Bad Boy Kyle in #43 at Martinsville
Stock Car Racing History
Rubbing is racing is no more.
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Bad Boy Kyle in #43 at Martinsville
Stock Car Racing History
Chase, it was amazing to watch Richard work on Bobby's left rear fender. Lap after lap he drove up just to the left rear going into turn 1 and banged the fender of the Coke Machine #12, until he finally had it really rubbing Bobby's tire. It was some of the best action I ever saw between Richard & Bobby.
Bad Boy Kyle in #43 at Martinsville
Stock Car Racing History
Do I have your attention?!
When I was listening to Bobby Williamson do his tribute to Sam Ard last Tuesday night on the Goat Rodeo Racing Through History show, I remembered that there was terrific 1972 Late Model Sportsman footage of Sam in the #00 and Jimmy Hensley in the #63 running side by side for lap after lap at Hickory Speedway shot by Twentieth Century Fox for the 1973 Jeff Bridges feature, The Last American Hero , loosely based on Tom Wolfe's Esquire Magazine pieces about Junior Johnson.
I haven't been able to find that piece of video, but I did come across a segment of the closing race in the movie, actually the 1972 Old Dominion 500 at Martinsville that I attended. In fact, Twentieth Century Fox had a cameraman between the boxwoods and azaleas between turns1-2 that afternoon, just below where I was seated.
In that Martinsville segment, the villain is KYLE Kingman , driving the red & blue #43. The hero (Jeff Bridges/Junior Jackson) is in the #12 Coke car. In the movie the #12 wins. In the real race, Richard finally cut down Bobby's tire and beat him at the end.
The opening of this segment has a good shot of Cecil Gordon's #24 and several more throughout. He finished 10th that day. Still wonderful to see Lewis Compton on the Martinsville P.A. and so many of our great "independent" drivers in the field. Look for all the shots of Herb Nab in his Coke getup.
The trailers were still parked around the perimeter of the chain link fence in 1972 and the train could still be seen passing the backstretch grandstand. The old pagoda still stood behind pit road with the announcer on the top level.
How many drivers and personalities can you pick out in this 5 minute Grand National segment?
1972 Old Dominion 500
NASCAR Winston Cup race number 27 of 31
September 24, 1972 at Martinsville Speedway, Martinsville, VA
500 laps on a .525 mile paved track (262.5 miles)
Time of race: 3:45:02
Average Speed: 69.989 mph
Pole Speed: 85.89 mph Cautions: 8 for 58 laps
Margin of Victory: 6 sec
Attendance: 31,000
Lead changes: 13
Fin St # Driver Sponsor / Owner Car Laps Money Status Led
1 4 43 Richard Petty STP (Petty Enterprises) '72 Plymouth 500 7,350 running 64
2 1 12 Bobby Allison Coca-Cola (Richard Howard) '72 Chevrolet 500 10,600 running 432
3 2 21 David Pearson Purolator (Wood Brothers) '71 Mercury 498 2,775 running 4
4 3 71 Buddy Baker K & K Insurance (Nord Krauskopf) '70 Dodge 496 3,225 running 0
5 7 90 Jimmy Hensley Junie Donlavey '71 Ford 493 1,400 running 0
6 11 72 Benny Parsons L.G. DeWitt '71 Mercury 488 1,250 running 0
7 18 67 Buddy Arrington Buddy Arrington '70 Dodge 485 900 running 0
8 10 48 James Hylton Pop Kola (James Hylton) '71 Ford 484 1,100 running 0
9 14 64 Elmo Langley Elmo Langley '71 Ford 478 1,050 running 0
10 19 24 Cecil Gordon Cecil Gordon '71 Mercury 477 1,000 running 0
11 9 14 Coo Coo Marlin Cunningham-Kelley (H.B. Cunningham) '71 Chevrolet 476 725 running 0
12 25 10 Bill Champion Bill Champion '71 Ford 468 950 running 0
13 21 47 Raymond Williams Raymond Williams '71 Ford 467 925 running 0
14 12 70 J.D. McDuffie J.D. McDuffie '71 Chevrolet 460 900 running 0
15 20 4 John Sears J. Marvin Mills Heating & Air (J. Marvin Mills) '70 Plymouth 459 875 transmission 0
16 24 76 Ben Arnold Ben Arnold '71 Ford 457 850 running 0
17 31 06 Neil Castles Neil Castles '72 Plymouth 456 875 running 0
18 34 8 Ed Negre Ed Negre '70 Dodge 450 965 running 0
19 28 77 Charlie Roberts Charlie Roberts '71 Ford 446 775 running 0
20 23 30 Walter Ballard Ballard Racing (Vic Ballard) '71 Mercury 444 750 running 0
21 29 25 Jabe Thomas Don Robertson '70 Plymouth 433 725 running 0
22 36 23 James Cox Don Robertson '70 Plymouth 430 595 running 0
23 30 19 Henley Gray Henley Gray '71 Ford 369 675 overheating 0
24 26 57 David Ray Boggs David Ray Boggs '70 Dodge 328 400 engine 0
25 17 2 Ray Hendrick Dave Marcis '70 Dodge 311 625 crash 0
26 22 55 Tiny Lund Hank Richardson '71 Chevrolet 272 350 rear end 0
27 5 28 Fred Lorenzen Hoss Ellington '72 Chevrolet 216 425 engine 0
28 15 7 Dean Dalton Dean Dalton '71 Mercury 134 550 overheating 0
29 13 16 Dave Marcis Roger Penske '72 Matador 108 275 rear end 0
30 16 45 LeeRoy Yarbrough Bill Seifert '71 Ford 108 510 crash 0
31 6 17 Bill Dennis H.J. Brooking '72 Chevrolet 105 250 crash 0
32 35 79 Frank Warren Frank Warren '70 Dodge 95 655 rear end 0
33 27 96 Richard Childress Richard Childress '71 Chevrolet 88 250 rear end 0
34 32 92 Larry Smith Harley Smith '71 Ford 77 450 engine 0
35 8 98 Bobby Isaac Junie Donlavey '72 Ford 19 250 overheating 0
36 33 74 Bill Shirey Bill Shirey '70 Plymouth 19 425 overheating 0
Race StatsFrom Racing Reference
updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM
Another Track Biting Dust? Weekly Racing Gone From Concord Speedway in 2013 - Southern National Next???
Local and Regional Short Track Racing
There is now a News Release posted on the RacersReunion Home Page detailing the twin wins by Belmont Abbey college student, Jordan Anderson in the Twin Super Late Model races at Southern National Motorsports Park in Kenly, NC on Sunday. The link is below to that release on the RR Home Page:
http://racersreunion.com/jordan-anderson-takes-two-at-southern-nati...
In my comments on the Home Page News Release, I was really taken to task by a gentleman who thinks I am negative regarding short track racing and who thinks it's better to have 10-15 cars in the feature and eliminate those 10 slow cars in the back of the pack. I take great exception to his comment on that subject and encourage you to go to the Home Page link, read the release and comments and make your own comment.
http://racersreunion.com/jordan-anderson-takes-two-at-southern-nati...
The gentleman also reminded me that in spite of the previous day's rainout, the trackside grandstands were full. Evidently the reporter for the local paper needs glasses.
My sister-in-law, who lives in Wilson, NC, mailed me this past Monday's edition of the Wilson paper. According to it - and I quote the story EXACTLY - from the first paragraph regarding attendance, "BEFORE A SMALL TURNOUT ." A photo caption also referred to " Sunday's lengthy auto racing program ." J ust the point I've been making. The races with 7 divisions running just take too darned long.
What really amazed me when I got the Wilson paper was the coverage they devoted to the rain delayed races - the final ones of the season for the Kenly track. There was a teaser on the front page of Monday's Wilson daily paper and huge coverage with color photos beginning on the front sports page. Most weekly tracks would kill for this kind of coverage. Things have changed considerably since I lived there from 1970-1980. Witth this kind of coverage from the local paper, a promoter has a real foundation on which to build. Just cut down the numer of divisions and increase the car counts in those you choose to race.
I don't have great scanning equipment, but check below what I scanned from the Wilson paper and see if you don't agree the track got outstanding news coverage. And please go over to the Home Page and agree or disagree that 13 car fields are great and we don't need all those other cars in the races taking up space and getting in the way of the money boys.
http://racersreunion.com/jordan-anderson-takes-two-at-southern-nati...
Another Track Biting Dust? Weekly Racing Gone From Concord Speedway in 2013 - Southern National Next???
Local and Regional Short Track Racing
Max, as all of us have discussed to the point of exhaustion, there's much to be said about being able to recognize the make of car in all series and levels of stock car racing. You hit one nail squarely on the head with that observation.
A local track not allowing video by a fan is just downright stupid. What more can you say.
Another Track Biting Dust? Weekly Racing Gone From Concord Speedway in 2013 - Southern National Next???
Local and Regional Short Track Racing
Made it down to Lancaster once a few years back. Want to go again. Too many divisions there also, but at least they had more than three cars in a feature.
Another Track Biting Dust? Weekly Racing Gone From Concord Speedway in 2013 - Southern National Next???
Local and Regional Short Track Racing
It is so sad. I thought Concord was really nice, Max... but I didn't enjoy seeing all those divisions. I believe there were just three cars in one race.
It's not because we haven't given them a chance.
Another Track Biting Dust? Weekly Racing Gone From Concord Speedway in 2013 - Southern National Next???
Local and Regional Short Track Racing
Is every single weekly track out there now afflicted with this too many divisions malady?
Bobby Williamson & Jim Wilmore... you guys are out there with your Bell & Bell Series. What is wrong with these promoters?
I was so happy before this season began to see that Southern National in Kenly, NC was back on line and I hoped the new folks there (the ones who just shuttered Old Dominion Speedway in Manassas, Va.) would know what they were doing. After following the results all year, I'm not sure they do/did.
I hope they aren't headed down the same path that killed Concord... too many divisions with too few cars. However, look what they did this past Sunday, September 30.
Southern National ran 8 feature races in 7 divisions.
Here was the car count for those division features:
13 cars - Super Late Models - - Two Feature Races
13 cars - Limited Late Models
15 cars - UCARS
11 cars - Bandeleros
14 cars - Legends
8 cars - Street Stocks
5 cars - Rolling Thunder Modifieds
FOLKS... that is an average of JUST 11 CARS PER DIVISION!
WHY, WHY, WHY do this to the fans????
Most of these races didn't have enough cars to constitute a decent heat race. Gimme a break... 6 feature races with fewer than 15 cars and two with less than ten. WHY???
What part of too many divisions don't the promoters understand.
Please don't kill another great track with too many damned divisions of cars.
Another Track Biting Dust? Weekly Racing Gone From Concord Speedway in 2013 - Southern National Next???
Local and Regional Short Track Racing
To be specific... here is the exact News Release from the Concord Speedway web site:
September 12, 2012 Posted by Concord Speedway in News
Concord Speedway Announces 2013 Plans
CONCORD, N.C. (September 12, 2012) Concord Speedway would like to announce our plans for the 2013 season for both the Half-Mile and Quarter-Mile tracks.
The Half-Mile track will only host special events and touring series races in 2013. The facility will continue to be available for private testing, driving schools and television commercial production. Sanctioned, weekly racing has been declining for several seasons with no significant improvements on the horizon. However, track management will continue to monitor the economic conditions to determine if there is a viable opportunity to return to a weekly racing program in 2014. On behalf of the entire Speedway, we would like to offer a heartfelt thank you to all of the teams, competitors, sponsors and fans who have supported the Half-Mile track over the years.
The Quarter-Mile track will continue to host Legend Car, Bandolero and Davis SRL Series weekly racing. The track has enjoyed tremendous success recently and is excited about expanding the number of events for 2013. With high car counts and a ticket price of only 7 dollars, it is a great place to enjoy some short track racing.
Please contact the speedway office at 704-782-4221 or visit our website at www.concordspeedway.net with any questions.
Connect with Concord Speedway and stay up to speed with all of the action at both the Quarter and Half-Mile tracks on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ConcordSpeedway and by following on Twitter at www.twitter.com/concordspeedway .
Another Track Biting Dust? Weekly Racing Gone From Concord Speedway in 2013 - Southern National Next???
Local and Regional Short Track Racing
Three summers ago I took my older grandson to Concord Speedway (between Monroe & Concord, NC) for a Saturday night of paved weekly stock car racing. The grandstands of that absolutely beautiful facility were only about 1/3 full that evening.
We never went back. There were way too many divisions with way too few cars. One feature had 5 cars and one had three. I believe they ran about seven different divisions that night. Three Philadelphia lawyers with oversized copies of the track rule book couldn't have figured out what was going on. I am not a novice to the race track, but I never did figure the difference from one division to another. The cars all looked about the same. I'm sure only the mechanics knew the difference. Nobody in the stands had a clue.
Then, there was the laborious process of time trialing all those cars. Lord help us, please.
I'm not certain I've ever been to a nicer looking weekly track where the folks were any more friendly. I am certain I had never been to a weekly track where I was so confused and never understood what was going on.
I do know that in the "glory days" of the 60s-70s when I spent every Friday and Saturday (as well as an occasional Wednesday ) night at weekly tracks (some NASCAR sanctioned, some "Outlaw - some paved, some dirt) named Southside, South Boston, Langley, Old Dominion, Beltsville, Wilson, Wake County, Chantilly, Sanford, Cumberland International, Caraway - to name the ones that come immediately to mind - I don't remember a track ever running more than three divisions. I know for a fact that a track can be successful with two if necessary.
The racers moan and groan about just having to run this series and that series. Believe me, the fans just want to see good racing. Don't confuse them.
Late Model, Limited and a hobby/6cylinder and quit. No more. Never, ever. Gonna have a touring vintage race, then cut back something else.
I have preached over and over and over (and RR members Ray Lamm and Butch Zervakis will back me up) that the best and most organized weekly racing I ever saw anywhere was when Butch's late father, Emanuel Zervakis promoted Richmond's Southside Speedway from the late 60s to mid-70s. It was a time of change. Modifieds were dropped and Late Model Sportsman became the feature division. Limited Sportsman with engine restrictions and older body styles also competed, along with a hobby division.
All three divisions ran each and every Friday night with fields of 19-24 cars each. There were NO TIME TRIALS . Two heats and a feature for every class.
Practice started around 6:00 pm. Racing began at EXACTLY 8:30 p m . Racing Ended by 10:30 pm . GUARANTEE D . There weren't enough seats in the stands to hold the overflow crowds. There was no down time between the action. Cars from one division were lined up and came onto the track from the pits outside turn 4 as the cars from the previous race exited at turn three. TWO SOLID NON-STOP HOURS OF ACTION PACKED RACING .
What's so hard to understand about that? I really don't even want to hear all the standard excuses about why we have to have this division and that division that keeps having these tracks running 5 or more and losing their fan base. You are the people killing weekly racing. Pick three distinct divisions and quit. Eliminate time trials, too. Get organized. Don't have 30 minute gaps between racing to sell hot dogs.
Like so many other of today's tracks, Concord Speedway didn't understand the simple principles. So, comes word now that the track will cease weekly racing. When will they learn? This article was reprinted in today's Charlotte Observer Business Section:
Saturday, Sep. 29, 2012
Speedway will drop weekly stock racing in 2013
No half-mile for stock competition in 2013; its wait-and-see for 2014
By Joe Habina
Sonny Schoffen of Mint Hill (car 75), champion of this year's Street Stock Division at Concord Speedway, battles Todd Bradburry (00) of Concord on the speedway's half-mile track. The track won't host a weekly stock car racing series next season, officials announced recently.
Bobby Measmer Jr. has been attending races at Concord Speedway since 1989, when he was 4 years old. He followed in his fathers footsteps, first competing as a driver at the legendary short track, then becoming a crew chief for other drivers.
Like many who are used to competing on the half-mile tri-oval track, Measmer, a 27-year old Concord resident, is uncertain about his future at Concord Speedway.
Through a press release, track officials announced Sept. 12 the speedways half-mile would not host a weekly stock car racing series in 2013. Instead, the speedway is shifting its focus to its adjacent quarter-mile track, which holds primarily Legends Car, Bandolero, and Davis SRL Series races in the spring and fall.
Sanctioned, weekly racing has been declining for several seasons with no significant improvements on the horizon, the press release stated. However, track management will continue to monitor the economic conditions to determine if there is a viable opportunity to return to a weekly racing program in 2014.
Several messages left at the speedway seeking comment from managing partner David Laton were not returned.
The half-mile track will continue to host special events and touring series and will be available for private testing, driving schools and television commercial production.
The larger track will welcome two more scheduled events this year. The Pebble Pushers Custom Truck and Car Clubs three-day Scr8pFest Car and Truck Show concludes Sept. 30 and the Pro All-Stars Series (PASS) Super Late Model race will close the 2012 season Nov. 24.
The quarter-mile tracks schedule will continue through Oct. 7 and resume next spring.
The half-mile tracks car counts and fan attendance have been declining in the past several years. For example, only three drivers competed in all 15 races in this years Late Model Stocks series, the tracks premier division.
Twenty-seven Late Model drivers entered at least one race, but only seven of them competed in at least 10 races. Twenty of them made no more than five races. In 2007, 13 drivers made at least half the Late Model divisions 23 races.
In the Fast and Furious Fours division the most blue-collar of the five divisions that ran on the half-mile track this year only 12 drivers competed in at least one race, but only half of them competed in at least half of the races. In 2007, 40 racers competed in at least one race, but 13 drivers ran at least half of the divisions 18 races.
From a standpoint of being there and growing up there at the track, its a sad day to see it happen, said Measmer. I also understand their outlook. They want to keep the race track there. If the bleeding keeps pouring, there could come a day when they dont have anything there.
But I understand they make pretty decent money on the quarter-mile track and they will add some races there. They may come back in 2014 with a budget to try and start the half-mile track up again.
Measmer said he has raced in four PASS events this season at other tracks and will compete in the PASS event at Concord Speedway in November. One of his favorite tracks, he said Southern National Motorsports Park in Lucama experienced similar trouble in the late 2000s and temporarily closed its doors before reopening this year.
On May 25, Concord Speedway issued a news release that it was modifying its 2012 schedule and purse amounts and to quell rumors that it would be closing its doors. The speedway made improvements to the racetrack and the overall facility before the start of the season.
Speedway officials said the quarter-mile track is experiencing a tremendous increase in its car count each night.
Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/09/29/3558316/speedway-will-drop-weekly-stock.html#storylink=misearch#storylink=cpy
updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:09:31PM