Nicknames
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Lets don't forget "Bertha", Darrells favorite.
Forum Activity for @bumpertag
Fire at or near the NASCAR Hall of Fame
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Thanks Patty. I've been so busy I haven't had time to do any digging. I knew they were fine so I stopped worrying.
Fire at or near the NASCAR Hall of Fame
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My son just sent me a text, but all he said was "It's fine." I take that as the fire did no damage (whereever it was) and they are out of any danger. If I hear more I will pass it on. Praying for the firefighters in this heat and everyone at the Hall.
Fire at or near the NASCAR Hall of Fame
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My son called about 40 minutes ago and told me they were run out of the NASCAR Hall of Fame because of a fire. He was told "This no drill, everyome must leave now!" When they got outside he witnessed several firetrucks pull up. He said he didn't notice smoke or anything in the hall and when they were standing outside he overheard someone ask if the fire was in the parking garage. He should call and let me know when he finds out what is going on. I'll keep you posted.
updated by @bumpertag: 04/10/17 09:07:03AM
Today vs Yesteryear and why
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For some time I've tried to understand why I have such a hard time looking at today's drivers in the same light as the drivers I saw as hero's years ago. It finally came to me. It is something we have all talked about but I failed to tie the loose ends together until today. It all comes down to saturation. Pure and simple, too much coverage. All NASCAR all the time has kindda made me numb towards the drivers and the sport. I love NASCAR and would probably jump off the nearest bridge if the TV coverage of the races were to end, but in my opinion the amount of media coverage the sport is getting has depleated the level of excitement. It kindda like living room furniture, after a while you don't even notice it anymore.
I miss the days of limited NASCAR coverage. We didn't need to know how many times they had been married and we didn't care. We all had our hero's for no other reason than we like the driver or the team or the car, that was enough. Don't get me wrong I enjoy the coverage and what it has done for the sport, but at the same time it has taken the tingle out of the sport, that feeling we got when we did find some coverage years ago. Let me know if you agree that there is too much coverage or are you happy with the media bombardment we get every week.
updated by @bumpertag: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM
Preachers are getting into the Racing mode these days
Stock Car Racing History
It was funny but I didn't care for it. My feeling is that he was ask to pray, not be a comedian.
Did you ever see Richard Petty win in person?
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I was lucky enough to see Richard many times and got to speak to him a few. The one time that stands out in my mind was in the early 80's when I was helping on the James Hylton crew at Talladega. I don't remember if this was the year he won or not, but we were on pit road at the end of practice and the Goodyear guys were getting the tire temps and handed the sheet to James who was still straped in the car. I was knelt down at the drivers window when James yeld out "Hey Richard" and The King walked up and stuck his head in the passengers window. As the two of them talked about the tire temperatures on both their cars, I was staring at Richard and still amazed at how personable he was. Everytime I had seen him in the past, in and out of the garage, or right there on pit road I was struck by just how genuine he is. After they talked a few minutes Richard handed James his sheet with the tire temps on it and walked away down pit road. I stood and watched him walk away and saw him stop for several autographs, stand for photos or just wave as fans called his name. This is one of the biggest reasons why NASCAR has the fan base it has and, in my opinion, it started with this man, Richard Petty.
Did you ever see Richard Petty win in person?
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We"ve all heard the stories of how Richard would set and sing autographs for hours, but if you haven't been there and seen just how long it just doesn't register. Thanks for sharing what you witnessed and can verify so the rest of us can understand what this man did for the fans. I don't think the drivers today would set till after dark to make sure that anyone who wanted an autograph would not be disappointed.
Did you ever see Richard Petty win in person?
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I've been a Richard Petty fan since 1972 and started going to races in 1973. It wasn't untill the 1975 World 600 at Charlotte that I witnessed The King win. It was special because Petty had not won at Charlotte before. My uncle hated Richard Petty because he was the biggest menace to his guy, David Pearson. He had told me many times during our weekend racing debates that if Petty ever won at Charlotte he would never go back. After the World 600 and later that yearthe National 500, both of which Petty won that year, my uncle never went to another race at Charlotte. I saw both those wins and later when I helped on the crew of James Hylton in 1983 I saw Richard win at Talladega. This was an amazing race from the pits. I watched Petty go to the outside in the Trioval many times that day and pass cars running side by side all day. He would go 3 wide and when they hit the short shoot to turn 1 he would be in the fastest line and make the pass. When he won I stood in the middle of pit road so I could see him approach and turn into Victory Lane. That was the last race I saw Petty win, but it was amazing.