Forum Activity for @richard-gouldman

What is the first Nascar race you attended

Stock Car Racing History

Wow, there's race fans older than I posting here. Ha! Let me correct an earlier statement first. Ned Jarrett was not driving a convertible in the April '61 race. It was the number 11 Holloway entry, a '61 hardtop Chevrolet. I did not have the good fortune to attend races at most of the tracks mentioned here, but have had an interest in Nascar racing as far back as I can recall, even watching late night delayed broadcasts of racing on the beach when my cousin and I were pre-teens. My very limited list would include Southside, South Boston, Langley, Trenton for the annual modified spectacular, one visit to the old Columbia S.C. dirt track, maybe another one or two, and these tracks and events were to watch the (love 'em) modifieds and late model cars, not necessarily even Nascar events. (Side note...Daddy let me drive for the first time ever in a '53 Chevrolet on part of the beach course at Daytona....I was nine years old. Daddy worked the pedals....I steered....Mama screamed...seagulls beware)

What is the first Nascar race you attended

Stock Car Racing History

I believe, for me it was Strawberry Hill Raceway, summer of 1961. Richard Petty won on the half mile dirt track. Lee Petty was not there, having been injured earlier that season at Daytona. Rex White was there in a '60 Chevrolet. Ned Jarrett was driving a '61 Chevrolet convertible. Herman Beam was in his powder blue '60 Ford. We parked in the infield after I was smuggled in the gate in the trunk of a black '57 Chevy. It was so damn hot I nearly passed out waiting for the track to clear so we could cross to the infield. I can't recall what other notable drivers were there that day. Dave Fulton can probably add to (and correct) some of this post. I just remember leaving there wearing a lot of the track.

October 25, 1964 - Richmond's Ted Hairfield Takes Langley Field's Ray Platte Memorial 200 NASCAR National Championship Modified-Sportsman Race on Dirt Over Creedmoor's Earl Moss

Stock Car Racing History

Not sure who posted the obituary but Ted Hairfield is notdeceased. The obit above is for another gentleman who happened to share the same name. Ted is alive albeit kicking and complaining and still resides in the Winterpock area of Chesterfield County.

Why?

General

There seems to always be someone that has to ruin a good discussion by using actual facts. Ha! I imagine Big Bill France was responsible for eliminating this practice with the advent of NASCAR, just to keep everything "above ground" so to speak. (not to mention the pits filling up when the tide came in)

Why?

General

The "apron" of a racetrack is an extension of the pavement, and much like Gramma's apron that protected her good house dress from food stains, the track apron is a paved barrier designed to protect the beautifully manicured grassy areas of a racetrack, which are later decimated by someone's victory celebration. The word "apron" is applied much like most of the English language. The "stands" are where people sit. The "pits" have no actual depressed or below ground areas. We drive on parkways, we park in driveways. Your grandson will have ample opportunity to study the English language, as, unless it has changed, it was a required subject every single year of middle, junior high, high school, and college. I took it, I passed it, and now I find few people that I can converse with using it.

Raytona, Woody, Dennis, Richard, Joe... Was it You??

General

Oh, good stuff! Sure, I remember Coleman Mann now, and of course Al Grinnan. I notice also mention of Johnny Lehner, Coleman's engine guru. I knew Johnny way back when. Went to school with his brother and sister. Johnny was one of those mechanical genius's along the lines of Jimmy Scott and Roy Gunter, both of Amelia. Johnny operated out of his basement on Chevelle Drive, a couple of houses from my old boss. I seem to recall that we had some parts dealing back when. I believe Johnny sold me a set of gently used pistons for a 350 I was building.

Raytona, Woody, Dennis, Richard, Joe... Was it You??

General

I know the name...my numb skull can't seem to process it. Didn't he build/prepare cars for someone...maybe Southside Speedway and such? (or drive?)

Powhatan has produced a few notables, Shirley Wood, Donald "Pop" Moore, and I reckon a few more that escape me right now....oh yeah...Stinky Weeks daughter was a hot lick in the modified division, mostly at Langley I think.

Raytona, Woody, Dennis, Richard, Joe... Was it You??

General

Dang sure weren't me! I haven't played the lottery for years other than maybe the occasional pool for the big one. My biggest gamble is driving in to work sober from out here in Powhatan.

Haven't visited RR for awhile except to view Patty's notices and posts. I trust everyone is well. Car show this weekend. Maybe I'll run in to somebody. Ha! I wouldn't know most of y'all if I did run into you. I did get to talk at length with brother Ray Lamm last year. He isunmistakable if you've ever seen a picture of him.

Stay well...grin and bear it.

Strawberry Hills raceway

Stock Car Racing History

Okay, We all know the history behind the Richmond fairgrounds racetrack, started as the Atlantic Rural Exposition Fairgrounds racetrack, Ted Horn being the first winner at an Oct 12 1946 event, pictures on the web of Ted Horn in an open wheel car, picture found of modifieds running at a 1947 event, Paul Sawyer and Joe Weatherly's involvement starting in 1955......but, help me out here.....who was responsible for building the track, who was the contractor, how did this come together?

I am assuming that the war interruped racing at Parker Field and thatprobably that venue ceased operation during the war years. I also assume that when the fairgrounds re-located to the new Atlantic Rural Exposition site, someone saw the need to build and operate a racetrack at the new site. What I have not found is the background on this endevor. I would like to challenge all of you history buffs out there to help fill in some details on this. If any of you have knowledge and/or pictures of any motorcycle events from the early years, that would certainly be appreciated also. (even 1968 AMA event)

updated by @richard-gouldman: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM

School Buses and Stock Car Racing; Before Stenhouse, Donlavey Team Had a Blue Bird

Stock Car Racing History

Dug up something else on the web. A newspaper article dated July 25 2002. Junie speaks of the motor coach and the good old days. The bus was named "Blue Goose" and Junie said he paid $6500 for it. He said something like that today ('02) would run $750K to a million dollars. At the time of the article Junie said he still had the bus and thought about dusting it off and taking it to a race and park it between some of those mega-buck motor homes. This article was repeated in a number of newspapers. I happened across it searching for "Donlavey motor coach". Oh, and it seems that Dick Brooks did drive for Junie during the 80's also, along with Ridley and Shrader.