[QUOTE=Ovalmeister;73649]
Originally Posted by 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.
Your correct on Tom Ball there Davey boy. He is doing OK in New Mexico. He was the president of the NMMRA ( www.nmmra.com ) for a spell and still straps into his sprinter now and then. If I recall correctly, he recently retired as a commercial pilot from Southwest Airlines. He comes to Chili Bowl each year traveling in his motor home and is one hell of a funny dude!