Forum Activity for @tim-leeming

I GUESS IT'S TIME THIS CAME OUT. BEEN WITHHELD FAR TOO MANY YEARS

General

This is a true story. I'm sure Jack or Bobby can go through their ghost tracks or Historic Finishes and dig this up. I have thought of posting this for a long, long time, but I didn't want to take the flak from the nay-sayers. But, it is the holiday season so if you have anything negative to say, remember,. SANTA CLAUS WATCHING YOU.

In the mid seventies, about '75 or '76, after the Cup cars had stopped running the Columbia Speedway, the promoter came up with the idea of a 200 lap late model sportsman race one of those Thursday evenings. In an effort to draw as large a crowd as possible, many of the Cup guys were invited that weekend and David Pearson, Bobby Allison, Cale Yarborough, Donnie Allison all showed, along with Sam Sommers, Butch Lindley, Sam Ard and Billy Scott, along with local racers from all around the Southeast. The Legend was invited to drive and was provided a brand new car for the event. When qualifying was over and it was time to hit the track for the event, The Legend was in position number one. Bobby, David, and Donnie were all close behind. These things I remember:

1. Bobby Allison bumped me twice, once going into turn one and once coming out of four.

2. Donnie Allison tried a pass at one point but didn't make it.

3. David Pearson pulled along side me five times coming off turn two but had to fall back each time.

As I said, this was a 200 lap race, 100 miles. My car was on the track, as I recall, 46 of those 200 laps AND WAS NEVER PASSED. I was at the head of the pack every single lap I was on the track. If anyone finds those records, it is a verifiable fact. I was driving a brand new 1975 Matador. The fact that it was the PACE CAR helped me realize my dream of leading some of NASCAR's best. Oh, and this part is true too. David would pull up along side to get a light for his cigarette off the lighter in the Matador. True story folks. Now you know. More to this Legend thing than you thought!

updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM

1950's Car Test

General

I got 100% as well. Funny thing is, as I looked at those cars, it was easy for me to identify the car by the people I knew who drove them. Marvin, our next door neighbor growing up, bought a new Desoto every year until about 1959 then went Chrysler. Mr. Houston had Kiasers always. When he died there were at least 8 Kiasers in his yard. Every one of those cars I have seen, touched, and actually ridden in many of them. Jimmy, my friend, that is one advantage of being our age.

Domain Changes

Administrative

Just when I thought I was learning how to do this. Oh well, I'll try to work it out somehow.

FORGIVE ME BRIAN FOR I HAVE SINNED

Stock Car Racing History

From all the things I've heard about Tom Busch, he is the responsible party. As the say, "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree", especially the rotten apples.

FORGIVE ME BRIAN FOR I HAVE SINNED

Stock Car Racing History

Keeps on, huh Mr. and Mrs. Busch?

Not Racing Related, but most of us remember

General

I was sitting in the Library at Eau Claire High School reading a magazine waiting for the assembly surprise birthday party for our principal. There were so many Kennedy jokes going around then that when I was told of it I assumed it was a joke. Didn't take long to find out it was NO joke. What an impact that made in America.

If you could race against someone who would that someone be?

General

The very thought of racing Tommie and Johnny on Middle Georgia Raceway is so exciting it would almost draw me out of retirement. Not sure how that race would come out but considering I don't recall ever finishing worse than third in any race the car was running at the finish I would think such a finish could be insured with just the three of us racing. What an honor it would be for me to run against that competition! Thanks for the thought Tommie.

Tony Stewart's 2012 Crew Chief

General

Ok, this is what I heard, unofficially of course. Darian has the young son Tony kept Mike Helton waiting for and it is my understanding that Darian was on the road too much and wanted to leave the crew chief job behind. I think I could see that last night. Not putting out rumors here, just trying to understand the most logical answer.

The 2011 Championship and some heartfelt ramblings.

General

BT, that is well stated. Just as you said, many of us have had the blinders on far too long and while I'm not ready to concede that we were all wrong all the time, neither am I any longer of the opinion that everything NASCAR does is wrong. I am looking forward to Daytona as well. I have been that way since 1959 and will, I suppose, always be that way. Thanks for adding the post. Great writing.

CONGRATULATIONS TONY AND STEWART/HAAS RACING

General

Great way to win a championship! It came down to who wanted it and although I'm sure Carl wanted it just as much, it was Tony prevailing and that makes me happy.

In another way, I need to offer congratulations to NASCAR for the way the season ended. It could not have been a more challenging end to the season to watch two of the best do everything they could possibly do to take home that championship. This will be a championship to be talked about throughout the off season and should give some good press to the sport. I am hopeful the awards banquet will be presented in such a way as to further present a positive side to the sport.

Before all the NASCAR haters jump me for that, let me say that I am very concerning about many things in NASCAR, not the least of which is issuing fines to drivers who speak the truth NASCAR doesn't want to hear. I have many issues with NASCAR but I'm not in the drivers seat and I think there is little likely hood things are going to change to suit me. How many of you would volunteer to pitch a tent, and "occupy" a parking lot at Daytona in protest? It may not always suit me, and in fact these days very little of it suits me, but, in my book, it is still much, much, much better than football, major league baseball, golf, basketball or any of those other stick and ball sports. After all, one thing NASCAR does have right in their advertising is that "Everything else is just a game". With me its always been that way and always will. No matter now disgusted I get, seeing 43 cars take the green flag always makes the hair on my arms stand up.

updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM