I actually have personal photos of that car somewhere around here. I worked for a Dodge dealership back then and we had the car in the showroom for a day.
Chase,since you posted this, I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Matthew McDaniel, the grandsonof Fireball Roberts, for including me with the Roberts family, with NASCAR VIP credentials for the banquet and the ceremony. I am looking forward to being in attendance when the class of 2014 is inducted this coming Wednesday night. I am, indeed, fortunate to have such good friends as Matt.
Thanks for the report Charles. That is indeed very sad news. He always greeted me and always treated me like I was a true Legend. I will miss him on my visits there.
Now that we have finished the recap of many January races from Riverside, California, and Chase threw in the Palm Beach race from 1952, we are going to take a short break while we prepare for February and some Daytona memories. Also working on another surpise (hopefully) that will add some adventure to February. Hope you will join us here each day to see what memories can be jogged for your comments.
In the meantime, stay warm and think "Daytona 500".
Honor the Past, embrace the present, dream for the future
Great piece Chase. As we discussed, this Legend can't afford to breathe the air in Palm Beach now but that is a great race report.
Thanks for the response, Dave. I enjoyed reliving those Riverside Days. I guess we start on Daytona in a couple of days.
We have, at least I have, enjoyed an exciting trip back into time to recall races at the Riverside Raceway over the years. We have memories of Dan Gurney's almost exclusive mastery of the track, the loss of Joe Weatherly in 1964 which left the sport without a defending Champion and left a huge void in the life of many long time fans. We have experienced the elation of hard fought wins and the sadness of victories lost for a number of reasons. But, the 1981 Winston-Western 500, the subject of yesterday's Racing History Minute, was the last season-opening event at Riverside.
The track would host a near end of the season even from 1982 through 1987 before the final race would be run for the NASCAR teams on June 12, 1988. That race was called the "Budweiser 400" with the "400" again representing kilometers, equating to 248.9 miles.That race was run on June 12, 1988. Rusty Wallace would win that race in the Blue Max Racing Pontiac. It was Rusty's third consecutive road course win to equal what Tim Richmond had accomplished.
The "excitement",for lack of a better word, in the race occurred first on lap 27 when Ruben Garcia lost control of his Chevy in turn nine and ended up going through the concrete barrier protecting the fans. Amazingly, neither Garcia or any spectator was injured. The next episode was near the end of the race and, again, involved turn nine but this time it was a multi-car accident almost blocking the track. The three lead cars, battling for position, came to the scene and two of the pack, Wallace who was leading, and Ricky Rudd running second, were slowing for the pace car that was already on the track. Third place runner in that pack, Dale Earnhardt, somehow slipped around them both to take the front position albeit under the yellow flag. Mass confusion reined in the NASCAR tower for a minute or two before Earnhardt was moved back to his original third place position. This win gave Rusty the points lead over Dale leaving California.
Finishing order:
1. Rusty Wallace, Blue Max Pontiac, winning $49,100.00
2. Terry Labonte, Junior Johnson Chevrolet, winning $26,175.00 (0.34 secs back)
3. Ricky Rudd, King Motorsports Buick, winning $20,950.00
4. Dale Earnhardt, RCR Chevrolet, winning $18,600.00
5. Phil Parsons, Jackson Brothers Oldsmobile, winning $10,725.00
6. Richard Petty
7. Mark Martin
8. Dale Jarrett
9. Sterling Marlin
10. Neil Bonnett
11.Michael Waltrip
12. Bill Schmitt
13. Benny Parsons
14. Kyle Petty
15. Rick Hendrick
16. Bill Elliott
17. Derrike Cope
18.Tom Kendall
19. Buddy Baker
20.Ken Schrader
21. Dave Marcis
22. Bobby Allison
23. Chad Little
24. Bobby Hillin
25. John Krebs
26. Lake Speed
27.Roy Smith
28. Darrell Waltrip
29. Joe Ruttman
30. Jockco Maggiacomo
31. Ernie Irvan
32. Dave Allison
33. Rick Wilson
34. Geoff Bodine
35. Terry Petris
36. Hershell McGriff
37. Rick McCray
38. Alan Kulwicki
39. Ruben Garcia
40. Brett Bodine
41. Jim Bown
42. Morgan Shepherd
43. Jimmy Means
Road course racing would continue, and continues today, at the track in Sonoma, California, under whichever name is chosen for that facility as times change, and at the historic road course in Watkins Glen, New York. To me, that is a good thing. I like the road races. Sadly, the Riverside course is only a memory for those of us around long enough to have listened to the end of those races on the East Coast through a radio A.M. station so filled with static that we sometimes didn't know what was happening, but we knew it was racing and that was all that seemed to matter to us.
Honor the past, embrace the present, dream for the future.
Perhaps some Japanese yen made it into the NASCAR coffers with the stipulation that the Ty Norris suspension be lifted. Or, although I know this is too much to hope for, NASCAR worked out a deal to stifle the "Boogity" man at the start of races in exchange. Who knows, but as Andy states, a NASCAR suspension is only good for what benefits NASCAR.
Thanks JAck. Being on the same page with you makes me feel like a true Legend. You take care my friend.
Let me start by saying I have not really decided just how much of a fan of the Dillon boys, Austin and Ty, I will become. I has absolutely nothing to do with Austin returning the number 3 to Cup competition. It's about time that happened, long overdue in my opinion. The issue I am having here is that I have heard several folks say, and have read many posts on social media sites about how the Dillon brothers have that "silver spoon" syndrome. Could be, but that isn't my place to say.
What I will say is this: The young man who was the star of the television show about the silver spoons recently appeared in a made for television movie which starred just about his entire family in either acting roles, production roles, or directing roles. To say that the now older man's acting ability has improved with age would be a bold faced lie. He was, in fact, awful. But the point is, he earned his position in life at a young age and can do whatever he wants to with the television industry.
As for the Dillon boys, let us just say this. In the History Minute for this morning Richard Childress finished fourth in the race at Riverside, California, which was noted, at the time, as one of his best runs in this Grand National Career. True that!
Many years ago, as my age allows me to relate, when Richard was trying to make it in the Grand National racing, he got a sponsorship from CRC Chemicals. I don't recall (another product of my advanced age) exactly what Chemicals CRC manufactured, but I do remember one incident with a young Richard Childress.
Our traveling group of probably 15 at the time, were all in the Darlington infield next to the fence by Victory lane. It was the day before the spring race, whatever it was called at the time. Richard Childress came walking through the gate near us and we called out to him. He actually came over to the motorhome and sat down for a few minutes and answered a ton of questions. That was BIG time for all of us although most of us interacted with drivers at the short tracks all the time. Of course, at the time, Childress was not considered a "star" on the circuit, but to all of us, he was a race driver and that was about all it took to impress us then.
After maybe 20 minutes, Childress had to go and he disappeared into the infield area. Late that afternoon, as the pits were closing, Richard Childress came walking over to our motorhome with a box in his hands. He began to disburse CRC Chemical caps to all of us. Sure, I know the hats didn't cost him anything and all the gesture may have cost him were a few minutes of his time but HE DIDN'T HAVE TO DO THAT.
Many may not remember the story I once heard that when he and Dale Earnhardt were considering teaming up, Richard told Dale he needed to be with another team that could provide him with what he needed. Of course Richard Childress and Dale Earnhardt eventually did become icons of the sport between their combined efforts.
My point here is that Richard Childress worked hard, sacrificed dearly, and gave much to be in the position he's in. If he chooses to give his grandsons the opportunity he has provided, not to mention making them EARN, that is his business. I have three grandsons whom I dearly love and I would do anything for them. If there is one, just one grandfather reading this who would not do the same thing, them please don't respond because I don't want to know someone like you. That may be harsh, but it expresses my feelings on that issue.
So, welcome back number 3. Welcome Austin Dillon to Cup racing. As for Richard Childress, a job well done and your success is well earned. Oh, and by the way, I still have the CRC Chemical cap you gave me that day. Seriously. The cap isn't worth a dime, but the memory of how I came to have it is priceless. Thanks, Richard.
