As we all know, humans are prone to error, some of us much more so than others. But then there are those like Randy Myers who won't let such errors continue when he is able to have some input. An example of Randy's perserverance is what brought me, along with Devin Alexander, Frances Flock, Bill Rossi, Wayne Wilson, Leon Phillips, Darren Grigsby, and Jimmy Johnson together with Randy at The NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte on Friday, November 18, 2011. While I had intended to visit the HOF at some point in my life, it was the conversation between Randy and I about six months prior that started the challenge of visiting the HOF. I had made several negative comments about how I thought the HOF was operated and what they were doing wrong. If there has ever been an example of talking about things of which you have no personal experience and being wrong, this is that example.
Randy and I continued our running "discussions" about the HOFuntil early October when he threw down the "racing glove" and said let's do it. We mutually agreed on November 18th and then Randy said "let's see if we can get some others to join us". I secretly knew his ploy. He was trying to get a group together in front of whom I would embarrass myself to have to admit I was wrong about what the HOF represents. Devin, Leon, Wayne and I left a cold parking lot in Columbia at 8:20 a.m. and headed out. Leon had talked to Frances Flock and she wanted to go with us so we were to stop off in "Indian Land" and pick her up. Everything was going well until we had the GPS try to find the address off "Possum Hollow" (I swear that's the street) and between GPS and road signs we were so lost we felt as though we were destined to wander in the wilderness of South Carolina for at least 40 years. Leon got Frances on the phone and she guided us in my instruments and at last we arrived at Possum Hollow to find Ms. Flock standing in the driveway to flag us in.
Once in the van, Frances took us to a highway that led us directly to the Hall of Fame Building in downtown Charlotte without having to fight the I77 traffic.It was a very bright and sunny North Carolina fall morning and the first sight of the HOF was much akin to the first site of The Emerald City when Dorothy and her fellow travels were going to see the wizard. What a beautifully, sparkling facade was presented to the public approaching the building. Frances dutifully directed us to the parking garage and we found a place within a very short distance of the door to the HOF. So far, so good.
We walked around the building to the entrance and as you come around the corner, you are looking through the glass at the front end of the field on the track of dreams starting with the 39 or 40 Ford, moving to the Hudson Hornet Tim Flock drove, and moving on back through Lee Petty's '59 Olds, The Kings '67 Plymouth and continuing. It was almost magical to see. Then, ahead of us waiting at the door was Jimmy Johnson! What a surprise, a very happy surprise to find Jimmy there. We didn't know he was coming.
As we entered the building to buy our tickets, there was Mr. Myers smiling and waiting. I could tell from the twinkle in his eyes that I was to enjoy a special day at the HOF as it seemed his mission was to make sure I left there impressed with what I saw. After buying our tickets, we went the to the registration spot to register our NASCAR HOF "hard card" which would allow us access to many different facets of the HOF. From there, it was into the theater to view the short (maybe 10-12 minute) presentation.
So, what was the presentation in the theater like? Let's just said I was NOT the only one to admit a little lump in the throat or mist in the eyes as we watched video of events from the beginning to the modern day which were presented in such rapid fire motion that it was difficult to absorb it all. That is a theater well worth sitting in for four or five viewings, AT LEAST, to begin to see it all.
We left the theater and began to tour the first floor. Impressive? To a degree but I'm secretly thinking this is exactly what I expected. Alot of shiny objects with no substance. It was about that time that Randy said "wait until we get to the third floor". Frances backed up that statement although the rest of us couldn't understand the meaning of that promise, or threat. We just didn't know at the time.
After touring the first floor and viewing so much it defies written descriptiion, we ascended to the second floor. It was impressive with many interactive attractions including full size simulations which I did not attempt for two reasons: 1) I wasn't sure I could get out of it afterwards as I have experienced such problems in the past with race cars recently, and 2) that was a $5.00 extra charge which I just didn't feel like spending. But there were many other interactive attractions which were no addition cost, the most interesting of which was allowing anyone to compete against anyone else in mock-fueling a car and changing the left rear tire on a pit stop. I watched a couple people participate with this action and when the wife beat the hubby on the time pit stop there was high-fiving every bit as enthusiastic as Jimmie Johnson having a very quick pit stop. I didn't try that or we may still be there with me trying to get the tire back on. Now it was time to venture to the third floor(sometimes called the fourth floor for reasons of which I'm not sure).
As the elevator doors opened on that floor I was half expecting to see the Wizard of Oz behind the current making magic happen. After 10 minutes on that floor, I was convinced that even had the Wizard of Oz had the powers to which he claimed title, he could not have begun to conjur up that magic. Wow! No, WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This was the floor which reflects the heritage and the history of the sport in very tangible, very visual ways. Frances Flock's extensive scrap books were all on a computer system where you could interact and view the actual scrap book articles which contain a most detailed history of the sport. I read more than 20 minutes worth and could have stayed right there all day. All around were videos running of events in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. The actual video and Ken Squire calling the last lap of the 1979 Daytona 500 on a screen located right behind the full size mock up of Donnie and Cale's cars from that day. Bill Rossi finally answered the constantly ringing telephone on the wall as it was becoming most distracting and Bill received instructions from Raymond Parks to "go with the changes in set up". Life size statutes of Big Bill, Raymond Park, Red Vogt and others were all around. As we walked and read and looked, there were so many artifacts of our early days it was sensory overload. We saw some of Tim Flock's trophys from the 50s, pictures of cars and drivers, some of whom I had put so far in the back of my mind that I had not recalled them in years. So very much to see, hear and take in.
I walked around one of the kiosk displays and looked in the glass display box. I am sure anyone observing could have distinguished the cold chills that caused me to shiver. There, in front of me, behind glass, was one of those Smokey Yunick hats he always wore. You could tell by looking that it was actually worn extensively by Smokey. How incredible.
By this time we were all hungry so we went down to the Buffalo Wings located right there in the HOF. To say we were treated like racing royalty woud be, in my opinion, stating it midly. Everyone we encountered working in the place was extraordinarily helpful, courteous and friendly. The food was outstanding, I mean REALLY outstanding. When I got my bill at the end of the meal I was shocked at how reasonable the charge. My usual fare at McDonalds of Chick-Fil-A would have been about the same. I was impressed.
During and after the meal the conversation was flowing all around our table of eight (Jimmy had to leave and head back to Rockingham before we ate). The stories from Frances, Bill and Randy could keep a fan spellbound. All three of those individuals have first hand stories from the history of racing that could fill books. Maybe I should go to college and learn to be a writer so I could put all that in book form. We finished up our food and conversation ant decided to go back to the third floor for one last hour of trying to see all we had missed. Quite truthfully, for fans like those of us here on Racers Reunion, this particular floor is at least a full day event. It is a non-stop panarama of beautifully preserved artifacts, films, pictures and on and on.
Our day was ending as we all gathered (except Randy who also had to leave a little early) on the third floor and just engaged in general conversation of opinions, comments, remarks, and thoughts. Darren (a/k/a Bumpertag) is a very knowledgeable and passionate individual about his sport. It was a great pleasure to get to know him in the course of the day. He added so much to the enjoyment of all of us with his comments.
So it was time to leave and get out of down town Charlotte before rush hour. Once again, my trusty GPS, now known as Frances Flock, guided us safety and wonderfully out of the city and a return to Possum Hollow. When we arrived at her home, she invited us in to see her memrobelia. Her two car garage in which a car has never been would be my guess, is covered with hundrers of pictures of Tim's career and NASCAR history and so many of his trophies. She took us on the tour and show us special things she has saved over the years that can not be bought for any price. That was truly a very special treat for all of us to have that as an ending to the day.
Then the four of us from Columbia boarded the van and struck out for I77 with a promise to call Frances and let her know when we got to the Interstate as we were convinced that you could not possibly return from Possum Hollow to I-77 without the ruby slippers Dorothy used to return from Oz. But we did, and we made it safely back to Columbia. We stood in the parking lot for a few minutes and discussed our trip and then we each went our separate ways.
I had last night and most of today to think about that trip. Also to think about what deep gratitude I owe to Randy Myers to forcing the issue and getting me off my duff to get to Charlotte. What a wonderful experience to share that day with some really fine folks. Then to sit here writing this and realizing that yesterday I was in the presence of some of the most famous names in NASCAR racing, Myers, Flock, and Rossi, going through a museum that contained a lot of their families history. You know what? It also contained a lot of my growing up. What can one really say about something like that. Thanks to each of them for spending time together. We all agree that we are going to do it again, and, frankly, probably somewhat often because to spend a day like that sort of takes the edge off days that aren't really that good. Thanks to each one of you, all of you, for being a part of that special day in Charlotte. Thanks to each of you readers who have gotten to the end of this. I truly believe no matter who writes the description of the events yesterday or the actual experience of the Hall of Fame, the printed word will not come close to the actual experience, cannot even begin to relate that feeling. This is one of those times when you truly HAD TO HAVE BEEN THERE.
This old man was wrong. While that is not an anomily in itself, it seems I outdid myself with my previously unwarranted bashing of the HOF. I was wrong but I have seen the light. I have seen the light of the shining building in downtown Charlotte which is much more that what it appears from the outside and much more than contained in the name on the building facade. It IS a Hall of Fame. But it is also a Hall of Memories of yesterday, and God willing, a window to the future of what the sport can become with the passion that Bumpertag and I discussed yesterday. The passion is there, not as someone my age remembers, but nevertheless, still passion. Don't believe it? Watch Randy Myers' eyes when he talks about certain exhibits. Hear the excitement in Frances Flock's voice anytime she is talking about her husband. Feel the excitement in Bill Rossi's presence when he sees his father's cars in pictures throughout the museum.
Will I go back? Yes. Will those who went with me go back? They all say so. Should you go? Yes, if you are a fan, were a fan, or think you may ever be a fan, visit the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
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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: 12/05/16 04:02:57PM
