Forum Activity for @melissa-bleier

Early track experiences?

Stock Car Racing History

Hi everyone!I'm still plugging away at my thesis!I was wondering if anyone wanted to share stories of early visits to tracks-either as fans or as a driver. ..stories about the infields, grandstands, camping, staying in people's houses, the food- the restrooms..Anything!I'm writing about the way a race track becomes a community. I have lots of stories from my visits- but I would love to be able to note the ways it is the same (and different!)Thanks!oh! And Ps! If the stories are about Martinsville, Darlington or Rockingham even better! That makes me look good. If they aren't its ok. We're all part of the same family no matter what track we go to, right?m.
updated by @melissa-bleier: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM

Historical Moments

Stock Car Racing History

Heck! I think that the invention of the automobile isn't a lame choice at all!!Where would we be without it!?A moment huh!? Its hard to think of one!How about moving the land speed competitions to Utah, forcing the folks in Daytona to come up with something else to do with all that sand..

NASCAR Heritage Tracks

Historic Speedways and Ghost Tracks

oh yes! I know. I really do. If this was a book, the scope would be much much wider. I am using Occoneechee as a positive example for a track that was lost, but has been found, so to speak. And I will certainly be addressing local tracks, lost tracks and the difference between tracks that meant something and the tracks that are the cookie cutters of the COT era.I want to look at the few tracks that are still being used and present them as the best kind of example of what tracks they should be running..that no one wants another Auto Club Speedway (California)If you only knew how hard it is to keep myself on track (heh) and not write the biggest longest most best complete track history-thesis ever. But since it is for my degree- I sort of have to do it this one way.I hope, in the long run though to do some good with these ideas, maybe help change some things.....

NASCAR Heritage Tracks

Historic Speedways and Ghost Tracks

Hi!This is Melissa- I'm the gal writing her master's thesis on NASCAR's heritage tracks. The idea that I am working towards it that these tracks are important places to local communities, to the history of NASCAR and to the history of America.My degree will be in Historic Preservation- and I am hoping that the importance of these tracks will translate into greater support for heritage tracks and eventually especially the local tracks that we are losing..Preservation doesn't mean putting the tracks into glass boxes and only letting people see them from a trolley. Preservation means that racing continues to happen right there at the same tracks that Fireball and local heroes both took the checkers.To keep things focused, I am looking at heritage tracks that are active, Martinsville, Darlington, and Rockingham (since I have great hope we'll return there) I know that this falls short of what tracks are out there, but resources and time are tricky things sometimes.So!I'll be working on this thesis thing all year. If you are interested I would love to hear stories about why these tracks are important places to you. What do these tracks mean? What did they mean to you growing up? Why are these tracks important places? Why is it important that we continue to race on these tracks?Feel free to send people my way who you think might be interested in this-and feel free to contact me!My site (finally started) and email are in my profile if you need more info.Thanks! I can't wait to see what you all share!
updated by @melissa-bleier: 12/05/16 04:08:38PM

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

Stock Car Racing History

Jim-I would love to take up some of your time, if you don't mind?If you are interested, drop me a line at my email :TheTrackGirl @ Gmail.Thanks!Melissa

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

Stock Car Racing History

Hi there!!This is Melissa- I'm working on a thesis about historic NASCAR tracks (So excited to get to be writing about something I love!) and I would love to get into a good conversation with you! It is really hard not to want to write about a bunch of tracks, at the moment I'll be working with Martinsville, Darlington and Rockingham.(I think...) What was it like at the tracks? What did it mean to win at one of them? Did they have the reputations that they have today? I know Rockingham is a bit later, but I would love to hear what stories you have-I'm going to be starting an open post about this too...but I saw yours and it was just what I wanted!m.