Kyle Petty and Paula Deen related?
Current NASCAR
Way to go Jim!!!!!! Hope you're well this morning. Please do NOT unzip when you are stopped the next time.
Forum Activity for @tim-leeming
Current NASCAR
Kyle Petty and Paula Deen related?
Current NASCAR
My first comment this morning is to Jack Walker who has now, unknowingly, made me a part of the Danica Merchandising Empire. I already have 623 request for autographed copies of that picture which I intend to sell for $5.00 each. Thanks, Jack.
To TMC Chase, yes, I was speaking "tongue in cheek" mostly. I try, from time to time, to post headlines and Forums that will draw comments so we get more hits on the site. That is important to me. But, having said that, I agree that Paula Deen's comments were made in a much different context and all the fallout for her remarks just shows how far this country has gone down the path of "political correctness" stupidity. It is absurd that she is treated that way. I would almost issue a challenge here to anyone over the age of 50 who grew up in the South to swear, under oath, that they have never personally used the "N word" or condoned it's use by others. But even under the guise of political correctness, we should, by now, be long past a racial issue. When I was a teen and the civil rights movement was gaining steam, I remember someone asked me where I stood on "the race issue". I remember answering "I am a Petty fan". I wasn't that dense, it's just that, to me, race was a different issue that the color of a person's skin. Still is. I know this sounds condesending but it is not meant to be, but Wendell Scott was someone I respected and admired because he was a race driver. I don't think it ever occurred to me that he was black until Darlington wouldn't allow him to race there. I was angered by that.
What I had expected to happen from Kyle's comments has happened. He is catching hell from all sides. I expected NASCAR and the other drivers to jump onto the Danica bandwagon, NASCAR because she is a "CASH COW", and the drivers because they don't want fines for "actions detremental". That is what led me to put his and Paula Deen's name in the headline. That, and the fact that with Paula being such a hot news commodity at the moment that maybe our site would pop up when someone was searching info on her.
I have long been against the practice of comparing drivers because of so many varying circumstances which determine their performance. It's not purely athletic, but also depends on a crew and a car. I understand the comparison to Dale, Jr., and even to Kyle Petty's career. I understand all the misguided females who jump on the Danica bandwagon and brand me as a male chauvanist because of my comments and feelings. What they believe and what is fact are so far apart as is the East from the West.
To me, it was refreshing to have another side of the Danica coin espoused on television after the FOX, especially D.W. using every possible circumstance to bring Danica on camera and to comment on what a great job she was doing running in 29th place.Then, again, like I often do, maybe Kyle made the statement because it would draw publicity for the network and for NASCAR. It obviously has because the number ONE trending headling on Yahoo, not just Yahoo Sports, but all of Yahoo, is "Danica Patrick". She is above Paula Deen and Nelson Mandella. Mission accomplished.
I will end this by saying that I don't plan, at this moment, of making any future comments about Danica. I truly don't care if she wins 10 races or a championship. I don't care if she fails to finish every race. I truly don't care about anything she does because to me she has been, is, and always will be a non-entity. However, I wish the women who resent what men have to say about Danica, while at the same time criticizing how some men look at women, remember the Honda commercial Danica did a few years ago. Remember the cop stopped her for speeding and she (Danica) assuming the motorcycle cop was a male, unzipped the top of her leather suit to showmore "skin" in hopes of getting out of a ticket? The world has long known that sex sells and that's is what Danica is using to a definite advantage. Worked on Stenhouse.
Kyle Petty and Paula Deen related?
Current NASCAR
As unbelieveable as it seems, Paula Deem's comments in a deposition have drawn more press than the Snowden character who "leaked" government secrets. Now, after the "Race Hub" show last night, we can look for Kyle Petty to be in hot water for comments.
Kyle said "Danica Patrick is not a race driver, she is a marketing machine". That is almost the exact quote of what was said. I am awaiting the fallout from that remark. What do you folks think? Is Kyle in trouble for expressing the opinion? Not trying to claim preference here, but that's what I've been saying since she came to NASCAR. She is good for NASCAR as evidenced by the worldwide publicity she garnished "winning" the pole for the Daytona 500. Now that D.W. is not in the broadcast booth, some of the hoopla from every race is gone, but she still gets much more press than she should, IN MY OPINION. My only bias is not because she is a female driver, it is because there are dozens of male drivers much better behind the wheel of a race car, but are not as marketable because they just don't look good in Speedos.
Ok, take your shots. I'm ready.No one will ever convince me Danica Patrick is entitled to the hype she gets, but as stated, that is MY OPINION. My opinion matters only to me and Ann's cat, but sometimes I feel the need to let you other readers have something to comment on.
I will be watching to see if Kyle Petty makes a tearful apology on television for expressing HIS opinion. He may get fined for "actions determintal to the sport" but I think I'm safe from that. Then again, if Danica swings the power to have her crew "shoo" the NASCAR official away on a pit stop, as was done at Sonoma, then maybe I had better worry. Also, maybe someone should point out to the Chevy Folks that the television shot of her arriving at Sonoma showed her in a FORD! Where is the loyalty there? Ford should jump on that marketing opportunity.
updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:04:08PM
June 28, 1958 - Lee Petty Horse Collars Hickory
Stock Car Racing History
Chase, no matter how you "headline" your columns, they are well worth the read, Petty fan or not. Frankly, I like the "horsecollar" analogy! There will come a day, maybe 40 years from now, when all these racing historic moments you and Dave Fulton have recorded here, will be an invaluable resource to anyone wondering what happened to racing. You guys are tops!
THE CLOUDS ARE HEAVY IN GEORGIA TODAY
Stock Car Racing History
Johnny, you know everyone of us who ever met Bob is sadden by his death. I remember that first time I met him when we all got together for lunch to talk about a Middle Georgia Raceway Reunion. He was as kind to me as anyone I have ever met and I had only known him an hour. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and to all his many, many friends. God bless his memory because, as you said, your memories are all you have now, but I'm betting those memories are some really great ones.
Racing History Minute - June 27, 1959
Stock Car Racing History
I chose the Minute for today to remind us all that Rex White may be having health issues at the time (see Forum Post), but that once upon a time, he was a package of dynamite on the track.
On this date in 1959, the good old boys of the Grand National circuit (now Cup) reported for duty to the quarter-mile paved track known as "Bowman-Gray Stadium" in Winston-Salem, NC. Twenty-four cars would start the race and sixteen would finish.
Lee Petty would park his 1959 Plymouth on the pole with Rex White in a Chevrolet to his outside. Third place starter was Richard Petty in a '57 Oldsmobile, with Bob Welborn fourth and Glen Wood fifth.
When the green flag was waved, Rex White waved "bye, bye" to Lee Petty and set sail with Lee right on his rear bumper. On the 43rd lap, the distributor in Lee's Plymouth had shaken loose (probably from slamming and bamming Rex, just my guess) and Lee had to pit. He jumped from the car himself and repaired the problem and returned to the track 14 laps down. Rex the appeared to be home free on a run to the end.
The race was winding down with only 40 laps to go when out of no where, it seemed, came the Ford of Ken Rush. Rush got to the back bumper of White's Chevy and continously "tagged the bumper" of the Rex White machine. "Tagged" in race talk on a quarter-mile track, for any newcomers to the sport, indicates Rush was slamming into the back of White's Chevy. In those days, it wasn't a matter of getting a driver "aero loose", it was just to get him out of the way. The tactics didn't work with the tough driving Rex White as he would hold on to win the race by less than a car length.
Top five finishers were:
1. Rex White, White Chevrolet, winning $675.00
2. Ken Rush, Manley Britt Ford, winning $480.00
3. Bob Welborn, Welborn Chevrolet, winning $375.00
4. Junior Johnson, Paul Spaulding Ford, winning $270.00
5. Jim Reed, Reed Chevrolet, winning $235.00
Sixth through tenth were Tiny Lund, Barney Shore, G.C. Spencer, Buck Baker and Lee Petty. Cotton Owens would finish 11th, Glen Wood 19th, Roy Tyner 21st, Fred Harb 23rd, and Richard Petty 24th after losing his transmission on the 14th lap.
As most of you readers know, racing continues today at Bowman-Gray and the lore from that track is legendary. Imagine, if you can, 24 cars, the size they were in 1957 through 1959, on a quarter-mile track, with some of the best drivers in the sport racing for position. Those are the kind of races left for us to imagine, and, perhaps, find a video or two to watch. Rex White is such a great guy and a true ambassador for the history of the sport (as pointed out by someone responding to the Forum). His legacy far exceeds the physical size of Rex, but then his heart far exceeds the ability of most to imagine.
Honor the past, embrace the present, dream for the future.
updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM
Racing History Minute - June 26, 1953
Stock Car Racing History
Wow, Chase. You have added some real information here. Thanks for the picture as well. So easy to visualize a track when you have a decent picture.
Racing History Minute - June 26, 1953
Stock Car Racing History
Today's Minute takes us to a half-mile dirt track known as Tri-City Speedway, located in High Point, NC. The race was promoted by Mary Lee Blair, sister-in-law of driver Bill Blair. It was the 17th race of the 1953 season.
Twenty-three cars entered the event in what was then somewhat of a central location for many of the racers. As for starting order, my reference gives me only that Herb Thomas started his FABULOUS Hudson Hornet on the pole. Pole speed was 66.152 mph.
My reference also gives no real statistics on the race other than Herb dominated and won the race. One other point made is that for the SEVENTH time in 17 races of the season, Dick Rathmann finished in second place. And I though Harry Gant and I were the two NASCAR drivers with more second place finishes in a season than anyone ever. I'm sure that started to wear on Rathman's nerves. Oh, and for the record, Rathmann would finish second in the next TWO races after the Tri-City event. He did finally win a 100 mile event in Morristown, New Jersey on July 10, 1953.
Top five finishers were:
1. Herb Thomas, FABULOUS Hudson Hornet, winning $1,000.00
2. Dick Rathmann, Walt Chapman Hudson, winning $700.00
3. Joe Eubanks, Oates Motor Company Hudson, winning $450.00
4. Buck Baker, Griffin Motor Company Oldsmobile, winning $350.00
5. Lee Petty, Petty Engineering Dodge, winning $200.00
Sixth through tenth were Jim Paschal, Slick Smith, Jimmie Lewallen, Buck Smith and Andy Winfree. Bill Blair completed 25 laps before his Hudson developed engine problems relegating him to a 19th place finish. Bob Welborn finished 21st, Tim Flock 22nd, and Fonty Flock 23rd. This was Herb Thomas' 21st career Grand National (now Cup) victory.
Honor the past, embrace the present, dream for the future.
updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM
NASCAR's Pemberton Brothers' Father's Passing
Current NASCAR
My thoughts and prayers to the family as well. The Pembertons have contributed, and continue to contribute, a great deal to the sport we all care about.
Racing History Minute - June 25, 1966
Stock Car Racing History
Today's Minute took a little extra looking to find a race I could report on. You see, TMC Chase and I have an agreement that he does all the reporting on victories by Petty drivers, including Richard and Lee, and I do the other races. The first three June 25th dates I looked at, a Petty had won. Then, I come to 1966 and find the report on the 1966 race at Greenville-Pickens Speedway.
Eighteen drivers entered the 200 lap/100 mile event on the half-mile dirt track located just outside of Greenville, SC. David Pearson won the pole in his Cotton Owens Dodge, but the circumstances surrounding the rest of Pearson's race are sort of reminescent of certain drivers competing in the sport today. You see, David was qualifying and had completed his first lap fast enough to grab the pole. On his second lap, the axle in the Dodge snapped and the Cotton Owens crew went to work to repair the car in time for the start of the race. However, when the scheduled start time was reached, Pearson's car still was not ready. NASCAR delayed the start of the race until repairs could be completed. The remaining 17 starters, all independents, were livid and raised their voices in unified protest, to no avail.
Pearson did start on the pole. Second was John Sears, third Tiny Lund. Fourth and fifth place starters were Bryant Wallace and Buddy Baker, respectively. RacersReunion member and big supporter, Lil Bud Moore, started 15th in a Ford.
David took the lead on the green flag and was never passed, although Tiny Lund and John Sears were able to hang with him in the early laps. This only added fuel to the discontent of the independents still stinging from the delay of the start to accommodate Pearson. Tiny blew an engine on lap 147 and John Sears had a lengthy pit stop which left Pearson in a very comfortable position. In fact, at the end of the race, he had a four lap lead on second place, Tiger Tom Pistone.
Back to Lil Bud Moore for a second. He was an experienced Greenville-Pickens veteran, having run many Late Model Sportsman (Now Nationwide) races at the track. In 35 laps, he came from his 15th place starting spot to fourth and was going after Pearson when the steering locked up on his Ford and he encountered the wall and was out of the race.
After finishing second to Pearson, Tiger Tom asked the rhetorical question "I wonder if they would have held up the race if it were me trying to fix an axle?". Valid question in my way of thinking, but then my personal issues and opinions are getting involved here. Oh, and for the record, I was a huge fan of anything Cotton Owens did so my issue is not so much with that. I just have issues with favortism shown in the sport, but it has always been that way and always will.
Top five finishers were:
1. David Pearson, Cotton Owens Dodge, winning $1,000.00
2. Tom Pistone, Pistone Ford, winning $600.00
3. Elmo Langley, Gene Black Ford, winning $400.00
4. Stick Elliott, Toy Bolton Chevrolet, winning $300.00
5. Henley Gray, Gray Ford, winning $275.00
Sixth through tenth were J.D. McDuffie, Johnny Wynn, John Sears, Jeff Hawkins and Tiny Lund. Remaining finishers, in order, were Neil Castles, Roy Tyner, Clyde Lynn, Buddy Baker, Bryant Wallace, Bud Moore, Jimmy Helms and Sonny Lamphear.
Honor the past, embrace the present, dream for the future.
updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM