Forum Activity for @steve-struve

What Racing Souvenir(s) do you treasure the most?

General

Somewhere lurking in the depths of my closet is my original Kil-Kare Speedway official "Track Crew" shirt. Of course, I couldn't begin to fit into it anymore - it's amazing how old items of clothing shrink right there on the hanger. That's about the only real chunk of memorabilia I have left from my "track" days. However, I DO still have the one part of racing history that I recently rediscovered - my cache of 35MM negatives. I was sure those were long gone - but by some miracle I found them in a very old storage box. The really cool thing about those types of souvenirs is that, through the wonders of the Internet, and this even more wonderful Racers Reunion web site, I can share all of those memories with all of you. That makes all the time scanning, editing, researching and posting really worth it. I've met some really terrific people here.Thanks.

Ghost Track in Dodge Commercial

Historic Speedways and Ghost Tracks

Now, THAT's pretty cool !!!!

Ghost Track in Dodge Commercial

Historic Speedways and Ghost Tracks

I just caught a new TV commercial that started off showing a run-down racetrack somewhere in the USA and an announcer lamenting over how many places such as this one are now gone, etc, etc. THEN a throaty motor is heard, and a couple of spiffy new trucks start zooming around the track - Dodges !

The question is : WHICH TRACK IS IT ? I didn't notice anything like a speedway name on the front stretch wall, or anything else that would seem to identify the place. If anybody'll know which one it is, it'll be thegood folks right here.

I'm actually looking forward to seeing the commercial again ! (I didn't really say that, did I ?) Hadn't knowingly seen the commercial before, but if you are all going to tell me it's been running for months, I haven't seen it. Maybe that's because I TIVO all the races and zoom through the commercials so I can see 20 minutes of racing for every hour of coverage !

Steve

updated by @steve-struve: 12/05/16 04:08:38PM

The Hall of Blame

General

Hee Hee Hee - glad to see nothing has changed since I left Charlotte. Same as fifteen - twenty years ago ! Patty's right - politics as usual. You ought to see the creative things they do here in Vegas ! "Someone" wants a new major-league arena here to attract an NBA and perhaps an NHL franchise and have modern facilities for the UNLV teams. The turf wars on that are just beginning here. Some really fantastic proposals and outright lies are being floated !

Although, I do support the idea that Charlotte is a much better location for the HOF than Florida or Atlanta ! It should do better there than anyone else - even if it'll never make the kind of money the politicians promised.

WASCAR Headlines

Stock Car Racing History

Oh wow, there are sure to be some comments on this ! I'll let others discuss the merits of WASCAR, 2053, Richard, Kevin, Rowdy and "closets " ! Heck, I'll be 106 then and it's not likely I'll be in attendance. But, like Dave said - I, too, remember those "Humpy" days at Charlotte. That's one of the things I miss. Pole Day / Boxing Day was one of the events we waited for every race. IBM would be strangely devoid of Engineers on Pole Day - usually a group of around two dozen to thirty of us would take a half day off, pay our five bucks or so, get some lunch (including a beer - which you never did if you were heading back to Big Blue after lunch), and kick back for a wonderful afternoon of entertainment. This remembrance should probably have been directed to one of those "old time racin' - things I miss" forums, but Dave's reply got me thinkin'.........

Google Earth - Charlotte Motor Speedway

General

While looking through Google Earth yesterday, at my old neighborhood around Rt. 29 and Pitts School Rd in Harrisburg NC, I happened to drift down Rt 29 to Charlotte Motor Speedway. There is a new photo of the speedway now in Google. When you zoom in closer, the speedway grounds are alive with activity.Apparently it was taken during AutoFair. It also was probably taken Sunday mid morning, judging from the amount of remaining vendors on the field and the amount of cars in the carcorral. The car shows in the infield look to be thePony Car types - which is also a clue as to the photo being taken on Sunday. My question: Is this the most recent AutoFair that just ended last weekend, or is it from a year ago? Haven't been to this event for years - I movedaway in 1998.If you were there this year (or last) and can tell me for sure when this was taken, I would sure appreciate it.
updated by @steve-struve: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM

Racing Photos

General

In my short time here, I have gone through the pages one at a time also - TWICE - from newest to oldest. (It does take awhile to do so !) The really interesting thing is that the second time around, I swear there are picturesincluded that were not there when I originally went through them the first time. I know that isn't true - the second look at anything always reveals additional details to our brains. Now, I've been just filling in a random page number occasionally - like 596, or 38, or 1202 ! It's amazing what you will find here - just enjoy it, and feel free to contribute any photos you may have. It wouldn't surprise me if we don't end up with 100,000 or more photos eventually ! Steve

Question of the Day for March 31, 2011 Local Short Tracks

General

OK, I'll start. In Las Vegas we are blessed with a facility that has all manner of racing available. Super Speedway, Bull Ring, Dirt Track, Road Course, and Drag Strip. The big time events are on the Super Speedway, of course, but the complex holds numerous races on the smaller venues. The Bull Ring and the Dirt Track are my favorites. Both offer the best Bruton can provide (Love him, or hate him !). But the best thing about the "local" shows is the show itself. The track keeps things moving, and does not drag out the racing program. You qualify when you are supposed to and your race lines up and runs - so you better be there. Plus, they are fan friendly with Military and Senior discounts. There's things for the kids to do. There's also a variety of concessions available and they aren't way overpriced - just a little overpriced. (The universal lament !) The only thing I would say that the track does not do well is advertise upcoming events in order to entice a non-regular to come out and see a race. Also, other than for the Superspeedway events, the local press generally ignores the place. The main "unusual" thing about racing in the desert, is the season. There's a month or two OFF in the middle of the summer. Too darn hot to run when the temperature hits 107 and the asphalt actually melts if you try to run a show in Summertime. Racing is good, but it sure is different ! Steve

Question of the Day for March 28, 2011

General

This a tough question. Really. I'vevery muchliked a half dozen, or so, through the years. I guess my favorite would have to be Dayton Speedway, Dayton, Ohio. It was a high banked asphalt half mile oval that humbled many a driver. Every type of race car in existence ran there at one time or another. Unfortunately, it is now buried under a landfill....

Question of the day for March 27, 2011

General

This one's easy - # 98 Benny Parsons. Great, very visible yellow paint, blue number, few decals, etc. From the old ARCA days before "we" gave Benny to NASCAR, ESPN, and the rest of the world.

Steve