Forum Activity for @jim-streeter

Mr Streeter, thank you for sharing this interesting piece of history.

I'll "ditto" what N.B. said with this added note. The "cup" deal gets coverage because NASCAR has done a good job keeping the upper levels of the sport in the public eye. BUT! It is next to impossible to get any coverage of anything below the top three. The print and electronic media does almost nothing to promote the "grass roots" of the sport unless the local short track has the funding to advertise heavily. NASCAR has devoted so much energy towards the "top" that the "bottom" is on the verge of not being able to continue to support the "top".

I took Big Bill and Joe Epton to the Sports Department of the Raleigh News and Observer. This was all that appeared the whole week. The biggest Stock Car to be held in that area.

The first Racing Slick was developed by a company called M&H Tires (Marvin & Harry Tires) in the early 1950s

Winston, I too think the fairgrounds could & should be used for more than a few days a month. That takes money & enthusiasm by the Mayor to make it into something. But "King Karl" has already stated he wants the race track to go away... NO MATTER WHAT. He feels the fairgrounds is a eye sore & ear sore. There is no middle ground. Some of Nashville's best known in the racing community (DW, Sterling Marlin and Gary Baker) have already talked to him about the great history here. He doesn't care. He is already trying to get Hickory Hollow Mall to take the flea mkt. His yuppie friends have bought expensive new condos nearby, and they don't want to hear race cars....ever. It's a done deal...unless we get enough city council members fired up ( through the petition)...and show them what a big mistake they are making.

Had one happen like that in Cochran Georgia either last year or the year before. Axle broke and wheel axle and all flew out of the track and hit a woman sitting with her family between the 1st and 2nd turns. Killed her instantly.
The class that they were running allowed only stock rear end and wheels.
All classes at every race track should have a rule that all cars should have safety hubs no matter what class.

The eight deaths this past weekend reminds me of one of most one of the most "Lethal Weapons" of Stock Car Racing in the late 40s and early 50s.

The left rear wheel, hub and axle.

Before the days of 3/4 ton spindles, hubs and axles we would break apart the rear endof Fordsand lock it by welding itl. The only thing holding the wheel on was that skinny little axle. When the axle broke the wheel and axle would come off.(usually on the 3rd turn, right before the Grandstands). Back then most small dirt tracks had very little between the Tracks and Grandstands. You can use your imagination.