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As far as Silver Crown cars on half miles, the biggest key is the ability to sell enough TICKETS to pay the bills.
I remember the Silver Crown race at Salem back in 1988. Rained out the first time it was to run. On the rain date, only about 14 cars showed up and the grandstands were, at best, half full. The promoters cut the race to 50 laps, cut the purse and probably still lost money. And, he ticked off the fans that did show up.
I remember the day Duke finished second in the Hulman Classic. The track was rougher than a cob and and it was colder than heck. Toby's rear suspension broke and he could not even make it back to victory lane, probably only the Hulman Classic winner to come in on a wrecker.
Duke did the smart thing -- finished. Several good cars dropped out. One more lap and he might have been the winner of the biggest sprint car race at that time.
His car, I believe, was No. 48. It was red on one side and blue on the other, so the drunks would be confused about which car it was.
Duke also drove several races in a backup car to Rollie Beale in 1973, giving Beale the shot he needed to win the championship.
Duke might be abrasive at times, but he can drive.
Jim Morrison
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