Question of the Day for March 24, 2011

A very great "thank you" to all who responded to the Question from yesterday. Super stories and what I perceive as some real unlying emotions in some of those. Today, a two part discussion question which will hopefully dig into your memory banks and provide some great stories. So, here goes:

1. Which race is the most memorable race you ever attended or watched on tv?

2.What made that event so memorable.

I have many such stories from all my years about racing and I may share my most memorable one at the end of the discussions here. I think everyone will be shocked at my most poignant memory.

Thanks for sharing.

Tim

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What a change! It's been awhile since I've checked in and I'm quite surprised. It may take me awhile to figure it our but first look it's really great.


updated by @tim-leeming: 04/03/17 04:47:29PM

This one's pretty easy for me. I have watched races in Daytona from just about everywhere around the track - infield, pits, grandstands, etc.............but on February 18, 1979, I was in the infield between turns 3 & 4. Donnie Allison and Cale Yarborough had been battling for the lead much of the day, and on the last lap of the race as they were approaching turn 3, they got together and wound up taking each other out of the race. I still cannot tell you to this day who wrecked who..........but that is when the famous fight occurred in the grass between turns 3 & 4 between combatants Cale, Donnie, and Bobby Allison......as Bobby had stopped to check on his brother. Sometime afterward, Bobby uttered those famous words that "Cale just kept banging his nose on my fist". Of course, Richard Petty was the unexpected beneficiary of the last lap situation between Donnie and Cale as he went on to win his 6th Daytona 500. This was also the first live-televised NASCAR Grand National race............and they could not have picked a better one to show to a television audience.

My most memorable race was a June 15, 1966 NASCAR Grand National race at the beautiful 1/2-mile asphalt Beltsville (MD) Speedway won by Tiny Lund over James Hylton. The factory Fords were boycotting and David Pearson in the Cotton Owens Dodge and Richard Petty in his Plymouth were on the front row. When the green flag dropped Pearson dropped his drive shaft at the starting line. Petty took a tremendous lead, then blew up. This race markedthe first appearance ever of a tiny maroon and white J.D. Bracken Chevelle driven by Bobby Allison with an adhesive tape #2 on the doors. Although the competitive light weight Chevelleblew up that night, it would soon be a winner on the "Northern Tour". With the big stars out, Lund and Hylton put on a side by side driving exhibition that had fans on their feet. Hylton was on the inside with Lund dirt tracking on the outsideuntil the checkers, with Lund barely prevailing. It was an awesome race and a delight to see the "independents" slug it out.


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"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"

Alright...I would have more interesting one's...but since I haven't been watching long as stated yesterday...I only have tales from the last 8 years or so.1. 2003 Homestead - first race watched, Hometown hero, Bill Elliott blew tire on last lap.2. 2008 Talladega - Carl Edwards flips his car, I remember it well because I was VERY scared that one of my favorite drivers died that day...but to my amazement, not only did he climb out of the car under his own power, but he also sprinted the finish line by foot.3. 2011 Daytona 500 - I think we all know why...it was just purely awesome seeing such as nice kid and a nice team get one of the biggest wins in their 60+ year history. A fairytale story persay.-Cody