Forum Activity for @dave-fulton

Before DW & The Gopher There were the NASCUBS & King Richard.... Groan

General

I, too, have been quick to jump in and blame most of the ills with which NASCAR is currently afflicted on DW and his cartoon gopher, Digger.... but for some reason this morning I remembered those darned NASCUBS . For those of you with short memories, they appeared on the scene circa 1990-1991, courtesy of the NASCAR Marketing Department in Daytona, a bunch of ratty looking college mascot-type bear cubs designed to be the Official Mascots of NASCAR. When those darned bears showed up at our Richmond track, they about scared the kids half to death. I know The Legend will hate to remember this, but NASCAR even talked Richard Petty into using his likeness in the Official NASCUBS Comic Book, Volume #1 in 1991. Future racing historians may decide that this unlikely venture by NASCAR to make another buck is what propelled NASCAR on a long slide from which it may never recover. If "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery," then perhaps The King and those long exiled NASCUBS should be flattered by DW and Digger. Please tell me if you see The Legend so I can duck! Please weigh in with opinions and also let me know if you, too, remember those infamous NASCUBS and their adventures with King Richard.

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

September 30 - 1970 Home State 200 - Final GN dirt race

Current NASCAR

By the way, as posted previously in the photo section of RR, here's a photo ofone of the Jabe Thomas / Don Robertson #25 Star City Body Shop Plymouths. Both Jabe and fellow driver, Clyde Lynn hailed from Christiansburg, VA and car owner, Don Robertson's Star City Body Shop (sponsor of Jabe's cars) was located in Roanoke, VA - the "Star City."

Roanoke, Va. - home of Don Robertson's Star City Body Shop, is known as "The Star City" and a giant multi-colored star is illuminated at night on Roanoke's Mill Mountain overlooking the city:

The Mill Mountain Star in Roanoke, VA

Looking down on the city of Roanoke, VA from the Mill Mountain star.

Memorable start to Dover weekend

Current NASCAR

How wonderful! Regardless the time or place, the "King" always takes the time with fans. Couldn't some of the sport's current prima donnas take a lesson from Mr. Petty? He was always the King off the track as well as on. As you titled your post, what a memorable start to your Dover weekend. Keep the reports coming.

Another NASCAR Substance Abuse Suspension

General

Sad, nonetheless. In the past decade I saw an extremely talented driver from Richmond first lose his ride, then be banned from NASCAR, then take his own life due to substance abuse. One of our children has had a longtime battle with the issue and I feel for any family who faces substance abuse.

Another NASCAR Substance Abuse Suspension

General

Question: Is this Mike McLaughlin by any chance the son of Mike "Magic Shoes" McLaughlin, the former great NASCAR modified driver and one time Busch Series driver for Cicci-Welliver and Joe Gibbs?

NASCAR suspends crew member for substance abuse

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- NASCAR has suspended a crew member for a Trucks Series team for violating its substance abuse policy.

Michael McLaughlin, a licensed crew member for the No. 23 team in the Truck Series, has been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR for violating the sanctioning body's substance abuse policy.

McLaughlin also was found on Tuesday to have committed actions detrimental to stock car racing.

In a statement, Joe Denette Motorsports says it stringently adheres to a zero tolerance policy concerning substance abuse. JDM has released McLaughlin and stands behind the actions taken by NASCAR.

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

What's going on with Live Call-In "LET'S TALK RACING WITH JOE & RUTH KELLY"

General

Dennis,

Saw these comments posted on a facebook page that may explain why Joe & Ruth have been off the air:

Lets Talk Racing with Joe, Ruth and Brendan Kelly.
Sorry everyone about tonight. Unfortunately, we had no control over the tower. Lightening had struck it. Hopefully, they'll have us back on next week.
Like Comment September 21 at 6:54pm

What's going on with Live Call-In "LET'S TALK RACING WITH JOE & RUTH KELLY"

General

Not having lived in Richmond or seen Joe or Ruth since 1999, I'm not sure what may be going on with their radio show(s). I do know that since the 60s, Richmond has been very fortunate to have Joe and his wife Ruth Kelly on both radio and tv (at times sharing a show with Eddie Anderson) to bring racing news. Joe is as much a racing historian as can be found in the Richmond area. Joe and Eddie many years ago used to work the P.A. at Southside Speedway and Brunswick/Lawrenceville, and of course Joe later promoted Southside Speedway. He has a wonderful collection of Richmond area racing photos dating to pre-NASCAR. I saw the other day where Joe will be one of the guests at the Occoneechee reunion and I sure look forward to seeing he and Ruth again. Back in the late 80s I got them both to join the National Motorsports Press Association where their radio shows have won numerous awards. I know their show(s), as well as Eddie Anderson's and their shared shows have been fluid over the years, starting on radio station WXGI and moving later to WTVR when Eddie was General Manager of both the radio and tv station. Let's hope they quickly get settled back in to a local Richmond station. Nobody does a better job of bringing area racing news to the Richmond fan. I was fortunate over the years to appear on Joe & Ruth's Blab TV program, as well as their and Eddie's radio shows.

You made me remember one of my long ago put away souvenirs, which I was shocked to see is now 20 years old, a plaque sent to me by Joe & Ruth after appearing on one of their shows. Nobody does it better and they deserve all the recognition they get.

Donlavey returns to his Southside roots

General

Dennis, thank you so much for posting this story. I love the fact that Junie is already so loved in his retirement community that a busload of residents attended. A wonderful piece abpout a wonderful racer. Richmond has always been blessed to claim him.

Dover - good karma for RPM?

Current NASCAR

I know my good friend, Derrike Cope won the spring race after his Daytona 500 win and "Awesome" in the fall.

Dover - good karma for RPM?

Current NASCAR

Will, thatWAS scary.