Charley Stewart, Black American, WWII Vet and Sprint Car Racer, Breaks the Color Barrier to Race Sprint Cars in 1949
Stock Car Racing History
Some Offys passing by in the 1969 Hoosier Hundred:
Forum Activity for @dave-fulton
Stock Car Racing History
Charley Stewart, Black American, WWII Vet and Sprint Car Racer, Breaks the Color Barrier to Race Sprint Cars in 1949
Stock Car Racing History
Found a news clip on the Midwestracingarcives.com web site promoting a June 1953 CSRA (Central States Racing Association) sprint car event at Fort Wayne Speedway, but not specific to Charlie Stewart.
Fort Wayne, Ind. (June 24, 1953) - The big cars will make their first appearance of the year at the Fort Wayne Speedway on Sunday, racing under the sanction of the Central States Racing Association.
A field of 30, including some of the fastest big cars racing under the CSRA banner, is expected here for the Gold Crown race. A purse of $2,500 has been posted for the eight-event card.
Among the early entries are Bud Randall of Union City, Ind., current leader in the Central States Racing Association point standing; Tom Cherry of Muncie, Ind., and Red Amick of Los Angeles, Calif., driving the Tom Cherry Specials; Jimmy Campbell of Kansas City, who will be at the wheel of a $20,000 Offy, and many others.
Time trials will get under way at 1 p. m., with the first race carded for 2:30 p. m. Two staggered reverse start races, an eight-lap conventional start race; international handicap dash, helmet dash, the semi-feature and feature event make up the big car program.
Also see a book out and about caled "The Rim Riders" by Buzz Rose which looks to be a coffee table type book of the history of the CSRA. Advertised as hard cover, 250 pages, 600 articles and photos. Ad below is from www.coastal181.com :
Free Admission to Monday Night & Tuesday Night Aug. 26-27 Richmond Testing Under Lights
Current NASCAR
Jeff Gordon and a number of other drivers tested last week at Richmond for two consecutive nights under the lights (see Jeff's unshaven face... must think he has to fill in for Smoke) before heading to Bristol. Here's what he had to say:
Free Admission to Monday Night & Tuesday Night Aug. 26-27 Richmond Testing Under Lights
Current NASCAR
News release from the Richmond track:
More NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Drivers Testing, August 26-27
Fans Invited to Attend Free Event; Grandstands Open at 5:00 p.m. Each Night
Ryan Newman & Danica Patrick are two of the drivers testing at Richmond International Raceway August 26-27
On the heels of this weeks under the lights NASCAR Sprint Cup Series testing excitement at Richmond International Raceway , even more stars return to Americas Premier Short Track, August 26-27. Prior to the September 7 Federated Auto Parts 400 One Last Race to Make The Chase at Americas Premier Short Track, drivers will prepare their cars at RIR, and grandstands will be open free to the public from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. each night.
Drivers will get precious track time under the lights in preparation for one of the most anticipated races of the season. Only the top 10 drivers in the point standings and two Wild Cards (drivers who are in positions 11-20 with the most wins) will earn a spot in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. The way things are shaping up, there could be more than 10 drivers on the proverbial bubble.
Participating Monday, August 26 & Tuesday, August 27:
- Danica Patrick
- Mark Martin
- Ryan Newman
- David Reutimann
- David Stremme
- Travis Kvapil
- Parker Kligerman (NASCAR Nationwide Series)
Fans may enter Richmond International Raceway through the Main Gate, located at the corner of Laburnum Avenue and Meadowbridge Rd. Parking will be on the Midway, outside of Gate 70. A concessions stand will be open with food and beverages, and fans are allowed to bring in their own food and beverage (no glass allowed).
updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:04:08PM
Racing History Minute - August 26, 1957
Stock Car Racing History
7 months after his Myrtle Beach win in Julian Petty's Chevy, Gwyn Staley would become the only fatality to date at the Richmond track, dating to its opening in 1946.
On March 23, 1958, Gwyn was hit from behind entering turn one on the first lap of a NASCAR Convertible Series race on the Richmond half-mile dirt track. He rolled Julian Petty's Chevy convertible several times and was pinned in the car upside down against the fence. Most of us will remember Gwyn's brother, Enoch Staley staging for many years the Gwyn Staley Memorial 400 at North Wilkesboro.
Clip below is from the Lexington Dispatch:
A WHATSIT for you great motor builders
General
Johnny, when we went through the NASCAR Hall of Fame Thursday, there was a display of homemade Leonard Wood tools and Bill Blair, Jr. was explaining to us what they were used for.
A WHATSIT for you great motor builders
General
I thought that was a tool they used in New England to crack lobster shells and pull out the meat!
NASCAR's Fall in Charlotte? Or, Has It Ever Been That Popular Here?
Current NASCAR
Hey... Bill & Johnny...
Do ya reckon it could have have been a conspiracy by Bristol owner and Charlotte resident Bruton Smith to have the game run into race time in Charlotte to scare folks into buying tickets next year?
Then again.... maybe it was only appropriate that the Redskins were involved in pre-empting a Bristol race telecast, since they were one of the teams involved in Bristol's inaugural event... the 1961 pre-season exhibition between the Redskins vs. the Philadelphia Eagles on a football field in the Bristol infield described by Eagles' player Billy Ray Barnes as the worst he ever played on!
For those who've forgotten or never knew... here's an interview featured earlier this year at the site www.pittalk.com :
The forgotten gameBristol Motor Speedway
March 12, 2013
Its a game that is rarely talked about, but it did happen. The year was 1961 and the game was between the Washington Redskins and the Philadelphia Eagles. It took place in the infield of Bristol Motor Speedway. The game celebrated its 5oth anniversary two years ago we were lucky enough to catch up and talk with the starting tailback for the Eagles, at the the time, Billy Ray Barnes. Barnes says he doesnt remember much.
That damn game was 52 years ago and Im glad I dont remember much. When we showed up at Bristol the field was the worst field I had ever seen. We played a game one time at the Fairgrounds in Ohio and it was just a tick better than the field at Bristol.
When we were talking to BRB during our interview we got the idea that the times were a lot different back then. We just went and played where we were told. We were getting 50 bucks a game and thought we were rich. 
When they told us we were playing at Bristol Motor Speedway, well, we just went and played. Even though the game was just an NFL exhibition it still drew plenty of fans. The crowd was good, but it felt like a practice. The stands were so far away from the field it was hard to get into it. We couldnt even hear the fans cheering until we were leaving the game.
We wanted to dig a little deeper into some of the more interesting things about the game. Check out our Q and A with Mr. Barnes and be ready to laugh. Enjoy.
Pittalks: What were some of the funny things about playing there?
BRB: Its probably no secret, but back when I played some of the players would have a cigarette during halftime. At Bristol there was only one bathroom at the north end of the field. Both teams were sharing the same bathroom. At halftime we all met up there and had a few cigarettes and then went on and finished the game.
Pittalks: Who won the game?
BRB: Hell, I dont remember. Im pretty sure we won though. I do remember this for sure; I got tackled one time and landed so hard in a puddle I didnt know if I was going to get up before I drowned. There were puddles everywhere on that field.
Pittalks: Where did you guys get dressed and ready before the game?
BRB: We stayed at some small place in town and we dressed there. We showed up ready to play. One of the things that really surprised me when we got there was how steep the track was. You guys call that what?
Pittalks: Its banking Billy.
BRB: Yeah, the damn banking was so steep I almost lost it getting down to the field.
Pittalks: Have you been back since the football game?
BRB: Hell no, Im not much of a race fan. I really like watching them go around the track at 200mph, but I dont go to races. Those drivers got some balls to do that. I respect that.
Pittalks: What do you think about crew guys?
BRB: I know a lot of athletes are getting into racing. You got to be big, strong, and quick to do what they do. Its fun to watch the drivers when it gets towards the last few laps and those guys get after it.
Pittalks: If you were going to be on a pit crew and do one of those positions now, which one do you think you would be best at?
BRB: My answer is simple, none. Youre crazy if you think Im getting in front of those cars. Thats crazy. 
Pittalks: Did you even get to take a lap around the track before or after the game?
BRB: No, we wanted out of there as soon as the game was over. That was the worst field most of us had ever played on and we just wanted to get home.
Pittalks: Well, Mr. Barnes I would like to thank you for taking the time to sit down and chat with us. I really appreciate it and maybe we can get you out to the track one day. Are we missing anything else you wanted to add?
BRB: Yeh, did you see that contract that Calvin Johnson just signed. I got a $124 dollar raise this year for every year I played and that guy just signed a $132 million, 10 year contract. How about a little something for the old guys that helped start the game? Im sure some of the old racers think the same thing.
Pittalks: Im sure they do. Well good luck with everything you got going on and thanks for taking time to talk with us.
NASCAR's Fall in Charlotte? Or, Has It Ever Been That Popular Here?
Current NASCAR
I guess I need to get educated, Johnny. Remember, though, I'm the guy who still can't figure out how to work an old fashioned style cell phone!
NASCAR's Fall in Charlotte? Or, Has It Ever Been That Popular Here?
Current NASCAR
Yessir, Bill... you nailed it... both grandkids live within a 20 minute drive. When I mention move, the wife asks if I'm planning to move them and support their families.