Forum Activity for @jim-wilmore

You won't see Jimmie Johnson at Hometown Raceway, USA

General

Randy,

JD McDuffie started Grand National driver in 1963 and Curtis Crider in 1958 so there is truth to the story. I can't verify which Junior Johnson it was, you may be right about the one from S.C., I was not aware of that Junior Johnson but you get the point. I sure wasn't saying that present cup drivers won't drive at local tracks, Kasey Kane runs a few sprint races and I've heard of others running local tracks as well, there are exception no doubt. And I watched Ken Schrader qualify in a an open wheel modified at Dublin Motor Speeday, Dublin, NC though the race was rained out. I just found it interesting to see multiple big names at one race and I checked the facts on Tommy Bostick who ran one Grand National race in 1966 at North Carolina Motor Speedway. In any case back in the day it appears it wasn't uncommon to expect a Grand National driver to show up at your local track. Who knows, that might be one heck of a promotion and benefit to NASCAR if more current drivers would make appearances.

You won't see Jimmie Johnson at Hometown Raceway, USA

General

You may need your reading glasses to read this article from Dillon Raceway, Dillon, S.C. but the gist of it and the reason for this discussion is that the drivers included Junior Johnson, JD McDuffie and Tommy Bostick with Curtis "Crawfish" Crider waving the green flag. Curtis was the Race Director at a time when Dillon was a dirt track, now paved over but still hosts some great racing.

The point here is here is little Dillon Raceway running a Saturday night race with big names like Junior Johnson and JD McDuffie racing along side lessor known local drivers like Frank Sessions of Darlington and Joe Lane of Timmonsville, SC. Can you imagine Jimmie Johnson showing up to a local track or Jeff Gordon hopping in a late model and rubbing fenders with the hometown heroes? Nope, it will never happen like that again and when it does happen it's headline news. Here is a racing legend Junior Johnson hopping in a Late Model Sportsman and going door to door with the local boys and the winner goes to....JD McDuffie, Hup Holmes 2nd, Jimmie Hatchell 3rd, Joe Lane 4th and Frank Sessions 5th place respectively. Johnson dropped back early with tire troubles.

At a time when the current drivers of NASCAR are put on a pedestal, untouchable, too big for local short tracks, the real heroes of days gone by get forgotten with news like Jeremy Mayfield busted for smoking Meth and Kyle Bush getting benched on the pit stand for losing his little temper. The headlines of yesterday are far more fascinating than today's daily news from NASCAR. Other sites cover NASCAR's gossip column, the real news is still there, you just have to dig a little deeper or, attend one of these incredible events like that which was hosted this weekend at Occoneechee with Hall of Famer Ned Jarrett speaking to a crowd of about 400 about what his favorite stock car was, a `57 Chevy and, why today's drivers couldn't hold a candle on a dirt track with the local drivers, and how the cars of today allow a less skilled driver to make the big show. These are the stories that live on forever, not whether JR. will get married someday.

I'm not trying to start an argument, just trying to get back to our roots, after all, isn't that why RacersReunion was created, to honor those that paved the way and inspired so many of us to get educated on the past before we can really understand the present state of racing?

updated by @jim-wilmore: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM

FROM JOE GIBBS PROSPECTIVE a short video

Current NASCAR

And in case you didn't see what the all the commotion is all about...in defense of Kyle Bush, you can't fix stupid~

A Wonderful Day at Occoneechee / Orange Speedway Celebration Saturday

General

I agree Thomas and Dave, Gene is one cool cat and one of the most consistently friendly people I know, it's always a pleasure to be around Gene Hobby. Semper Fi

Thomas, I can't believe we didn't meet, there was so much going on and so many people to talk to no wonder you guys have made a weekend out of it, what an experience.

A Wonderful Day at Occoneechee / Orange Speedway Celebration Saturday

General

You bet Dave, another day for sure

A Wonderful Day at Occoneechee / Orange Speedway Celebration Saturday

General

Dido. I've been to to all but one of the Celebration of the Automobile events and this one topped the rest in my opinion. It was good to see my friends and meet some I only knew through racersreunion, which I now can call my personal friends and met some new people that I hope to see again. Great event, the staff were everywhere, you didn't have to look far to see an orange Occoneechee speedway shirt, great job gals and guys, you sold the show yesterday, people will be back. I especially liked the on track display, the introduction of drivers Ned Jarrett, Rex White, Tom Pistone, and of course Chocolate Myer gave a great history lesson. The on track laps were awesome, a real treat for the vintage car owners and fans in the seats, the crowd loved the fly-bys and from what I heard the drivers put on a show. Super, super day!!! And Dave, I was standing right there when you were speaking to Chocolate, saw your grandson's yellow wrangler shirt but didn't see you, sorry to have missed ya. Lastly, the street rods are always a cool addition to the show, they don't get all the publicity as the race cars but they are the frame around the painting.

FROM THE MOUTH OF "WILD THING"

Stock Car Racing History

I agree Slim

FROM THE MOUTH OF "WILD THING"

Stock Car Racing History

Don't care about Kyle Busch either way, didn't before this, won't after, he's a youngster that can't back his mouth or his actions, he ain't never gonna change, just like his goofy brother.

How much for the car mister?

General

Billy, I will take you up on that offer and have a trip to your place on my list of things to do. You are right, that it takes more money to restore a car than to buy one and when you figure in the time involved it's priceless. Unlike the hoarder I would prefer to buy and resell to someone that I know would do something with it if I decided not to restore it, and I've done just that, more than a couple times.

I drove all the way to PA. and bought a 1937 Chevy original modified, got it home, realized I didn't have the room nor the time and resold it to someone that did get it race ready within one year.

Again, Bobby W. and I bought a 1947 original Ford modified coupe, not with the intentions of restoring it, but rather resell at cost to the same buyer of the `37 Chevy and again, it was race ready within a year.

Recently I purchased a 1947 Ford 2-door sedan with the intentions of restoring this one but some unforeseen expenses come up so I resold it to custom builder in VA. knowing it will get finished rather than me keeping it as a trophy until I'm ready, if ever, to start the restoration.

There were thousands of these cars I just listed built by Ford and Chevy and they still out there when the time is right. Was is difficult to sell the cars? Yes! It didn't take long to grow attached to the old gals but then again, it would be an injustice to them if i kept them and did nothing with them. The more cars we save for the future the better chance we have of saving our past.

All you guys have shared some great stories and it an honor to be able to read them. Whether you are searching for a car to build or stashing a car for rainy day, the stories are yours and i respect whatever decision are made.

I'll tell you my first experience as a 18 year old kid, I got my first real full time job and was looking for a car to buy. One day I saw a 1966 Mustang sitting in a field, again, surrounded by weeds, i went to the owners door and asked if she (another little old lady) would sell the car and she said "Yes, I'm asking $200." I bought it and fixed it up enough drive and drove it for about a year until it just quit running. I didn't know much about mechanics and my Dad was no help in that area so I sold it for $100 to neighbor who turned around and restored it and came by to show me his "new" car. I was sick but, I also knew that he had the vision and ambition to get it done...my first save.

How much for the car mister?

General

Cody, I've found a 1940 2 door Ford sedan for a reasonable price near me, I have a place to store it...just a thought