In 1951 NASCAR's relationship with the Newspapers wasn't what it is today.

This past week The State Newspaper Sports Section has had at least one article per day about Stock Car Racing.

Because I played on the High School State Championship Football Team six year earlier I knew some of the Raleigh News and Observer Sports writers.One Sunday evening I stopped by the Sports Desk and dropped off a short piece about the race at the Wilson County Fairground's Stock Car Race. I had finished in the Top Ten (most of the good drivers had wrecked) and I wanted to be sure it it would be published. The Sports Writer (a friend of mine) told me if I wanted to get this published "I would have to buy an Advertisment".

The new Raleigh Racetrack was under construction and had much opposition.At the time the residents of Raleigh wanted to keep their city a Religious and Educational Center.

How things have changed!

updated by @jim-streeter: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM

Jim, how poignant a story. Did you buy the advertisement? I hope not.I do know that now NASCAR,for the most part, controls the press. I have two very good stories on that point, both from very reliable sources (the actual parties) which I can't share here because of possible repercussions to those individuals. It now seems you don't have to "buy" it, NASCAR just has to approve it.Tim


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What a change! It's been awhile since I've checked in and I'm quite surprised. It may take me awhile to figure it our but first look it's really great.

Buy It! Buck Baker won and he didn't win over $175.00. I think I won $35.00.