It's 10:00 a.m. Eastern time Wednesday morning, September 11, 2013. Twelve years ago today, by this time of morning, we, America, were just beginning to realize that we were under attack by those who resent who and what we are. By this time today, September 11, 2013, millions, if not billions of words have been written in newspapers, magazines and on every social media site conceiveable in memory of that day. Images are everywhere of the jets flying into the World Trade Center, the destruction at the Pentagon (for which, incidentally, ground was broken this day in 1941), and the remains of the plane in the Pennsylvania field. There are ceremonies going on right now, and many more to come throughout the day, throughout the country. Terms like "We Remember" and "Never Forget" are on t-shirts, banners, and every other conceiveable merchandise material around.
Everyone reading this post, over the age of 16, I'm sure remembers where they were and what they were doing when the news started to trickle in at first, and then consume the media. It was noon time and lunch hour for me when I saw the first video of the falling towers in New York. I can truthfully say that I could not absorb what was happening. It was like a movie with special effects. Then I saw a picture, still picture of a man and woman who had jumped out of one of the towers from very high up. Being as afraid of heights as I am, that photo was chilling to me and I had nightmares for weeks about that.
The terms "We Remember" and "Never Forget" are certainly spot on. Those of us who lived through that day twelve years ago will certainly always remember and honor the day, now known as Patriots' Day. But let us not forget that there were once "Remember Pearl Harbor", "Remember the Maine", and "Remember the Alamo" slogans out there. As time passed, those phrases became less and less important and today, only the history scholar can recollect those. I hope that the remembrance and observance of September 11, 2001, will always re-ignite the spirit of this Country that made us the greatest Country on earth, ever.
So, as we observe Patriots' Day let us go back to a simpler time in racing history. We'll be remembering the "Buddy Shuman Memorial Race" held on this date in 1964 on a .4 mile dirt track located in Hickory, NC. Twenty-seven cars showed for the event and David Pearson qualified his Cotton Owens Dodge on the pole with a speed of 74.714 mph. Richard Petty started second in a Plymouth, Jimmy Pardue third in another Plymouth, Junior Johnson, driving a Banjo Matthews Ford was fourth and Bobby Isaac, driving a Louie Weathersby Plymouth started fifth.
Eleven thousand fans watched David Pearson lead the first 21 laps until Junior Johnson muscled his way out front where he would remain until lap 64 when his Ford began to overheat. The overheating problem would force the fast man from the Brushy Mountains of NC to park his ride on lap 89. Pearson went back in front when Junior started with his problems and Pearson would remain in front for the rest of the race, winning with a three lap lead over second place.
The second place finisher in this race is a story of its own. Larry Thomas, driving for Herman Beam, the legendary "Turtle" of NASCAR racing, had started dead last and worked his way up to finish second, albeit, three laps in arrears. Quite an accomplishment for the young driver.
Top five finishers were:
1. David Pearson, Cotton Owens Dodge, winning $2,035.00
2. Larry Thomas, Herman Beam Ford, winning $600.00 (3 laps down)
3. Buck Baker, Ray Fox Dodge, winning $400.00 (4 laps down)
4. Jimmy Pardue, Burton-Robinson Plymouth, winning $300.00(4 laps down)
5. Richard Petty, Petty Engineering Plymouth, winning $275.00 (12 laps down)
Sixth through 10th were Curtis Crider, Tiny Lund, Neil Castles, Wendell Scott, and Jimmy Helms. Buddy Arrington was 12th, Roy Tyner 13th, Earl Brooks 20th, Junior Johnson 22nd, and Bobby Isaac 26th.
Appropriately, a "Memorial Race" was run in honor of Buddy Shuman. I wonder who but the most ardent, long time race fan, knows who Buddy Shuman was and what he did? So, on this date when remembering is so important to America, stop, pause,and remember to whom we owe our freedoms. Remember the First Responders 12 years ago. Remember the 3,000 Americans who died that day who were totally innocent of any wrong doing. Remember that we are a country born of Freedom and dedicated to the Preservation of that freedom. God bless America.
Honor the past, embrace the present, dream for the future
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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.
updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM
