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

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

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

* 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!