Sausage, Chicken and history

Today, July 12, 2010, I had the distinct honor and pleasure to be invited to lunch by one Jim Streeter, an almost 84 year old member of Racers Reunion and a gentleman who appeared on Racin' through History last Tuesday evening in the "Meet a Member" segment. The food was good, the tea was just as I like it, and the company was outstanding. We talked of racing, football (USC) ,theater (because our waiter performs in local theater productions), buying a new computer (as if I'm an expert) but mostly it was an extraordinary experience for me to sit across the table from Jim Streeter as he relayed stories of personal experience from the earliest days of stock car racing, long before there was even a NASCAR. Jim has stories that will make you laugh until you can't sit up straight (the promoter running with the purse) to stories that touch the heart of drivers long ago gone and who are remembered only by family and maybe a few fans.

Jim Streeter is a walking history book of stock car racing. As he himself states, his physical health is not that great, but that mind is as sharp as the edge of the splitter that Kyle Busch uses to cut down left rear tires of other drivers!!!! Jim is really a pleasure to share time with.

We are working on getting Jim as a featured guest on the Tuesday night radio show very soon so all of you reading this make a list of questions you would like Jim to answer about the history of the sport. I can almost guarantee you he can answer anything about the early days. Oh, and I know for a fact that he will have a new supercharged computer at his disposal by the end of the week.

Thanks, Jim Streeter, for a great lunch and for sharing all the time with me today. It was an honor and privilege to be in your company.

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: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM

Jim has been my source for quite a while now. He just knows so much without being a know-it-all. How he remembers all this history 55 plus years ago is amazing. But then, I can't remember yesterday, but I remember a race from the early 60's like it just happened. Something in Jim's mind remembers the passion and fun that used to be in racing. We're all very grateful for that.Thanks Jim.Your friend, Pete

He reminds me of my dad so much by the way he talks and tells tales from the good ole days. I can listen to him for hours I guess, but the real reason is the info he relays in his round about way. Talk on Jim, im listening

Johnny, you really paid attention to what your Dad said. You are very, very knowledgeable about the old cars. With that said, it got me thinking about how much we might be missing by not going to Mom, Dad, Uncles, Aunts, Grandma's and Grandpa's etc... and asking them what they remember. Who knows, someone might remember an old photograph they took and a bunch more could be sitting in the attic or basement. If a racing influence or role model is still around sit down, talk and you might be surprised the reaction you get and the story you hear. Unfortunately my Dad and Uncle and the others who got me interested are gone. But I now have Jim, Johnny, Tim, Ray, Robbie, Jeff and so many others I can relive memories with and most important... learn.Yesterday I met up with a fellow Racers Reunion friend about 11:00 am and we looked over a box of photos and clippings I have on loan from my local hero in Michigan and Brian brought up a few pictures (7 albums) of Michigan racers. We talked and reminisced about the 'Glory Days" and talked non-stop about our memories. Soon we noticed it was 5:00 and we needed to wrap up. But what a day with a very good friend who drove an hour to spend with me. At the same time I felt so sad that my Dad didn't see what I saw yesterday. He would've LOVED it!Great discussion, Tim.Pete

Jim helped me out recently on a topic I've been chasing for a decade. Most people never even heard of it but he knew exactly what I was talking about and plenty more. Even through the brief postings on here I could tell he was a good person with lots of knowledge!