Listening to this "book" is incredible. Buz really makes it come alive. Glad to have this addition to my library to go along with the hardback edition I can hold a read. Check out the site here to consider ordering your own copy or one for a gift. Right hand column on this page and you just "click here".
Chase, do you know I knew got the first royalty check from D.W. He hasn't even allowed me to see his stolen Snowball Derby trophy.
My book never had a shot a the Best Seller list even after all 11 of D.W.'s fan bought a copy.
Ok, Mr. Fulton, we need to talk. Call me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have been a rabid reader since my earliest days. Couldn't wait to start and my Mama used to laugh at the way I would read the backs of cereal boxes when I was very small. She had, somewhere, a picture of me trying to read the newspaper when I was like 4 years old. I have traveled the world, space, the depths of the oceans, and everything an imagination can offer through books. Still love to read and will sometimes sit up half the night to finish a novel I started that morning just because I couldn't put it down.
I have avoided the Nook, the Kindle, and any other type of e-reader simply because I wanted to hold the book in my hands as I read. Old fashioned, I guess. I seriously would never have considered an audio book. I've never listened to one, although I know many folks who use that as a means of entertainment both at home and on long road trips. However, I was presented with a copy of "Driving With the Devil" by Todd Morris while in Mooresville yesterday. I put in the first of 12 discs for my homeward journey on the cold December evening after spending the day living in a world that could only have been created by the magic of those I have encountered through RacersReunion.
I have the hard cover book of "Driving" in my library and have read it twice. It is, as they say, a comprehensive history of the NASCAR adventure. The book is 366 pages, not including the copious notes at the end. Quite a piece of literature to have around.
I really can't verbalize what I was expecting when the disc started, but after listening to the hour plus I did on the way home, I am very impressed. Buz McKim has just the voice to bring the pages of the book alive before your listening ears! I can't wait to hear the rest of the discs and I'm already trying to plan some road trips so I can do just that. I know it's not really fair to critique a book on just over an hour's worth of listening, but I'm going to do it anyway. It is EXCELLENT.
There is a link, I believe is what it's called, right here on RacersReunion to order a copy for the audio book. Believe me, if you're at a loss as to what to get for your race fan as a Christmas gift, that problem is solved if you order the book. I can't imagine any race fan not being thrilled to have that in his or her possession.
No, I don't get paid for endorsements, and there is no personal gain for me in this post whatsoever. But I feel so strongly about the need to support the historic significance of our sport that I do endorse those items I discover which do that. This audio book is certainly one of those. Kudos to Buz and to Todd Morris for the hard work putting this project together. Awesome job!
Both events were truly great times, John. Thanks for coming out. It's always great to be a part of something that benefits kids, no matter if it be autism or abuse. I'm already looking forward to next year. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Wonderful addition to the Minute, Chase. Thanks. Awesome work.
The factories officially "entered" the NASCAR Grand National scene for the 1956 season. Although there had been some "under the table" factory participation, limited though it was prior to 1956, the factories openly endorsed NASCAR's Grand National Division. It was truly the time of "win on Sunday, sell on Monday" and the factories wanted to capitalize on that. Having truly stock cars racing before the public would greatly enhance the appeal of what was sitting on the show room floor. The 4th race of the 1956 season, actually contested on December 11, 1995, gave the manufacturers the assurance that NASCAR intended to fully support the "stock" car. But I digress. Let's go on with the Minute.
Twenty-three cars would arrive to qualify at the half-mile asphalt track in West Palm Beach, Florida. Fonty Flock qualified a Kiekhaefer Chrysler on the pole with a speed of 78.912 mph. Joe Weatherly would qualify the Schwam Ford second, Herb Thomas in the Smokey Yunick Chevrolet third, Al Keller in a Chevy fourth and Jim Reed in another Chevrolet fifth.
A crowd of 4,500 gathered to watch the drivers compete for 199 laps constituting 99.5 miles. The duel between Weatherly in the Ford and Reed in the Chevrolet went on throughout the race, thrilling fans watching the brand new 1956 models of those makes racing flat out for the win. The checkered flag fell on Joe Weatherly, giving him his first Grand National win after a successful career in motorcycle racing. Jim Reed finished second, close on the bumper of Weatherly's Ford. So, Ford had bragging rights for the first win in full, out front factory participation while Chevy had to settle for second. But, hold on here! NASCAR inspectors were are work to ensure the term "stock" completely related to the competing crs.
TWO DAYS AFTER the race, NASCAR disqualifed Weatherly's Ford. Then, NASCAR disqualified Reed's Chevy. Weatherly's Ford was found to have a camshaft that did not meet "stock" from the factory requirements and there was evidence of grinding and polishing of the intake manifold. Reed's Chevy was disqualified because the post-race inspection found the valves were "light".
With Weatherly and Reed being disqualified, Herb Thomas was moved to the win in a Smokey Yunick Chevrolet. That is almost ironic that Yunick, well known in later years to be one of the most flagrant of rules violators, was found to have a legal car! Nevertheless, Herb Thomas won and would be engaged in a season long battle with Buck Baker for the championship. One of the History Minutes has dealt with the details of the outcome of that battle.
After the disqualifications of Weatherly and Reed, NASCAR President, Big Bill France, announced that any future violations of the "stock" rules, would result not only in the driver losing the finishing position and any money he may have won, but would also be stripped of ALL points earned up to that point of the season. A penalty that severe would keep the competitors in line, certainly.
Finishing order (after disqualification of first and second place finishers):
1. Herb Thomas, Smokey Yunick Chevrolet, winning $1,100.00
2. Al Keller, Keller Chevrolet, winning $700.00 ( 1 lap down)
3. Billy Myers, Hugh Babb Chevrolet, winning $475.00 (2 laps down)
4. Buck Baker, Satcher Motors Ford, winning $365.00 (4 laps down)
5. Lee Petty, Petty Engineering Dodge, winning $310.00 (6 laps down)
6. Bob Welborn
7. Johnny Patterson
8. Blackie Pitt
9. Jack Chocquette
10. Bob Myers
11. Bill Thurber
12. Johnny Roberts
13. Marvin Panch
14. Dick Burns
15. Red Farmer
16. Curtis Turner
17. Al Watkins
18. Eddie Skinner
19.Curtis Turner
20. John McVitty
21. David Terrell
22. Joe Weatherly (disqualified)
23. Jim Reed (disqualified)
Honor the past, embrace the present, dream for the future
WOW!!!! How awesome is that? Watched it twice and really enjoyed it. Will be watching it again for sure. Thanks, Woody.
Got to watch those "gray areas" here on RR. Jeff is pretty strict with enforcement.
Please let your daughter know I envy her ability to play a musical instrument. I never could seem to get any instrument to do what I wanted it to do. Came closest with the piano. Enjoy and Merry Christmas to the band.
