Forum Activity for @johnny-mallonee

Racing in the 60s around Middle Ga My home town

Stock Car Racing History

BACK IN THE 60'S WE used to run almost every night in the summer,I remember one time we were running pretty good and blew up at Middle Ga Raceway and went home and worked all night to get something put together forFrinight.We pulled back out to the trackFrinight and was running prettygoodwhen bang another one bites the dust.Back home we went and started scrambling trying to find a block to build. There was a big race coming up Sunday which was just before labor day and i had a friend who had a skeeter with the motor out of it,sooo I borrowed it and put it in a new car that was built but hadnt been used yet. The car would fly but lost a plug wire in heat race so i had to run Consi and finished 4th ,but that put me in feature. Well we all lined up for the grand final ,green flag and away we go,o yeah I forgot to mention I had to borrow a couple of tires to put on rear too, anyway, away we go . I had drove this Skeeter several times and knew what I was getting into. But it seemed like this motor took on a new meaning in my car. Off the turns it was a rocket ship, this thing would fly and when you got the likes of T,C, hunt and Al Smith along with Charlie Burnette around you followed closely by Bob Moore. We would sometimes be 3 or 4 wide on the straights. To say I had a fast bunch around me that night would be an understatement. About 3 laps from the end i lost a front wheel and would you know it helped the handling a lot,anyway we crossed finish 3 wide on a 1/4 mile dirt track and the place went loco , protest everywhere .when i hit the pits i went straight on the trailer .cause you couldnt open the hood under the tire rack. And of course there were rules there that said no 4 barrel ,no rollers and 305 cubic inch limit i had all that and more but they were protesting everbody else that night any way TC Hunt,Bob Moore,Al Smith and Charlie Burnett were all up front that night i finished 2nd on three wheels to TC that night and o yeah I had to replace the tires i borrowed,they were wore out, the motor went back into the skeeter and i built a new motor for wed nite. And wouldnt you know it they protested me that wed night too. They found a 327 block with a 283 crank in it. Now things like that are memories that you NEVER forget. Winning races are great but those SPECIAL moments will live to eternity. Now thats what I call --------------------------- memories !!

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

Where do we begin Tim says? lets try this

Stock Car Racing History

Age has its Advantages,at least in racing

Its 2011 and the Daytona 500 will debut on Feb 20 .
40 years ago it debut on Feb 14 1971. Richard Petty won it also the championship. He won $46,000 for it. And one Mexican competed in it Ricardo Rodrguez.He finished 13th. This was also the last race for the winged Birds of Chrysler.

Back up 10 more years and the Daytona race was won by Marvin Panch(remember him) driving a Smokey Yunick Pontiac on Feb 26 1961. It was his first win of the season. This was also the last race for Lee Petty to qualify for.
How many of you remember who won last years Daytona 500?
How many of you remember who won the 1971 Daytona 500 ?
Only a select few were there in 1961 to see that Daytona 500 that can tell us of the event.
Now the point of this short post is taking its place, the historians can retell what some wrote back then but a true description can only come from a person on pit road or in the car. Otherwise we get our visions from people who were there such as Tim Leeming. His memory seems to be getting better lately because he himself duly admitted that Racers Reunion has jogged his memory on several years of foggy memories. People who can tell of the good ole days are slowly drifting into the 4th turn where the sun is so bright they just drift into eternity.
Jimmie Johnson is the man of the hour in 2010 but who was the man of the hour in 2001 Daytona 500.
who was the winner at the 1969 Columbia 200 in April of 1969 and who won the Middle Ga 300 on June 1st? Bobby Issac won both,he was on a streak that year, but no one speaks of him until his name was revived here on R/R. Now do you understand where Im going with this?
This year there will be more reunions than ever so it may be to our advantage to go and meet these senior drivers of yesterday before you read about them in past tense. Im not naming any names but the true heros are in our viewing and to shake their hand one more time is awesome to say the least.
I cherish each and every moment I can with them . I so wish I could have one more try at Sam on a 1/2 mile dirt because you went to school following him and trying to pass him was harder than any exam you ever took. I know,ask Billy or Tim or DW. I could go on but you get the picture. Most all of the older drivers go for the true pleasure of meeting and seeing everyone just one more time.
To go to the tracks of yesteryear and take a lap is impossible to describe. Dont take my word for it go yourself to the reunions and if you dont feel a fleeting swirl around you when certain things happen then you arent a true fan.
I know because for an instant I thought I saw my mentor talking to an old group of drivers in Columbia Sc last reunion. Remember Your Roots and above all cherish your---------------------------------------------------memories

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

WHERE DO WE BEGIN?

Stock Car Racing History

Just remember Tim if you bought it Leon might have delivered it

WHERE DO WE BEGIN?

Stock Car Racing History

Oh no I wasnt knocking you at all --you keep on doing your thing because thats you I love what you doing. Remember we rubbed many a fender in our career so do NOT try to change your past for the sake of -------!!!

WHERE DO WE BEGIN?

Stock Car Racing History

Well Tim you started off good and theun it bit you and you went into remember land .. And then think how close what you thought was already wrote about you,you just didnt realize it. Now for page two from you SIR.

lets see one of yall set down and do this ok???

Stock Car Racing History

Raising Cain
The other day a guy came by and we sat around talking of the days back when and he got started on his lifes story.
Said he was born back during the war time of the 40's in the Carolinas.
His dad was racing with a bunch of old guys in the Piedmont and ventured down thru Columbia on into Georgia and ran all over the southeast. It seems a lot of our fathers did that, he was doing pretty good at it. He grew up with motors in his head and when he got old enough he built an old chevy with a V8 caddy in it and terrorized the local roads till one day the law dragged his hind end up before the judge. Well as soon as the judge saw him he said set there boy and in a few minutes here came the boys dad,he and the judge were buddies. After a long and extended chewing they walked out and nothing was said. Off to the house they went and over the table for supper the law was spoken.
Any further racing you do boy will be on a track whether it be a drag strip or track. He said he took the track because of the knowledge he had setting in front of him. Next day he parked the old chevy and went to work building an old racecar out of it. That evening his dad said if you going to build a car its going to be right so they pulled the car into the old shop and the work began.
About a month later out rolled the best looking car he had ever saw, and his dad sat him down and the rules got more ridged.
They loaded it up and off to a track that was about fifteen miles away and school took a meaner deeper twist now. He pulled out on the track and dead in front of him was his dad in his car and slowly they started circling the track getting a little faster each round until it was faster than he had ever been before especially on dirt and a quarter mile on top of that. They stopped and started talking and his dad said that was pretty good there son but that was only a warm up,next we going to get up to speed. Wait what was that we were just doing out there? He laughed and said going to school,next time its going to be for real,and off we went again with me following like last time.About three laps into it he waved to come on and away he went,me keep up? Ha thats a joke because he was gone and me doing what he thought was a good job. Then out of nowhere there he appeared again behind me and now he's flying as fast as he can and then that gentle tap on the rear,woah what was that for but he stayed in it for all his worth.Next lap another tap going into the turn,not bad,just a little love tap and up the track he slid,now so thats what he was showing him huh, so off they go again and then dad passes him on the outside,howed he do that ??.
Things are getting better now,he is learning control and how to handle situations as the come. After a couple of hours they pulled in the infield and take a break,but wouldnt you know it they done drawed a small crowd and boy was he blushing when his dad explained to all that the kids got it he thinks, because there in the end he was giving it all he had to stay with him.
That night they discussed the future of him racing and the real ground rules were set. It was either dads way or no way because best I could figure it was his dads money he was racing with.
The first race and he finishes it at least,more schooling was given that race, but he done real good in consi race and the feature he finished in the front five, not bad for a beginner,with a heck of a teacher.
Things progressed until he was doing great everywhere he ran,short tracks and a few longer ones.
Things went real good and he actually broke out on his own and ran a few big tracks around and tried the sportsman division too but the real fun and money was in the Wed,Fri,Sat nite races and then on Sunday afternoon race. He was racing and making money and enjoying himself and his dad was proud of him too.
It was really hard to race how Nascar wanted you to race and keep yourself financially sound so you wildcatted at other tracks with a unigue name,some may call them fictitious names,his was a guy who worked for his dad.
Racing was good for about 25 years for him until the expense overoad the purse so he parked the car and went to work and dreamed of the day when he could do it again.
He had retired reciently and was introduced to a site on the internet called Racers Reunion and now his plans are falling back into place. He understands there are going to be vintage racing going on all around the south so he can continue his dream.
Christmas is here and we were talking about the new season coming and figured this was as close as we will ever get to the good old days of yesteryear.
So next year when the season starts be on the lookout because what name the car will race under could very well be kept a secret because it may run in more than one circuit but it will be there, how do I know all this to be certain?? Because this is a conversation I held with myself a few months ago and now you know "THE REST OF THE STORY" otherwise said.

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

BACK IN THE FAST DAYS --- IF YOU READING THIS YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN

Stock Car Racing History

Cool 55 Dennis here is my first ride and also my first win

BACK IN THE FAST DAYS --- IF YOU READING THIS YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN

Stock Car Racing History

by: Johnny Mallonee

Back in heck, I dont know how long ago it was, but it was a long time ago maybe in 1950 or so, I can remember playing out by the shop where Dad kept his car. On the side, there was an old car what kind I cant remember; it was something Dad wanted for parts, but it was my race car. I drove many a race in that car because it did have a seat in it, so it was right down my alley. I was even awakened a time or two by Mom after dreaming a little too long and falling asleep in it.

Every once in a while I would break out of car racing and grab my trusty trike I had stored out there and run a few races with it. I had the back tires notched so when I threw it into a corner it would really throw dirt . Man I loved that trike, especially when the neighborhood guys would come around; thats when we would really get down to racing, sand lot kids style. We wouldnt go far, I remember, because there were boundaries applied to each of us and if they were broken it was more than boundaries that were worn on your rear. We would race down the road and through the ditch and over to the next yard where the winner was always declared.

The only thing that broke up our routine was when Dad would open the shop and work on his car, or roll it out for someone else to pull theirs in for whatever reason. Thats when we kids got to wash it and wash it we did. We rubbed it from that bolt that stuck out on the front bumper to the bend in the rear bumper that always seemed to have dirt stuck in it from the week before. The special treat was being one of the ones that got selected to get inside and clean. Just think you were sitting in a real live racecar. Yup, it had one seat and a can behind the driver we were told not to mess with. After looking at photos of Dads old cars, it was his gas tank. Also, there was a battery there and if you happened to rub up against it while in there, next week that spot would be ragged in your jeans.

On Fridays, it was special treat time because it was fired up and taken out on the short road we lived on, to test and tune. I guess that was what they were doing because it would fly down the road then stop and everyone would try to get onto the motor it seemed, to touch something or turn something. After that, the other car that was always there would get the same treatment. But for some reason it always seemed like Dads car was louder, so maybe louder is faster.

After loading up our stuff, the cars were hooked to the back of Dads pickup and everyone piled in for the trip to the track. The two cars went together to the track and always parked side-by-side too. I remember Mom telling us kids that if we strayed out of this little compound, we were in deep trouble. I didnt care because I could see better from the top of Dads truck anyway. You know, come to think of it, he had the shiniest truck top there, thanks to my bottom side.

It was always dusty at the track, so on the way home there was also a special treat; the river was only a mile or two from the track and we all bailed off into that shallow spot for some good old-time river fun and a little washing to go along with it.

Then the next stop, most times, was at a local ice cream parlor, where they made the best Hot Dogs you ever ate. I can still taste those giant wieners stuffed into a bun with mustard and onions and always a slice of pickle on the side. Yum-yum! If things went well at the track, as most often they did, we got a special drink a big ol Nugrape soft drink; man, that grape drink was out of this world.

Back at the house, everyone helped unload the truck and racecar because it was a major player in our lifestyle. Afterwards, Mom and Dad would go out under the shade trees and sit in the swings or lay in the hammock, while I hurried and reran the race at least 4 times in my car out by the shop.

To grow up in a racing family was a gift from God that todays kids can only dream of. They go and have to stay out in the infield, or worse, sit in the stands and never get to experience the true love of racing. Oh, and the side trips that only Dirt Track Racing can offer. Just think of going swimming after the race in the local creek or river down the road. Never would that happen today or stopping at the ice cream or hot dog shop for a big old juicy Hot Dog piled with onions and mustard and that awesome pickle! Im talking of something that happened 55 years ago and I can still taste that today. No air conditioning, but the thrill of hanging your hand out the window and feeling the wind. Todays kids sit in that seat, with widows rolled up tight and a hand held game stuck in their face. We older racing kids led a life that others today can only dream about after they read it in a story or a senior citizen tells of his experience back in the day.

Today, I have my grand kids around me because my 2 kids live on each side of the house, so when the car cranks up in the shop out back, I have all the help I need and then some, to get ready to go racing. Only one of the boys shows a real interest in racing but thats alright. There are about five others on the street here that are in love with the old car, so students I have. Its harder at the track too, because of restrictions, but we try to park where if they have to stay in the infield, we are up against the fence for them.

Going to a race track today you will see a change in the wind. If you try NASCAR, it will break you unless you are kin to a millionaire. Your local short tracks, at least the ones around home here, are trying to survive this drought in the economy without raising prices out of sight. The way of the dollar today has sure changed from when I grew up. Dad and Mom could take a dollar and make it into $14.92 it seemed like, and oh yeah, my Dad was a heck of a man, but he just couldnt carry groceries like I can. You see, I can carry over $100.00 into the house at one time, whereas I remember him struggling to carry $15.00 worth of groceries in, in about three trips.

Another of my recollections of the way it was back when Racing was Real so you see, my Saturday Night Hero is none other than my DAD.

So I think each one of us can relate to this story and each of yall have at least one story buried in your mind about back in the day. So crank your body up and remember what happened years ago.

Tim the story I wrote " Could this be better than setting next to the fence was wrote about your life " True I added events to it to fill the void but key points in your life are definitely in there, Now the rest of yall write your racing life..

updated by @johnny-mallonee: 08/05/18 06:02:01PM

Could this be the beginning of something for us from the past?

Stock Car Racing History

New World Short Track Championships Announced

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

COULD THIS BE BETTER THAN SETTING NEXT TO THE FENCE

Stock Car Racing History

A story you may have heard or maybe not
The story goes like this- It was said he was a racer from the word go as he was always around people of importance in stock car racing back in the 50's. He would set in his grandpa's lap and drive the car all day wherever they went. Eventually he got a real taste of racing as he was taken to a real race at the big track down the road and that sealed the deal. He was a racer from then on.
He helped on anybody's car that would let a scrawney kid help and learned tricks fast for his future in motorsports. Finally, he turned 16 and he was a terror on the roads around home with the local police bringing him home more than once for drag racing. His grandpa said boy you going to have to stop this foolishness of racing on the roads.
About a month later his grandpa loaded him up and they went over to the auction in Florence just look around as the story goes. Three other guys that was always around the shop was along for the ride but when they got there they acted as if they were on a mission, looking at almost every car there. As bidding started they watched each car go through the line and what the prices were. Guess they were checking prices for a deal later on.
But when the stragglers that did not sell were run back though a second time they bidded on a couple of old cars to repair for resale.
Looked like the evening was a success as each person had an old car to drive back to the shop. The next day when he got out of school there sat the three cars out front just as they were at the auction. He walked in and was immediately met by his grandpa. Which one of them cars we bought at the auction do you think would make good racecar for a client of mine? He went out and surveyed the three with a close look then came back in and said that old two door Valiant would make a good hobby car I think because its light and its a straight shift in the floor ,motor sounds pretty good too.
His grandpa then said how long do you think it will take to get it ready for the track. Now here was a question he had no earthly idea how to answer, but he looked grandpa square in the eye and said three weeks providing there are parts around for what it takes.
Well, there is a race next month over at Sumter and the car needs to be ready for that. He looked at his grandpa and said you want me to build the car? Young man, just who else would you want building a car if it was for you? He stepped back a step or two and said what??You heard me either you build a race car out of it or you going to have to quit driving on the streets because you cannot be caught again lest you loose your license. Wow, talk about a low blow but with a touch of wow to it. That statement got his attention.Are you telling me we building a racecar for me to drive?Yes I am and if you don't get to it you wont make the race.
A stall was cleaned out just for the racecar and all the help he needed seemed to appear. He worked on it well into the nite and finally he was told time to go home. School the next day didnt go to well because all he could think of was the racecar, his racecar. Finally school was out and he started to peel out to the shop when setting dead in front of him sat john law. You in kinda hurry today, ain't ya Sonny? Well yes sir I got work to do at the shop and I'm in kinda of in a hurry. Well you just drive over there kinda slow and everything will be ok. He left school and turned the corner and there sat another cop,dang they out to get me now. So he just took it easy all the way there and when he got there everyone was standing in the stall where the Valiant sat.
He looked at the car and it sure wasn't in the shape he left it, rollbars in and interior stripped out and extras were being taken off everywhere.Now mind you, these guys have been around racing before as one of them used to wrench for that little red faced driver out of Timmonsville before he hooked up with that fancy chicken farmer. The other guy used to drive himself but had hurt his back in a wreck out on the interstate so he rather help someone else instead.
They took the car out to the local track that Sat. to see how it ran. At first he took it easy for a few laps but finally poured the coals on and was doing all he could. Finally he pulled in the pits where everybody was standing watching him come in. He got out and looked around all smiles at everyone when someone said we got a lot of work to do.
Back at the shop they first pulled rear end out and took it apart and locked the rear,that should help on getting out of the turns. Next they set it on the lift and started working on the suspension. Front end was easy because it was on torsion bars but the rear was a little harder. They took the springs out and went to the press in back and proceeded to dearch the springs. Then they added two leaves to each side to stffen it up. Now the car is setting like 4 inches lower than before and stiffer too. New shocks were added to the car and torsion bars were beefed up also. Now time to set it up,first was the front end and that was the guy who had worked for the chicken farmeron his cars. This jobwas different ,he set caster and camber to his own specs along with the tow in. Then they went around back and jacked it up till the rear end tires were just clearing the ground,this will never work he said and off came the spring hangers. They set in and made new ones out of stock steel and then replaced the old ones.This changed the stance of the car, then things started looking better.
After a few adjustments there was a clearance of about 5 inches under right tire with left just touching the ground. Satisfied with this then they checked stagger and found this way off also . The right side was shorter than the left. After a relocation of stay arms they finally got it where all felt like it would work. The tires came in that afternoon and were already mounted on some neat rims. Well now the car was looking more like a race car than a flower pot they said. Evening had caught up with them and it was time to call it a day. But by now the buzz in town was there was a new racer in town and people was stopping by to see the car.
His grandpa said it needed to go over to Joes body shop for a paint job in the morning,so before going home they hooked the wrecker up to the car and took it over to the paint and body shop.
He couldnt set still in school hardly and visions were bouncing all in his head,at least this was Friday and he wouldnt have to worry about school till monday. He got back to the shop and there setting in front of the shop was a gleaming shining valiant.
After school finally got out and he made it back to the shop, he jumped out and made a quick pass around the car looking at it. Then looked at his grandpa and just stared,that was it, the tears broke loose in both their eyes because this was a thing of beauty in each of their eyes but each was seeing a different beauty.
After a few minutes the local sign painter arrived and brought his board and stick,thats to rest his hand on when making a delicate stroke, a chalk line and three ft ruler. The three sat down and discussed the layout on the car and what colors were to be used.After that was settled they started to leave when the sign painter asked one more question, what number did you say to use? Grandpa looked at his grandson and asked what you want? Shucks I haven't thought of a number then he looked around and saw the address on the building and pointed, why not, lets use the address number on the garage. With that settled they were ready so off they went to show the world their new creation, to the onlookers that were there watching anyway.
That nite about 7:30 he finished and stood away and looked, then said that should look good from the stands and really sparkle under the lights.
The big day has come and off to the track the little sparkling hotrod went on a brand new trailer built especially for this moment, they thought of towing it with a chain through a pipe but after a test and nearly tearing the bumper off the service truck the trailer came into play real quick.
They pulled in to the track and as expected the little Valiant sparkled along with about 40 other cars,it even looked looked like a festival kinda, at least in his eyes. Well now the time has come and out on the track he went for warmups and to really see if he had what it takes to become a player in this sport.
Well right off they seen that the little light car had what it took to get off the corner with the other cars and even pulled a few down the straight, but entering the turn he was a little to careful and some would get around him entering the turn.Drivers meeting and now its time to draw for starting positions, so out came the pill bottle with the numbered cubes, wow a 11 was draw-ed and that was pretty well up front in the heat race.
Heat race comes and goes with it a typical follow the leader 8 laps.A few tried to pass but the Valiant would pull them on the straight and get back ahead, he finished 4th so he was in the feature without having to run the consi race.
The modifieds went out and put on a heck of a show for the fans and now it was the sportsman classes turn to shine in their feature.
Lineup was complete and with the pace car out front they went around a few laps settling in to a routine, then green flag and they are off.It didnt take long before they stretched out in single file and he started picking off the cars one at a time on the straights, but corners were still difficult but he was gaining confidence each lap and actually finished second. Way to go said grandpa and high fives all around the guys in the crew and behind him stood the local town people that came to see him run.
Boy things were lining up for him now and when the season ended in Oct. he ended second in class so that was a great improvement over when he started. He would graduate next spring and his plans were already in his head. But as you know plans always seem to change at the wrong moment. Well, this one did too, big time.
A letter in the mail squashed that and all future plans for a period of time, even ruint his plans with his newfound girlfriend. Uncle Sam wants him to be on his team for a short tour of the world.
Well this wasn't what grandpa had in mind but little could he do to correct this so off to the world of unknow he went.
The little Valiant sat huddled all alone covered up in the corner of the shop still on her trailer. Some say you could hear faint noises coming from over there when things were quiet,but you and I know a car doesn't have feelings, do they?
After his tour he gets out a wiser lad and a healthier one too. He was more muscular too but that haircut he came home with just didn't settle in good with the girls.
After a few days of meeting everybody and retelling the stories of his worldly travels he went over to the shop hunting his car and looked over in the corner, there it sat just as he left it. But wait, it does not quite look right for some reason.
Well they moved things around in the shop and hooked the old Ford tractor that doubled as a forklift to the trailer and moved it out carefully into a stall. There they parked it and stood back as he pulled the tarp off the car.
Wait a minute thats not my car?? What's this he says, it looks like a Grand National car. He spins around and looks at his grandpa and says I don't understand.
This is a real thing of beauty here. Its got a V8 in it and its a Satellite body too. Wow, this car can run on that track over in Columbia and that one in Darlington too.
The next few seasons are good to them as they continue getting better and better and seem to finally get a decent sponsor too.
That winter grandpa takes sick and never recovers and now this is a real blow to everyone in town.
That next season wasnt the best season for him and his heart was still heavy without pop being there. Now he was alone in the world and had no body to help him with the shop or racing and racing was the one thing he loved most.
Along came a prospective buyer for the shop and the sale was made,so now with a little money left over after all the bills were paid he set out to make a name for himself.
First off was this little thing of beauty that's been catching his eye lately. Was she for real or was she just a show hunter.
Next year things get off to a better start now with him being married. Yup that happened during Christmas, and a new motor in the car that he bought from that team up in the North Carolina mountains. So now they off to Columbia to run the first race there of the year and a lot of heavy hitters are here too.
The race is a success with him running in the top 5 all race and finishing in the money so now they are happy going home.
Next race is in two weeks at that big track in Hillsboro and he is all wound up over running there. The race is a complete success with him up front again at the end .
The season is at its end and he has held his head above water but no reserve even with his bride managing the money and even working on the side to make ends meet.
That winter a decision is made and its either the car will have to be parked and a real job taken to survive or else try to race and live out of the truck.
He reverts back to what he learned in the military and settles down into a real job and once again the car moves into the corner of the shop covered again.
Years go by and he is still working at this same job and doing well,his kids are growing up and they are moving out on their own. One afternoon they setting in the back yard and something falls in the shop out back. They get up and go check it out and its a tire thats fell out of the rack he built out of wood years ago,the wood has somehow broken.
While he gets the tire over out of the way he snags the cover and part of the car becomes uncovered. He hasnt looked at it for awhile but he pulls the cover off and its just as he left it.
Wow,its still pretty as cars go in fact it still has that glisten it had in the shop when he came home from service. They roll it outside and wash it and set back to let it dry. Now if you ever had a car in your back yard that wasn't supposed to be there it draws eyes and this one did that .
Neighbors were curious and kids were nosey and they got him to talking about racing and she saw that gleam in his eye. That nite they sat down and talked of maybe running a few races next year and that was quickly agreed on by both.
It's coming on to Christmas and there are parties everywhere,they go to as many as they can and still exist, but you see neither one of them ever drank or even smoked for that manner, so parties were the same to them fun but no hangover.
It's December 1st and his boss is not very happy acting,in fact he has the look of total disaster.
My wife has left me for another man and has filed papers for divorce demanding about $12,000.00 in support and I cant pay that so im going to have to let you go as of this Friday.
Now if this isn't a twist there never will be one. Now what to do. He gets out and starts shopping for a job and goes by a dealership where he knows people. He meets the manager and they strike up a deal where he can work here for awile until he finds better work. Between this and what little he can recieve from unemployment he may just pull off the great escape after all. In a few years he will be able to retire and then things will be better all around,but thats getting ahead of the story.
Next week there is a piece on the paper about a race for old vintage cars in sumter and he says lets take the car to the races Sunday just to get out for awhile,agreed they pack up.
There at the track there are cars from all over and believe it or not he fits right in,an old gentlman walks over and says I remember this car. That did it. They are back in the limelight as there are numerous people coming by asking questions and taking photos. A guy comes up and tells him there is a vintage organization started for old cars and guys you might be interested in and they fixing to have a big race down at the rock on the first and everyone is invited. This is really good news now .
They make the pull home with all sorts of thoughts going through their head as he pulls in to the yard. Next day he tells the guys about their weekend and of their plans for going to the big race in Rockingham. This gets to the boss and he calls him into his office and says set down and close the door too. Uh oh, here we go again, he said. Seen this scene played before but he is prepared this time.
Well the boss questions him as to where the car came from and how things went at the last meet and what was his plans for the next meet. He tells him he is thinking of going but if that was going to jeopardize his job he could cancel that. The boss looks at him for a long time studying him then says not exactly what I had in mind.If I sponsor your car will you try to make all the shows you can to advertise us? And in return we will prep your car here so you can continue working?? Uh, how do you answer this question. His mouth opened but nothing came out. Finally a squeak eased out that kinda sounded like ok, but he wasn't sure so he asked again and this time he managed a yes sir out before almost passing out. This was news he wasn't prepared to hear but was delighted to accept. He politely walked out into the shop and then hollered at the top of his lungs as every shop person looked around and the big boss looked down and smiled big time.
This may turn out to be a good year after all. We shall see.

This story is loosely wrote about someones life we all know here on Racers Reunion. Hope you enjoy it..--------------------------------------------------------------------------------memories

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