[QUOTE=FishBurger....Additional CRA Recollections:Seems I recall that Tom Downing was or had been a jet pilot which us midwestern goobers found fascinating.
QUOTE]

I used to help Freeman Downing and his NEMA midget team. (Tom's Dad). I've known the Downing family since the mid 80's and don't recall Tom ever being a jet pilot. You may be thinking of another west coast driver (Tom Ball) from New Mexico. I believe he was an active jet fighter pilot, attached to a reserve squadron in NM. He used to come over alot and run with us at Manzanita in AZ. Not sure what ever became of him but he was a regular back in the CRA/SCRA heydays.
David.