wsyocum said:
We are lucky to have Uncle Alan here as a go-to guy with his amazing wealth of knowledge of NASCAR history.
Not to worry, I see #3 as one of the very first inductees into the new hall in Charlotte.
Thank's for the kind words.
Have fond memories of the old fairground's track there. Short,heavily oiled dirt & low banked , it drew top drivers for hundreds of miles. Always marveled at how the track squiggled in the turns after the herd thundered through.
Was at the new track before it was lengthened. My lady had never seen a car race & was looking forward to her first one.
Trip up was a real bummer though. Was clocked at 78mph on old #301 & was tried at a J P court in an abandoned service station. Fine was $78 & I only had $80 with me. Paid the fine & had to wake Sonny Mallory [Round man with the square deal ] who had a super speed shop & get him to cash a check for me.
More bummer ! Got there late & had to go into the infield. Got a great parking place & we sat on the roof of my '69 Dodge with our stockinged feet on the hood. When the green fell,my lady let out a Rebel yell,jumped up & kicked the antenna off my new car. Boy,she went ape !
I was naming the drivers for her & in those days you could identify the car make without looking on the hood crown. She started rooting for # 43 & she screamed & yelled him in for the win.
They had a cage in the infield to isolate the drivers, [a new thing] & we went over so she could see King Richard. He had facial hair,probably porkchops & a goatee. When I pointed him out ,banshee breath said, Richard,you're a damn good driver but shave 'cause you look like a bum!"
He grinned & waved at us.
Guess what ? He appeared at the Rock with a face as smooth as a baby's butt.
My lady passed away some years back . I have more stories about ouy track adventures for another time.
Tonight's lineup has 2 Fords up front ! Imagine that ? This race'll probably be a survival of the fittest one . Should be lots of a'beatin' & a'bangin going on too.
Safe racing !
Uncle Alan......
