Vets helped to create stock car racing

When you read the history of stock car racing you'll find a common denominator; Veterans. Though stock car racing was formed before the start of WWII many of the pre-war drivers were drafted or volunteered to serve the military and upon returning from the war found relief and therapy in getting in a race car and relieving those post-war blues. Books written about the post-war veterans saying that it was the young males returning with a pocket full of cash and a sense of adventure that steered them towards racing, there's some truth to that no doubt however, war can be an incredible adrenaline rush, when it's over one can go through withdraws, for many I believe, jumping behind the wheel of a stock car filled that void. Being it's Veteran's Day thanks to all the vets that ever raced, you are still carrying on an American tradition that dates back to your Fathers, Grandfathers, and Great Grandfathers, and Mothers, Grandmothers, Great Grandmothers as well. Nelson Stacy, WWII Tank Commander

Oh you are so right Jim. I have been fortunate enough to hear many of the stories first hand over the years.

A WWII-bombing-mission-shrapnel incident resulted in a permanent limp and the use a specially fabricated clutch pedal for Red Byron in those Red Vogt/Raymond Parks '39 Fords.

For many, many decades, every NASCAR race broadcast available, as well as every racing show in Richmond, VA was carried by what started as a little 1,000 Watt AM daylight only radio station. I think you'll appreciate the first line or two of it's history and how it came byits call letters.

WXGI
City of license Richmond, Virginia
Broadcast area Richmond, Virginia
Petersburg, Virginia
Frequency 950 kHz
First air date 1947
Format Sports Radio
Power 3,900 Watts daytime
Callsign meaning W EX GI
former owners were retired Army

WXGI is a Sports Radio formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Richmond, Virginia, serving the Richmond/Petersburg area. WXGI is owned and operated by Red Zebra Broadcasting.

History This station was signed on in the late 1940s by former World War II servicemen, which resulted in the call letters WXGI, as the station was founded by "ex-GIs" .

Not only did the owners of this small station put NASCAR races on the air, they let folks start racing radio shows, like Joe Kelly who you heard at Occoneechee introducing the cars/drivers on the track. It wasn't just drivers and crew returning from the war who built our sport.

I like it Dave, good story.

I'll tell ya little war story (non-race related). When I was a young man just back from a 30 day training exercise, much of which was conducted in the hills on foot, upon returning to Fort Bragg my girl friend met me at the front desk of our barracks, seeing her hot pink dress with her hair all done up and make up on I felt ambushed, had lost my ability to interject with a pretty girl and felt more like hiding behind a bush where I felt more comfortable. Point is, even in training it can get so intense that it takes time to decompress from it and jell back into what we perceive as "the norm". Seeing that pretty girl after being with a bunch of grimy rough and tough guys for 30 days was a culture shock, I didn't know how to respond. Thus my point about racing after a war, what better way to unwind than to go racing.

I had the pleasure of meeting with Dale Inman several minutes at Dover a few weeks ago. The subject of the first World 600 in 1960 came up. He said he no memories of that race because "Uncle Sam had me back then". He mentioned his time in the Army once or twice more during our time w/him.

Dave, if it didn't mean anything to Bud they wouldn't have put a picture of him in uniform some 66+ years later on that car.

TMC, whether you do 2 years or 20 serving the military is something that you'll never forget no matter how big of a name you make for yourself. I almost wish is was mandatory to serve, it would do a lot of good for our youth, especially in these times where there biggest thrill they get is getting a new Xbox game.