Opinions
Administrative
Can't wait to hear if the bulb works. I would definitely call a truce under those circumstances. Don't you wish it was that easy with North Korea?
Forum Activity for @tim-leeming
Administrative
Opinions
Administrative
Dave Fulton and his 4Runner are the only ones to be afraid of "the bat" at the present time.
Opinions
Administrative
Charles Ray, you are indeed a true gentleman at all times. You are a huge asset to this site. Thanks for being around.
Opinions
Administrative
Ok, Fulton, I've pulled out my baseball bat for the windshield of that vehicle you drive! I know where you live so beware!!!!!
Opinions
Administrative
As everyone who knows me will acknowledge, I am one VERY opinionated person. I always express those opinions, sometimes very strongly. I like to think that when someone disagrees with me I show them the kind of respect to which Jeff refers here. There are many times I state something in a Legendtorial and I get the e-mails either praising what I said, or really giving me a different point of view. I must say, with very rare exception, even the critical e-mails are set out in a courteous and thoughtful manner. Seems most folks know how to disagree respectfully and they will certain get that respect in return.
There are times, and we all know this is true, when someone really goes out of their way to be rude, even crude, to the point of really making mewant to respond in kind. I may have done that a few times over my membership here, and, if so, I apologize to anyone who may have been offended. However, I do not think that is the case as all but a handful are those with whom I have been corresponding for at least three or four years.
Quick story, without mentioning names. There is a member here with whom my only encounter had been through posts on the site. There were times when my responses to things written by this individual were less than kind, although I don't believe they were ever abusive or insulting. I had the occasion a few months back of meeting this individual face-to-face at an event and that was one of the most enjoyable encounters I had in a long time. The individual and I now correspond from time to time as schedules permit and I treasure what I'm learning. Point is, I could have missed a golden opportunity to broaden my knowledge had I persisted in confrontational encounters.
There are those, and we all have them in our lives, who simply "rub you the wrong way". I think my biggest issue in that regard would be the self proclaimed "know it alls" who insist they are never wrong even when provided incontrovertible proof of their error. My simple response to those folks is I cease to communicate. I do not have to communicate with those I choose to ignore. That works for me.
As Jeff said, we have a great and wonderful site here with some really fantastic members. I don't agree with every one. Bill McPeek responded here before I did and he and I are on opposite ends of the earth on certain issues but we remain good friends, for which I am very thankful. Even Jeff and I have our differences of opinions but he has only deleted my membership ONCE since I joined the site so in that I am fortunate.
So, I have forgotten the patriot who said it, and I'm too lazy to look it up tonight, but as close as I can recall the quote "I may not agree with your opinion, but I will defend to the death your right to state it". I believe that, I appreciate that, and that is simply what makes any collection of folks with a common interest survive.
If you've read this far, thanks. Now let's keep the door to constructive comments open.
Racing History Minute - 1981 Daytona 500
Stock Car Racing History
That's it!!!! That is my Plymouth. It looked just like that. Thank you Volusia County!!
Racing History Minute - 1981 Daytona 500
Stock Car Racing History
Just got a call from Ben Johnson, Sheriff of Volusia County. Seems they have located my bright yellow Plymouth. I think it is some kind of set up.
Racing History Minute - 1981 Daytona 500
Stock Car Racing History
PERSONAL MEMORIES: Chase, you really outdid yourself with this History Minute. Excellent photos and videos and, as always, an outstanding write-up.
This Daytona 500 was different for me than the previous few. I had to attend a funeral on Saturday as a pallbearer for a long time friend. Because of that, we didn't get to roll out in the motor home until about 5:00 p.m. Press office was closed when we got to Daytona shortly after midnight so we pulled the motor home around to the back straight entrance with the intention of walking around to the front straight press office in the morning. We were parked alongside the dirt road that led up to the entrance and we all settled in to get some sleep until the press office opened. This trip we had only my Mama and Daddy, my brother, me and a couple of friends so we could all sleep in the motorhome without a problem.
About 3:00 a.m. there was a loud banging on the outside of the motorhome, NOT the door mind you, but the outside. We all jumped up and my Daddy, who always had a .38 with him when we traveled grabbed the pistol and we looked out the window to see what the problem was. There were four deputy sheriffs from Volusia County standing outside and one of them was the offending noise maker. I went outside, followed closely by my Daddy. The deputy told us that we could not park there. We attempted to question the reason why as we were not in any traffic lane and I tried to explain that we were waiting for the press office to open in the morning but these deputies insisted we had to move and the choices were: 1)go on into the infield which meant buying tickets when our press tickets would not have cost us, 2) go find somewhere else to park as long as it wasn't on speedway property, or 3) go to jail. Obviously choice number 3 didn't suit us, and we weren't anxious to take option two so we drove on up to the gate, paid the full admission for all of us, PLUS infield parking for the motor home.
When the sun came up we had breakfast and then Daddy and I decided we would walk through the tunnel and at least get the press credentials so we could go into the pits. Once more we encountered one of Volusia County's finest (said in jest) who advised us first that there was NO pass out, meaning if we left, we were on our own. That part didn't bother me because I knew with the press credentials we could get back in. Then we were hit with the rule that there was to be NO WALKING out of the tunnel entrance. In disgust, we turned around a headed back to the motor home with me thinking even the NASCAR rule book didn't have as many rules as Volusia County Sheriff's Department had about parking and going in and out of the track.
As the race unfolded, all of us Petty fans were getting aggravated that Allison seemed so easily in control. When he hit the pits, we waited for his to exit. Seemed like a long pit stop to us but we knew Richard had to stop too so the best we could hope for was a return to the same lead when Richard stopped. We saw Richard dive low off four and disappear from our sight for that pit stop. I turned to say something to Mama and about that time my Daddy jumped up saying "there goes Richard". I turned around to see the Buick flying back onto the track. I asked by brother, listening on the headset radio, what happened and he told me it was a gas and go.
We watched the final laps as Petty ran out the clock and took the checkers. Like you, Chase, back in those days I was a Bobby Allison hater and was very happy that Richard had won but especially that he had beaten Bobby. For the record, Bobby and I get along just fine these days and I now think of him as a friend and a really nice guy.
We climbed down off the motorhome and headed to Victory Lane. As you can see from the picture of Petty entering the Lane, it was wild. I don't think we could get within 20 feet of the fence. We hung around the pits for awhile afterwards but the press had Richard upstairs. We talked with a few of the drivers hanging out although for the life of me as I sit here this morning I can't recall which drivers. We loaded up and headed back to Columbia and it was a happy trip for us. Richard had gotten Daytona 500 number 7, and we were already planning of number 8 the next year.
Not to belabor the point, but one final comment on the Volusia County Sheriff's Department. At the 1966 Firecracker race, my parents, brother Richard and I, drove down in our yellow Plymouth Satellite. My girlfriend and her parents were also there. After the race, which was over about 1:00, we all decided to go to Daytona Beach for the day as we were staying in St. Augustine and my girl friend and her parents were staying in Orlando. I was going to ride with my girl friend's parents and follow my folks to the beach.
As we were coming out of the track, the traffic director let my parents go but stopped us. We had to wait maybe five minutes before we could move again. To make a long story short, we went to the beach but could not find my parents. There were no cell phones then so we kept looking. It was near 4:30 when it was suggested that we call the Sheriff's Department and ask them to help locate my parents. They would be hard to miss in that bright yellow Plymouth and I do mean, BRIGHT yellow.
I made the call and explained the situation and the lady on the desk was not the least bit understanding. She bluntly told me they weren't in the business of locating lost parent. I guess that makes sense, but her rudeness was beyond my understanding. I had my girlfriend call back and she was told the only thing they could or would do is if the car was stolen. (she obviously got another dispatcher than the one I had). So we waited about 15 minutes and called back reporting the car as stolen, gave them a complete description, including the license plate number. We gave them my girlfriends grandparents' number in Orlando were they were staying and we headed out towards Orlando.
When we got to the grandparents' house, I called my aunt in Columbia and she hadn't heard from my parents. I told her if she did, tell them I was fine and we would be coming home in the morning. So, that is exactly what we did. Now where the story comes in with all of this is that while I had reported the bright yellow Plymouth stolen and provided all the information, my parents had that car parked IN THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT PARKING LOT while they were inside trying to get help finding me. The car was parked right outside the Sheriff's Department door for at least an hour and half which clearly indicated the Sheriff was too busy harassing folks over at the speedway to look for a stolen car.
In fairness, I was angry about that entire situation back then, but as I learned to appreciate what Bobby Allison means to the sport, I can also appreciate the fact that the sheriff was too busy to look for a stolen car that July 4th afternoon. I will, however, never understand why we were not allowed to park on speedway property to await opening of the press office.
Oh well, it is what it is, or would it be more proper to say "it was what it was"?
Honor the past, embrace the present, dream for the future.
NASCAR HALL OF FAME TRIP BEING PLANNED
Administrative
As of now (3:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 5, 2014) the Saturday, March 29th, is the most acceptable to the most number of people. If everyone who plans to go on this date will e-mail me here, or at: legendtim83@yahoo.com I would appreciate it. I will respond with my cell number and we will continue to work on the date. I truly hope we can get a good crowd this trip. So many have asked for a Saturday trip.
NASCAR HALL OF FAME TRIP BEING PLANNED
Administrative
Will, that is an wonderful invitation and on behalf of myself, thank you for that. I would love to see it.
As of this minute (8:55 a.m. February 28th) I had 2 responses for the 8th, 4 for the 15th and 4 for the 29th. I'll announce something on Tuesday night's show. Surprisingly, most of the folks who have pressed for a Saturday trip have not responded at all in spite of my having sent those folks personal e-mails. Go figure!
Whatever, I would love to see your shop at some point. I won't need the coffee and I can DEFINITELY do without the donuts.
Thank you, Will.