We older fans remember the days of black and white where even our programs weremonochromatic in print and pictures. Where cars looked like cars and evinced a personality. We had tail fins and rolling fenders and we had no idea of wraps or rap music. Our PA systems were often cracked with a lot of feedback but we loved it all none the less.

And what could be bad about an era of 55-57 Chevys, 56 Fords and the occasional Studebaker rounding out the lot?We had the greasiest burgers, some of the loveliest bathrooms and gay meant happy. What a life!

We had guys like Jimmy Spencer, Dutch Hoag and Dick Trickle becoming racing icons across the country.For those of you in Tampa, please get out to East Bay where a seventy-four year old Reutimann still routinely wins. That and his some 1,300 feature wins.

People at the track there remember Jeff Gordon in his #6 Winged Sprint car covered in oil and grease and working on his own car. Bull ring race tracks flourished and uppity townspeople left us alone providing that the mufflers worked reasonably well.

I remember Ray Evernham racing modifieds in NJ and one day getting black-flagged and decided to leave his #28 modified parked in front of the flag stand while he berated the flagman.Then he just deserted his car still running.

Most all of us know of now defunct racetracks where greedy developers wanted our real estate.Tracks like Hales Corner Speedway live on in memory because the racing events were a homegrown spectator sport. Race tracks and their drivers didn't go on strike nor shout down and rebuff children and hoard autographs.

The point is though that these are the good old days. Keeping that in mind you young fans and competitors, save all your old race programs, key chains and photographs. Purchase the die-cast models and T-Shirts of your favorite driver. You help the driver and preserve the sport.

The best sport on earth!!! Racing!!