Forum Activity for @tim-leeming

A glimpse of greatness.

General

You are so right B.T. I set the recorder for that show this morning. I'm doing the Racing Through History show on the Zeus Radio Network tonight from 7 to 9, a tribute to Marty Robbins. I have many memories of Tim, several encounters with Tim, including a night spent in the infield at Darlington with Tim and my family. What I would give to have some of that on video, it was awesome. Had Tim lived, Dale, Sr. would never have won 7 championships and there is no telling how many Tim would have won. Sort of like that "Candle In The Wind" song Elton John wrote for Marilyn Monroe. Sad, but what wonderful memories.Tim

I AM THE LEGEND AND I APPROVE THIS MESSAGE

Administrative

Some say it began in the foothills of Northern Georgia. Some say it was in the Brushy Mountains of North Carolina. Still others say it was on the red clay of South Carolina. Most all agree that the need of the "moonshiners" to outrun the "revenuers" was the underlying cause of the beginning, although now days that may not be in vogue to remember. Wherever it began, and for whatever reason, stock car racing became a part of the Southeastern lifestyle in the late 1930s. After a hiatus imposed by a world at war in the early forties, stock car racing came back with a vengeance. The sands of Daytona Beach and numerous quarter mile and half mile dirt tracks around the Southeast provided a venue for daring drivers to test their skills and the car builders and mechanics to innovate ways to make cars go faster and faster.

The need to bring organization to the sport was filled in 1948 in the Streamline Hotel in Daytona Beach, Florida, when several individuals established a national sanctioning body for stock car racing. Modified racing was now a viable outlet for racing enthusiasts with consisent rules and protected purses. In 1949, a strickly stock division was born and "stock car racing" was off and running for the big time. Little did we know and few could imagine running to where.

A young visionary from Darlington, South Carolina took the first step to raising the infant child of stock car racing when he build Darlington International Raceway, the first "super speedway" for stock car racing. The first Southern 500 on Labor Day Weekend, no longer a tradition, was once the epitomy for what stock car racing was about. In the late '50s and throughout the 60s, other super speedways were being built around the Southeast.

Today there are mega tracks, mega sponors, and Hollywood-like star personalities involved in a sport that, essentially, operates 365 days a year from coast to coast and even into our northern and southern neighbors. Stock Car racing has become big business, HUGE business, and enjoys a positive review in almost every social setting. It's time to acknowledge and recognize how the dusty clay tracks of the Carolinas and Georgia, dimly lighted for night races gave way to huge tracks which sparkle at night likes a diamond necklace on a black velvet display as thousands of fans pack in to see their favorites compete.

There is a place, tucked in Mooresville, North Carolina, Exit 36 off I-77, where the glorious past is remembered in The Memory Lane Museum. There are displays there that will take the older fan back in time to when there was racing all around, four nights a week sometimes, and names like Curtis, Lee, Lil Joe, Fireball, Wendell, Rex, Ned, Dink, and so many more were the heroes of the day. A place where history lives within the walls of the huge Memory Lane Museum. In the back of the museum, a place made special by the display there, is the Racers Reunion Memory Lane Hall of Fame. If you consider yourself to be a race fan from those days, you owe it to yourself to once more visit those special times. If you are new to the sport, you MUST visit there to know from where the sport came. See the men and women who sacrificed so much so the racing you see today is what it is. You really need to absorb the color and history of the sport from the numerous artifacts on display. Thoughtfully look at the drawings of Michael W. Smith in the Racers Reunion Memory Lane Hall of Fame honoring those special people you really need to know about.

To each individual who is a fan of stock car racing, the sport is a passion. The Racers Reunion Memory Lane Hall of Fame represents the passion to recognize the individuals who have given all us fans so much. Enjoy your visit there and, while there, remember that you are experiencing history in its finest form.

Tim

updated by @tim-leeming: 03/06/19 12:04:53AM

More Nascar Trivia

Trivia

Wow, Dennis, you must have stumbled into a NASCAR history book somewhere!!! You know, there was a time when facts like this stuck in my mind and it would take me merely a nano-second to call it up. But, frankly, in spite of four cups of coffee this morning, my brain still won't pull it up. Keep posting my friend! You make us old guys put on our thinking caps or at least starting looking for the NASCAR history books. See, I'm not even computer savy enough to look that up on Google, but please don't tell anyone that!!!!Hope to see you soon.Tim

that # 22

Current NASCAR

Johnny, you know I like my Dodges so I was really happy to see that number 22 kick Jap butt!!!!! Even moreso when Brad put the Stars and Stripes out the window for the victory lap. That was awesome!Wish you were going to be in Mooresville, my friend. When the two of us get together, we rock!!! Have a good weekend.

THE HALL OF FAME QUANDRY

Administrative

Hall of Fame! Rings with significance doesn't it, just the sound of those three words? Not quite the impact of the three words "I love you" but to those fortunate enough to have their names recorded in a Hall of Fame somewhere it is a noteworthy part of their lives, to be recognized for accomplishments of their chosen profession or other ability for when they will be recognized and remembered.

NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte has made the selection of their second class of inductees, five more individuals from the many hundreds who contributed so much to racing, and is catching flack from every angle. Yes, even me, but to a lesser degree than some. Racers Reunion Memory Lane Hall of Fame is set to induct its second class of inductees on Sunday, October 17th. Racers Reunion does have a better understanding of the necessity of recognizing true heroes of the sport in that each class inducts a total of 15 individuals, some of whom have already passed away.

While I do have deep criticism for NASCAR in the limited number they induct each year, and for including Big Bill and Bill, Jr. in the first class rather than honoring them and their contributions by a very special place in the Hall of Fame, I must say I understand the quandry of the voters invovled. How do you pick over choices when there are so many deserving individuals and you're limited to only 5? As Jeff reminded me last night, I, as do you as a member here, have voting privileges in the Racers Reunion Memory Lane Hall of Fame. I remember how extremely difficult it was for me to mark that final ballott.I first tried to balance contributions to the sport with those individuals I have met since being in Racers Reunion and developing a deep feeling of respect and friendship. Peanut Turman immediately comes to mind here. I guess I got through the first eight or ten in a day or two but it took me another week to mark those final choices. It was difficult. NASCAR allows fans to have ONE vote in the selection process by voting and then the number one vote "getter" from the fans choice is somehow, in some convoluted way only Brian Z. could possibily understand, that vote is intertwined in a manner to make the fan think he or she has an input. But, again, I understand what the selectors go through trying to make the decisions and I have empathy for that process. It is not so much the selectors' fault as it is the inane thought process of NASCAR that such reaction comes from so many corners because a certain individual did not get selected. For what it's worth, I am in agreement with 7 of the 10 already selected by NASCAR. I have expressed, and will continue to express, my dissatisfaction that D.W. was even considered for the second class induction. My dislike for the man aside, he would be much better suited for the Clown Hall of Fame (remember the "Ickey shuffle" in Daytona Victory Lane?) But, he is for sure to be in the third class inducted so I have to learn to live with it.

Sunday, October 17th, I will be in attendance at the Racers Reunion Memory Lane Hall of Fame Ceremony at the Memory Lane Museum in Mooresville, NC. I will be in the presence of greatness and history. I will be, with other true fans, enjoying time with some of the true pioneers and heroes of the sport. I will have the chance, as will everyone else there, to get the autographs of some of the guys worthy of any Hall of Fame on any planet where stock car racing has ever occurred. I was there last year. It was an awesome experience! I am literally counting the minutes until the 11:00 a.m. brunch Sunday at Bob Evans in Mooresville. At the same time, I know that, God willing, I'll be marking a ballot next year for inductees into the Racers Reunion Memory Lane Hall of Fame and it will be difficult. There are so many worthy, but, at the same time, if anyone could be selected, the honor would lose some of its luster. There is one certainity however: Being selected for the Racers Reunion Memory Lane Hall of Fame assures the honoree of pepetural honor as the success or failure of that Hall of Fame is not tied to monetary interest, just to the honest endeavor to forever honor those selected.

Tim

updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:02:57PM

What I Heard about Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards last night

General

I have this passion about racing. Anyone who knows me has no doubt of that. I also have a passion for children (I am fortunate to have my three grandsons within 10 miles of me, although my three granddaughters are 1100 miles away) and I love being with those grandsons. Sometimes my passion for racing gets my heartrate up to where I write things and say things that are in "the heat of passion". Although I admit I don't understand all the ramifications of it, there are even laws that govern crimes committed in "the heat of passion". Basically, from my limited understanding, if you kill someone "in the heat of passion" you aren't charged with murder, but with a lesser charge, if any at all. There are, as you can imagine, very restrictive elements that govern the ability to be classified asa "crime of passion" while there really aren't many restrictions on my mouth or my writing fingers.

I have, verbally and in writing, abused both Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards for actions in their racing personas. I have no problem with confidence, but I do with cocky (not the chicken-suited guy from the University of South Carolina). Both Edwards and Busch seem to cross that lineI (note the "I" in italics) established as the difference between confidence and cocky. I admit I still have problems with that issue with both of those drivers.

But, last night, Jerry Smith on S.T.A.R.S. radio, right here on Racers Reunion, had, as a guest, a young lady with Speedway Childrens' Charities. I couldn't catch her name well enough to spell it here but she was an awesome interview. What she had to say about Kyle and Carl caused me to re-think some of my harshness towards the two drivers. Carl, it seems, is the spokesman for the Charities. I hear that Kyle comes to the childrens' events with no fanfare, no cameras, no press, and no real acknowledgment outside the children themselves. I am impressed, very impressed, and touched by that.

I am aware, having worked for a guy 29 years who represented some of the top football coaches and players in the country, collegite and NFL, that there are Foundations set up by these guys for tax purposes to do "good works" for organizations such as Childrens' Charities. Events such as were described last night by the young lady being interviewed are often "staged" to appear as though there is to be no press release or information about a famous appearance at such things, but that is all a part of the orchestrated effort to foster good images to the general publlic. However, listening to the interview last night, I sincerely believe Kyle Busch does what he does with the Charity out of his love for kids (hardly being much more than a kid himself). So, Kyle, if through some fluke of internet malfunction you should discover this writing, please accept my apologies for all the bad things I've said about you. To be certain, I am apt to do that again in the heat of passion, but I'll always know that you, like I do, care about kids and do what you can for them. I am impressed, Kyle, and will sincerely try hard to get over my adverse reaction to your bowing to the crowd from the door of your car. I will also make a sincere effort to retire the "Duck Boy" label for Mr. Edwards, but no promises on that one Carl.

Tim

updated by @tim-leeming: 03/13/19 08:07:59PM

Tire War Trivia

Trivia

You've got me Dennis. Seems like it was late sixties of early seventies. But I truly have no idea. I do know that, back with South Carolina had that State Inspection deal, I was visiting a friend of mine at his business about 2 blocks down from the Phillips 66 station that did inspections. These "folks" were in the parking lot of my friend's business changing tires from a Pontiac GTO to a Pontiac Lemans and then tried to change them to a Ford Fairlane but the lug pattern wouldn't fit. Finally my friend went out to see what they were doing in that parking lot. Between the three cars, they had four tires that would pass inspection (4 out of 12 ain't bad) and that's what they were trying to do. Use four tires to get three cars through inspection. Seeing the tires that came off that GTO was my first encounter with "slicks" on a stock car.Tim

The Nascar Hall of Fame

General

Cody, that is so well thought out and so beautifully written! I am extremely proud of you, as always. Your statements are spot on, as they say in Merrie Olde England. Problem is, putting both France members in and then limiting the inductees to five a year. The reasoning behind that escapes me, but then, considering who is doing the reasoning, I guess I should not be surprised.
Keep up the great work Cody for it is because of young folk like you, and, especially you, that I feel comfortable knowing no matter how badly NASCAR screws it up, there will be someone around to keep the memories alive. Remember, good old D.W. said, at least three times during the Daytona 500 telecast, that NASCAR history started in 1980. I do hope to see the Hall of Fame at some point, but if they put D. W. in within the next 100 years, I'll never set foot in the place.
Thanks, Cody, for all you do.
Tim

The Legend has Jury Duty

General

I forgot to include the part where the Judge asked me if I had any issues with race? I said "only if Toyota wins".

The Legend has Jury Duty

General

Let me preface this by saying that I'm proud to live in a country where matters are (with the exception of NASCAR rulings) resolved in a court of law and every citizen is entitled a trial by Jury.

It seems, for some unknown reason, that I get called more than anyone else to serve on a Jury. It is either the County Civil Court, the County General Sessions Court, or the Magistrate's Court for the jurisdiction where I live. The County Courts can call me once a year (and they do, one each for civil and general sessions) and the Magistrate's courts can call me every 90 days, and, believe me, that Magistrate doesn't miss many opportunities to get me in there. The work I do (being a paralegal for almost 40 years now) and because I have known most of the practicing attorneys in this part of the state since they started practicing thanks to the high profile attorney I worked for some 29 of those years, I have only been selected two or three times out of numerous trips to the different courts. Today, I decided to try a different approach with the hopes of perhaps being selected. The following is a transcript of the exchange between the Judge and I.

Judge: State your name please

Me: Tim Leeming

Judge:State your address

Me: gave the court my address

Judge: are you married

Me: yes (the Judge was female so I thought that a little personal)

Judge: Your wife's name please

Me: Ann

Judge; Your occupation

Me:Legend

Judge: Excuse me?

Me: I am THE LEGEND, your honor

Judge: Says who?

Me: Jeff Gilder and others

Judge: What are your duties

Me: Smiling, wearing boots, sunglasses, cowboy hat, and always talking

about Racers Reunion.

Judge: Are you qualified to serve on this Jury?

Me: As qualifed as you are to be the Judge.

With that, the Judge determined that having The Legend on the Jury would intimidate the attorneys with cases before the court. They were nice enough to provide two armed officers to escort me back to my vehicle. Nicest experience I've ever had on a Jury. Oh, and I am to be paid $13.00 for the experience. Not bad, huh?

Tim

updated by @tim-leeming: 04/04/19 11:34:34PM