I was in one of the handfull of haulers that made it into the pits on Wednesday night during this years Nationals... It was pretty fun getting that running start trying to make it up the hill to get out the back gate. I got the wettest I've ever been without jumping in a lake while we parked the rig in our spot in the parking lot across the street. After the rain stopped, we ran out for a bite, then went to sleep. I should have gone to the Dingus Lounge, I'm sure I could have found some fun there. :doh:

Another night in Jacksonville, IL about 5 or 6 years ago, it rained so hard in such a short period of time, that some haulers had to be pulled from the pits with a tractor. I used my truck to get some other guys truck unstuck.

And, a question about rainouts... Why the hell do promoters always try to hurry up something like Hot Laps when there's lightning and thunder rumbling in the distance and heading their way? Are they hoping that if they hurry enough it will make the rain go a different direction? In my experiences, if they have some of the Heat races done before the rain comes, they try to get away with having part of a show without the feature payout. Maybe that's just what goes on around here...

My favorites are:

The USAC/SCRA 3 day show at Terre Haute. I met several people that weekend who I consider good freinds to this day. This was also the Origional Boones Farm 50. The race that has been imitated, but never duplicated.

The USAC doubleheader weekend at Granite City. Sunshine for 2 days and both races rained out. Went to Fairmont on Fri, and we all won money. We were so far ahead Merrilville Al even bought a round. Sat night was fun but hard to describe, but lots of fun. Ask Morty next time you see him. Also ask KO about the glove, and watch his face. WOW!!

At one 4 Crown back in the 70s I had towed Mark Alderson's midget to Eldora with his Dad's truck while Mark towed Steve Enslow's sprinter with his motorhome. After the rain washed out the program, Mark half convinced me that I would be Ok :kookoo2: getting the midget out of the infield. This was back when there was a quick left turn that HAD to be made immediately upon getting thru the opening in the wall -- there was a drop-off straight ahead, and it was partially full of trash. I could imagine not quite making it, and jack-knifing the truck and trailer as I would slide back in the next guy in line, or getting too far over the top of the track and putting the whole rig down among that huge pile of beer cans, etc. Lucky for me (and the Aldersons), I did make it out OK!

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From Jim Morrison

Time trials at Indy, May 1974. First time at the track. Saw some on track action with Foyt, Andretti, Opperman, Hurtubise. Salt Walther made his comeback run.
And rain. This was the era of braless halter tops and hot pants. Watched the hippies in the infield fill the time waiting for the track to dry by tossing a young lady in the air by using a blanket. It was eye opening for this small town Indiana boy. I was never quite the same.

I competed in the Original BF50 bike race, but I ended up like 5 laps down, haha..."Hammer that thang!!!":Steer, no comment on "the glove" though...:emote20:

The only thing I find interesting in the rainouts are some of the women in wet t-shirts.

One I remember the most was at paragon around 89-90. We decided to take a couple laps around the track on the four-wheeler.... next thing you know there were about 15 of us out there throwing mud all over each other and gassin the crap out of the old honda. Kinda sucked when Papa Louie made me ride all the way home in the back of the truck tho. Good thing the cooler was back there!

I saw a UFO one time..very scary... I dont want to talk about it much.

It was not fun at the time, but looking back at it it is now. My father and I were at the Knoxville Nationals. We camped at Lake Red Rock in a pop up Shasta Camper. Well we got rained out... severe storms, tornado warnings, THE WHOLE DEAL. We got in the camper and howling winds... I was early teens maybe mid and he and I get out and are standing, each holding a awning pole and staring at eachother, I was trying not cry because of fear. Finally we ran into the camper.. let all the crap fly... and we are staring out the windows...watching tents.... air mattresses....empty coolers... pillows ANYTHING flying by our camper. We finally got out of the deal, went to bed woke up.... and the ol' Shasta had survived... we had a good laugh talking bout how dumb we were holding metal awning poles in the middle of **** storm.. and how it really sucked for those trying to find there tents.lol:rolling::doh:

Knoxviille Midget Nationals 2005

Second night there was a horrible storm that hit the track and the car I was there supporting, his friends car, and the group I was there with all huddled under the back stretch grandstand riding the storm out.

Everyone blames me for the rainy weather cause I brought a scanner with a weather radio and the Nationals hadn't had rain before.

Tom Knowles Memorial can't remember if it was teh first or second year they had it. My dad and I were huddled under the grand stands at Spoonriver and evertime the track got just right for racng the :censor: rain came again. I think we left about 1 in the morning with tehms till trying to get the race in.

Springfield Silver Crown race 2001. The race got in but teh storms were rolling in and yet Jack Hewitt was still willing to sign autographs and sell shirts to the fans. Was a big fan of his before and became an even bigger fan that day.