Forum Activity for @will-cronkrite

Need some Help with old NASCAR Winston Cup Schedule

Stock Car Racing History

Hey guys, thanks for the prompt and helpful responses.

My memory of some parts of the past are better than others. I have decided to try to at least start on a book by catagorizing memories and trying to get them matched up to photos and memorabilia, but this particular memory is more puzzling at best.

I remember that around that time, I built the car for Mark Martin that we ran in the five races before he competed for Rookie of the Year. I also built some cars for Randy Ogden during that time frame, and in my research they overlap some how and I am having trouble figuring it all out.

It was around that time when I building a fiberglass bodied car called a Manta that was built in California. I have a picture of the car body being loaded in an 18 wheeler that was not mine with a lady standing in front of the car. I was dating this lady who was from Costa Rica and we went down for a week between two races. I also remember going from Texas to Phoenix and on to Riverside at some point around that time. I'm just not been able to sort it out well enought to get off top dead center to start writing.

It looks like if I do any writing, it will have to be in the 'creative non-fiction' genre as my memory sucks to bad to be 'real' detailed book, LOL.

1980 would work for it being an Ogden ride, but no mention of him in Riverside, and I do remember a transmission problem from Riverside, so perhaps we didn't make the show there. I had mated a chrysler transmission to the Chevy motor and perhaps screwed something up, I don't know.

At any rate, thanks for the help, just trying to figure this out is bringing back some details.

Need some Help with old NASCAR Winston Cup Schedule

Stock Car Racing History

It has been a while since I have posted here, but drop in from time to time to see what you all are up to.

I have been feeling a lot better lately and am gaining enthusiasm about writing that book I have been mulling over, and that is the reason for this post. I have not figured out how to contact folks on an individual basis at this point, so this question is for anyone that might be able to help.

I am in the beginning stages of a story that I think was in the early to mid '80s. I made a trip that I think started at a race in Texas-College Station, went to Phoenix and then Riverside during the middle part of the season. Either between Texas and Phoenix or between Phoenix and Riverside I went to Costa Rica. The problrm is that I have been unable to look at a schedule to determine if that sequence of races actually existed in that order, or if I am mis-remembering somethings.

Can anyone direct me? Have any info?I feel certain that even though Phoenix was on the race list, it was probably not an official NASCAR event.

Dave, can you help me here?

updated by @will-cronkrite: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM

A Flashback for The Legend - Plymouth Furys

General

I'm sorry that I took the long way around. I was actually trying to make sense of what mr. McPeek was saying and could not understand his approach so offered my own thoughts.

In the middle of that post, I remembered the question that Johnny had asked.

I am still not very good at navigating this site, but will try to get better.

BTW, if I had known it was regarding dirt racing, I might not have been so quick to answer. I am not very knowledgeable about dirt racing.

A Flashback for The Legend - Plymouth Furys

General

Lateral acceleration is a measurement of the propensity for an object going in a straight line to be changed into movement in another direction. It can be calculated easily enough, but not fast enough to be actually considered during driving.

The amount of weight distribution from left side to right side at the rear is a function of the height center of the center of gravity at the rear axle times the mass moment arm length that is determined by the height of the lateral control mechanism. The current stock car rear lateral control mechanism is the pan hard bar. This lateral control mechanism only changes vertically about one half of the travel of the outside frame rail at the rear axle, and presents a relatively slight change in the mass moment arm pivot height.

The bigger issue is at the front axle with independent suspension. The unequal length upper and lower control arms and the inclusion of the steering arms make control of the mass moment arm pivot point almost impossible to control. The center of mass at the front stays relatively the same, but the rapidly moving vertical movement of the roll center height plays havoc with monitoring weight transfer. As this roll center height changes its vertical position it largely affects the front tire instantaneous swing arm length and that affects that tires camber gain characteristics and that affects the contact patch pattern. Here is where the actual determination of cornering positions or spots is determined.

The area of the contact patch of the tire is determined by air pressure and vertical load. The total area times weight determines a maximum lateral adhesion figure called a vector. The whole idea of cornering at speed is a constant procedure of vector analysis. You only have a certain amount cornering force to deal with. You can use it either for braking/accelerating or cornering, but those forces, when combined can not exceed the total of the vector length.

Regarding the placement of the race car during qualifying versus racing, I would make the assumption that the driver will run high on the straight aways in an effort to minimize the turn radius resulting in a longer vector that can be used for cornering while keeping the RPMs up. It would make sense to me that he would then run the race close to the bottom making any attempt to pass require travelling a greater distance to do so.

These are just casual comments. I have been enjoying reading the posts lately.

I loved the NASCAR Dodges.

He Died Hating NASCAR; 2 Names, Same Driver

Stock Car Racing History

Very, very cool stuff. Nice work there dave.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Stock Car Racing History

Thanks Ms. Patty and Dave

I tried that website for Tom, but it did not want to accept it. Will try another way, it is a good lead thanks.

Will contact The speedway office again this week, Dave, thanks. I had tried a bout a year ago, bhad no direct contact info. this should help. \Thanks again.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Stock Car Racing History

Good morning, been a while since I have visited here.

I have reconsidering writing a book lately, and am interested in a few tidbits of info that I have been unable to come by on my own.

I am interested in a contact for Tom Higgins and mutual acquaintance of Lilian Hoopah. I know Ms. Hoopah is a mamber her, but I am not familiar with hoe to make the contact.

Ihave also been unable to find the qualifying speeds for both days of both Talladega races in 1983. I have visited several of the known on line sites, but this info has escaped me.

My email: wildcad@comporium.net

website: www.mantiquesresto.com

some rudimentary 'chapters' are at 'about us'/'stories'

updated by @will-cronkrite: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM

Is That Bud Moore / Earnhardt Car a Ford or a Pontiac? Are You Sure?

Stock Car Racing History

Hey Dave, (Fulton)

Here is a pair of Wrangler/ Earnhardt / Bud Moore cars for for you to look at.

One is of one that we did for Bud, and is shown at our shop.

The other one is a 'publicity?' photo of unknown origin. I do not know if it was the same car, but I was unable to see any differences.

Bud Moore sure treated me well and gave some businees back in the day. I really appreciate his service to our country as well.

R.I.P. Cecil Flash" Gordon

General

Good morning Billy,

I appreciate you providing Mikes last name, it's nice to hear. Mike also was a great crewman, talanted fabricator and moved on up to become one of Chryslers 'point' men and had an office at Ray Evernhams shop.

I am leaving momentarily to attend a week long metal shaping 'event' in Huntsville, Alabama, so will be missing the Charlotte event. I hope you do well there.

R.I.P. Cecil Flash" Gordon

General

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Cecil.

He provided me with my second job as a crew chief, and was more than willing to give me a great opportunity. He was kind enough to allow me to make my own decisions after discussing things with him regarding the race team and would allow me to accept the responsibility if I screwed something up and was quick to provide praise if things went well. This specific photo was taken after a call that was made in the pits regarding tire management at the first race that I attended with Cecil as his crew chief.

He expected a spotless shop and immaculate race cars, and that is one of my strong points, so we meshed well from the start. We raced this year with ONE car and ran 33 or 34 races. The gentleman kneeling is Michael ____? from Spartanburg and was my first and ONLY crew member for that entire year. Things sure have changed.

During my entire employment, he never missed a paycheck, was always curteous, friendly and listened to ideas that did not originate with him. This first car was the first in NASCAR to utilize a rear sway bar, when Bobby Isaacs sat on the pole, led all the laps and won an invitational race at the Hickory Motor Speedway. He was always willing to squeeze out a dollar or two if I wanted to build a fixture, or build a 'test' component for an upcoming practice.

In hindsight, I can think of no negative things to associate with Cecil. He was a class gentleman, and will surely be missed.

Rest In Peace, my friend!