Forum Activity for @dave-fulton

Talladega Spring Race Back to Traditional Month of May from Rainy April (Fall moves, too - Oct. 5-7)

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Talladega moves spring race to May in 2012
By Track Release
September 06, 2011 9:54 AM, EDT

TALLADEGA, Ala. -- Talladega Superspeedway announced Tuesday the spring Sprint Cup Series race weekend returns to a traditional place on the calendar: May 4-6. The fall Cup Series weekend also moves up on the calendar to Oct. 5-7.


Talladega historically held a race in May from 1971 through 1994. The shift in dates should bring a favorable change in the weather that has affected the past two spring weekends at Talladega. May historically is a drier and less stormy month than April in Alabama.


"We approached NASCAR about changing the date and have been extremely pleased with their cooperation and flexibility," Talladega Superspeedway chairman Grant Lynch said. "May is a great month to visit Alabama and we look forward to welcoming all our race fans. As one of the most historical tracks in NASCAR, it's great to see another tradition return to Talladega."

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

ABC/ESPN Needs to Televise Richmond's Patriotic Pre-Race Show Sat. Night 9/10

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After reading the Richmond track's news release below about how it intends to honor the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 during its prerace show this Saturday night 9/10, I'd sure like to see ABC/ESPN and SPEED dispense with the talking heads in prerace and let us see the planned activities to honor the heros and victims of 9/11 instead. Your thoughts?

Richmond International Raceway to Honor Americaon September 10

Patriotic Pre-Race

9/1/2011

With the Wonderful Pistachios 400 One Last Race to Make The Chase NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race scheduled on Saturday, September 10, just a day before the 10th anniversary of 9/11, Richmond International Raceway has a patriotic pre-race ceremony planned.


The evening will be highlighted by Wounded Warriors saying the pledge, Danny Rodriguez, the singing NY police officer, singing God Bless America and the U.S. Army Infantry Division Band performing the National Anthem.


The pre-race ceremonies will begin at 6:15 p.m. with a Salute to America concert featuring patriotic music from the Newport News (VA) Police Pipe and Drums; Mike Corrado, an active duty Marine stationed in Quantico, Virginia, and the U.S. Army 29th Infantry Division Band from Ft. Belvoir. As fans enter the grandstands on Saturday, September 10 for the Wonderful Pistachios 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, they will be greeted by NASCAR Foundation volunteers handing out 4 x 6 handheld flags provided by Harrisonburg Auto Mall. Fans are asked to show their patriotism by waving the flags during the Salute to America concert.


Richmond International Raceway is unique in that every year since the 9/11 attacks our September race weekend has fallen on the weekend closest to 9/11, commented Richmond International Raceway President Dennis Bickmeier. It has always been important to us to recognize 9/11 and remember the victims and survivors, but even more so this weekend as we remember the 10th anniversary of 9/11. We are proud of our military and first responders; active, former and retired, and we are honored to have so many join us this weekend. I think our fans will find that this will be the most patriotic pre-race ceremony they have ever been a part of at Richmond International Raceway.


Following the concert, the official welcome will be given by Richmond International Raceway president Dennis Bickmeier, Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, and Frank Thornton, Chairman of the Henrico County Board of Supervisors Fairfield District for Henrico County. As the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers are introduced, they will cross the stage and exit through a tunnel of first responders from Virginia and enter into a Chevy Silverado, where they will be joined by a member of the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans for America for a lap around the track with an American flag.


Henrico County (VA) Fire Department will display a flag from their ladder truck on the frontstretch apron for the day, along with Charlottesville (VA) Fire Departments ladder truck flag display on the backstretch apron for fans to enjoy. Additionally, skydivers will enter Richmonds -mile facility carrying the American flag.


In addition to viewing the patriotic pre-race ceremonies on the Video Scoring Tower, fans will enjoy five color guards presenting our nations flags (Ft. Lee Army on the pre-race pad, Central Virginia Combo Fire Team in Turn One, Virginia State Police in Turn Two, Newport News Police in Turn Three and Naval Ocean Processing Facility in Turn Four).


US Army Specialist Brendan Marrocco from Staten Island, NY, the first American to lose all four limbs in combat and survive, and Marine Corps Corporal Todd Nicely who is the second American to lose all four limbs in combat and survive, will lead the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a memorable rendition of God Bless America by Danny Rodriguez, known as the singing policeman from New York City.


The 29th Infantry Division Band from Ft. Belvoir will return to the forefront to play our National Anthem.


Fans are encouraged to wave their 4 x 6 flags during the entire pre-race.

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

Darlington Turns 62

General

In keeping with Tim's earlier post, here's a Florence, SC TV report:

And I almost fell out of the chair when I saw the headline below in the Darlington newspaper, but the topic was not what I hoped:

A joyful noise returns to Darlington
Posted on August 30, 2011
By Samantha Lyles
Staff Writer
slyles@newsandpressonline.com
If youve been out and about in downtown Darlington in recent weeks when the clock strikes noon or 6 p.m., youve probably noticed a sound of bells, snippets of hymns and spirituals floating on the summer air. This twice-daily chiming emanates from the Pearl Street bell tower of Trinity United Methodist Church but there are no actual bells, per se. In fact, the beautiful and realistic peals originate from a rather unassuming black metal cube in the church vestibule.

Its a digital carillon system, explains Trinitys organist and choirmaster Dr. Keith Taylor. Youve got a large selection of hymns, patriotic songs, funeral tolls, peals for weddings, a call to worship, Christmas carols, or you can do it yourself with a keyboard.

The Apollo Digital Bell System is a digital jukebox of sorts, programmed with countless recordings of carillon bells, tunes suitable to all occasions. It also allows for MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) input from Taylors keyboard, so the system could project any number of spontaneously played songs or sound effects. Currently, the carillon is programmed for a regular schedule of Sunday calls to worship and twice daily peals.

Right now, it rings at 12 and six. It plays the Westminster Chorus, then it strikes the hour, and then it plays two hymns, says Taylor.

The system was donated by an anonymous family from the Trinity United Methodist congregation in honor of Dr. Taylors golden anniversary; hes been a music minister for 50 years. Taylor says he was honored and thrilled by the generous donation, and says the Trinity family is very supportive of music programs.

Taylor says the church auxiliary has investigated other carillon systems over the years, including some that merely played compact discs, but the Apollo system is much more flexible and the sound is very realistic. Trinity evidently had a bell-sounding or music projection system in the past, though no one who currently works there can recall one being in use. Taylor says that when audio system installers climbed into the belfry this summer, they found two dilapidated speaker cabinets all that remained of the churchs previous sound system.

They were so old, when they touched them, they literally crumbled, says Taylor. He notes that the carillon can be heard clearly to the north and west of the tower, and the resonance is much better than anticipated. That tower was not designed for sound because it has such small louvered windows. We were surprised were getting so much sound out of it.

Taylor says another visit from their audio technician is in order so the bells can project better to the south and east, especially toward the Public Square.

A statement from Trinity United Methodist explained the bells as a reminder of our great heritage and an inspiration of even greater things to come. When you hear the bells pealing out their message of praise and worship, say a prayer of thanksgiving to our God!

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

READ THIS ONE. MAY BRING BACK MEMORIES

General

I suspect the"Lady in Black" is shedding a tear this Labor Day morning. What a fine remembrance you have written, Tim.

Ray Kagle Our Condolences to his Family

Current NASCAR

See Sept. 1 Reds Kagle Obituary Post Link:

http://racersreunion.ning.com/forum/topics/reds-kagle-obituary

Sound Familiar?

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Not Cup, but weekly racing... file under the heading the more things change, the more they stay the same. This is a newspaper report on one of the NASCAR Late Model races Friday night at Richmond's Southside Speedway that involved father and son Eddie Johnson and Chris Johnson - 2nd and 3rd generation NASCAR drivers... Eddie's father (Chris' grandfather) was NASCAR racer Cal Johnson. While we're focusing on the confrontations between Busch and Sadler on the national level, rest assured the home fire are still burning, three NASCAR driver generations deep!

Smith wins while tempers simmer at Southside
By: GEORGE TEMPLETON | Richmond Times-Dispatch
Published: September 04, 2011

Nick Smith overcame a mechanical problem early in the evening to win the second 50-lap Late Models feature Friday night at Southside Speedway. But while Smith celebrated his hard-fought victory, the drivers who finished second and third, Eddie Johnson and Chris Dodson, clashed briefly.

Dodson and Chris Johnson, Eddie Johnson's son, had battled for third in the final laps of the second feature. Dodson won that battle, but he was angry "at getting beat on and beat on" and spun Chris Johnson after both finished. Eddie Johnson followed Dodson into the pit area.

"His daddy came running at me and I picked him up and threw him down," Dodson said.

Eddie Johnson called it "good, old, hard racing at Southside."

Said Eddie Johnson: "Christopher, my son, got into Chris [Dodson], but [Dodson] hit him as well, so I don't see what his problem was."

Smith's night began similar to his other experiences at Southside this season. Smith qualified fastest again and pulled the fourth position, but disaster struck in Lap 6 of the first 50-lap feature.

"We were coming on strong early and my distributor broke," Smith said. "We borrowed one from Jeff Oakley's backup car. The crew had to bust their butts to make sure it would work."

The mishap eliminated Smith from the first feature race, but he ran well in the second. He surged past Eddie Johnson on Lap 22 and held him off on two late restarts to win.

"Eddie's a great racer and he's always raced me clean," Smith said. "It feels good to get a big monkey off our back and win."

Eddie Johnson said he and Smith were equal on the long runs, but that Smith's fresher tires made the difference.

Eddie Johnson had a much smoother start to the evening and won the first 50-lap feature. Eddie Johnson carved his way through the field and, along with Oakley and Dodson, was part of a three-car breakaway in the middle of the race. After a caution on Lap 28, Eddie Johnson made his move, getting around the other two drivers by Lap 33 and holding the lead the rest of the way.

"It's hard to pass people when everyone is on equal ground, so I just waiting to see how they would pan out," Eddie Johnson said.

Southside will raise the curtain on NASCAR's fall race week in Richmond with a Thursday night card that includes a 150-lap Late Model feature as well as U-Cars and Grand Stocks.

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

Welcome Ann Bland Salster

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Want to welcome new member Ann Bland Salster, who is the daughter of great racing announcer Sammy Bland, who used to run his sixties Ford Racing Network program out of Rocky Mount, NC and was instrumental in clearing the grandstands at the famous Easter Sunday Grand National fire at Wilson, NC. Ann often co-announced with her dad and has posted a couple of good pictures. She is the publisher of the Amelia Monitor-Bulletin newspaper in Amelia Court House, Virginia. That's the home, also, of former Grand National racers Worth and Al McMillion.
updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM

PERHAPS THE LEGEND DOESN'T BELONG HERE AFTER ALL

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One other thought, that I have made before... guess I have seen all the "racing" movies at one time or other and the best IMHO remains Tiny Lund, Hard Charger, which was shot as a racing documentary. I saw it in the original mid-60s theater release and wish a copy were available. I'd sure like to see it again. Three things I remember about it:

1) The great opening credits... With the 1963 Dave Dudley hit "Six Days on the Road" pounding, we are (ostensibly, and maybe really) looking out the windshield of Tiny Lund's hauler as he travels from race to race, with the Interstate road signs passing overhead with names like Daytona Beach, Richmond, Charlotte, etc.

2) The real time documentary shooting with real racing and track personality interaction.

3) A dust-up between Tiny and Curtis Turner... at Daytona I think, in a preliminary event, that led to some pretty colorful language for the day.

I might be greatly disappointed to see that movie today, but I somehow think it would be even better. I know we've previously done a thread(s) about the best racing movies, but I bet this one would still stack up near the top because it was the real thing... no actors, no Amazon women, no fake wrecks (ever notice how Rod Eulenfeld starts a huge crash in every racing movie?), no fake dialogue, just at track stuff and racing as it really unfolded in the mid 60s. Just wish thay could have gotten Tiny's Beltsville GN win that I was privileged to see.

PERHAPS THE LEGEND DOESN'T BELONG HERE AFTER ALL

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Damn you, Tim... had to go and spoil that movie for me before I saw it. Guess I will just pass on it now, lol. While I did consume what we called "Blues" in eastern NC, my beverage of choice had beechwood bubbles or was aged in charcoal lined vats. And, I not sure where you think you get off ripping Amazon Women on the Moon!

"Stay back, I'm gonna put him in the wall"

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I didn't always make it to Darlington on Labor Day weekend. 38 years ago, in 1973, I took my wife-to-be to her first dirt track race and got engaged on the same weekend. We were married two months later in November. I remember that particular Labor Day racing weekend for several reasons. We were running our 1955 Chevy "302" Sportsman (Limited Sportsman in NASCAR) with Danny Lee driving on Friday nights at Wake County Speedway in Raleigh and Saturday nights at Wilson County Speedway in Wilson, NC. One Saturday night when we got rained out in Wilson we towed up to Weldon, NC, down the road from Roanoke Rapids and ran the 1/4-mile dirt Chantilly Speedway. We had to run with the Late Model class there, but Danny could get around that little quarter mile banked dirt track really good. Anyway, Chantilly had a really big Labor Day race scheduled on Monday night and we decided to go. I remember Deacon Jones and Joe Huss being big dogs there at the time. Joe was racing a hemi powered Plymouth #33, the only one I ever remember seeing at a dirt track. Anyway, we qualified on the second row that night, behind Joe Huss on the pole. During practice after qualifying, we broke an axle and while we were repairing it, Joe came over to have a word with Danny before the race. Joe was a high school teacher away from the race track and nobody's dummy. He was very friendly and well spoken. What he had to say, basically, was this...."I've been having a problem with that guy starting outside of me and I'm gonna put him in the wall when they drop the flag. You oughta lay back a little on the start so you don't tear up your car." Well, that was a first for us. This well known racer was giving us some advice. Anyhow, when the green flag dropped, the car outside of Joe Huss headed straight into the first turn wall. It was kinda like Babe Ruth calling his homerun shot. We fell out with some problem or another, but I've always remembered the honesty and sharing of Joe Huss on that long ago Labor Day night at the dirt track. We could use some honesty like that today. Tell 'em what you're gonna do and go do it. Case closed.
updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM