How About That Gaggle of Younguns at Iowa?

With a nod to PattyKay Lilley's previous New Kid on the Block post - http://stockcar.racersreunion.com/forum/topics/new-kid-on-the-block - you just had to love the great finishes by the Kiddie Corps Saturday night at Iowa in the Nationwide race.

Newcomers Darrell Wallace, Jr., Brett Moffitt and Ryan Blaney all posted top-10 finishes. How about rookie Wallace beating Elliott Sadler on lap 1 and leading the first 36 laps. Awesome! And what a humble, unassuming interview he gave after the race. I was mightily impressed with Mr. Wallace just as I was when I saw him in the K&N telecast from Richmond this spring on the night of the Denny Hamlin Shootout.

I can't help but think that Johanna Long would also have posted a top-10 last night if she had a competitive (read that as big money) pit crew. Several cars finished ahead of her that she outran on the track all night, but lost out to by huge margins in the pits.

While no longer a newcomer, youngster Michael McDowell also gave a good account of himself, as did Ty Dillon the big money #3. Had to love the radio transmission when Dillon (Eddie Munster lookalike) was screaming for his guys to get the #31 Allgaier car off his a__. I say just shut up and drive. Sounded very "girly."

Sure beat a Nationwide race at IMS hands down. Too bad all those past great Iowa racers like Tiny Lund and the multitude from Keokuk, including Dick Hutcherson and Ramo Stott didn't have this great drivers' track that another Wallace - Rusty - patterned after the Richmond layout.

And, shame on the 10 cars that had "PARKED" by lap 32.

Separated at Birth?

Not even close Dave.

Yeah... no pointy ears.

Oh my. That's great. I may have to consider blogging that one (with attribution to you) to go along with a couple of others I've done in the past:

http://bench-racing.blogspot.com/search/label/separated%20at%20birth

I'll add Michael Annett to that list. Still young in his career. Posted another good finish - 4th - in the #43 Richard Petty Motorsports Ford at Iowa.

Butch Patrick? Isn't that the alter-ego of ....

Oh never mind, just too easy.

Yes, he did.

So, now you want to get me in trouble beyond RR?!

While you're at it, why not run a voice comparison between Brian Vickers and Mickey Rooney - voice of the red bearded Vickers' look-a-like Kris Kringle in the Rankin-Bass "Santa Claus is Coming to Town?"

I was absolutely amazed at the resemblance of Vickers to the wooden faced Kris.

Just realized I had another one I'd failed to tag appropriately. Revisit the link for another driver comparison to a woodhead.

Reckon Kasey woulda been Ginger Rogers' type?

Thanks Dave. I was working on a theme for the Legendtorial tonight and had already started, having completed two of the usual five page writing. I was going in this direction addressing the issue of the younger guys and gals coming up without the big money and you have given me a little something to add. As for Eddie Munster, I think you have a good point. I have been compared to Herman Munster so many times I started to go by Herman for awhile. I just wasn't tall enough to pull it off.

I don't think that other guy has the right touch with his hat. No feathers!

Did Herm did that hat and jacket from George Jefferson? Or maybe the other way around?

"Jeff" as he was/is known to everybody in racing was another legitimate "character" who was a wonderful person to be around. A lumberman operating out of Yakima, Washington, for years he campaigned the only Ford in Winston West or NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Model Sportsman competition. His brother, Harry Jefferson was quite a good driver as was his son. He gave both Derrike Cope and Chad Little their starts in his cars. Jeff was very nearly killed when he was hit by a spinning car in the infield of a west coast track.

Just like dealing with Bud Moore, I always knew George Jefferson would deliver more than contracted for. In fact, I would have felt safer dealing with Bud and George without a contract than with most of today's car owners with one. He may be wearing a black hat in the photo, but he definitely rode with the good guys.

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