Madhouse

Last nights Madhouse show was the lowest form of what auto racing is all about. Meyers and Miller have no place in front of a camera, if that how auto racing is going to be portrayed.
updated by @brian-janik: 03/03/19 08:16:15PM

I missed it....hate to hear that.


--
Founder/Creator - RacersReunion®

It was definitely Hollywood-on-steroids. I could relate to the Chris Flemming character, though.

I would be first in line to contact those producers, if I knew their email address. Tim Leeming said:

I didn't see it because I suspected it would be such a display considering what I have seen already produced and presented as racing on tv. I'm sorry it was like that and hope that it fails miserably. Guess we need to write the producers and copy the sponsors.

obvious that Bowman Grey was onboard with this low life production. Bobby Williamson said:

It was definitely Hollywood-on-steroids. I could relate to the Chris Flemming character, though.

and the very sad thing was in the club house the racing director sat there as they were arguing (Miller/Meyers) and said nothing. He did not even raise an eyebrow to how they drive. If I was the Racing Dir. I would warn them, you guys tangle for no reason,,no matter who starts it,,,,no racing for 3 weeks, no one else drives your cars either. Robbie Solesbee said:

I agree. If that happened at my track and it was my call, they would not even be able to buy a ticket to the grandstands. I'm hoping they will focus on Tim Brown, that husband and wife team, and the guy that does all the work himself, I can relate to that guy, and he's right. It is fun to outrun money. But I'm really hoping it will be a shot in the arm for local tracks and generate people's interest in coming out on Friday and Saturday nights. The real action is at your local track-not on TV.

I have been going to BG on and off agiain for almost 40 years, Allen has been going for almost 50, the sad thing is that is really the way BG is. Everything you are seeing is real. I have never been a big fan of the way things are run over there but that is what keeps the stands packed. As long as the can keep bringing in 15,000 people every Sat. night things will not change. After every race there it is routine that the cops go to the pits because more than likely there is going to be a fight, and the fans love it. It is all about the money. It is a really great track to drive. I just hate that the History Channel is puting it out there for the whole world to see.

Hey Bobby. The sad thing is that is the way it is there. My dad went there one night and thats how the drivers and the fans act like. Oh by the way great parenting with the kids showing the middle finger for a driver. Bobby Williamson said:

It was definitely Hollywood-on-steroids. I could relate to the Chris Flemming character, though.

Ronda I just read what you posted. Its exactly what I was telling Bobby in my post. Thats the real deal and it was not scripted and edited to make it a grand show for television. Bowman Gray is a madhouse but its like you said it brings in the fans. Ronda McKnight said:

I have been going to BG on and off agiain for almost 40 years, Allen has been going for almost 50, the sad thing is that is really the way BG is. Everything you are seeing is real. I have never been a big fan of the way things are run over there but that is what keeps the stands packed. As long as the can keep bringing in 15,000 people every Sat. night things will not change. After every race there it is routine that the cops go to the pits because more than likely there is going to be a fight, and the fans love it. It is all about the money. It is a really great track to drive. I just hate that the History Channel is puting it out there for the whole world to see.

Those Two Just Need To STOP For Somebody Gets Hurt Point-Blank.But Then Again it is Amusing For The Fans.

Andy towler said:

Those Two Just Need To STOP For Somebody Gets Hurt Point-Blank.But Then Again it is Amusing For The Fans.

MADHOUSEWhen I reviewed the forum this afternoon, I was taken back by the negative comments and the baseless speculation regarding the Madhouse series.First of all this is a reality show and not a Hollywood movie. Every inch of the film was shot on site in Winston-Salem. The emphasis on controversy is because the producers believe that this would result in more people watching the show. There will be thirteen shows aired on the History channel, hopefully as the series progresses more racing footage will be shown.Bowman Grey Stadium is the oldest short track in America. Not only that, it continues to draw up to 15,000 fans every Saturday night. One would think that these facts would be considered before taking the position that the track operators dont know what they are doing. Of course they like many before them they use racers to their advantage in order to promote their fan base.Bowman Grey is a very short track that lends itself to controversy because it is so difficult to pass on. In fact the track is inside a foot ball field that is still used for foot ball games during the off season. Burt and Jason Myers are third generation racers that for years have scraped together mostly used motors and parts in order to be able to race. I began to sponsor them about four years ago and I assure you that they are not about to lose that sponsorship.Junior Miller has raced at Bowman Grey for all most forty years. Junior is a very completive driver and with that mush racing history with the Myers family it is not difficult to understand that a strong rivalry would develop between them.Hopefully this series will be successful and some of the money will flow down to the racers that so badly need it. I am sure that all involved would appreciate as much support as possible and that the producers would appreciate constructive criticism.

My father and others I talked to said that has been the way B_G has always been. I think it may have been a little overacting by the guys but it has the rep of always being "wild". But look at the stands, they are packed! And have been for years. People love the rivilaries. Just a thought...I wonder if Nascar will want to pull it due to negative outlook people will get. Much like the NFL pulled the series "Playmakers" from ESPN a few years ago because potrayed the NFL in a bad light.

My dad, Billy Myers, was the original "Master of the Madhouse" way back in 1955 wining 12 BGS feature races (from the back of the field) on the way to 48 wins and the NASCAR National Championship in the Sportsman (now Nationwide) division. He won those races against the likes of his brother Bobby, Curtis Truner, Glen Wood and Pee Wee Jones. My nephews, Burt and Jason, continue to compete there and were part of the show you complained about in your post. By-the-way! We are from NC and the spelling is MYERS. They may spell it differently in PA, wherever that is (lol). While you or I may not always approve of the way things are done at Bowman Gray, what you saw on Sunday night is exactly what happens there. There was very little scripting (especially at the track) and these guys are passionate about what they do. The "stuff' you saw Sunday goes all the way back to the earliest days of the sport when "Big" Bill France and Alvin Hawkins were the "Stadium" promoters. (Brian France probably secretly wishes he could package what you saw to help fill some of the empty seats at Daytona in February) You always had to fend for yourself at BGS. Can you imagine how it feels to have several races and a couple of championships taken from you by the local "bully" with the management cheering it on and selling the tickets. Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do. And, right or worng, the "Stadium" continues today unlike Columbia, Occoneechee, New Asheville, Weaverville, Harris and many more. Drama sells tickets and maybe the "Stadium" does it best of all.For all you "purists" complaining about the "black eye" this gives short track racing, how short your memory must be. Remember Truner and Allison destroying two perfectly good race cars at Bowman Gray in "66"? Remember the Allison - Petty fueds of the early "70's"? Remember "the fight" that put NASCAR on-the-map on National TV? Remember the "Iron Man" the Houstons, Boscoe Lowe, Roy Trantham, Ned Setzer and the Killians at Hickory, Remember Carl Burris, Perk Brown, Ted Swaim, Eb & Fuzzy Clifton and dozens more at Bowman Gray? I know there were many others at the tracks in the northeast, midwest and west that did (while you cheered them on), and continue to do the very thing you are compalining about. This ain't your Sunday afternoon on TV, milk-and-cookies, steering wheel holder, nap taking bunch of "Cup" racers. These guys (as are most short trackers) are passionate and do what they have to do to make from week-to-week, race-to-race.So "quit-yer-bitchin" and get out to your local "madhouse" when the season starts. Fill up the seats. Get excited! Support the sport. Those "short tracks" really need your help.

Lol...Randy , if I had known all we had to do was get you a little fired up...to spew out the history the way you did here.....I would have tried do something to to trip your trigger a long time ago...lol. You are 100% right...this kind of passion is what made the sport. I hate I missed the show...got to set the dvr..or what ever you call that thing to record it.Thanks for your comments! We need to get you on one or both of our radio shows in the near future.Take care.Jeff Randy Myers said:

My dad, Billy Myers, was the original "Master of the Madhouse" way back in 1955 wining 12 BGS feature races (from the back of the field) on the way to 48 wins and the NASCAR National Championship in the Sportsman (now Nationwide) division. He won those races against the likes of his brother Bobby, Curtis Truner, Glen Wood and Pee Wee Jones. My nephews, Burt and Jason, continue to compete there and were part of the show you complained about in your post. By-the-way! We are from NC and the spelling is MYERS. They may spell it differently in PA, wherever that is (lol). While you or I may not always approve of the way things are done at Bowman Gray, what you saw on Sunday night is exactly what happens there. There was very little scripting (especially at the track) and these guys are passionate about what they do. The "stuff' you saw Sunday goes all the way back to the earliest days of the sport when "Big" Bill France and Alvin Hawkins were the "Stadium" promoters. (Brian France probably secretly wishes he could package what you saw to help fill some of the empty seats at Daytona in February) You always had to fend for yourself at BGS. Can you imagine how it feels to have several races and a couple of championships taken from you by the local "bully" with the management cheering it on and selling the tickets. Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do. And, right or worng, the "Stadium" continues today unlike Columbia, Occoneechee, New Asheville, Weaverville, Harris and many more. Drama sells tickets and maybe the "Stadium" does it best of all.

For all you "purists" complaining about the "black eye" this gives short track racing, how short your memory must be. Remember Truner and Allison destroying two perfectly good race cars at Bowman Gray in "66"? Remember the Allison - Petty fueds of the early "70's"? Remember "the fight" that put NASCAR on-the-map on National TV? Remember the "Iron Man" the Houstons, Boscoe Lowe, Roy Trantham, Ned Setzer and the Killians at Hickory, Remember Carl Burris, Perk Brown, Ted Swaim, Eb & Fuzzy Clifton and dozens more at Bowman Gray? I know there were many others at the tracks in the northeast, midwest and west that did (while you cheered them on), and continue to do the very thing you are compalining about. This ain't your Sunday afternoon on TV, milk-and-cookies, steering wheel holder, nap taking bunch of "Cup" racers. These guys (as are most short trackers) are passionate and do what they have to do to make from week-to-week, race-to-race.

So "quit-yer-bitchin" and get out to your local "madhouse" when the season starts. Fill up the seats. Get excited! Support the sport. Those "short tracks" really need your help.

--
Founder/Creator - RacersReunion®

I appoligize for the incorrect spelling Mr. Myers. Randy Myers said:

My dad, Billy Myers, was the original "Master of the Madhouse" way back in 1955 wining 12 BGS feature races (from the back of the field) on the way to 48 wins and the NASCAR National Championship in the Sportsman (now Nationwide) division. He won those races against the likes of his brother Bobby, Curtis Truner, Glen Wood and Pee Wee Jones. My nephews, Burt and Jason, continue to compete there and were part of the show you complained about in your post. By-the-way! We are from NC and the spelling is MYERS. They may spell it differently in PA, wherever that is (lol). While you or I may not always approve of the way things are done at Bowman Gray, what you saw on Sunday night is exactly what happens there. There was very little scripting (especially at the track) and these guys are passionate about what they do. The "stuff' you saw Sunday goes all the way back to the earliest days of the sport when "Big" Bill France and Alvin Hawkins were the "Stadium" promoters. (Brian France probably secretly wishes he could package what you saw to help fill some of the empty seats at Daytona in February) You always had to fend for yourself at BGS. Can you imagine how it feels to have several races and a couple of championships taken from you by the local "bully" with the management cheering it on and selling the tickets. Sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do. And, right or worng, the "Stadium" continues today unlike Columbia, Occoneechee, New Asheville, Weaverville, Harris and many more. Drama sells tickets and maybe the "Stadium" does it best of all.

For all you "purists" complaining about the "black eye" this gives short track racing, how short your memory must be. Remember Truner and Allison destroying two perfectly good race cars at Bowman Gray in "66"? Remember the Allison - Petty fueds of the early "70's"? Remember "the fight" that put NASCAR on-the-map on National TV? Remember the "Iron Man" the Houstons, Boscoe Lowe, Roy Trantham, Ned Setzer and the Killians at Hickory, Remember Carl Burris, Perk Brown, Ted Swaim, Eb & Fuzzy Clifton and dozens more at Bowman Gray? I know there were many others at the tracks in the northeast, midwest and west that did (while you cheered them on), and continue to do the very thing you are compalining about. This ain't your Sunday afternoon on TV, milk-and-cookies, steering wheel holder, nap taking bunch of "Cup" racers. These guys (as are most short trackers) are passionate and do what they have to do to make from week-to-week, race-to-race.

So "quit-yer-bitchin" and get out to your local "madhouse" when the season starts. Fill up the seats. Get excited! Support the sport. Those "short tracks" really need your help.

Yes overacting is an understatement. BG may be a Madhouse on raceday for the past 40 plus years and thats fine. It draws a huge crowd of wild fans who love their Miller and their MYERS and thats something to be proud of,,loyal fans. As good as Miller and Myers are, why are they still at BG? NC is the meca of NASCAR and these guys I though by now would have had their sights on bigger and better things. But not everyone has the talent to leave the small pond and go play with the big fish. John Joyce said:

My father and others I talked to said that has been the way B_G has always been. I think it may have been a little overacting by the guys but it has the rep of always being "wild". But look at the stands, they are packed! And have been for years. People love the rivilaries. Just a thought...I wonder if Nascar will want to pull it due to negative outlook people will get. Much like the NFL pulled the series "Playmakers" from ESPN a few years ago because potrayed the NFL in a bad light.

Brian Janik said:

Yes overacting is an understatement. BG may be a Madhouse on raceday for the past 40 plus years and thats fine. It draws a huge crowd of wild fans who love their Miller and their MYERS and thats something to be proud of,,loyal fans. As good as Miller and Myers are, why are they still at BG? NC is the meca of NASCAR and these guys I though by now would have had their sights on bigger and better things. But not everyone has the talent to leave the small pond and go play with the big fish.

John Joyce said:

My father and others I talked to said that has been the way B_G has always been. I think it may have been a little overacting by the guys but it has the rep of always being "wild". But look at the stands, they are packed! And have been for years. People love the rivilaries. Just a thought...I wonder if Nascar will want to pull it due to negative outlook people will get. Much like the NFL pulled the series "Playmakers" from ESPN a few years ago because potrayed the NFL in a bad light.

Burt tested with Roush several years ago and did quite well according to Mark Martin who was setting up the trucks for the tests. Roush GM said so as well. All it took to sit in the seat was a check for $1,000,000.00. Sometimes all the talent in the world won't get you where you want to go. Witness the 100's of great drivers wheeling around the short tracks every weekend with every bit as much talent as the current crop of steering wheel holders. For the record, Miller did get two or three seasons of "Cup" racing as did Burt's dad, Gary, back in the 70's. Finances just didn't let them move on and they were content in being good at what they do which translates into being the big-fish-little-pond you so snidely described.And that will be 62 years of the Madhouse on opening night in April. Strange the track has never produced many drivers in recent years (1960's through today) who moved up the ladder for long unless you count Childress who never won a feature race there. Several from back in the early days like Turner, my dad, the Flocks, Geln Wood and a few more moved up.

If I'm a 'purist', then I've been one since 1962. My dad raced 1960's era dirt tracks too.......we never made it to as grand a stage as BGS and NASCAR and the annals of history and homage, but we've been surrounded, more than once, in the back of a pick-up truck......and held at bay, by an angry mob, resulting from some alledged 'racing deal'. And I hated it. I hated it all the other red-neck animalistic behavior that I've ever seen demonstrated at race tracks over the past 47 seasons.I was so close to Sam Sommers in his VICTORY LANE ceremony in 1971 at Myrtle Beach Speedway, I saw the 'flash' of chrome and feld the 'wizz' from the pull-handle unleashed by the crazed 'wild-indian' Roy Tyner (who was appropriately banned from NASCAR) as he attacked a defenseless and celebrating race winner. Total barbarian behavior, if that sells tickets, then why bother with the cars? Save time....... just cuss and fight.I've always held BGS in the highest of regards, although I've never attended a stadium event, I did go once in 1975, but rain forced its cancellation. Until this past Sunday, and 'Madhouse' I assumed BGS was all about racing and racers and race car developement, and technology, and history. I always regarded BGS as THE short track weekly STANDARD for all of U.S. Satruday night racing. Now, honestly, I'm not sure what I think.....other than I was really mislead. If 'madhouse' was "how it REALLY is at the 'stadium'" then why such sophisticated race cars? Why not just race u-cars and bash and crash and fight??I love Saturday night racing, and go to witness RACING and RACE CARS and DRIVERS. I absolutely HATE fighting at race tracks, and the list of weekly tracks that out-of-control rowdiness has CLOSED is long. If 'madhouse' is accruate, I'll keep my record intact of never attending a BGS event.

If you were told by Mark Martin and Roush that you were that good,, then fomulate a plan to build your own truck team, run a limited schedule. Ask them for guidance on how to navagate the difficulte areas of that level of racing. It was very obvious in your actions during the show that you don't enjoy tearing up your car each week. You certainly have the age the skill and the drive to expand your abilities to accompolish something more than BG has to offer. Step out of your comfort zone and take a chance. Randy Myers said:

Brian Janik said:

Yes overacting is an understatement. BG may be a Madhouse on raceday for the past 40 plus years and thats fine. It draws a huge crowd of wild fans who love their Miller and their MYERS and thats something to be proud of,,loyal fans. As good as Miller and Myers are, why are they still at BG? NC is the meca of NASCAR and these guys I though by now would have had their sights on bigger and better things. But not everyone has the talent to leave the small pond and go play with the big fish.

John Joyce said:

My father and others I talked to said that has been the way B_G has always been. I think it may have been a little overacting by the guys but it has the rep of always being "wild". But look at the stands, they are packed! And have been for years. People love the rivilaries. Just a thought...I wonder if Nascar will want to pull it due to negative outlook people will get. Much like the NFL pulled the series "Playmakers" from ESPN a few years ago because potrayed the NFL in a bad light.

Burt tested with Roush several years ago and did quite well according to Mark Martin who was setting up the trucks for the tests. Roush GM said so as well. All it took to sit in the seat was a check for $1,000,000.00. Sometimes all the talent in the world won't get you where you want to go. Witness the 100's of great drivers wheeling around the short tracks every weekend with every bit as much talent as the current crop of steering wheel holders. For the record, Miller did get two or three seasons of "Cup" racing as did Burt's dad, Gary, back in the 70's. Finances just didn't let them move on and they were content in being good at what they do which translates into being the big-fish-little-pond you so snidely described.

And that will be 62 years of the Madhouse on opening night in April. Strange the track has never produced many drivers in recent years (1960's through today) who moved up the ladder for long unless you count Childress who never won a feature race there. Several from back in the early days like Turner, my dad, the Flocks, Geln Wood and a few more moved up.

Bobby I am personally inviting you to come to Winston-Salem and go with Allen and me to see a race at BG. Yes there are plenty of "rednecks' and plenty of rough driving and rough drivers, but I think you will be amazed at the loality the fans have for this track. You know the history of Bobby Myers and I think you will get a better understanding of where he and other ledgends came from. I go to work and have people come up to me and ask about the races I run and when are we coming to BG. It is a way of life for many people in this area. Not everything is the way you seen it on TV. I ran there for a season a few years ago, and trust me I never acted the way you seen on TV and for the most part neither did the other drivers, of course you always have a few bad apples. The nights I am not racing I will more than likley be at the "Stadium" watching Burt and Jason. Randy is right, everyone get out and support you local "madhouse" even though it may not be as mad as BG.

This is Allen McKnight: I have been going to the Stadium since 1949. I have always supported the Myers. Burt and Jason are the 3rd generation of Myers I support and hope that I live long enough to support a fourth. The last race that I seen Bobby Myers run at BGS he was driving Tim Browns grandfathers car (Eb Clifton). He broke an axle leading the race and "Toot" Jenkins went on to win the race so you see my roots go deep with the Myers. My dad stood with Bobby and Billy and faught at tracks from Trenton NJ to deep into FL.I love BGS as much today as I did when I seen it for the first time as a little boy, I had rather win a race at BG than at any of the tracks in the US.Thank youAllen McKnight

I'd love to Ronda, we'll have to plan a trip to BGS this coming season. I really feel that there's much more to the story than was portrayed on "Mad House". I'm sure there's an intense rivalry, and that's understandable, but IMO, Hollywood has yet to capture the soul of stock car racing. "Mad House" was only the latest in a long string of missed opportunities for the sport and the media. Ronda McKnight said:

Bobby I am personally inviting you to come to Winston-Salem and go with Allen and me to see a race at BG. Yes there are plenty of "rednecks' and plenty of rough driving and rough drivers, but I think you will be amazed at the loality the fans have for this track. You know the history of Bobby Myers and I think you will get a better understanding of where he and other ledgends came from. I go to work and have people come up to me and ask about the races I run and when are we coming to BG. It is a way of life for many people in this area. Not everything is the way you seen it on TV. I ran there for a season a few years ago, and trust me I never acted the way you seen on TV and for the most part neither did the other drivers, of course you always have a few bad apples. The nights I am not racing I will more than likley be at the "Stadium" watching Burt and Jason. Randy is right, everyone get out and support you local "madhouse" even though it may not be as mad as BG.

Bobby I am behind you 100%, Hollywood has yet to capture the soul of stock car racing. Their approach to the history of stock car racing was totaly backwards. A better approach to the history of stock car racing would have shown that hard working men from normal jobs who worked 5-7 days a weeks and had familys. While at night worked on their stock cars so they could race on Sat. night. Scour the junk yards for parts whenever possible to be able to race. They had open trailers and little money or sponsors with leather helmets and seat belts from airplains or whatever was in the car. This long history of racing is deeply entrenched in many familys and communities and I understand that, but Hollywood missed the bus and put two very good drivers head on the chopping block of public opinion. I attend the NSS in Concord each year and look forward to seeing both drivers and will continue to. Bobby Williamson said:

I'd love to Ronda, we'll have to plan a trip to BGS this coming season. I really feel that there's much more to the story than was portrayed on "Mad House". I'm sure there's an intense rivalry, and that's understandable, but IMO, Hollywood has yet to capture the soul of stock car racing. "Mad House" was only the latest in a long string of missed opportunities for the sport and the media.

Ronda McKnight said:

Bobby I am personally inviting you to come to Winston-Salem and go with Allen and me to see a race at BG. Yes there are plenty of "rednecks' and plenty of rough driving and rough drivers, but I think you will be amazed at the loality the fans have for this track. You know the history of Bobby Myers and I think you will get a better understanding of where he and other ledgends came from. I go to work and have people come up to me and ask about the races I run and when are we coming to BG. It is a way of life for many people in this area. Not everything is the way you seen it on TV. I ran there for a season a few years ago, and trust me I never acted the way you seen on TV and for the most part neither did the other drivers, of course you always have a few bad apples. The nights I am not racing I will more than likley be at the "Stadium" watching Burt and Jason. Randy is right, everyone get out and support you local "madhouse" even though it may not be as mad as BG.

It makes us short track racers look just like what we are stereotyped as, a bunch of backward, no class, uneducated hicks. I find it to be an absolutely worthless program on short track racing. I scripted an outline for a reality tv show revolved around short track racing and it's from a positive perspective, but no one was interested, not SPEED, Nascar Media Group, Hammerhead Entertainment, etc... One of my responses was simply that it wasn't "redneck" enough. I don't know how they get away with this show when Bowman-Grey's a Nascar Whelen track & the mods are part of that series, right?

I have followed modified racing very little, but i always thought that Junior Miller was a big time racer and after watching the show I was let down BIG time but look at what TV does to people, it makes them act stupid. I have been planning to go to BG to see the famous track that so many legends have raced at but if the fans and drivers fight has much as they did on the show I want be taking my family, I know it's a part of short track racing but that was a little to much.Maybe I'll go during the week. greg campbell said:

Junior Miller has been to the big time,he raced in cup back in the 80's.Not everybody wants to go to cup.If most drivers were completely honest,they would all like to go back in time to their home track.Some drivers like being a big fish in a small pond.Richie Evans was happy with his carrear.He raced ,provided for his family,and had fun.Yeah ,he didn't make the millions, but How much Crown can you drink , and how much filet mignon can you eat.

Brian Janik said:

If you were told by Mark Martin and Roush that you were that good,, then fomulate a plan to build your own truck team, run a limited schedule. Ask them for guidance on how to navagate the difficulte areas of that level of racing. It was very obvious in your actions during the show that you don't enjoy tearing up your car each week. You certainly have the age the skill and the drive to expand your abilities to accompolish something more than BG has to offer. Step out of your comfort zone and take a chance.

Randy Myers said:

Brian Janik said:

Yes overacting is an understatement. BG may be a Madhouse on raceday for the past 40 plus years and thats fine. It draws a huge crowd of wild fans who love their Miller and their MYERS and thats something to be proud of,,loyal fans. As good as Miller and Myers are, why are they still at BG? NC is the meca of NASCAR and these guys I though by now would have had their sights on bigger and better things. But not everyone has the talent to leave the small pond and go play with the big fish.

John Joyce said:

My father and others I talked to said that has been the way B_G has always been. I think it may have been a little overacting by the guys but it has the rep of always being "wild". But look at the stands, they are packed! And have been for years. People love the rivilaries. Just a thought...I wonder if Nascar will want to pull it due to negative outlook people will get. Much like the NFL pulled the series "Playmakers" from ESPN a few years ago because potrayed the NFL in a bad light.

Burt tested with Roush several years ago and did quite well according to Mark Martin who was setting up the trucks for the tests. Roush GM said so as well. All it took to sit in the seat was a check for $1,000,000.00. Sometimes all the talent in the world won't get you where you want to go. Witness the 100's of great drivers wheeling around the short tracks every weekend with every bit as much talent as the current crop of steering wheel holders. For the record, Miller did get two or three seasons of "Cup" racing as did Burt's dad, Gary, back in the 70's. Finances just didn't let them move on and they were content in being good at what they do which translates into being the big-fish-little-pond you so snidely described.

And that will be 62 years of the Madhouse on opening night in April. Strange the track has never produced many drivers in recent years (1960's through today) who moved up the ladder for long unless you count Childress who never won a feature race there. Several from back in the early days like Turner, my dad, the Flocks, Geln Wood and a few more moved up.

I finally got to see the first episode...I liked it! I thought it was entertaining...and I thought it was fairly representative of my early days at the short tracks where I raced. I predict...if future episodes of this show are as entertaining, BG will not hold the spectators that attempt to attend races there this year. And....my better half, Kay...who is not a race fan...at all...loved it and called some of her lady friends and told them about the show. she said she can't wait to see the next episode.It is very interesting how one can get such a diverse response to something we all have in common. But I compare this to the responses I've seen to certain race car driver introductions. (Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon, Darrell Waltrip). When everyone in the stands either boos or cheers...you have a winner....you have something...or someone who takes the sport to another level. I think this show is in some ways like that...it got some kind of response from everyone...though very different. It would have been a dud if we were not having this kind of discussion.


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Founder/Creator - RacersReunion®

Ok, I've read alot of these posts about this show in the last week. I give every persons opinion with the utmost respect. But for the life of me I cant understand why the majority of people that replied here has something bad to say about this show and its not because they disliked it. It was because of the way the people acted on the show. Like I posted previously that my father has went to Bowman Gray and told me its just like the way it is on the show. Even yesterday at the show in Raleigh me and my dad were talking with Hank Thomas and he said about only 5% of it was "Hollywood". But the part that isnt, is that fued with the Myers and Miller. I dont care if somebody watches this show on the West Coast or Northeast US and it throws more fuel on the fire for the stereotype of southern people that we act stupid. There are people all over the world that act that crazy over something. So who cares what others think. I'm glad there is a track that actually cares and there is passion over a certain driver or drivers. Look at Cup Series today. You couldnt find anything like that in that snoozefest they have going on now. Thank you Bowman Gray for putting a great show and still having that grass roots part of racing.

Well said,Son

Well said. The only thing I would dispute is Hank's comment. It's probably more like 3%. HA! All-in-all, the show represents the "Stadium" and the folks who go there well. And for those of you so worried about the reputation of the folks in the south, we'll survive , and some of other short tracks that are struggling to keep the doors open would do well to take some lessons here. Thomas K. Craig said:

Ok, I've read alot of these posts about this show in the last week. I give every persons opinion with the utmost respect. But for the life of me I cant understand why the majority of people that replied here has something bad to say about this show and its not because they disliked it. It was because of the way the people acted on the show. Like I posted previously that my father has went to Bowman Gray and told me its just like the way it is on the show. Even yesterday at the show in Raleigh me and my dad were talking with Hank Thomas and he said about only 5% of it was "Hollywood". But the part that isnt, is that fued with the Myers and Miller. I dont care if somebody watches this show on the West Coast or Northeast US and it throws more fuel on the fire for the stereotype of southern people that we act stupid. There are people all over the world that act that crazy over something. So who cares what others think. I'm glad there is a track that actually cares and there is passion over a certain driver or drivers. Look at Cup Series today. You couldnt find anything like that in that snoozefest they have going on now. Thank you Bowman Gray for putting a great show and still having that grass roots part of racing.

So it's not a place you could take your family? Unless you bring a baseball bat, is that what your saying? If so I'll just watch it on TV. My dad brought me up with " what starts on the track stay's on the track" I grew up around some of the toughest drivers that ever ran in the south and they would fight every weekend but you could still sit in the stands without worrying about who you pulled for fear of being jumped.I guess my family is just not tough enough to go to B G. I will say last night's show looked to be a little calmer, and I do like Miller,old guys rule !!!!!!!!!!!!i Randy Myers said:

Well said. The only thing I would dispute is Hank's comment. It's probably more like 3%. HA! All-in-all, the show represents the "Stadium" and the folks who go there well. And for those of you so worried about the reputation of the folks in the south, we'll survive , and some of other short tracks that are struggling to keep the doors open would do well to take some lessons here.

Thomas K. Craig said:

Ok, I've read alot of these posts about this show in the last week. I give every persons opinion with the utmost respect. But for the life of me I cant understand why the majority of people that replied here has something bad to say about this show and its not because they disliked it. It was because of the way the people acted on the show. Like I posted previously that my father has went to Bowman Gray and told me its just like the way it is on the show. Even yesterday at the show in Raleigh me and my dad were talking with Hank Thomas and he said about only 5% of it was "Hollywood". But the part that isnt, is that fued with the Myers and Miller. I dont care if somebody watches this show on the West Coast or Northeast US and it throws more fuel on the fire for the stereotype of southern people that we act stupid. There are people all over the world that act that crazy over something. So who cares what others think. I'm glad there is a track that actually cares and there is passion over a certain driver or drivers. Look at Cup Series today. You couldnt find anything like that in that snoozefest they have going on now. Thank you Bowman Gray for putting a great show and still having that grass roots part of racing.

Bryan, you would be fine going to Bowman Gray. I think everybody should go to that track at least once. We just need to keep the short track racing alive. Nascar has tried to do away with it and i'm glad that havent succeeded one bit at Bowman Gray. They pack that place to capacity. However cant say that about alot of other tracks I have went to. Orange County in Rougemont, NC is one. South Boston still does great, which i'm glad of. Its just sad that alot have went under the past 10 years. Bryan Ogle said:

So it's not a place you could take your family? Unless you bring a baseball bat, is that what your saying? If so I'll just watch it on TV. My dad brought me up with " what starts on the track stay's on the track" I grew up around some of the toughest drivers that ever ran in the south and they would fight every weekend but you could still sit in the stands without worrying about who you pulled for fear of being jumped.I guess my family is just not tough enough to go to B G. I will say last night's show looked to be a little calmer, and I do like Miller,old guys rule !!!!!!!!!!!!
i
Randy Myers said:

Well said. The only thing I would dispute is Hank's comment. It's probably more like 3%. HA! All-in-all, the show represents the "Stadium" and the folks who go there well. And for those of you so worried about the reputation of the folks in the south, we'll survive , and some of other short tracks that are struggling to keep the doors open would do well to take some lessons here.

Thomas K. Craig said:

Ok, I've read alot of these posts about this show in the last week. I give every persons opinion with the utmost respect. But for the life of me I cant understand why the majority of people that replied here has something bad to say about this show and its not because they disliked it. It was because of the way the people acted on the show. Like I posted previously that my father has went to Bowman Gray and told me its just like the way it is on the show. Even yesterday at the show in Raleigh me and my dad were talking with Hank Thomas and he said about only 5% of it was "Hollywood". But the part that isnt, is that fued with the Myers and Miller. I dont care if somebody watches this show on the West Coast or Northeast US and it throws more fuel on the fire for the stereotype of southern people that we act stupid. There are people all over the world that act that crazy over something. So who cares what others think. I'm glad there is a track that actually cares and there is passion over a certain driver or drivers. Look at Cup Series today. You couldnt find anything like that in that snoozefest they have going on now. Thank you Bowman Gray for putting a great show and still having that grass roots part of racing.

Jeff if im not mistaken I think this could be turned into a weekly draw crowd here on R/R --just look at the traffic it has generated so far and with a little stirring of the pot from our northern players and the flinging of firewood from our southern players this could indeed become a mecca of interest.It could well need its own little corner here to be easy for all to keep up with .No names are needed because the players here know who you are and I await the next segment of this broil that is the center of attention.So without further ado lets get back to the artistic flair each of the players here offer and keep this going because admittedly each of you know deep down you are creating many many more memories that will be retold to others in the future. But told with your own flair that you enjoyNext weeks show is coming so watch it,tape it,or if you miss it go to this link and watch it carefully http://www.history.com/video.do?name=Madhouse&bcpid=57008462001&bclid=53960801001&bctid=53885072001 and then come back with your variation of the facts, the audience awaits ...but remember in the end you are creating more----------------------------memories