Where and when was your very first race?

DICNJAN · 10/21/09, 7:58 AM

Kokomo speedway early 50's board bleachers all the way around track. Set set on top south end
not sure who won .

10/21/09, 7:58 AM

I was 6, it was 1991 and my mom took me to see these big winged cars I saw on a flyer at the grocery store. It eneded up being a World of Outlaws show at the Bloomington Speedway. Oh ya Steve Kinser won beating Sammy Swindell. I've loved The King ever since and never did care for that guy who came in second place. I can remember sitting on the hill with my mom and thinking that, this is the coolest thing in the world. At that age it was the coolest thing I had ever saw and when I go to a sprintcar race these days...............I still think its the coolest thing in the world

illiNOISE · 10/21/09, 8:03 AM

My first race would've been at Valley Park, Missouri's Lake Hill Speedway in '76. Can't tell you who won, though, as I couldn't see thru mom's womb.

(I wasn't born until Dec. 12 of that year.)

Seadog · 10/21/09, 8:09 AM

The now defunct Cincinnati Race Bowl. 1/4 mile high banked paved oval. AAA midgets in 1955. I was about four years old. I remember being there but have no recollection of the proceedings that night.

PJ Wright · 10/21/09, 8:17 AM

1967 at Holland, NY which was it's last year as a dirt track. After begging and pleading, my dad finally agreed to take me to a race. Of course it got rained out and I didn't think the next Saturday would EVER come. I found out later that my parents had last attended a race in the 30's at Civic Stadium in Buffalo and witnessed a driver lose his life. My dad explained that was why they were not thrilled with my early interest in racing.
Some of my best memories are of the quality time my dad and I shared at the races (and the trips to and from) through the years.

Mud Packer · 10/21/09, 8:22 AM

My first race was in 1956 at Belle Clair Speedway in Belleville, IL. I was 4 years old at the time and don't remember who won the race. If I was a betting man, Dandy Don Klein probably took the feature. He racked up quite a few wins over the years and I believe he is still racing.

---------- Post added at 08:26 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:22 AM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by illiNOISE

My first race would've been at Valley Park, Missouri's Lake Hill Speedway in '76. Can't tell you who won, though, as I couldn't see thru mom's womb.

(I wasn't born until Dec. 12 of that year.)

Wow, I had almost forgot about Lake Hill Speedway. Saw some racing there in my youth. It is a shame that they closed the place up as I enjoyed watching racing there. Anyone remember when it closed?

Lucky161 · 10/21/09, 8:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danny Burton

September, 1951, age about 1 month, Bloomington Speedway.

Parents never told me who won, but I'll guess it was either Chuck Welsh or Barney Oldfield. :2:

Almost the same for me. In my case probably 1952 since I was born in December of 51. Riverside Raceway in Fort Worth. I don't remember actually seeing the races, but I do remember being there. First race I can remember was at Great Southwest Speedway in Benbrook TX in the early 60s. But I don't remember who won.

Ovalmeister · 10/21/09, 8:39 AM

Are you talking in the womb or out? Because I'm pretty sure I heard my first race before I saw it.

David.

SUPERDUKE · 10/21/09, 10:10 AM

Labor day 1945 at winchester 13500 race fans first race after ww 2 jimmy wilburn from indy won it! 2 eddie zaulki detroit 3 johnny shackelford dayton 4 chick smith louisville ky. 5 elbert (grandpappy) booker detroit! How many of you where there?

dirtnonwingfan · 10/21/09, 10:10 AM

USAC midget race at Pittsfield, Illinois speedway in the summer of 1960. I forget who won, but Mel Kenyon was there, as well as a couple of young up-and-comers named Foyt and Jones. I also remember that Jerry Blundy, the local track champion, was there and didn't do a thing and also remember the high-pitched scream of the Evenrude outboard which someone who was having his Offy freshened made. Sounded like a bumble bee coming down the straights. For some reason, this race does not appear in the USAC 50th Anniversary book. I understand from other postings on this board that there are a few others which may have been missed also.

Hard to believe that was 50 years ago.

10/21/09, 10:10 AM	#20 Re: Where and when was your very first race?
dirtnonwingfan Senior Member Race Count This Year: 6 Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 7,031	USAC midget race at Pittsfield, Illinois speedway in the summer of 1960. I forget who won, but Mel Kenyon was there, as well as a couple of young up-and-comers named Foyt and Jones. I also remember that Jerry Blundy, the local track champion, was there and didn't do a thing and also remember the high-pitched scream of the Evenrude outboard which someone who was having his Offy freshened made. Sounded like a bumble bee coming down the straights. For some reason, this race does not appear in the USAC 50th Anniversary book. I understand from other postings on this board that there are a few others which may have been missed also. Hard to believe that was 50 years ago. __________________ Frank Daigh

10/21/09, 7:58 AM	#11 Re: Where and when was your very first race?
DICNJAN Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 176	Kokomo speedway early 50's board bleachers all the way around track. Set set on top south end not sure who won .

10/21/09, 7:58 AM	#12 Re: Where and when was your very first race?
DIRT-TRACK-JUNKIE Posts: n/a	I was 6, it was 1991 and my mom took me to see these big winged cars I saw on a flyer at the grocery store. It eneded up being a World of Outlaws show at the Bloomington Speedway. Oh ya Steve Kinser won beating Sammy Swindell. I've loved The King ever since and never did care for that guy who came in second place. I can remember sitting on the hill with my mom and thinking that, this is the coolest thing in the world. At that age it was the coolest thing I had ever saw and when I go to a sprintcar race these days...............I still think its the coolest thing in the world

10/21/09, 8:03 AM	#13 Re: Where and when was your very first race?
illiNOISE Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 890	My first race would've been at Valley Park, Missouri's Lake Hill Speedway in '76. Can't tell you who won, though, as I couldn't see thru mom's womb. (I wasn't born until Dec. 12 of that year.)

10/21/09, 8:09 AM	#14 Re: Where and when was your very first race?
Seadog Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2,136	The now defunct Cincinnati Race Bowl. 1/4 mile high banked paved oval. AAA midgets in 1955. I was about four years old. I remember being there but have no recollection of the proceedings that night.

10/21/09, 8:17 AM	#15 Re: Where and when was your very first race?
PJ Wright Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4,040	1967 at Holland, NY which was it's last year as a dirt track. After begging and pleading, my dad finally agreed to take me to a race. Of course it got rained out and I didn't think the next Saturday would EVER come. I found out later that my parents had last attended a race in the 30's at Civic Stadium in Buffalo and witnessed a driver lose his life. My dad explained that was why they were not thrilled with my early interest in racing. Some of my best memories are of the quality time my dad and I shared at the races (and the trips to and from) through the years.

10/21/09, 8:39 AM	#18 Re: Where and when was your very first race?
Ovalmeister Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 805	Are you talking in the womb or out? Because I'm pretty sure I heard my first race before I saw it. David.

10/21/09, 10:10 AM	#19 Re: Where and when was your very first race?
SUPERDUKE Banned Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 2,256	Labor day 1945 at winchester 13500 race fans first race after ww 2 jimmy wilburn from indy won it! 2 eddie zaulki detroit 3 johnny shackelford dayton 4 chick smith louisville ky. 5 elbert (grandpappy) booker detroit! How many of you where there?