What do you miss?
 

Having grown up in a small town in Southern Illinois, auto racing was a very important entertainment option. In my formative years, Belle Clair Speedway was the only race track "close by" and Friday nights were race nights. By my teenage years Highland Speedway had opened and ran on Saturday nights. Like so many folks who have fond memories of their youth, I think about the good ole days and how racing has changed. In no particular order, here is what I miss about racing from my early years.

*Cars pitting in the infield at Belle Clair.
*The ageless one "Dandy" Don Klein who always wore a white shirt and white pants back in the day. Burgundy colored car all the way.
*The old coupes that they called modifieds in later years.
*Driver Kenny Shrum who drove the car #66/99. The numbers were intertwined so the 6's were on top and the 9's were underneath with the "0" portion of the number coming together. I never saw anyone else ever do that.
*Driver Mike Hammerle drove something they called the "War Wagon".
*Qualifying order at Highland was the first driver took a qualifying lap and then came to the infield. They lined the cars up until all of them had taken a lap. Then the final qualifier would start out by taking his second lap. Basically they all qualified in reverse order on their second lap. Unique to say the least.
*The first car that rolled over at Highland always won a free case of beer from Red & Stell's tavern in St. Jacob, IL. Quite the promotion back in the day.
*The Allied Auto Racing Association ran three nights at three different tracks. Friday at Belle Clair, Saturday I believe was St. Charles and Sunday at Lake Hill. The roster of drivers included Len Garson, Don Klein, Kenny Shrum, Carl Springer, Ray Eby, Wib Spaulding, Curt Allen, Mike Hammerlee, Ed Dixon, Chris Bargetzi, Charlie Johnson and so many more I can't remember.
*Open trailors. On Saturday I used to ride my bike up to the middle of town (5 blocks) to sit at the car wash which was at the only 4 way flasher in town. There you could watch the car haulers (open trailors) to see who was going to be at the races that night. The crews would always wave and sometime even stop to say hello. A real thrill indeed for a kid my age.:D
*Since moving to Indiana I now also miss the old ASA & Artgo series. Rex Robbins and John McKarns respectively ran these great series showcasing the talent of the short track stars.
*I also miss seeing the J W Hunt strawberry decal on so many open wheel cars. J W handed out a lot of cash in his day.

Looking back on just some of the racing I enjoyed as a kid. So tell me, what do you miss about racing from back in the day?

Re: What do you miss?
 

Qualifying, Fast car dashes and total inverts is what I miss. Also all winners each race got a victory lane photo. Now the cars are off the track before a announcer says Give him a big round of applause.

Bert Swafford who flew in every week to announce from IDK where and mispronounced names for years. Never knew till years later that Salaminno was really Salaminto and Crabs was Krebs and Emery Link was really Ember.

About the only track I hit with Dad as a Kid was Lburg about five times a year. In my teems I hit almost every track from Cincy to Erie following wings with Bloomington, Brownstown and Twin Cities and Florence at which I crewed a Street Stock Did three nights a week in the late 80s with Union County which ran many sprint shows and I discovered Robby Stanley's hidden tallent of finding his own groove Florence on Sat with Street stock/LM and Sunday Burg ran LMs Emods and bombers.

Strange thing about this little world of ours, I've seen people for years who Im still meeting and getting to know for the first time. I also know several people that when Specials became the norm and kids under 12 started getting charged, NEVER CAME BACK.

Re: What do you miss?
 

I miss the Hoosier 100 on a Fri. nite or Sat. afternnon, and the Hut 100 on Sun. afternoon.

Re: What do you miss?
 

Andy Granatelli's ," Hurricane Hot Rod Association ", running inside the mile on a 1/4 mile track at the Milw. Mile.

Re: What do you miss?
 

Back in the 60's and 70's Haubstadt would have the sprint cars take two laps for qualifying but the first car would run one lap and then pull into the infield inside turn 3 and all the subsequent drivers would do the same. Soon, the whole backstretch would be lined up with cars until the last guy would come out and he would run his two laps and everybody would then get pushed off starting in turn 2 with the original first qualifier now being the last guy to run a lap. It was really cool as the drivers of the cars would often times take off their helmets and sit up on the roll-cage and gawk around, take a smoke or go and talk to other drivers who also were waiting. It made all the drivers visible to the crowd and you could yell out things at them and it was just a lot of fun. Maybe Tommy could do a "throw back" type night sometime and relive the old days. I'd like it as a one-off deal.

Re: What do you miss?
 

Afternoon races; Only 2 left for me were the 500 and Winchester Old Timers Weekend. Don't even see that on the 2014 schedule.

Re: What do you miss?
 

Little Springfield, one of the best bullrings around. Nothing was better then when they had to go get cars that flew through the fence and ended up in the KMart parking lot.

Re: What do you miss?
 

-All cars all being hauled on open trailers.

-Rounded bodywork from the cockpit to the nose of the car.

-On most of the USAC shows back in the day we didn't have support classes. Instead, much of the time we had Ed Watson dressed in a clown uniform doing funny antics with his go-kart during a lull in the racing. I miss that.

-Weekly CORA midget races at Whitewater Valley Speedway near Liberty, IN.

-100 lap midget and sprint car shows at Winchester Speedway.

-Most of all I miss my parents going to the races with me. My dad and I could have still probably done some serious bench racing even today. I'm sure he would probably say sprint car racing isn't the same as the 'good old days" but I think he would have adapted well and enjoyed the shows nowdays just the same.

Re: What do you miss?
 

I miss covered Grandstands. Most of the old Fairground track used to have them, today there are not many left that still do.

I miss the character and innovation that a lot of the car and car builders had in the 60's and 70's. I also miss seeing the car owner’s letter worked into the front bumper.

I miss seeing full size tail tanks on Sprinters.

I miss hearing Frank Sagi calling the races at Hagerstown Raceway.

Re: What do you miss?
 

• Flaggers who started races from down on the track. Other than the Chili Bowl, I think the last time I saw it done was around 1979 at our local quarter mile bullring.

• Race nights that were completed so early there’d be a huge crowd of spectators (and their kids) waiting to get into the pits after the races so they could see the cars up close and meet the drivers.

• Victory laps where the race winner carried the checkered flag around for a lap following the heat race or feature.

• The sound of a big block engine without mufflers. Growing up in the Northeast, the massive 427 or 454 cubic inch plus Chevy big blocks powered our modifieds, supermodifieds and even sprint cars. A full field of those at speed would practically shake the fillings out of your teeth.

• Scantily-clad trophy girls

• I too miss races cars towed on open trailers. Add to that ramp trucks and the occasional school bus converted into a hauler.

• Hand lettered paint jobs on race cars. Paint. Not vinyl.

• The anticipation for Thursday’s mail to arrive because that’s the day your racing papers showed up in your mail box. And you could finally find out who won and where last weekend.

• As far as track announcers go, for me it was hearing Jack Burgess' voice echo around the Oswego Speedway…or the New York State Fairgrounds.

• Kiddie rides. Once a year our local tracks would have a special promotion and let the kids ride around in a race car. Back in the days of the roomy pre-War coupes and coaches, you never actually lived until you got to ride in a race car with your favorite driver and held on for a few slow laps around the track. Those nights were the highlight of my childhood.

Avilla speedway

Re: What do you miss?
 

I miss: cars on open trailers : pits in the infield : top 3 finishers stopping in front of grandstands so fans can see them : sneaking under the fence some times when I didn't have the money to get in .( probably could even do that now, ha. )
OH, one more thing, Reading all about the race night and results in the local paper the next night , with pictures !

I sure miss All Star Ohio sprint week back in the 80s first leg always at millstream (Findlay,Oh) Sunday night usually 70 cars. With the last leg being Saturday night at Eldora for 10G. Those fields were LOADED! Back then Eldora was heavy and fast, and even had winged cars passing! Also miss the CRA coming here racing in the midwest! Guys like Leland McSpadden, Richard Griffin Steve Ostling Mike Kirby Brad Noffsinger Troy Cline, sure fun seeing those guys "elbows up"! Certainly miss all those who suited up/strapped in, whom are no longer with us!

Re: What do you miss?
 

non-winged sprint cars at Salem and Winchester

Re: What do you miss?
 

Jesse Hockett, that man could drive the wheels off anything.

Josh Burton growing up as a race car driver, he had a great future a head of him.

Manzanita, that was one bad a$$ joint.

Midgets at Winchester and Salem, they make sprint cars look tame.

The Hut Hundred in Indiana.

Little Springfield, it was better then Little Belleville.

USAC stock cars at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

Norwood Arena, where I got my first taste of this addiction called auto racing.

My late mother needling Dana Carter at Salem on a Sunday afternoon.

My grandfather teaching my oldest son how to drink coffee at Gas City on a really cold day.

A Saturday afternoon show at Terre Haute with me and my father working on a sprint car .

One more Saturday night at Reading.

This is just a handful of them.

I.miss Avilla and Warsaw Speedways

Re: What do you miss?
 

See little picture <---. My best early racing memory is Dandy Don at Belle Clair.

Re: What do you miss?
 

open tire rule

Re: What do you miss?
 

Offy's, Knobby tires, roll bars, guys with big nads!

Re: What do you miss?
 

That's an easy question to answer. I miss sitting next to my dad watching and enjoying the races.

Re: What do you miss?
 

I miss home built racecars ad motors/ especially the old modifieds and supers, not a one of em looked alike back then, now they all look like someone opened a can and poured em out

Re: What do you miss?
 

1 Open trailers
2 Tracks that stayed heavy all night
3Fast guys start last
4Coverd wooden grandstands
5 Home built cars
6 Victory lap

Run what ya brung

Rules that could be printed on less than a page

Re: What do you miss?
 

Massive Crown fields
Thunder Series
Hut Hundred at Terre Haute
Drivers in the Beer Tent at the State Fair (Funny Story with that one)

Re: What do you miss?
 

* For the first 20 years of my involvement with the sport, I was a member of a team. We built and raced modifieds, then a sprint, then midgets. I miss the evenings working on the cars. And, I miss the team. They all died too young.

* I liked it when races started at the "Starting Line."

* One of the attractions of open-wheel racing was that you could see the drivers. And, the cars, with their round hoods and full-size tanks were beautiful.

* In New England, we had "cut-downs." They were lowered, narrowed, chopped, and channeled coupes. They were all home made. The racing was fantastic.

* I had the opportunity to regularly hear two of the best announcers ever: Ken Squire and Chris Economaki.

* There are too many missing tracks to mention.

On the other hand, I'm glad I can still come to Indiana a few times a year to watch the best racing of the current era.

Re: What do you miss?
 

I sort of miss seeing a mad wife or girl friend climb the flag stand ladder to attempt to get a line up or discrepancy straightened out.

Nothing seemed to go faster than the super modified's in the 1960's, everyone different, they seemed to fly. Some may have been a super one afternoon then a sprint car that night.

I miss seeing a 30 ford coupe jalopy on an open trailer headed to the race track.

I miss seeing Midgets and School Bus Figure 8 racing at the Speedrome.

I miss seeing Tony Elliott taking the low grove around 3-4 at Terre Haute.

I miss the Christmas Section of the National Speed Sport News.

Re: What do you miss?
 

Like my vertically challenged friend, I miss going to races with my dad. I have to believe that he'd enjoy watching his great-grandson.

I love the new L'burg, but still miss the old track.

I miss the "homemade" supermodifeds of the early to mid 60s.

I miss the USAC Stock Car Division, as well as the ASA, the one run by Rex Robbins.

I miss my dad, Dwight, Jack and Morty, among others.

Re: What do you miss?
 

1. Everything described in Dave Argabright's Best of Times in Sprint and Midget.

2. A driver's ultimate goal being to make it to The Speedway. Wish that was still a reality. Wish it was, if you're good enough, bring your helmet, you'll pick up a ride. Think of all the drivers that would have never gotten a shot at Indy in today's times. Think about all the drivers today that would have gotten a shot back in the day.

Donald Davidson (whoever is after him) won't have much to say on the history of the 500 in today's times. Driver X brought sponsor Y to car Z. Just fill in the variables.

Re: What do you miss?
 

John Caples
Gary Sacola
Roger Mc Clusky
Mike Devin
All men of their word, the type of guys you could spend an hour with then realize that hour had turned into all night!


Afternoon races on Sunday!
Flat bottom Indycars (sorry mike)
Narrow Rt rears
Thursday Night Thunder
Speedrome week nights when John Stiles promoted and 40+ cars raced for 18 starting spots.

Re: What do you miss?
 

Like many others have said, home built race cars, home built haulers and open trailers.

Watching the sky all day just praying that it wouldn't rain.

Going to the concession stand to buy a program and 4 or 5 racing papers.

Wondering if my favorites were going to be there and then seeing them pull on to the track for hot laps.

Waking up on Sunday morning with my ears still ringing.

And what I miss most, my Dad.

Thanks for starting this thread Mike!

Watching a Sunday day race at Terre Haute, and then making it to Kokomo in time to see the race at Kokomo same day!!!

Miss the non political racing.

1. Rich Vogler
2. Weekly non-wing races at Knoxville.
3. Weekly midget racing at Sun Prairie WI. and Davenport IA.
4. Big tail tanks on sprint cars.
5. Volkswagen midgets.
6. Watching Cary Faas run the cushion on a Sunday afternoon at Terre Haute on the old dirt, collecting his rifle, and getting to kiss a hot, scantily clad trophy girl.
6a. Watching Johnny Parsons race anywhere, but especially a mile dirt track cushion.
7. Open trailers with cooler looking cars that pit in the infield.
8. No support classes. More interviews with drivers like Hewitt and Cicconi with big personalities.
9. Drivers who drank beer after the races.
10. Little Springfield & Langhorne.
11. AJ Watson's champ cars.
12. The smell of pipe tobacco in a covered grandstand.


The list goes on but it's funny how a lot of us mentioned a bunch of the same stuff! If nothing else, couldn't they easily bring back the larger fuel tanks and make a ton of fans a bit happier?

Re: What do you miss?
 

I miss:

1. Sprint cars without all the sheet metal, so you actually see the driver at work.
2. Infield pits so you could see the crews at work
3. WoO without wings
4. Knoxville without wings
5. Hot chocolate and french fries with vinegar at Reading for the USAC opener in March.
6. Heavy tracks and narrower tires.
7. The voice of Bill Donella on the USAC Thunder and Lightning sprint car trail.
8. Earl Baltes prepping a track that was even heavy on a day race.
9. Twin 50's ending the USAC season.
10. The Tony Human Classic having the payout and prestige it deserved.