Forum Activity for @johnny-mallonee

THE THUNDER YOU HEAR MAY NOT BE WHAT YOU ARE REALLY HEARING

Stock Car Racing History

After turning onto Windsor Springs Road off Tobacco Road way in the distance I thought I heard a noise from the past. Now mind you I'm not superstitious but I could have swore I heard an old big block Ford fire off in the distance and then right afterwards another old but distinct sound followed,almost like a big block Pontiac but I said in my mind we arent close enough to a track to hear this stuff.
As you start down the hill on Windsor Springs the old half mile is on the right,most say its not there but I can go and walk the track almost perfectly, I took Tim there last year and had trouble getting him back to earth. Free Pennington went also and he had an eerie look about him when walking the leftovers of the old gal. That same day you could turn your head and hear in the those same engine sounds from a distance.
But as I drove closer to where the big track pits were I heard the noises more distinct.
As I pulled in to park there in front of me set "Tiny"--well I could see him at least in my mind,propped up against the #55 parked at the monument. He was waving towards another car being parked and low and behold there Fireball stuck his head out of the car and waved back, then it seemed as though Fireball gave Harold Fountain some directions as to where to put the ramps so he could pull up and park against the monument and park as Tiny had done.
Now I stood and watched as about 4 older guys scurried around this car with vigor they dont usually have. I cant put names to all but their faces were familiar from past and some present.
Also up on the hill were part of the Ga. gang looking down on the proceedings.
Afterwards when motors were hushed and people moved away I walked around both cars and felt the past with me again. No I didnt conjure up any spirits and surely didnt drink any either. But if you are a real race fan then you know the feeling I'm describing here, if you arent ,well close your eyes and remember the photos you saw of Tiny and Fireball maybe on Racers Reunion.
Any way you look at it the past will come back,like when I walker inside the auditorium there sat Rex White,along with H.G. Rosier. Then you let your eyes wander around the arena and you see more old faces beaming at people wanting autographs and photos.
You got to stop here now and say to yourself, was this worth the trip here?
Now you are reading this ,some from curiosity,some from wanting another perspective and others just trying to soak in more of the event.
Surely Patty Lilly could express this in a more defining form but I am only telling it from how I felt,what I heard,and mostly what I saw. I tried to catch things there as best as I could on film to remember it by. So after reading this and if you made it to the show did you hear or see anything that caught eye or ear? I still have a ton of thoughts on what I saw and heard Saturday but just havent put it to words yet, plus a few more photos and videos to share.------------------------memories

updated by @johnny-mallonee: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM

Rubbin' is NOT Racing.

Current NASCAR

Tim was what you would call a soft spoken driver back then. We cussed and discussed several,and I do mean several, meetings back then,now adays he is quicker on the replay and enjoys bartering as you know. When we first met in Augusta back in 2010 after about 35 years of beating and banging we kinda had an audience waiting to see whether or not the war of words or worse would continue.

Well we played it up to about an hour in when we had avoided each other until that time. The audience along with Jeff gave us a wide berth while we circled and jousted with some old terms used back in the day. Cameras were loaded and some like Leon Phillips was grinning from ear to ear.

Then it came,and I do mean came out. A grin on each others face broke the ice and the place went up in laughter. The Middle Ga bunch along with Harold Fountain has seen me dive in a car after a driver who done me wrong after we wrecked knew sometimes weird things happen when meeting an oldadversary who maybe had atenuous back then could rekindle.

But to everyones joy we played the scene out and all won out. He was and is still a person I admire because we did things our way and they seemed to coincide .

Yes he was and is a "hell of a man", and one I can call a FRIEND, unless we on the track ........ memories

testing the fit

Rubbin' is NOT Racing.

Current NASCAR

Racing is not a race if its follow the leader. Ok maybe I said that wrong,its not touch free, you can slip and touch or even bump and then betcha there will be a payback,whether it be a tag or an outright spin. I wasnotorious at running high wide and handsome as some say. You can pass up there when the bottom groove has those beating and banging oneach other.

One night I eased up by adistinguished driver and was going by when I was touched lightly in the drivers door. We passed back and forth several times all the while either I was tapping him or he was tapping me,mostly as we were entering a turn. Now I will say he was and maybe still is a heck of a driver but after one heated race we parked and got out and talked about what just happened. All the while we were talking there were several agitators trying to start a fight.

We just let it be but said there will be another time and there was.

Now others were also involved in these races so dont think we were out there all alone but one thing was in our favor,we were up front all the while this was happening,you can imagine the noise and cheers this brought during and after the races.

All this was going on in I think in three different states so word was getting around. It didnt happen every race because I found other places to run but we run together quite often.

One weekend we ran together in Savannah and I had a bunch from home down in the pits watching the race. Best I can remember we done our usual bumping and beating all the while keeping the rest behind us. And you guessed it,we finished one two. I will let someone else tell the outcome but I had a ball and I think he did too. He pushed and I pushed too and if this race was to have been run in todays racing there would have been the biggest brawl after a race you ever seen.

I dont know about him but I can almost replay those 40 laps out for you lap by lap.

I truly dont remember any cafe racing going on where I ran and I saw the likes of Ralph Earnhart,Darrel Walthorpe and yes Dale come up behind me and it was every man for himself.

So many of the older players are gone now but a few are still kicking and on here (R/R).

So all in all those two kids in the trucks put on a show and yes got kinda wild BUT that was the last lap and last turn and remember there is some old blood running in those two guys bodys.

So as Brother Dave Fulton said -- THank goodness all the good ole boys didnt know that "Rubbing is not Racing".

Or maybe we just did it different back in the day -------------------- Memories !

Another road trip from out of the 50s with the Middle Ga Group

Stock Car Racing History

Back in the middle 50's I can remember dad and the crew loading up both cars and J.W.Brown was over with his going also.

Exactly where we went I cant remember but we went to Fla. with all three cars. It was not to far from where Smokey had his shop because there were several trips made to his shop that week.

It was a good sized dirt track 1/2 mile or better because gearing was a problem. That was one of the reasons they were running back and forth changing stuff. Bob Brown was down with his wrecker and it was utilized holding cars in suspension while rear ends were removed or swapped or change completely.

I was getting old enough now to separate the gawkers from people of importance. One such guy was there in a suit and tie and very proper acting . Anyway he knew dad and Bob good enough to walk in and work would stop at least for a minute. This is where I first met this guy named Smokey,at least it was the first time I was close enough and old enough to understand the who and what he was.

There were probably better than 75 cars there for this race and everyone was nervous and jittery.

As time trials started there was no time left but to tinker with the cars. J.W.Brown went out and lost high gear before the first lap so he ducked back in and the went to work on it. Smokey gathered up some gears and they proceeded to put the gears in the quick change. He went back out just after dad qualified and posted a better time than dad . Comes to find out Smokey had come up with a combination that let the car run in first gear and qualify.

Boy they ragged dad about that but then the work was on to replace the tranny. This guy with the coat and tie on announced he had a spare one over in his trunk that could be used and away they went to retrieve it. Now I popped a question to dads mechanic asking him who this guy was because everyone but him was greasy.

Bob Brown informed me that this was Raymond Parks out of Atlanta. Well this settled me down because I had read and heard about him in the stories that are told in a racing shop.

Next day there was another car down parked with us putting the count to six from Ga. huddled together.

That put both of dads cars there along with J.W. Browns car and the one from the Cherokee Garage.(Sounding kinda familiar now huh). Joe Riddle had showed up with his sedan and now Smokey had his car sided along with Mr Parks car.

Race time came and cars were pulled onto the track getting ready for this race. Now this race is either at Thanksgiving or Christmas time because I was out of school,otherwise I would have had to listen to the stories being told back at the shop to half way way know what I was fixing to see.

Race finally gets under way and its a long one because there were some pitstops made during it. It was sure dusty too because at some points in the race I couldnt see nothing and I was really scared for our two cars out there. Then out of the blue one of those afternoon rain showers came floating by and put the correct amont of water down to make the race very interesting especially the finish.

Well that car out of Atlanta won it and let me tell you there was a lot of arguing over how he did it. Seems as though he made it on one less stop than the rest with Smokeys help of course. You see it was tuned by smokey and had a funny carburetor on it.

The trip back home was good because all three cars ran up front and no car was tore up. I remember setting around a table somewhere in Ga at a restaurant and Mr Parks was the head man that night. Everyone was happy and talking about the next big race.

Seems it was a ways away because I dont remember anything about dads cars going. This little tidbit came to me out of no where. the players in it are true,the location im not sure of,it wasnt at the beach but inland somewhere in Fla. It wasnt to far from Smokeys shop in Daytona because it seems there were a few trips made to it for parts and what not.

If you think or see photos of back then it seems as most every guy had a hat,not a cap but a hat with a brim around it. Mr Parks had a nice one along with Smokey. Dad had one too that was always kinda turned up in front.Jack Roush I think is a hold over from that era because he has his signature hat to this day.

Another thing they had was cigars. If you had one it seemed like most looked half chewed but never smoked.

I put these in script so as someone in the future may be able to continue on with the memories I have from time gone by.

updated by @johnny-mallonee: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM

They must have got the Clorox and Axe mixture right this week

Current NASCAR

Well the youngin finally did it, he won his first Sprint Cup race after getting by that Napa know how #24 in the late going.. After several close calls and heartbreaking near-misses, Kyle Larson is finally a Sprint Cup Series winner. Larson won his 99th career Cup start Sunday at Michigan, making a late pass on Chase Elliott to put himself into the Chase for the Sprint Cup with just two races remaining in the regular season. He pulled out to the lead and held it again after a final restart. So now he is in the chase carrying Chips colors to Homestead.Got to give him credit,the boy can drive..

updated by @johnny-mallonee: 12/05/16 04:04:08PM

Colliding Memories in the Sand

Stock Car Racing History


updated by @johnny-mallonee: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM

A meeting that started off all wrong ended in a great venture

Stock Car Racing History

This took place in the late 60's on one of my outings in southern dirt track racing..
It was getting later in the season and this year was a little different for some reason. I left home around 12;30 and headed out to Columbia S.C. to run in thurs nites race then go to Thundervalley for friday nites race,at least that was my plans,but as you probably already know plans can go haywire in a heartbeat. I was going up 301 out of Ga into S.C. when just as I crossed the line at the river there in the middle of the road was a monster gator,no not a recap off a big truck,but a monster gator. I got on the brakes real hard and managed to stop but the lady that was passing me at the time didnt. So over the gator she went and off into the ditch she went and dang near rolled her car while dragging old jaws with her to the ditch. Man that gator was a kicking up a fuss swinging that tail around and beating the side of her car to death. Now mind you this lady was in a VW Beatle so you can see the gator was whacking that car and every time he hit it it would roll and come back down on him.
This was going on for about 5 minutes or so when finally the trusty SC highway patrol came up and proceeded to take control of things,or at least he thought he was. Well old jaws whacked the car again just about the time the officer was reaching the car and well it kinda rolled onto his foot and he let out a howl which must have got old jaws fired up again because he started thrashing around like you wouldnt believe. About that time a couple of fishermen stopped to see what was going on being as I had the right lane blocked on the north bound side with the racecar and trailer. They got out and started laughing at what was going on and one went back to his old truck and come out with a rope and a bag. I thought to myself he aint bagging that gator but in fact he took a limb and reached out and covered the gators eyes and sure enough he calmed right down. Old john law finally got up out of the mud he was in and after finding him ok we set in to getting this lady out of the car. Now mind you she wasnt no spring chicken and was on her way home to a little place south of Columbia called North SC.
A wrecker came and pulled her car out of the ditch while the local folks dealed with ole jaws. After surveying the damage it became very apparent she wasnt driving that car home today or next week so now Im stuck, I cant leave because we drew quite a crowd now and cars were everywhere. To get this show rolling again I offered the lady a ride to her house because I was in fact going through North SC. I know where the town is because I own a small piece of the court room there because the town was a speed trap and I had done been had there. So off we go with Mrs Matty Mae in the passenger seat setting all prim and proper and proceeding to tell me the whole story of her life. Well as time has it im not going to make it to Columbia in time so I say told you so to myself and politely hauled my lady in distress home.
As I got into North she instructed me to turn left at the court house,hmmm I know where that is so as I got to the turn I saw old John Law setting across the street watching for his next victim. I turned left and headed up the road to her house hoping to maybe get at least to Columbia to see the finish. About half way up the road I heard the siren and said oh no not again,Miss Matty said whats wrong Sonny,I asked myself now im named too. I told her that I had done been in this town clutches before and sure wasnt wanting a repeat performance. Old john law looked in at me and said just where do you think you a going boy,about that time the local wrecker pulled up in front of me,you getting the picture now arent you.
I said im taking this lady home and he said no trucks were allowed up here period. About 15 seconds passed and the wrecker driver was already out getting set to hook up when Miss Matty spoke up and said,Julius you leave this young man alone and I mean right now,he looked over and saw her and his mouth just fell open. After a few seconds he wanted the particulars as to why she was in the truck with the likes of me. This talk now done turned into some shouting and me in the middle. Up pulls a white Caddy and a man gets out of the back seat that looked familiar somehow. Well he and Mrs Matty knew each other because he took her out of my truck and placed her in the back seat of the caddy and the driver took her on up the hill to her house. So now here I set with the local law and this guy that looks familiar and then the tow truck has it hooked up and ready to go when I get the courage to ask why was i being towed and john law proceeds to read the riot to me when this other guy says i dont think mama is going to let you do this Julius. Now i am in a loss for words but the wrecker cuts me loose and the cop gives me my license back and the guy says mind if I catch a ride with you to the top of the hill? Uhh why sure no problem because I got to turn around somewhere and he said we got a circle drive that will work perfect.
I pulled up into the yard of an old mansion type house and stopped while he got out, when here come his mama back out and insisted I come in for a spell. Ok but I cant stay long because I got to get to Columbia as soon as possible for tonights race.

Getting out of that house anytime soon was going to be impossible because supper was setting on the table and I was the guest. After we eat here come in a couple of young boys a hollering about the racing car setting out front. Well another hour shot going over the car with them when one says can you crank it up so we can hear what a racing car sounds like? I look over and got the go ahead nod from their dad and warned everyone it was going to be loud but here goes,I fire it up and let it idle there for a minute and I think it scared every chicken and half the Guinneys to death because if they werent running all over the place it wasnt because they were not trying. I let the two boys set in it and cracked the throttle a couple of times with the boys in there,their grin would have made a good toothpaste advertisement shot. It wasnt 5 minutes before half the town of North was up there gawking and asking some kinda questions, when one said JUDGE sure didnt know you like racing, judge(now i know where i remember him from). He answered where do you folks think i go every chance i get huh?? i love car racing, boy this is turning around to a bigger mess than i ever thought of.
Dark has come and im still setting in the circle drive way with half the town still up here talking and taking pictures.
Judge declares that im not going nowhere tonight because im his house guest. Well now if this isnt a turn of events !!
We set up half the night talking nothing but racing and the judge knows his stuff on racing and cars,them two boys were in hog heaven setting there living every minute of the stories that were told.We even had a laugh over the gator deal at the line because a phone call had been made up to the judge telling him mama was riding home with a race car driver.
Next morning was early up about daybreak I think because that rooster wouldnt hush his dang crowing. Breakfast at the table was just as extravagant as supper was because this is southern hospitality. Anyway with that out of the way I started to mosey out to the truck when the judge said havent you and I met before? Why lie now and out came a croaked yes about 3 months earlier. Judge said thought so and walked out to the truck with me and helped me load my stuff in the cab and we all said our goodbys and out the driveway I went and tip toed through town till I got out of the city limits a good way. I stopped in Cayce coming down that long hill at a gas station I usually stop at and filled up the truck an a gas can in back and said well ill be early at Thundervalley tonite i guess. A couple of people stopped by and said they watched us race at the speedway but didnt see me last night and I told them I got waylaid but never fear I would be there next Thurs and that made them happy .
The race in thunder valley was mine easy that night and on to Woodruff for sat nite was a good one for a second place. Sunday was a hop down to Anderson for a afternoon race and that one had a bunch of the Greenville boys there so you earned everything you got there,but all in all I done pretty good that weekend and headed back home and decided I better call home and tell them we coming back all together this time. We pulled in about 2am mon morning and I went straight to clean up and to bed I went.

And the dreams I had that nite were not of racing but a pretty lil Beach Bunny down in Florida.
Next week we rebuilt the transmission on the car and a bunch of preventative maintenance and loaded up for another shot at Columbia. We made it there this time with no ill effects at the line or as I crawled through North and on to the track in Columbia. I unloaded and was getting ready to go out on the track when there was that familiar face again,with the local cop too,in uniform no less.Now mind you it dont do no good to have a cop in your pits at a track,you know like whats he afraid of or worse.
We talked for about 15 min and he said he was going to watch the race and pull for me if that was ok, well I guess so .
Out I went and car was real good that night so we made a little money and was loading up when here he came over and said how much he enjoyed the race tonight and for me to stop in north any time and see him and his boys.Sure will do that sir and tell your mama the food was real good too.
About three of 4 weeks later Dad called me and said come over to the office so over I went and there setting in the office was the judge. Said he had to come down to Ga to see this operation where my car was maintained. Dad told him I did 90 percent of the work on the car myself and that amazed him and his two boys. After setting around for awhile he said Ive come down here to make you an offer,I want to buy both rear quarter panels of your car for advertisement of our factory in North , I looked over at dad and he okayed the deal and right there I had a real sponsor. He bought both panels for $100,000 and I said ---nothing, I was speechless. That built me a new car with enough to bank for rough times. Also it doesnt hurt to have your own town turn out as North SC did cheering on their own little advertisement with a Judge and City police smiling in the pits with you.

Oh yeah it was that year that I married my Beach bunny and my future book keeper and from that day forward my life has been a joy , to be able to race as I wanted and where I wanted now with 2 cars and to have a mate to look after me and make my life what it is now---------

Now folks you may have thought this was a tale,well it is a story of a time in my life but a tale ??? Nope all this happened as told,well maybe I knocked a few corners off to keep it neat. But this is what makes our sport we dearly love so precious to us because it is so full of GREAT -----------------------------------memories

Tim has a story about Columbia that happened about this time, but to get him to put it in print,well thats a story in itself .

updated by @johnny-mallonee: 12/16/16 07:54:33AM

A LITTLE HUMOR TO THE BUNCH HMMMMMMMM

General

remember those wheels you need or tires? or maybe just gas to get there and back the Race Gods are there to help MAYBE

updated by @johnny-mallonee: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM

Racing in the 60s around Middle Ga My home town

Stock Car Racing History

I wasnt into Football back then Tim,you could get hurt playing that game

Racing in the 60s around Middle Ga My home town

Stock Car Racing History

Tim the crew or bunch of guys or what ever you call it was the best there was in that time frame. What ever they built was a winner from back in the early 50s up until the middle 70s. I canrememberone time in North Ga when they protested my dad and Jw's car.

Bob had piled everything he could on the left side of the flathead motor on both cars. They pulled the right head off of the Coupe and found it legal then went to Dads car and pulled the right one off it also. Well one goofball paid the extra to have both heads pulled off Dads car. Now this put dad and JWs car injeopardyof being disqualified. Bob jumps in the game,he is the brain on the gangs engines. Well he pulls out his mikes and proceeds to mike the stroke and bore on Dads motor. Now he manipulates the mikes so as Dads motoralongwith JWs motor were within specs but inreality both were within specs on the right side but were over bored 120 thousands. Both were declared winners ,first and second and paid but before they left word was told to NOT bring those motors up there again.

Now here is the kicker,they went back up there the next week and cleaned house again and they pulled them down with their own mechanic doing the checking. Guess what they were found 2 stock flathead Fords. This is what you get when you are looking so hard for the frog you miss the gold. There are many of these stories that happened in era of racing in Middle Ga. I will throw them in when you least expect it.-------------------------------- memories