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

This photo was taken on the infield stage at Fairgrounds Speedway. From (left to right) my brother Ric, (center) some guy that used to run around here in those days (think he was a Rookie) LOL, and me. I must of been expecting rain that day.

This one has me on the left (Allen), and the kid on the right was Alan (can't recall his last name). I do recall hand lettering the model car, and I still to this day recall lettering the Drivers name as "Angels Kid" instead of "Angie's Kid". Jackie never said anything, and I'm sure his Mom agreed.

I don't have any photo's, but some of my most fond memories were growing up around midget racing. I got to meet so many great guys. I remember the first few Chili Bowl races talking to guys like Kevin Olson, Randy Mostellar, Jimmy Parsons (one of the guys we raced with lots, and a good friend. Love ya Doc.). I also grew up playing with J.J. Yealey in the pits. His dad was a great guy. I have to say that having a dad that owned and raced midgets was great.

Billy Eslick

Still looking for the photo's of Lil brother (Ric) and me on the stage with "WAHOO" . My brother took an Edmunds Model, some model putty, and Hired me (for two weeks of him doing my chores, taking out trash, mowing the yard, doggie duty, etc.) to paint and letter the "Lucky 13" pictured below.

Given a choice in those days, no persuasion from outside factors, I would have chosen fri-sat night at the races over a trip to Six Flags. I knew that if I went to Six Flags instead, there could likely be a super meeting , going the other way- only to make me wish I could follow that rig.

Pit passes_ In those days, they were collectables.

I remember, as a kid carrying that big ol galvanised box with a neck strap, and a Dairy Queen style paper hat up and down the grandstands both at Fairgrounds Speedway and Enid Speedway, hollering, POP CORN....PEANUTS....POP CORN....PEANUTS (both fresh in the day). This was back when the Old black Gentileman used to carry a big round tub full of ice and bottle beer. He would holler...COLD BEER HEER, (here) GET CHA COLD BEER HEER.

He would then pour the beer into a paper cup, pass it down the isle, and the money would be passed back. That man had to have been in my eyes about 80 years strong back then, and he gave me some advise one Friday that I will never forget, (I was 12 or 13 years old at the time).We happened to be at the back door of Fairgrounds Speedways Concessions together for refills. And he told me "young man, if you wants peoples to know what you gots, you gots to tell'um. After that my voice went to POPPP COORNN....PEAANUTTS.

Can you imagine carring a case of bottle beer on ice in a tub through the grandstands all night.

I cannot imagine any kid being prepared for a storm at the races other than the show itself. Throw in the sugar content from the concession stands, all the cool kids (that knew what a racecar was!), a jacket would get in the way whilst running like a maniac and having a blast.

In this picture you're both calm, jackets zipped to the top, Momma is probably watching. Moms in those days commanded respect compared to today. They also had a "weather warning"

First name called out- 'just to see where you were and if you're okay.

First name and last name called out- To see where you are, there apparently is a misunderstanding as to what a good kid you really are!

First,middle AND last name called out- They KNOW what kind of a kid you are and a hurricane is coming!

Finally found the photo

Cost of making a model for your hero....$1-2 for the kit and a couple weeks of doing your brother's chores

Cost to get into the races.....$1-2 unless you were under 12

Memories this picture brings back.....PRICELESS!!!

Some parents did a great job bringing up a couple of young men.....Parents and grandparents, there is a lesson to be learned here.

That kind of pic does have some great memories. How about those STP caps. Do kids do that today??

I can rememeber riding my bike around to parts stores in Hutchinson collecting decals. Some went on my notebook in school.

Warren Vincent
Cans 4 Kansas Heroes

Yes those Don Edmunds really came in handy, I remember paying $1.50 for each kit. Got in the Fairgrounds to see the races on a teen ticket until I turned 21! Priceless. Those Don Edmunds kits are the basis for all the supermodified models I have built, thanks to a good friend (Brian), I now have three more supers to build. I think I know who I want to make. You are right about great parents who raised us and taught us respect. Since mine are in failing health I respect them more than ever. My Dad is responsible for taking me to my first race and getting me interested in building models, he was also my crew chief when we raced go karts in the 1960's."Thanks Pops!" Priceless.

Mike

I followed my Dad and my Uncle around for years to races, swap meets and a few car shows. Jearl Meeks had the race car in my town when I was old enough to know how to avoid diapers. I saw a lot of good people over the years and KNEW they were good people when i saw them. I stayed out of serious trouble just so I could keep going to those places with at least 10 cents in my pocket. Sometimes I did just that!

Those where great times, and I enjoy great times with our kids that are driving today. They all have the same respect for elders, and are hero's to the kids in the stands. It must have something to do with our racing community.

And yea, those STP hats where cool beans. We also had STP patches, Champion Spark Plug hats and patches, Sears Die Hard Battery hats and patches but the best was the down-turned Sailor hats from the 1970 Indy 500. They where autographed by Chris Economaki, A.J. Foyt, Al Unser Sr., Mario Andretti, Andy Granitelli, Lloyd Ruby, Gordan Johncock, Johnny Rutherford and others that I'm too old to remember.

It was kinda funny because brother and me never took our hats off, they where signed right on our heads.

Then there was the search for the Don Edmunds models, we eventually bought up (along with other kids) every model kit at the TG&Y Store in Sheppard Mall. (in OKC) So we begged, pleated, and whinned until Mom finally gave in and drove us from one end of town to the other stopping at every TG&Y until we hit gold.

Hey, we aignt the only kids that gave our favorite drivers models and stuff. Surely some of you have some photos to share. Even if it's you in the Trophy Dash photo.

Check this out, from a modelers forum in Japan. Musta been 'cause the writing looked like a bunch of matchstick blueprints!