Astro dome!
 

THEY RACED 3 YEARS THERE! GARY BETTENHAUSEN WON ON SAT NITE AND LEE KUNZMAN SUN AFTERNOON TOM BIGELOW WAS THE POINT CHAMPION! THEN AJ FOYT WON THE NEXT YEAR THEN GARY BETTENHAUSEN THE LAST YEAR!:applaud::checkered:

Re: Astro dome!
 

Originally Posted by SUPERDUKE:
THEY RACED 3 YEARS THERE! GARY BETTENHAUSEN WON ON SAT NITE AND LEE KUNZMAN SUN AFTERNOON TOM BIGELOW WAS THE POINT CHAMPION! THEN AJ FOYT WON THE NEXT YEAR THEN GARY BETTENHAUSEN THE LAST YEAR!:applaud::checkered:

And I wish that they would do it again. I live 15 minutes away, and the joint is just taking up space in the Reliant Park parking lot these days. . . .

Re: Astro dome!
 

Too much cheatin' Everybody started cutting the track inside.

:dologob:

Re: Astro dome!
 

Here is a scan of the program cover, and a photo from the Mel Kenyon web site
http://melkenyon.tripod.com/

http://melkenyon.tripod.com/1969astr...ram484x367.jpg
Mel shown leading the way in the painting printed on the program cover of the First Annual Astro Grand Prix, held in March of 1969 at the Houston Astrodome. This event boosted the popularity of midget racing across the U.S.

http://melkenyon.tripod.com/m_m-68-astdom640x480.jpg
Photo by Jim Chini courtesy of Mike Grieff
Inaugural Astro Grand Prix - Houston Astrodome
USAC Invitational Midget event.
(left to right) Mario Andretti (driving Mel's second midget),
Mel Kenyon, Bob Krohne, Don Kenyon, Chuck Nowiki,
Gene Thomas, Ray Grieff.

Re: Astro dome!
 

Re: Astro dome!
 

Originally Posted by D.O.:
Too much cheatin' Everybody started cutting the track inside.

:dologob:

SO THATS WHERE THE WOO DRIVERS LEARNED THAT! :applaud:

Re: Astro dome!
 

Originally Posted by cmakin:
and i wish that they would do it again. I live 15 minutes away, and the joint is just taking up space in the reliant park parking lot these days. . . .

go rent it and do it!

Re: Astro dome!
 

Originally Posted by SUPERDUKE:
go rent it and do it!

Well, with Harris County AND the City of Houston, AND the Houston Sports Authority involved now, lots of pockets to be lined first. Hell, their idea of racing is the Houston Grand Prix (in the parking lot around the Dome and Reliant Stadium) and that is gone. It was never much of a draw, anyway.

Re: Astro dome!
 

Ah Ha, this will probably go better here than where i originally posted in the PRI thread. I am glad others thought it was interesting enough to chime in about. I not sure if it is all accurate, but below is what i remember hearing,

(MOVED)
it was a side note a few pages back, but the Astro Dome was run in '69 and '70. Dad told me quite a few stories about those races, but i am not 100% on the winners. Duke said Gary Bettehausen which sounds right for '69 to me. it seems like '70 was a dual feature deal with Lee Kunzman winning one and Foyt the other. Where is Bitterwind at when we need him, i am sure he knows the answer.

there were a quite a few good stories my dad told me about these races that come to mind, but regarding the winner. My Grandfather and Tattersall actually protested the finish when Foyt won. it was pretty slick and about halfway thru the feature the fast way around was cutting down into the infield thru the corners. By the end of the race most of the feild of cars were running almost the entire lap inside of infeild even down the straightaways. Dad was standing in the infield watching and signaling Tat. I remember him telling me by the end he was standing in the center of the infield next to Andy Granatelli, who i think was the promoter, backed up against the trophy and the cars were so far in the infeild he he felt like they were racing around his feet. Tat never left "the original" racing surface to cut thru the infeild and ran fourth or fifth. Grandpa and Tat protested telling USAC that they should get the win since they were the highest finishing car not to race in the infield. It didn't get far, LOL. But in 1970 i expect it would be a pretty bad deal to take a win away from AJ in the heart of Texas.

Re: Astro dome!
 

Originally Posted by stroud21:
ah ha, this will probably go better here than where i originally posted in the pri thread. I am glad others thought it was interesting enough to chime in about. I not sure if it is all accurate, but below is what i remember hearing,

(moved)
it was a side note a few pages back, but the astro dome was run in '69 and '70. Dad told me quite a few stories about those races, but i am not 100% on the winners. Duke said gary bettehausen which sounds right for '69 to me. It seems like '70 was a dual feature deal with lee kunzman winning one and foyt the other. Where is bitterwind at when we need him, i am sure he knows the answer.

There were a quite a few good stories my dad told me about these races that come to mind, but regarding the winner. My grandfather and tattersall actually protested the finish when foyt won. It was pretty slick and about halfway thru the feature the fast way around was cutting down into the infield thru the corners. By the end of the race most of the feild of cars were running almost the entire lap inside of infeild even down the straightaways. Dad was standing in the infield watching and signaling tat. I remember him telling me by the end he was standing in the center of the infield next to andy granatelli, who i think was the promoter, backed up against the trophy and the cars were so far in the infeild he he felt like they were racing around his feet. Tat never left "the original" racing surface to cut thru the infeild and ran fourth or fifth. Grandpa and tat protested telling usac that they should get the win since they were the highest finishing car not to race in the infield. It didn't get far, lol. But in 1970 i expect it would be a pretty bad deal to take a win away from aj in the heart of texas.

aj was the promoter!

Re: Astro dome!
 

I think Joe Shaheen of the famed Springfield Speedway was in charge of the track. Anyone remember?

Re: Astro dome!
 

Originally Posted by itsanonwingthing:
http://melkenyon.tripod.com/m_m-68-astdom640x480.jpg
Photo by Jim Chini courtesy of Mike Grieff
Inaugural Astro Grand Prix - Houston Astrodome
USAC Invitational Midget event.
(left to right) Mario Andretti (driving Mel's second midget),
Mel Kenyon, Bob Krohne, Don Kenyon, Chuck Nowiki,
Gene Thomas, Ray Grieff.

Interesting that Mel's car had a roll cage, but not Mario's.

Re: Astro dome!
 

the comment on the cage vs. no cage brought up another memory. In 69' cages were optional, and they were also going to run wings some that season. the Astro Dome was the first race of the year. Grandpa showed up with the cage and wing on top along with a signed letter from Bob Stroud, no relation, from USAC saying that the wing was legal for that race. Kenyon was the only other car there that had a wing so USAC decided to go without the wing ofr that race.

Re: Astro dome!
 

Originally Posted by RacinJason:
My uncle just purchased a car that raced in the astro dome. It was a #99 solar that was AAA registered to John F Farmer. Anyone recall the car? We're trying to find info and pictures to restore the car.

Jason

Don't know if 'aXe' has seen this??....But send him a PM,he mite have info,as he followed this really close,work'n rite along side George Benson!!........
__________
Brucer'

Re: Astro dome!
 

Originally Posted by itsanonwingthing:
Here is a scan of the program cover, and a photo from the Mel Kenyon web site
http://melkenyon.tripod.com/\

Did anyone else notice the $1.50 cover price for the program? Seems kind of steep in '69. What would that work out to today?

Re: Astro dome!
 

Jason,

Here is the entry list for the 69 race. Don't see that car listed.

http://www.ssmamidgets.com/texas/index.php?showtopic=10

Re: Astro dome!
 

That was an incredible field! 17 Indy 500 veterans and a few more that ran at Indy but didn't make the show! That race was also televised. I remember watching it.

Re: Astro dome!
 

Originally Posted by tex44:
Jason,

Here is the entry list for the 69 race. Don't see that car listed.

http://www.ssmamidgets.com/texas/index.php?showtopic=10

Thanks for the link.

Re: Astro dome!
 

I was at both the races at the Astrodome. I was only 4 & 5 years old but I do remember going. My father is friends with A.J. and he was down in the pits. He took a great picture of Foyt standing in the entrance to the dome. I am going to see my Dad tonight and I will see if I can get a copy of the photo to post. To bad that most of todays top racers rarely race Sprints and Midgets. Who is the most recent Indy 500 winner to race a midget?

Re: Astro dome!
 

Originally Posted by Spud:
To bad that most of todays top racers rarely race Sprints and Midgets. Who is the most recent Indy 500 winner to race a midget?

Actually Spud, I think you've got it backwards. I think it's too bad that most of today's top racers don't get a chance to race Indy Cars. The Indy 500 USED TO BE made up of the 33 best race car drivers in the world. Today, the Indy 500 is made up of the 33 BEST FUNDED Rent-a-Racers. Midget and Sprint car champions need not apply!:thumbsdown:

Re: Astro dome!
 

Originally Posted by MRAY3:
Actually Spud, I think you've got it backwards. I think it's too bad that most of today's top racers don't get a chance to race Indy Cars. The Indy 500 USED TO BE made up of the 33 best race car drivers in the world. Today, the Indy 500 is made up of the 33 BEST FUNDED Rent-a-Racers. Midget and Sprint car champions need not apply!:thumbsdown:

You got me there! I do wish more racers from the "Top" (Expensive) series would race more dirt stuff. If they think they are the best they need to get a little dirt on themselves to prove it. Maybe somebody could get Michael Schumacher a ride at the Chili Bowl!

Re: Astro dome!
 

I think for every road race the IRL has, there should be a Mile dirt show as well. the cars could be leased to the teams.