There was nothing better than seeing Dick Gaines in the #70 coming flat out down the front straight way going into turn one with a rooster tail of dirt flying on The Kentucky International Raceway in the mid 60's. Memories of Dick Gaines I will never forget, always worth the money just to see him race on that track.
Originally Posted by 5JMOFFATTFAN!:
Just curious .... Has Dickie Gaines won the dick gaines memorial before ?? I might have even watched the race and forgot just couldn't remember..
Was very fortunate to see some of the second half of his career, Mostly remember him in the Kinser #11 or #22 along with Wilkerson, Krebs, Deputy, Millburn, Gillstrap. Salaminto, Sheldon and Bob Kinser and many more.
Looking back, The racing was very different. Drivers weren't skinny but burley, Tires weren't super wide, Motors didn't hit seven thousand rpm and may have had 4-500 horses (Junkyard motor, Cam and Pistons) There were no Monster Sliders (Ever) The fast qualifiers were started on the tail (Penalized for turning a lap under your qualifying time which was questionable at best) and often by lap 15 two or three of them were either in the lead or vying for it. Tracks were almost never meticulously groomed and smooth. Often two or three holes would be in the tracks and sometimes that was just the fast way around. Drive through it and gas it! They were also often pretty sloppy at the beginning of the night and run in as the event proceeded. Qualifying, Fast Car Dashes and Victory lane photos were part of every race.
I never heard the term *GAINES CRUISE* until after he'd passed but looking back at the races I witnessed. Thats exactly what they were if he got the lead. He may have had to battle to get the lead and sometimes race side by side several laps to get the lead. But once he had it. HE WAS CRUISING! Quite honestly, I didn't even know he won the Knoxville Nationals and several other big races till I got older. As a kid All I knew was The Burg, and he was several time Champion.
I always consider this race very special. Memories of actual races and incidents that took place fade but I can still picture that #11 on the cushion and in Victory Lane and a Beast of a man climbing out. Sideburns and all. Also that his shoulders and arms were outside the cage wheeling that car most of the time on a big 'ol steering wheel and the only power steering were them Biceps.
