Forum Activity for @dave-fulton

Kenny Bernstein Out of Motorsports at Age 67 - Many Forget the Dragster's 10 Years in Winston Cup

General

I just saw an Associated Press piece that says Kenny Bernstein at age 67 is retiring from drag racing, where he has been a fixture for many years. A lot of folks have forgotten what a strong influence Kenny had in NASCAR Winston Cup stock car racing during the 10-year period from 1986-1995 when he fielded the #26 Quaker State Cup entry out of Traveler's Rest, SC for drivers Joe Ruttman, Morgan Shepherd, Brett Bodine, Ricky Rudd, Hut Stricklin, Dick Trickle and Steve Kinser in 293 Cup races, scoring 3 wins - one by Bodine and two by Rudd.

Kenny brought a lot of professionalism to NASCAR. He was the first owner I met who also owned his PR and Marketing business serving his sponsors. A smart move.

The first time I ever met Larry McReynolds, he was crewing for Kenny before moving on to famewith Robert Yates and Richard Childress. In fact, LarryMac won his first Cup race as a crew chief with Ricky Rudd at Watkins Glen.

Here's the AP story on Kenny, but please don't forget his NASCAR contributions.

Nov 15, 9:32 PM EST

Bernstein leaving drag racing at 67

GLENDORA, Calif. (AP) -- Six-time NHRA champion Kenny Bernstein is retiring after 30 years of racing.

The 67-year-old said in a statement Tuesday that he's retiring to pursue other interests with his wife, Sheryl.

Bernstein was the first NHRA driver to eclipse the 300 mph barrier in Gainesville, Fla., in 1992 and won four straight Funny Car titles from 1985-88. He followed with Top Fuel titles in 1996 and 2001.

Bernstein also had success as a team owner, becoming the first to earn wins in NHRA, NASCAR and CART. He won 69 races as a driver and had 18 Top Fuel victories as an owner with his son Brandon driving.

Bernstein said he will work to find a new team for his son.

2011 The Associated Press.

updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM

Occoneechee Videos courtesy of Joe Kelly - Can you find The Legend, Raytona, Jimmy Johnson, Frank Craig, Billy Biscoe, Jim Wilmore, Harlow Reynolds?

General

I'm not a Facebook member either, but I just clicked on the link I have posted here above and it still takes me directly to the Facebook page of "Let's Talk Racing With Joe, Ruth, and Brendan Kelly." Scroll down the page maybe 1/3 to halfway and you'll find 4 separate Occoneechee videos posted. The first one has comments under it from Ray Lamm, Johnny Mallonee, and Ed Sanseverino.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lets-Talk-Racing-with-Joe-Ruth-and-Br...

Occoneechee Videos courtesy of Joe Kelly - Can you find The Legend, Raytona, Jimmy Johnson, Frank Craig, Billy Biscoe, Jim Wilmore, Harlow Reynolds?

General

Old racing friend and new RR member Joe Kelly of Henrico, Va. (Richmond) has posted on his Let's Talk Racing Facebook site several excellent videos shot November 5 at Occoneechee. I don't know who shot the videos.

Included among others arethe Frank Craig interview with Ned Jarrett, cars on the track and Joe reciting the Racer's Prayer.

That fellow in the big hat standing next to the track as the cars pass in review is none other than our own Legend, Tim Leeming! You'll also see Ray Lamm as well as Jimmy Johnson and theRacer's Reunion car as Joe recites the Racer's Prayer. Cars of members Billy Biscoe, Jim Wilmore, Harlow Reynolds and Earl Brook's sonamong others pass in review, led by Rex White.

If you haven't already welcomed new members Joe & Ruth Kelly to RR, please do. They are wonderful resources.

Occoneechee videos posted here:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lets-Talk-Racing-with-Joe-Ruth-and-Brendan-Kelly/248994988460667

updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM

My 60 Year Old Stock Car Racing Treasure Just Arrived

General

I just noticed that Joe Kelly, who is responsible for this find, is now a member here. Please welcome him to RR.

My 60 Year Old Stock Car Racing Treasure Just Arrived

General

Thanks... Zero expertise... gonna send you a note

My 60 Year Old Stock Car Racing Treasure Just Arrived

General

Thanks to old racing friends Joe & Ruth Kelly of "Let's Talk Racing" in Richmond, Va, I am now the proud owner of the cherished CD you see above - RACING AT ROYALL SPEEDWAY - recorded 60 years ago, in 1951 in Richmond, VA by Crazy Joe Maphis of Richmond's Old Dominion Barn Dance to the tune of Moving On and transferred from a 78rpm recording. Joe Maphis later went on to fame and fortune in Bakersfield, CA and Nashville. He is thought by many to have been the greatest guitarist in the history of country music and Johnny Cash arranged for him to be buried with the Carter Family.

Maphis begins the song by stating that it is dedicated to the "fellas" of the Richmond Stock Car Racing Association and Royall Speedway and starts the song with the line, "Here we are at the hot rod track."

I have played the CD several times and here is what I have been able to pick up at this point from the action Maphis describes 60 years ago at the track that is today's Southside Speedway in Richmond:

* Little Joe Jernigan of Norfolk, who would soon be killed at the same track, is leading.

* Runt Harris in Junie Donlavey's #90 Ford is running second.

* Buck Mason in the #99 is in 3rd place.

* Sonny Hutchins in the #91 is 4th

* Hendrick hits the fence

* Someone is in a Hudson Hornet

* Cal Johnson in his duece Ford is puffing on his pipe (he did that for real when he raced and also listened to Washington Redskins games on his radio on Sundays)

* Al Grinnan is in the #33

One of the closing lines goes thusly,

"Buddy Shuman is an old Tar Heel and he's lapping The Whale who should have stayed at home."

Buddy Shuman needs no introduction. The Whale was a local Richmond driver whose name now escapes me. He was of considerable girth and usually ran at the back of the pack ala Herman 'The Turtle" Beam. I often heard of The Whale trying to make shady racing deals around Richmond in the 50s.

This song is an absolute treasure and I am so appreciative to Joe & Ruth who I ran into at Occoneechee after not seeing them for 12 years, thanks to Stock Car Racers Reunion. The Lord works in mysterious ways.

Is there a way to share this song on this site? I am technilogically challenged and have felt lucky to simply get my computer to play it. It is awesome and I wish all of you could share this real time 60 year old look at our stock car racing past.

updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM

I found another little bit of old 8mm film. I don't know the track.

Stock Car Racing History

Cool addition, Larry. Thanks.

I found another little bit of old 8mm film. I don't know the track.

Stock Car Racing History

Jim, here's a sequence from May 19, 1953 ofBill Bray's modifiedclimbing the backstretchfence at Richmond's Strawberry Hill and rolling:

I found another little bit of old 8mm film. I don't know the track.

Stock Car Racing History

Jim, I thought the trees looked awful familiar. Strawberry Hill promoted by Paul Sawyer, 1/2-mile Richmond dirt track was also called Atlantic Rural Exposition, Virginia Fairgrounds Raceway and Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway. The current magnificient Richmond International Raceway sits on the site. The old pit front straight from the original track is now the pit road on the 3/4-mile track.

I found another little bit of old 8mm film. I don't know the track.

Stock Car Racing History

And the track is lit... with some pretty tall light standards... I picked out a 1959 Ford in the infield... how about Wilson fairgrounds?