Forum Activity for @dave-fulton

Where Would Curtis Turner Fit?

Stock Car Racing History

I was just reading a July 1966 interview with Curtis Turner regarding plans for a movie about his life story. These two quotes from Curtis in that interview stood out:

Charters, stages, making the playoffs, 3:00pm race starts, pit road is closed, pit road is open, lucky dogs, overtime line, no overtime line, laser measurements, lug nuts or no lug nuts, the ever changing restart zone, prima donna drivers hiding in motorhomes... no wonder former fans are leaving NASCAR Version 2017 in droves. 

updated by @dave-fulton: 08/17/17 03:03:46PM

What is Wrong With NASCAR From the Eyes od an Old Fart/Fan

General

Here's the link to an idea thrown out by former weekly racer and retired Cup driver, Jeff Burton back in May 2017 to tie NASCAR back to its weekly roots:

http://nascar.nbcsports.com/2017/05/21/burton-go-big-but-think-small-its-time-to-move-the-all-star-race-to-the-hard-racing-roots/

What is Wrong With NASCAR From the Eyes od an Old Fart/Fan

General

Hamlin Will Honor NASCAR's All-Time Winner, Ray Hendrick at 2017 Darlington Southern 500

Current NASCAR

So right, Bobby. Unlike me, Denny never saw "Mr. Modified" in action.

What is Wrong With NASCAR From the Eyes of an Old Fart/Fan

General

Oh, how I fondly remember the days when my buddy, Frank and I could name the top drivers at many weekly tracks thanks to writeups and photos in Southern MotorSports Journal, Southern MotoRacing, Tri-State Speed Press and other publications. We looked forward to their visits when our local track ran NASCAR National Championship Double Point events. Now I don't know any local drivers at any track. NASCAR worked a lot better when it emulated baseball with players/ drivers moving up from one division to the next... or just staying put where they were comfortable. Today's drivers drop into the various touring series with no name recognition or fan following.

Hamlin Will Honor NASCAR's All-Time Winner, Ray Hendrick at 2017 Darlington Southern 500

Current NASCAR

Thanks to Chase Whitaker for the heads-up.

Denny Hamlin's Darlington Southern 500 throwback scheme for 2017 honors the late Ray Hendrick , the absolute all-time winningest driver in NASCAR history. Hendrick, a Richmond, Virginia native won many of his biggest races driving NASCAR Modifieds and Late Model Sportsman cars in the 60s and 70s carrying the famed "Flying 11" trademark of car owner Jack Tant . Those cars were built in Tant's Littleton, NC shop with power by Tant and chassis by Clayton Mitchell . Hendrick passed of cancer in Richmond in 1990 at age 60. Although he beat NASCAR Hall of Fame members Jack Ingram, Richie Evans and Jerry Cook in nearly every heads up confrontation, NASCAR's all-time winningest driver still is not in it's Hall, although he was elected many years ago to the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame and the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. Hendrick and his Flying 11 won a record 20 times at Martinsville. Richard Petty ranks second behind Hendrick in Martinsville wins. Way to go Denny and Coach Joe. I would have expected Rick Hendrick (who crewed as a teenager on the Flying 11) to do the scheme, but even Denny's number matches. Hats off to Ray Hendrick. Glad Tim Leeming will be at Darlington to see the Flying 11!!!

What is Wrong With NASCAR From the Eyes of an Old Fart/Fan

General

Tim, those weekly track multiple divisions with small car counts in all make for a lousy fan experience. 2-3 divisions is the max for a decent weekly track experience. Come on Part III, Randy.  Looking forward to it.

Hope your Southern 500 trip is a great one, Tim.😃

Robby Gordon Still a Jerk

Current NASCAR

I would concur with that assessment about Robby Gordon vs Tony Stewart.

updated by @dave-fulton: 08/14/17 11:57:37AM

What is Wrong With NASCAR From the Eyes of an Old Fart/Fan

General

Can't wait for Part III.  I really like you pointing out that most of Brian France's minions who handle NASCAR's day to day ops don't know racing from a dump truck. As much as I respected Bill France, Jr., it was he who set the precedent of replacing NASCAR's mechanically inclined VP of Competition, Bill Gazaway with politically wired former football player Les Richter. Richter had nothing to do when Riversde closed except dabble in the IROC series he had a stake in with Roger Penske and the Frances, tho Jay Signore was the front man with the others pulling the strings. Thank goodness we had Dick Beatty in the garage, because the Competition office in Daytona went to heck with the capable (tho out of the political loop and fashion dressing) Gazaway ousted for a political crony. Randy and Tim - do you think anyone in NASCAR's corporate office has ever been to a weekly track? Not only are they out of touch, but they can't learn from the history of the sport when they don't know it.

Hillsboro / Occoneechee / Richmond Question(s) 1965 Grand National Season

Stock Car Racing History

Thanks for the additional info regarding Paul Sawyer and Hillsboro, Chase.