments about the NCRA vs USAC races, I could not help but just kinda chuckly to myself as I thought about the "Bugger Red" Waller deal there. Walller had did a interview with the Tulsa World newspaper (if my memory serves me right) and he was all hiped up with this race and how he had been planning on kicking some USAC butt and proceeded to go out and trash his car on the 1st lap of the 1st heat in turn 1, and slowly walk away with his tail between his legs. Now dont get me wrong I liked "Bugger Red" alot but he sure let his mouth over load his rearend.

I sure agree with the comments on "Fast" Freddy Hembree's car. I too remember that purple color and plan on doing something along those lines for my car next year and have even thought of doing the No. 79 too!!

Who could ever forget that guy who rode his bicycle to the races each week in Tulsa back in the 70's and 80's. I would see him peddling that bike 20-30 miles away from the track all the time. I think his name was Roger. I was standing by Ray Crawford one night and this guy proceedes to tell me why Ray was so fast. Ray ran straight heads on his car, he says. I said Straight heads??? Yep, Ray's heads are straight and everyone elses are bent. I agreed with him and walked away and my brother and I use that line now when we see someone who is really hauling. "He must run straight heads to be that fast"

LOL..... I just sit here and laugh to myself as these memories come back to life. Dont know who ever seen this but the great Dave Grubb had painted on his car one year. It said "Dont Rub The Grubb" and "You're Not Over Your Head Till You're On Your Head". This was so true since it seemed Dave flipped about every other week.

 


The older I get the faster I use to be

DGM 7620
September 13, 2008 at 02:02:38 PM
Joined: 07/18/2007
Posts: 377
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: sprintcar21n on September 13 2008 at 11:42:49 AM

DGM, When Stone went over the wall at Knoxville that was due to him breaking the center out of his RR wheel. I always thought that was one of the strangest things I had ever seen, as I had never witnessed the center getting broke out of a RR wheel before.

With the comments about the NCRA vs USAC races, I could not help but just kinda chuckly to myself as I thought about the "Bugger Red" Waller deal there. Walller had did a interview with the Tulsa World newspaper (if my memory serves me right) and he was all hiped up with this race and how he had been planning on kicking some USAC butt and proceeded to go out and trash his car on the 1st lap of the 1st heat in turn 1, and slowly walk away with his tail between his legs. Now dont get me wrong I liked "Bugger Red" alot but he sure let his mouth over load his rearend.

I sure agree with the comments on "Fast" Freddy Hembree's car. I too remember that purple color and plan on doing something along those lines for my car next year and have even thought of doing the No. 79 too!!

Who could ever forget that guy who rode his bicycle to the races each week in Tulsa back in the 70's and 80's. I would see him peddling that bike 20-30 miles away from the track all the time. I think his name was Roger. I was standing by Ray Crawford one night and this guy proceedes to tell me why Ray was so fast. Ray ran straight heads on his car, he says. I said Straight heads??? Yep, Ray's heads are straight and everyone elses are bent. I agreed with him and walked away and my brother and I use that line now when we see someone who is really hauling. "He must run straight heads to be that fast"

LOL..... I just sit here and laugh to myself as these memories come back to life. Dont know who ever seen this but the great Dave Grubb had painted on his car one year. It said "Dont Rub The Grubb" and "You're Not Over Your Head Till You're On Your Head". This was so true since it seemed Dave flipped about every other week.

 



21n, I know about the RR wheel deal as Shane had the same style wheel on that's how he came to break my fingers as we decided to change our RR after seeing Stoney's wheel, Shane had a big hammer and was banging on the wing nut when I saw it break loose I reached in to spin it off but shorty kept hammering with that hammer, broke 3 fingers on my left hand boy was I pissed I yelled at him to get his ass back in the car, after the feature he hoped out but wouldn't take his helmet off until he knew I wasn't going to hit him in the head with that hammer!!!!

Roger Scott (bicycle Roger) is the bike rider he passed away 2 yrs ago here in OKC. Roger loved that Ray Crawford (most people do) but he hated Mike Peters with a passion, we used to pull up at that pit gate at Tulsa in the old HILL&KEARNEY #10 and Roger would be waiting on us and put the hex on Mike and you know what it worked alot of the time.

What ever happened to Red's brother Steve? (I've got a story bout him 2)

Grubby we use to call 400 Grub as I think he had a motor or two that he used 400 blks as they had 3 freeze plugs per side.

If you were to ever see Hembree again ask him bout the time he flew Dave Frusher and himself to Whicita, if memory serves me right he took off out at Dodge in a plane that he had never flown before and I don't even have a pilots license.

Remember Mike Magee I remember him swimming in the infield at Amarrillo after he had spun out. It had rained for days before that race and the infield had about 2-3 foot of water in it Mike spun into infield got out of the car and was in almost over his head.

That Riffel #55 probably won as many dry slick races as any Super and Frank could drive her!!

Of course most of those Jayhawker's were fast in the dry.

 



miketx
September 13, 2008 at 06:54:29 PM
Joined: 01/07/2008
Posts: 50
Reply

I had a crush on Mike Magee's sister in junior high.

 

m




sprintcar21n
MyWebsite
September 13, 2008 at 07:49:54 PM
Joined: 08/17/2005
Posts: 50
Reply

Yea Grubb and old Roger Weiden both got caught running the 400's in '79 or so at Tulsa. Sad to hear about Roger. Mike Maggie was fun to watch. He would have his hands together at 12 O clock on the steering wheel and he never turned the wheel, he would yank down on it to turn the car. Never seen a picture of him out of his car. Every picture I even seen always had him sitting in his car (as far as track photos or winner circle) I knew Fred had his pilot license but I have no idea when he got them. I thought Dave has his too? I thought everyone who lived out in western Kansas and drove a super had to have their pilots license??? LOL Now I dont think Jon Johnson didnt cause he would always comment about the drive he was making every week when he was running Tulsa back in the early 80's.


The older I get the faster I use to be

dirtbag
September 13, 2008 at 11:02:52 PM
Joined: 09/13/2008
Posts: 2
Reply
Reply to:
Posted By: jdsprint71 on September 11 2008 at 01:50:34 PM

What happened to the stickers like NCRA use to give out when you raced at a series race, those round stickers with gold and black with the United States and NCRA in the middle of it and what race/town it was from. Showed everyone all the wars you had been to that season and you displayed them with pride.

What happened to non wing racing , except for a 2 day stint this past Aug. here in Okla. , it's the only time you see it and dammit that made me miss it even more and sure wish someone would try the concept again in this area on a local weekly or series level.

What happened to the Non Downtube car, not many are raced anymore except for a few and sure makes me glad I kept my Stealth for future restoration, besides those Hoods on the downtube cars have WAY TO MANY DZUS, 13 to be exact and that makes it a pain to remove to get to the motor, the Non Downtube 5 Dzus to be exact and the hoods off and your looking at the motor.

What happened to day races and I mean where they start at 1 pm and race in the afternoon, guess with EPA and all there regulations that you have to deal with makes it not a viable thing to do anymore, but sure do miss them.

What happened to open trailers.

What happened to the smell of popcorn popping at the track,use to smell it all the time growing up when going to a racetrack, now hardly ever, maybe the EPA thought that was a bad thing to and put a air filter on the popcorn machine.

Whatever happened to officials who wore a complete officials uniform Pants and a Officials shirt, guess the economy made it to expensive for tracks to afford a complete uniform.

Whatever happened to the pit pass tag that you use to hang on your belt loop, now it is a wrist band and I would think that the tag is another victim of cost these days but you can't collect wrist bands like you could those pit pass tags.

Whatever happened to 50 lap A mains.

Whatever happened to contingency money for wining an A main or for a top 3 finish, you could win a case of racing oil or Plugs or Filters along with the money for that place you finished.

Whatever happened to Hand Lettered Cars, (RIP Harold Leep Jr., I sure miss ya buddy)

Just a few things I wondered whatever happened to.



Hey JD,

Agreed, why do we now have :

Fast cars starting in the front of their heat

30 minute plus intermissions

Cone starts

Five,six, seven, classes of cars for a weekly show

 

And what I wouldn't't give to see :

Bacon,Grandstaff, Peters,Taft at Dewey on a Friday night with the track heavy

Larry Phillips, Tommy Laster, & Ferris Collier going at it at Thunderbird

Shane Carson at Dewey in his six cylinder running against the supers

A 50 lap NCRA A feature at Hutch on a Sunday afternoon(talk about separating the men from the boys)

 





Post Reply
You must be logged in to Post a Message.
Not a member register Here.
Already registered? Please Login





If you have a website and would like to set up a forum here at HoseHeadForums.com
please contact us by using the contact link at the top of the page.

© 2024 HoseHeadForums.com Privacy Policy