Forum Activity for @jim-streeter

I saw my first Modified Stock Car Race in the fall of 1949.

Stock Car Racing History

Sure do. I also remember when it was against the law to sell margarine that was pre-colored.The butter lobby was able to get a law past that prohibited margarine from looking like butter (it was white and looked like lard). In the same package there was color mixture and you could color it yourself.

I saw my first Modified Stock Car Race in the fall of 1949.

Stock Car Racing History

To my knowledge the only cars built from 42 though 45 were 4 door Plymouths. They were used as "Staff Cars" for the military. They were all like the 42's.46 Ford Coupe were a little more bulky. Their engines were a little larger similar to the prewar Mercurys. Now I'm going to rely on this 81 year old memory : the CI engines were larger in Mercurys because of larger pistons. Later( 1949) they were enlarged by a longer stroke.1933-1938 221CI1939-1948 239 Ci1949-1953 254 Ci MercurysBy the way in 1937 they built a 136 CI V8 60 HP. My dad owned one. It could barely make over a small hill.I t was later replaced by a "straight 6".

I saw my first Modified Stock Car Race in the fall of 1949.

Stock Car Racing History

Rear end ratio.1937 3/4 Ton Ford Truck Rear End!/4 Mile Flat 9/41 2nd Gear1/3 mile High Bank 666 Hi gear1/2 mile dirt 354 2nd.all flat head fordsno double clutchsome used Lincoln 2nd gear.

I saw my first Modified Stock Car Race in the fall of 1949.

Stock Car Racing History

On the 1/4 mile flat asphalt real well, but on the old 1/2 dirt you never could tell.On the big mile tracks, "Bang!" into the fence. No innerliners those days.

I saw my first Modified Stock Car Race in the fall of 1949.

Stock Car Racing History

Right Front was a large Truck most of the time. Left Front the smallest that we could find that would fit on the rim of a 36 Ford Rim.Rears (on a dirt track) were usually some Yankee asphalt recaps with groves cut in them.

I saw my first Modified Stock Car Race in the fall of 1949.

Stock Car Racing History

When you get it started I'll reply to it.

I saw my first Modified Stock Car Race in the fall of 1949.

Stock Car Racing History

I've never considered myself as the "journalist type", but I will try to make a post to my Blog at least once a week.You have to remember I will talk about things that happened 55 to 60 years ago and I might not get it exactly correct.

I saw my first Modified Stock Car Race in the fall of 1949.

Stock Car Racing History

After being a member for less than a week I realize that I am one of the oldest(80) RacersReunion.Com Members.In a way I feel that I need to tell about how things were at the very beginning. Most of you talk about Racing in the 60s and 70s.To those that are interested I will be glad to answer questions about how it was "back when".I raced with some of the oldtimers like Lee Petty, Curtis Turner, Fonty Flock, Jim Rathmann, Speedy Thompson, Frank Munday and Buck Baker.I don't claim to have been competitive with them, but as Joe Epton (NASCAR's Chief Scorer) once told me "its just as dangerous out there getting past by Curtis Turner as any other place on the track".If you have any questions ask.
updated by @jim-streeter: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM

Old NC Speedways

Historic Speedways and Ghost Tracks

I drove #17 Mack Howard's first car in 1952 we were two poor guys who loved racing. He was under 21 and not old enough to drive.He was an excellent mechanic and later became Freddie Lorenzin's crew chief.I knew all 20.

Old NC Speedways

Historic Speedways and Ghost Tracks

Bowman Gray as an amatuer . Early on 1950. Bill France Jr job was to sweep the track after the wrecks.only other Western NC Track was McCormick Field Ashville. Later when I drove Sportsman Raleigh 1/4 mile Flat, 1 Mile Banked Paved. Champion Fayetteville 1/3 Mile High Banked. Modified 1/2 Mile Tracks Wilson, Wilmington, Jacksonville.Limited Sportsman (under 300 cu inches) Coastal Myrtle Beach, Henderson, Dunn, and few more I can't Remember.My first race was at the Danville Fairgrounds .