Forum Activity for @dave-fulton

Yes, Noted Racing Announcer Sammy Bland DID Drive at the Edgecomb Speedway Ghost Track - NEW: Listen to Sammy's Rockabilly Record

Stock Car Racing History

Sammy Bland - Upper Right on Album Cover

Sammy Bland & The Folk Caravan Above

Sammy Bland, left, broadcasting live from a Pennsylvania track

Sammy Bland, top left, with Ray Melton, Joe Moore and daughter, Ann announcing at Richmond

Below is the story of announcer Sammy Bland getting folks out of the burning Wilson, NC grandstands on Easter Sunday as posted in the Wilson County Speedway Memories club back in 2011 by our RR member, Jack Walker, who operates the Carolina Race Place site and furnishes our Carolina Beach music break on the Tuesday night Goat Rodeo broadcast. Maybe Jack can use Sammy's song one Tuesday night, even though it isn't technically beach music.

Yes, Noted Racing Announcer Sammy Bland DID Drive at the Edgecomb Speedway Ghost Track - NEW: Listen to Sammy's Rockabilly Record

Stock Car Racing History

Famed stock car racing P.A. and radio announcer, Sammy Bland of Rocky Mount, NC (Sammy Bland the Racing Man) also had a musical group called Sammy Bland & The Folk Caravan .

In 1952, Gotham Records (of Philadelphia, not New York) released a rockabilly tune from Sammy's group - which on the record label is called Sammy Bland & His Carolina Radio Boys - titled My Kind of Girl . Sammy's daughter, Ann, says the group never used the name as shown on the record label.

I'm sure today's Danica lovers will call it sexist, but here it is... a tune from one of America's greatest stock car racing announcers, recorded in a simpler time, 1952 - 60 years ago - My Kind of Girl :

Yes, Noted Racing Announcer Sammy Bland DID Drive at the Edgecomb Speedway Ghost Track - NEW: Listen to Sammy's Rockabilly Record

Stock Car Racing History

Some months ago in one of our discussions, a member asked if the noted racing announcer Sammy Bland, a native of Rocky Mount, NC ever drove at the Edgecomb Speedway ghost track near Tarboro and Rocky Mount, NC.

The answer is YES.

I just received this note from Sammy's daughter, Ann Bland Salster in Amelia, Virginia.

Hi Dave,

I've seen the discussion about Dad driving and also received a call from a gentleman in Alabama. Dad did drive at Edgecomb, but he drove number 810 (which were the numerics for the radio station where he worked.) I talked with him, but he does not remember, driving any other car. I was at most of the races and I only remember 810.

FYI - Dad has nice trophies from endurance races at Daytona and he won a Pikes Peak Rally. Don't think he did too well at Edgecomb...but folks came to see him race because of who he was.

I have pictures from Edgecomb and the car and him...but I have mislaid them. I will find them when I least expect. Been a busy summer...still settling Mike's estate and my daughter's estate, so someday soon I will get back to going through old pictures.

Wanted you to have the info....he did drive but only "excelled" at places other than Edgecomb.

Ann

Thank you, Ann and doesn't our RacersReunion site have a wonderful reach?

updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM

JTG Daughterty & Furniture Row Shake Up Crews

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Yes he is, but I had not made the connection.

JTG Daughterty & Furniture Row Shake Up Crews

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From the Associated Press comes word that two old time Richard Childress employees are traveling again. You'll remember Bobby Hutchens, also as a former Tony Stewart principal and inventor of the now abandoned "Hutchens Device" which once competed with the "Hans Device" as a head/neck restraint for driver safety. Todd Berrier's uncle, Max Berrier was a fearsome NASCAR Modified competitor.

Jul 24, 12:43 PM EDT

JTG, Furniture Row crew changes

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Two Sprint Cup Series teams are shaking up their crews ahead of the Brickyard 400 this weekend.

JTG Daugherty Racing said Tuesday that Bobby Hutchens is the new general manager for its one-car team and driver Bobby Labonte. He replaces Todd Berrier, who left for Furniture Row Racing to replace Pete Rondeau. Berrier will try to kick-start Regan Smith's season as his new crew chief.

David Hyder will be interim crew chief for Labonte this weekend. The former Cup Series champion has one top-10 finish this season (Daytona) and is 23rd in the points standings.

Berrier worked as crew chief for 11 years at Richard Childress Racing before joining JTG Daugherty at the start of this season. Smith is currently 26th in the standings.

updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:04:08PM

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You obviously were paying more attention than Johnny or Dave!

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It might also have got caught in the pits while the pits were closed or have been penalized for speeding or passing on the right... or is that on the left?

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When Junior Johnson released Darel Dieringer as his driver following the September 1967 Martinsville race, Junior was quoted as saying it was because, "He can't push the button." I have never forgotten that quote and wish Junior had displayed a little better PR skills at the time.

As a fan of Darel's, your response above reminded me how much Junior's quote infuriated me at the time.

Funny thing, after we met Darel in 1981, my wife just adored him. We'd invite up to our hospitality suites where he kept everybody in stitches. When he was in his final days he used to stop by my Charlotte office every morning for a cup of coffee.

Interesting how a statement can trigger a thought. Darel was a really nice fellow to have around and I am glad you made me think of him.

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First time I've seen a post from ya on this thread, PK.

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I think we know who the queen is in that family.