Racing History Minute - October 16, 1949
Stock Car Racing History
Bump
Forum Activity for @tmc-chase
March 25, 1973 - Martinsville's Dogwood 84
Stock Car Racing History
Only took me six months to realize an error I made last spring.
True: The 1973 Dogwood 500 was scheduled for March 25th.
False: Tony Curtis' pics were NOT from that day because the prelim 250 LMS race was rained out after 84 laps as Dave's article referenced. The modifieds didn't race at all that day.
True: The twin bill was rescheduled for Sunday, April 1. But... rain intervened yet again & the race was reset for tax day, April 15th.
True: The races were rescheduled for a third time for May 13th - and they finally were held that day. Ray Hendrick won the LMS first race, and NASCAR HOFer Jerry Cook captured the modified event.
updated by @tmc-chase: 01/18/20 05:20:38AM
Racing History Minute - September 7, 1958
Stock Car Racing History
Powers' run and "jump" in Ken Carter's Lincoln Continental rocket car remains one of the craziest and ill-conceived stunts of all time.
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updated by @tmc-chase: 01/18/20 05:20:38AM
September 1956 - A lost race for Alex FL Racing Fan?
Stock Car Racing History
Planned to bump - but rain arrived to cancel it.*
*not really. Bump.
Riding the Hound to Darlington on Labor Day - September 5, 1966
General
A Greyhound Bump
updated by @tmc-chase: 01/18/20 05:20:38AM
P.A. Announcer Ray Melton's Final "GENTLEMEN - START YOUR ENGINES" Command
Stock Car Racing History
From Daily Press - Newport News - Monday, February 17, 1986
Racing voice Melton dies
Bill Kiser, PR director at Darlington Raceway, remembers the late Ray Melton as a very special sort of racing pioneer, a man with a distinctive voice who loved to promote the sport at every turn.
Melton, 73, died Saturday night while undergoing surgery in Virginia Beach. The long-time race announcer had been in surgery for nine hours while physicians tried to install a pacemaker. He had been in failing health for several years.
Next weekend's NASCAR 400-lap race at the Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway would have marked his 31st consecutive year of announcing at the half-mile track. "We're thinking of not even having the command," track owner Paul Sawyer said here Sunday. "Out of respect for Ray, we'll probably just have a moment of silence, then let the drivers start after that."
Melton began announcing at speedways and fairgrounds throughout the Southeast and Middle Atlantic area after leaving the Marine Corps following World War II. He was the advance man for the famous Lucky Teeter Thrill Show and also worked for the Hell Drivers stunt team. He became well-known for his gravely-voiced command that "GENTLEMEN, STAAAART YOOOOR ENGINES."
He loved the command so much that he'd call them out almost anywhere even in public restaurants during press luncheons. He spent much of his career giving lap-by-lap accounts of races to the fans at Darlington, Charlotte, Rockingham, Richmond and Dover. He was available' as a "special guest" to give the commands at short tracks like Langley Speedway, Virginia Raceway and Southside Speedway.
From Daily Press - Newport News, Virginia - February 19, 1986
Melton’s funeral in Virginia today
By AL PEARCE Sports Writer
Funeral services for Ray Melton are scheduled at 1 p.m. today at Holoman-Brown Funeral Home on Independence Blvd. in Virginia Beach. Melton, 73, a long-time racing announcer and promotions figure, died Saturday night while undergoing heart surgery in Virginia Beach.
A native of Rocky Mount, N.C., he began his announcing career soon after World War II. He first worked with such post war attractions as the Lucky Teeter Thrill Show and the Hell Drivers, but quickly moved into speedway announcing.
He moved to Tidewater in the late 1940s and announced for the late Joe Weatherly at Chinese Corners Speedway in Norfolk. Weatherly and Paul Sawyer helped get Melton hired at the Darlington (S.C.) Raceway. Melton's familiar gravel-toned, booming voice was also heard at speedways in Charlotte, Rockingham, Richmond and Dover.
Tom Higgins
General
For those who haven't heard, long-time motorsports writer Tom Higgins recently suffered a stroke. What little I know is culled from tweeted updates from his friend and fellow writer Steve Waid.
Steve first tweeted Tom had his stroke on August 13. He didn't need surgery. He had some left side paralysis but it's believe it will be temporary with therapy.
Aug 16: Tom was moved from ICU to a room.
Aug 18: Tom was discharged to an inpatient rehab facility.
Aug 22: Tom now in full-blown therapy. Long road ahead. Alert but challenged.
Aug 25: Steve says each day is a little bit better yet improvement is minimal. Tom's son is helping him tend to personal matter which is a big help, but Tom is still apparently in rough shape. While he is seeing a handful of visitors, it's best if most don't try to see him at this point. He is often in pain and very tired following therapy.
Chase
updated by @tmc-chase: 01/16/21 03:28:03PM