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Topic: Checkered Past on WoO Website
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September 19, 2019 at
09:04:05 AM
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Not sure how I missed this on here or social media, but it seems the World of Outlaws have brought Kevin Eckert in for a column titled "Checkered Past" once every two weeks.
I know Kevin can be kind of a controversial person given his opinion and general attitude towards life, but I truly believe he is without a doubt the best writer in the sprint car media world. His historical knowledge of the sport is just flat out impressive, and I'm glad to see he's found a home again. I used to very much enjoy his work on his own site (believe it was called Open Wheel Times) and hope that he will be able to continue working with the WoO. He has about six columns up right now and I'd say they are a must read.
Kudos to WoO for doing this as well. I'm sure there was some discussion about allowing this to happen, and I'm glad they did.
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September 19, 2019 at
09:50:41 AM
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Wow....a name from the past. Kind of forgot about him, but I agree, he is one of the most talented writers ever in the history of covering sprint cars. His attention to details and writing style is top notch.....looking forward to reading his stuff again.
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September 19, 2019 at
09:52:10 AM
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I think he’s the best writer on sprint cars there is. I’m glad he’s writing for the WoO website.
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September 19, 2019 at
11:18:25 AM
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This message was edited on
September 19, 2019 at
11:19:04 AM by Paintboss
Wow, 3 positives and I will make it a 4th. I will definately check it out as I always enjoyed reading his columns. Kudos ro Kevin
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September 19, 2019 at
11:43:14 AM
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He is definitely a great historian but I feel like I need to get high before reading his columns in order to be able to keep up with him.
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September 19, 2019 at
01:00:53 PM
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I took your advice rolldog,lol. Actually its nice to hear Eckert is back writing. As far as the best sprint car writer ever.....well I'm not sure about that. I would have to rate John Sawyer as my favorite, Argabright 2nd, and The Sleeze 3rd just because of his awesome memory of past events not his writing style which still seems to get a little Zig Zagged from time to time. I read his latest article and it was pretty good, the dude is a fountain of knowledge and his articles are worthwhile reading.
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September 20, 2019 at
12:08:48 AM
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Reply to:
Posted By: SprintFan16 on September 19 2019 at 09:04:05 AM
Not sure how I missed this on here or social media, but it seems the World of Outlaws have brought Kevin Eckert in for a column titled "Checkered Past" once every two weeks.
I know Kevin can be kind of a controversial person given his opinion and general attitude towards life, but I truly believe he is without a doubt the best writer in the sprint car media world. His historical knowledge of the sport is just flat out impressive, and I'm glad to see he's found a home again. I used to very much enjoy his work on his own site (believe it was called Open Wheel Times) and hope that he will be able to continue working with the WoO. He has about six columns up right now and I'd say they are a must read.
Kudos to WoO for doing this as well. I'm sure there was some discussion about allowing this to happen, and I'm glad they did.
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Thanks for clueing us in. I had no idea. A friend of mine from Indiana who knows Kevin told me he stopped going to races a couple of years ago... I guess he's back?
Guy has a ton of information... I guess that happens when you're a full time race chaser. Interesting read tho... the guy has issues but thats part of what makes him interesting. I met him briefly a few years ago at at USAC Midget "partial rainout" on Eastern tour at Lincoln
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September 20, 2019 at
09:11:44 AM
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This message was edited on
September 20, 2019 at
09:19:39 AM by JP50138
Reply to:
Posted By: rolldog on September 19 2019 at 11:43:14 AM
He is definitely a great historian but I feel like I need to get high before reading his columns in order to be able to keep up with him.
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I agree as well. I tried to read a couple of the new articles, and found Kevin's stream of consciourness style quite hard to follow. I certainly don't mean that as a negative, as I'm just sharing an observation. He is a wealth of informaton, and the overall content is solid. I'm glad that he is sharing his knowledge and history of the sport, I just wish the actual articles were a bit easier to follow.
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September 20, 2019 at
09:53:25 AM
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It would also be cool to see Kevin post the pictures he has taken over the years. If he still has them, I'm sure he has quite the collection.
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September 20, 2019 at
10:00:46 AM
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Reply to:
Posted By: JP50138 on September 20 2019 at 09:11:44 AM
I agree as well. I tried to read a couple of the new articles, and found Kevin's stream of consciourness style quite hard to follow. I certainly don't mean that as a negative, as I'm just sharing an observation. He is a wealth of informaton, and the overall content is solid. I'm glad that he is sharing his knowledge and history of the sport, I just wish the actual articles were a bit easier to follow.
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Reading it almost seems like he's on speed instead of herb....
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September 20, 2019 at
08:24:07 PM
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Eckert is living proof that a high IQ doesn't guarantee you common sense. Complete waste of talent.
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September 20, 2019 at
08:52:05 PM
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Reply to:
Posted By: 2hnker on September 20 2019 at 08:24:07 PM
Eckert is living proof that a high IQ doesn't guarantee you common sense. Complete waste of talent.
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Maybe so. The guy seems completely content with his lifestyle though, and I (along with many others it seems) enjoy reading his work. To each their own.
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September 21, 2019 at
12:36:31 AM
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This thread confuses me. Some are saying he is one of the best writers in the sport but it is hard to follow his train of thought. Maybe he is a walking talking historian, but isnt the greatest skill a writer can have is to captivate the reader and take them along on a journey without them even knowing it. Just seems odd that he is considered top tier while having readers struggle to try to understand his story.
Even though I may not know you, I
care what most of you think!
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September 21, 2019 at
11:22:54 AM
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Reply to:
Posted By: SprintFan16 on September 20 2019 at 08:52:05 PM
Maybe so. The guy seems completely content with his lifestyle though, and I (along with many others it seems) enjoy reading his work. To each their own.
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Kevin got me setup to contribute photos to Flat Out back when he was editor around 1999 and I was a contributor until I stepped down from photography around the same time they consolidated the magazines. We are friends on social media so I follow his exploits and articles and haven't missed a beat through the entire time since the Iowa incident. We came close a few times but have never met in person which from my point of view would be an honor.
I don't have any problem with weed as it's legal in so many places and it appears that he has taken up residence in California and is living the good life. He mentioned a few days ago taking a train to northern California as he is not driving so that is how he got to the WoO race. California offers public transportation options that made that possible so we might be reading about more train trips in the future.
He is still a great writer with an amazing knowledge of the sport so why not tap into that. I'm always reading and hearing about the romanticised exploits of racers from years gone by and Kevin is a direct connection to a lot of those stories having been present for many of them. I'm glad that the Outlaws have recognized that and are utilizing his accounts of World of Outlaws history. We can't let those stories be forgotten.
Stan Meissner
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September 22, 2019 at
06:17:37 AM
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Back in the early 80’s when I started following the sprints like a crack addiction, the haulers and lifestyles weren’t what we have now. It was a different lifestyle and no social media has us all waiting for Speed Sport, Mid America or Open Wheel for news. Totally different with not much left to the imagination. We all know who is racing where and T-shirt’s are available under the grandstand.
i remember the excitiement of seeing some outlaws show up after an all night drive for an All Star show at Millstream on a Sunday night! Those were the days for sure.
I enjoy reading Kevin’s columns and could not be farther apart on politics so hopefully he steers clear of that in his writings.
I really miss the excitement of, back in the day racing...
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September 22, 2019 at
11:33:34 AM
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Reply to:
Posted By: RodinCanada on September 21 2019 at 12:36:31 AM
This thread confuses me. Some are saying he is one of the best writers in the sport but it is hard to follow his train of thought. Maybe he is a walking talking historian, but isnt the greatest skill a writer can have is to captivate the reader and take them along on a journey without them even knowing it. Just seems odd that he is considered top tier while having readers struggle to try to understand his story.
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Have you read him? What do YOU think?
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September 22, 2019 at
11:35:12 AM
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This message was edited on
September 22, 2019 at
11:41:29 AM by revjimk
Reply to:
Posted By: SprintFan16 on September 20 2019 at 08:52:05 PM
Maybe so. The guy seems completely content with his lifestyle though, and I (along with many others it seems) enjoy reading his work. To each their own.
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Exactly. the world would be boring wihout its share of eccentrics....
He's living the life that lots of us would like to attempt. I think I'd get burnt out on all the long distance driving, but wouldn't mind trying it for a while....
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September 22, 2019 at
11:36:05 AM
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Reply to:
Posted By: rolldog on September 19 2019 at 11:43:14 AM
He is definitely a great historian but I feel like I need to get high before reading his columns in order to be able to keep up with him.
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That would probably make it more difficult....
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September 22, 2019 at
11:39:17 AM
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Reply to:
Posted By: RodinCanada on September 21 2019 at 12:36:31 AM
This thread confuses me. Some are saying he is one of the best writers in the sport but it is hard to follow his train of thought. Maybe he is a walking talking historian, but isnt the greatest skill a writer can have is to captivate the reader and take them along on a journey without them even knowing it. Just seems odd that he is considered top tier while having readers struggle to try to understand his story.
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I think he has weaknesses & strengths. Passion for the sport & tons of info, could probably organize or edit it better....
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September 22, 2019 at
06:25:52 PM
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Reply to:
Posted By: Mr. Mac on September 22 2019 at 06:17:37 AM
Back in the early 80’s when I started following the sprints like a crack addiction, the haulers and lifestyles weren’t what we have now. It was a different lifestyle and no social media has us all waiting for Speed Sport, Mid America or Open Wheel for news. Totally different with not much left to the imagination. We all know who is racing where and T-shirt’s are available under the grandstand.
i remember the excitiement of seeing some outlaws show up after an all night drive for an All Star show at Millstream on a Sunday night! Those were the days for sure.
I enjoy reading Kevin’s columns and could not be farther apart on politics so hopefully he steers clear of that in his writings.
I really miss the excitement of, back in the day racing...
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We were absorbed in chasing races and politics were more of an after thought that rarely came up in conversation in racing circles.
Stan Meissner
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