Forum Activity for @tim-leeming

Happy Birthday Curtis Turner

Stock Car Racing History

April 12, 1924, was the birthday of one of NASCAR's most notable pioneers. There is much to read about Curtis here on the site and there is a special event coming up this weekend in Roanoke, Virginia (See Events here on site) in honor of Curtis. I am very fortunate to have seen Curtis race in the days before Big Bill banned him from the sport and I was there on October 31, 1965, when he had been reinstated and won the first race at "The Rock". I saw him race on dirt at the Historic Columbia Speedway wearing a very expensive suit, white shirt and neck tie in response to instructions from Big Bill that he wanted the drivers to be a little more well dressed than the t-shirts and jeans some drivers were wearing. I saw that. I know it's a true story.

I was also fortunate enough to hear many of the stories straight from Curtis as I would sit around with the drivers and listen. Believe it or not, it is possible for me to keep my mouth shut and listen. The great part of being this old is that many of the stories the youngest can only read about, I heard and saw first hand. Curtis will always be someone who was much bigger than even HIS wonderful life appeared.

When I was a teen hanging around the race tracks, and that was most of the time it seems, I saw all the drivers as "special". As heroes. As the bravest of the brave. The only thing that has changed for me over the years is that I realize now that these were "ordinary" men who were doing what they loved in spite of the danger. I also remember, with almost everyone of them, Curtis Turner definitely included, that there was always time to talk with the teenager who just wanted to be close to the men he thought were so special.Curtis Turner sort of had a way of making me, and almost anyone he encountered, be the one feeling special.

Gotta go! There's another party starting.

Honor the past, embrace the present and dream for the future.

updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM

A Racing History Minute - April 12th, 1958, 1963, 1970 - Very Special

Stock Car Racing History

Waiting ont he perspective Chase. I know it will be a good one and I can almost bet on the subject matter. I can't recall this morning, but was it the spring race of the fall race at 'Dega when Chief kept holding up the blackboard telling Pete to "EZ" as he had such a lead and Pete kept increasing the lead? I remember that well, just can't remember the specific race. I asked Chief later what would have happened if Pete had blown the win. Chief cocked his head, as he was very good at doing, and just looked at me as if I had just asked the dumbest question of the year! Lol. What a wonderful time.

A Racing History Minute - April 12th, 1958, 1963, 1970 - Very Special

Stock Car Racing History

It was this picture of me which resulted in my termination of Devin as the "official Legend Photographer" as she had been previously instructed "NO SIDEVIEW PIC". I filed suit against her for liable for this unflattering picture but LOST as the Judge ruled that "truth is a defense to liable" and that the truth of that unflattering belly was all Devin needed to defeat me in court. Even these days, if Devin is around, I have my security detail take possession of her camera.

A Racing History Minute - April 12th, 1958, 1963, 1970 - Very Special

Stock Car Racing History

"I can't say I was at any of these events but April 12th is of special significance to me and juding from the names listed in the finishing order of those events, they must have been great races as were many races back "in-the-day".

Those remarks are in quotation because I, The Legend, did not write them. Nor did I write what follows until you reach the stars (****) at the bottom of this post. This was submitted to me tonight by Randy Myers, someone I am very honored to call my friend. So, without further ado, verbatim, here is Randy's History Minute for April 12th:

Since the beginning of NASCAR, there were only four "Cup" events on April 12th before the "modern era."

In 1970 Pete Hamilton scored the win at Talladega Superspeedway in the Petty Enterprises Superbird edging Bobby Isaac for the top spot. David Pearson, Benny Parson and Cale Yarborough rounded out the top five.

In 1963, Orange Speedway in Hillsborough, NC hosted the Grand Nationals and Pearson bested Dick Hutcherson by three laps for the win with Larry Thomas, Ralph Earnhardt and Bobby Keck completing the top five.

In 1958, Speedy Thompson and Jack Smith were the only cars on the lead lap of the 200 lapper at Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds in Spartanburg, SC. Junior Johnson, Eddie Pagan and Possum Jones completed the top five.

Also on April 12, 1958, Bill Myers passed George Dunn for the lead on the 7th lap of a 35 lap feature (Late Model Sportsman Division) at Bowman Gray Stadium (the track featured in Tim's April 11th Minute) in Winston-Salem, NC. With only 5 laps to go in the race, Myers pulled off the track into the hedge off turn 4 and passed away. Dunn went on to win the race and the following day Perk Brown drove the Myers car to a win at the Greensboro, NC Fairgrounds track.

In 1952, Buck Baker scored his first GN win at The Columbia Speedway over Dick Rathman, Frankie Schneider and Joe Eubanks.

******* The above words are verbatim from Randy Myers. The Bill Myers that passed away in 1958 on this date was the father of Randy. Bill left a great legacy in racing, but more than that, he left a son who cares as much about the sport as his father did. Randy Myers in not just my "social network friend", he has become a very special friend to me. It was Randy who removed my distain for the NASCAR Hall of Fame by inviting me to visit there with him. Turned out to be one of the most memorable days I've had in a long time.

When I started this History Minute series here in the Forum, I was hoping I would get comments from others with memories of events and that has happened. To have received the call tonight from Randy and the subsequent submission of his History Minute is more than I imagined.

Thank you, Randy, for giving us this very personal look back into the hertitage of this sport we all love so much. I know your father is very proud of you and all you have done and continue to do in and for the sport.

Honor the past, embrace the present, and dream for the future

updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM

Speaking of The Legend, Logano, Hamlin, Stewart & The Coke Family

Current NASCAR

Unfortunately, I installed my renewal security software on my computer yesterday afternoon and now, for some reason I can't figure out, I have NO sound for anything. No YouTube, and no music, and no sound here. I have checked out Skype and that seems to work fine,but I have no other sound. I did not see or hear the commercial on television because I no longer LISTEN to the television broadcast for reasons well known around these parts. I do listen to the radio and watch the race. I will try, however, to unmute the TV during this weekends events if I see that commercial come up. And if there is anyone out there who can tell me what I need to do to get my sound back, let me know. Everything shows it should work, but it doesn't. I know I'm not deaf yet because I can still hear my keyboard click!

A Racing History Minute - April 11, 1966

Stock Car Racing History

I'm a little late with the History Minute today due to a visit to my friendly neighbor dentist. I have never been a fan of visiting the dentist but now I have to go back Monday for a filling!!!! But, at least, I get plenty of nitrous-oxide or whatever that good stuff is.

For our trip back in time today, we are going to Winston-Salem, NC, to a little quarter-mile track called Bowman-Gray Stadium. That track is about to open its 2013 season so it is still around, though long gone from the Grand National (Cup) scene.

We go back to April 11, 1966 when a 50 mile race/200 laps on the short track, was set to go. David Pearson, in his Cotton Owens Dodge was gunning for his fourth straight victory and qualified on the pole. Cotton Owens also brought a two year old Dodge with him as a back up car for the point leading Pearson and although Cotton entered the race in that two year old car, there is no record I can locate as to where he finished.

Tiger Tom Pistone started on the outside front row in his 1964 Ford and when the green dropped he stormed into the lead. Tiger would lead the first 7 laps before Pearson moved the red and white Dodge to the front. From that point on, it was all Pearson in front although Tiger hung with him throughout the race. Tiger was the only driver to finish on the lead lap with Pearson.

There was only one caution flag in the race, for two laps, which allowed Pearson to set a race record for the event. However, the real action going on was between Richard Petty in his Plymouth and J.T. Putney in his Chevrolet. It is reported that for "much of the race" Petty and Putney were banging fenders, doors, bumpers, and any other part of the cars they could manage to connect. While fighting it out for fourth place, Petty really smashed Putney and took the position for a minute before having to pit for pull a fender from the tire caused by the "bump". When Petty returned to the track, Putney went after him, running full throttle into turn one trying to catch the back bumper of the Petty blue Plymouth but he missed the bumper and gathered the guard rail. As Greg Fielden's report states, the caution flag "amazingly" did not come out for that accident. Petty went onto to a third place finish, two laps down, after scraping by Bobby Allison with a hand full of laps left. As they say "rubbing is racing" and I would think Bowman Gray would exemplify that for sure.

Top Five finishers were:

1. David Pearson, Dodge, winning $850.00

2. Tiger Tom Pistone, Ford, winning 500.00

3. Richard Petty, Plymouth, winning $425.00

4. Bobby Allison, Ford, winning $330.00

5. Elmo Langley, Ford, winning $305.00

Other finishers to note were Cale Yarborough 6th, John Sears 7th, Hank Thomas 8th, J.T. Putney 12th, Neil Castles 16th, Wendell Scott 18th and Buddy Arrington 22nd and last place.

The element of "short" track racing in the major leagues of NASCAR is gone, with only Martinsville, Richmond and Bristol approaching a "short track" designation. Cars of today, I don't believe (my personal opinion) could survive the kind of slam bang racing required for a quarter mile asphalt track. As I said, Bowman Gray still runs races and the shows there are second to none, so I'm told, although I haven't been to that track since 1971. I do remember, it was fun, but I was NOT driving in competition that day! Not sure how much fun it would have been to be slammed around like a pinball!

Honor the past, embrace the present, dream for the future.

updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM

Hail To The Chief

Stock Car Racing History

Chase, if YOU are unbiased, then I am a jet pilot and I don't even fly as a passenger! lol. But you're right, Chief deserves recognition such as the Hall of Fane. We shall see. Don't get me started on my memories of encounters with Chief over the years!!!

Rex White

Stock Car Racing History

Yes Sir, a sincere congratulations to Rex. Congratulations for most of the others on the list as well. I certainly agree with JAck, and we have talked this to death, five a year is ridiculous. We have too many deserving folks who belong there. I will not address the issue of D.W. and Rusty already being in, nor will I address the two Frances famiy members being included as relevant. The Frances should have a special recognition other than in the Hall Of Fame. And as for Anne France, I understand she was a nice lady and contributed much to keeping NASCAR going behind the scenes, but really? Hall of Fame? I think Dale Jarrett is first class but why is he on this list? Far too early, just like D.W. and Rusty. Oh well, I'm not going to get started on this and I probably will not mention it again until NASCAR realizes that FIVE a year should be criminal, just like TEN races to decide a season champion should be criminal.

All this Talk about the Convertible Division, How about the Short Track Division?

Stock Car Racing History

Jim, I thought I had posted a comment this morning asking for more of your stories, but it's not showing up so I'm back again. Please give us more! You are a living resource for all we love here. Having heard some of your memories personally makes it only more important others get to hear them.

All this Talk about the Convertible Division, How about the Short Track Division?

Stock Car Racing History

Hey Jim. I would love more information about that series. After you mentioned it, I seem to have very faint memories of hearing about the series before, but I know nothing about it. I tried to search some records, but my search engines don't recognize what I'm putting in. It does appear, however, that Dave Fulton can at least locate some information. Dave is a genius at that.

Thanks for posting and staying involved.