Where and when was your very first race?

50mcrewguy · 10/23/09, 8:07 PM

Flat Rock, MI in July 1962. My uncle was running a figure 8 car, they also had late models. Don't remember who won the figure 8 race, but Joy Fair most likely won the late model feature. He owned that place in the 60's. Then we would go to Mount Clemens and Toledo. Also, the old Michigan State Fairground track was the first dirt track I saw in person that same summer, I was 6. Sure do miss the late models at Mount Clemens, they used to run the double-o for their feature, using both the 1/4 and 1/2 mile tracks. Thats some of the best and most entertaining races I've ever seen. First midget race, mid 70's, don't remember where except thinking those guys were nuts. Took my nephew, along with my brother to Daytona 1974, he was 6 months old, I guess it took, he went on and is in NC working for one of the Cup teams.

sprinthead · 10/23/09, 8:17 PM

My first race was in 1976, just a little over a year old at Santa Fe Speedway in Hinsdale, IL just outside of Chicago. Not sure what month, but was told I went frequently that year. First sprint car race was in October of 1977 at Eldora speedway. First World of Outlaw race was at Knoxville, IA in April 1978. I think it is safe to say I was hooked back in 1976.

Best part of going to Eldora Speedway when I was young was sitting on my dad's shoulders so I could see the racing as we stood up top behind everyone. Felt like I had the best seat in the house! Lots of good memories at that place....some of the best racing I used to see there was watching Steve Kinser, Doug Wolfgang, and Sammy Swindell going at it lap after lap right on the wall. They were a lot slower back then and produced some great racing....I also miss the old announcer at Eldora. That guy game me goose bumps every time! I think qualifying was the best part at times! He had you drawn in big time....man it's giving me goose bumps thinking about it now! I wonder if anyone has any video clips with him announcing during qualifying?

Sprint28j · 10/23/09, 10:04 PM

The first race I remember is a local bracket drag race at Pacemackers Dragway in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. I was 2 maybe 3 years old. My parents have pics of me at the winter indoor quarter midget races in Columbus around 1982. The car I was standing next to has Robbie Stanley as the driver. I sure dad took me to Columbus Motor Speedway and Eldora on sundays when he wasn't drag racing.

My first time driving a racecar was sitting on Doug Krik's lap driving/warming up his ex Butch Leal pro stocker around National Trail Dragway east of columbus on a super wednesday show. I drove my first quarter midget race Dec. 3, 1987. National Trails used to let passengers in cars slower than 12.00 et. Dad says I had 100 plus passes under my belt by the age of 5 in a 1960 Chevy Station Wagon with a 283 that dad ran in NHRA T/SA and bracket racing at the many drag strips in Division 3. The reason I went down the track so much, I would cry if dad didn't take me with him. I quess this racing bug is really a sickness that has no known cure.

racephoto1 · 10/23/09, 11:42 PM

My first race I went to I was 2 months old. It was at Norwood Arena in Norwood Massachusetts. The first one I remember was a USAC sprint show at Reading . I was 4 or so. I got corrupted at a very early age.Been going down hill ever sense.

1BIGracefan · 10/23/09, 11:55 PM

My 1st was @ the fantastic Salem Speedway I was ONE month old. It was a USAC Midget race won by Mel Kenyon himself.

hoosierfan · 10/24/09, 11:58 AM

I would have to say my first race would have been spring of 82 at Kokomo, Anderson, or Bloomington considering those were my dad's favorite tracks to go to.
Posted via Mobile Device

MacTexas · 10/24/09, 7:55 PM

First race was 1958 Riverside Speedway Kansas City Ks. The winner was Bud Hunnicut.

SpfldMile · 10/24/09, 8:14 PM

I was too young to remember, but it would have been at Joe Shaheen's Springfield Speedway in the early 70's. I started going to races at the mile in 74', but I know I saw a bunch at Little Springfield first. The winner was probably Bubby Jones or Dean Shirley in those days, or even Al Thomas.

ColoradoFan · 10/24/09, 11:35 PM

1951, Fort Miami 1/4 mile in Maumee,Ohio, I was 10 yrs. old. I sat in the stands with my soon to be aunt while my uncle drove a 40 Ford sedan, yellow and black number 25, in the race. The oldtimers on here will remember those days of the flat head Fords with a hook welded on the dash to hold the car in second gear. The 1/4 mile was in front of the grandstands and used the straightaway of the mile horse track where Ronnie Householder won a number of AAA midget races.
First USAC sprint car race Aug. 5, 1962 New Bremen, OH. when it was still dirt. Don Branson was the winner in the Iddings 93 car. Unfortunately that was also my first fatality, Don Davis who crashed after taking the checkered flag.

Vern Plotts

upanddn · 10/24/09, 11:39 PM

There might have been a few trips to the speedrome (called Art Zipps in those days) prior, but the first one I remember was to the 61 Indy 500. Dad and I were sitting on top of the car on a makeshift platform he built. I remember Hurtibuise leading for awhile in the yellow Demlar Special, but we all know Foyt got his first one that day.

10/24/09, 8:14 PM	#78 Re: Where and when was your very first race?
SpfldMile Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1,345	I was too young to remember, but it would have been at Joe Shaheen's Springfield Speedway in the early 70's. I started going to races at the mile in 74', but I know I saw a bunch at Little Springfield first. The winner was probably Bubby Jones or Dean Shirley in those days, or even Al Thomas. __________________ For those about to rock, we salute you. _________________________________________________ Last edited by SpfldMile; 10/24/09 at 8:16 PM.

10/23/09, 8:07 PM	#71 Re: Where and when was your very first race?
50mcrewguy Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 45	Flat Rock, MI in July 1962. My uncle was running a figure 8 car, they also had late models. Don't remember who won the figure 8 race, but Joy Fair most likely won the late model feature. He owned that place in the 60's. Then we would go to Mount Clemens and Toledo. Also, the old Michigan State Fairground track was the first dirt track I saw in person that same summer, I was 6. Sure do miss the late models at Mount Clemens, they used to run the double-o for their feature, using both the 1/4 and 1/2 mile tracks. Thats some of the best and most entertaining races I've ever seen. First midget race, mid 70's, don't remember where except thinking those guys were nuts. Took my nephew, along with my brother to Daytona 1974, he was 6 months old, I guess it took, he went on and is in NC working for one of the Cup teams.

10/23/09, 8:17 PM	#72 Re: Where and when was your very first race?
sprinthead Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 95	My first race was in 1976, just a little over a year old at Santa Fe Speedway in Hinsdale, IL just outside of Chicago. Not sure what month, but was told I went frequently that year. First sprint car race was in October of 1977 at Eldora speedway. First World of Outlaw race was at Knoxville, IA in April 1978. I think it is safe to say I was hooked back in 1976. Best part of going to Eldora Speedway when I was young was sitting on my dad's shoulders so I could see the racing as we stood up top behind everyone. Felt like I had the best seat in the house! Lots of good memories at that place....some of the best racing I used to see there was watching Steve Kinser, Doug Wolfgang, and Sammy Swindell going at it lap after lap right on the wall. They were a lot slower back then and produced some great racing....I also miss the old announcer at Eldora. That guy game me goose bumps every time! I think qualifying was the best part at times! He had you drawn in big time....man it's giving me goose bumps thinking about it now! I wonder if anyone has any video clips with him announcing during qualifying?

10/23/09, 10:04 PM	#73 Re: Where and when was your very first race?
Sprint28j Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 26	The first race I remember is a local bracket drag race at Pacemackers Dragway in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. I was 2 maybe 3 years old. My parents have pics of me at the winter indoor quarter midget races in Columbus around 1982. The car I was standing next to has Robbie Stanley as the driver. I sure dad took me to Columbus Motor Speedway and Eldora on sundays when he wasn't drag racing. My first time driving a racecar was sitting on Doug Krik's lap driving/warming up his ex Butch Leal pro stocker around National Trail Dragway east of columbus on a super wednesday show. I drove my first quarter midget race Dec. 3, 1987. National Trails used to let passengers in cars slower than 12.00 et. Dad says I had 100 plus passes under my belt by the age of 5 in a 1960 Chevy Station Wagon with a 283 that dad ran in NHRA T/SA and bracket racing at the many drag strips in Division 3. The reason I went down the track so much, I would cry if dad didn't take me with him. I quess this racing bug is really a sickness that has no known cure.

10/23/09, 11:42 PM	#74 Re: Where and when was your very first race?
racephoto1 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 4,253	My first race I went to I was 2 months old. It was at Norwood Arena in Norwood Massachusetts. The first one I remember was a USAC sprint show at Reading . I was 4 or so. I got corrupted at a very early age.Been going down hill ever sense.

10/23/09, 11:55 PM	#75 Re: Where and when was your very first race?
1BIGracefan Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,100	My 1st was @ the fantastic Salem Speedway I was ONE month old. It was a USAC Midget race won by Mel Kenyon himself.

10/24/09, 11:58 AM	#76
hoosierfan Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 388	I would have to say my first race would have been spring of 82 at Kokomo, Anderson, or Bloomington considering those were my dad's favorite tracks to go to. Posted via Mobile Device

10/24/09, 11:39 PM	#80 Re: Where and when was your very first race?
upanddn Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 9	There might have been a few trips to the speedrome (called Art Zipps in those days) prior, but the first one I remember was to the 61 Indy 500. Dad and I were sitting on top of the car on a makeshift platform he built. I remember Hurtibuise leading for awhile in the yellow Demlar Special, but we all know Foyt got his first one that day.