October 9 - King wins 1983 MIller 500
Stock Car Racing History
That was a long evening that I shall always remember.
Forum Activity for @dave-fulton
Stock Car Racing History
That was a long evening that I shall always remember.
What if Certain Drivers had Stayed in NASCAR Longer?
General
Kinda ironic after talking about Iowa native Hutcherson's rollover at Richmond to read the AP report that the fired former Richmond track GM is the new CEO at Iowa Speedway. Never cease to be amazed how things go in circles in the racing industry.
Fritz named CEO at Iowa Speedway
By: Times-Dispatch Staff The Associated Press
Published: October 09, 2011
NEWTON, Iowa --
The former president of Richmond InternationalRaceway has been named the new chief executive officer of the Iowa Speedway in Newton.
The speedway announced Doug Fritz's hiring on Friday.
Fritz says in a news release that the Iowa Speedway is one of the fastest growing entertainment and motorsports venues in the country and that he's thrilled to join the team and work with race fans and supporters to elevate the facility into a premier motorsports destination.
Iowa Speedway co-owner Rusty Wallace says Fritz is an industry leader who will take Iowa Speedway to the next level.
Fritz replaces Jerry Jauron, who resigned earlier this month to become general manager at an Urbandale motorsports manufacturing company.
What if Certain Drivers had Stayed in NASCAR Longer?
General
By all means. I saw Hutch roll over his '65 Ford in the spring 1965 race on the dirt at Richmond down in turn 1 - the only car I ever saw turn over at Richmond in all the years I've watched races there. It was a tape delayed ABC Wide World of Sports tv broadcast. Junior Johnson won, but what everbody remembers about that race was the tv shot and newspaper photos of Dick hanging from the top of the old board fence as the cars passed by before he was "rescued." Southern MotorSports Journal ran a "sequence" shot of him climbing that fence and holding on for dear life!
What if Certain Drivers had Stayed in NASCAR Longer?
General
Don't know the broadcast origin of this short clip I found, but it raises interesting questions and brings back a ton of memories:
updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM
When Did "Alternate" Starters Disappear in NASCAR?
General
This horse story today caught my eye:
Kentucky Derby will allow replacements next year
LOUISVILLE, Ky. Churchill Downs will allow replacements for scratched entries in The Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks beginning next year.
Churchill says up to four "also-eligible" entrants will be designated ahead of each of the races. The replacement horses would be able to run if there are scratches before 9 a.m. on the day of the Oaks, which is the Friday before the first Saturday in May.
Churchill Downs President Kevin Flanery says there had been discussion about allowing the late entries after two recent Kentucky Derby favorites, including Uncle Mo this year, had late scratches.
If a late scratch occurs, the also-eligible horse with the highest total earnings in graded stakes races would be first in line, and that horse would move into the outermost post position.
Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/12/18/2857682/sportstoday-your-guide-to-whats.html#storylink=misearch#ixzz1gthQIF3q
When Did "Alternate" Starters Disappear in NASCAR?
General
Robert, I had completely forgotten that consi event - very ill advised as you note. Thanks for bringing it up.
When Did "Alternate" Starters Disappear in NASCAR?
General
I'll never forget the race that led directly to the Past Champion's Provisional. It was the 1989 Pontiac Excitement 400 spring Cup race at Richmond and Richard Petty failed to make the field. Track promoter and owner, Paul Sawyer was devastated that his good friend Richard, the track's winningest driver with 13 victories, wouldn't start and begged Bill France, Jr. to let him race. Paul swore he would campaign to be sure it never happened again. The Past Champion's Provisional is a direct result of Richard failing to qualify for that 1989 Richmond race and for a good while the provisional slot was called "The Petty Rule."
When Did "Alternate" Starters Disappear in NASCAR?
General
Do you remember, back in the day, when NASCAR used to line up a #1 and #2 "Alternate" starter behind the Grand National field on pit road? If a car wouldn't start, the "first" alternate got the call and went out with the field and raced. I'm guessing all this disappeared somewhere in the wake of the Winner's Circle program and guaranteed starting positions, but don't really know.
updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM
Woman dies after collision at the Darlington Raceway Museum
General
Ironic that we have just been talking about the museum in the "King Richard" post. If memory serves, thre wasn't a lot of distance from the highway to the museum.
King Richard
General
Yeah, we used to enjoy Buddy Baker singing "Butter Beans." I remember going with my wife to see the Statler Brothers in Raleigh in 1973 at Dorton Arena on the NC State Fairgrounds (next to the track that held the last NASCAR dirt Cup race). An unknown Barbara Mandrell opened for the Statlers, and then another artist, whose name escapes me (not Little Jimmie Dickens), sang "Butter Beans" - we loved it. Freddie Fender was also on the show prior to the Statlers. Eveytime we heard Buddy Baker sing "Butter Beans", we thought of that great show in Raleigh in 1973.