Many of you probably know that Bobby Allison won his first "Cup" race at Oxford Plains Speedway in the late 1960's. I had heard the story a number of times about how he rolled into town the night before with a blown motor. His team supposedly went up to the Chevy dealer in town and put in a new one. I always took the story with a grain of salt, figuring that it was probably mythical. On Friday, I had a chance to sit with Bobby at NHIS and hear the whole story.
Bobby told me that they had blown their motor at a race out on Long Island a couple of nights before. They drove up anyway with the hope of finding a replacement motor. And find one they did. A motor that they paid $50 at the junkyard for. They worked all night to put the motor in and then went out and won the race the next day.
We joked about how it compared to the Cup Series of today.
Bob Bahre was sitting with us and told me that the total purse for that race was $6,000. Bobby said that he made less in all of 1977 than last place for the Daytona 500 paid this year. It was not a complaint, simply a statement of fact.
I know I appreciate every day the legacy that Bob Bahre created for me here at Oxford Plains Speedway. He put the track on the map and created the 250. I wonder how many of the current crop of Cup drivers appreciate what Bobby Allison created for them?
Monday, September 17, 2007
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Thats pretty cool. That reminds me of another guy that helped shape today's racing environment. I worked in the infield during the days of '250' being a BGN race. During time trials I got a chance to answer a few questions from David Pearson when he was there with Larry Pearson's Busch team. It was neat to see the "Silver Fox" leaning on the "Chattanooga Chew" car, chomping on a filtered cigar and joking around in a slow southern drawl with the crew. I was pretty young then (early 20's), but before that I was just 11 years old when I went to my first Cup race and saw Pierson win at Daytona in the old "Purolator #21" after crashing with Richard Petty on the last lap.
That one is for real. It happened at Harold's Motor Co.
At that time it was owned by my stepfather, Harold Wiley, who went on to own a couple other dealerships in the Portland area. Harold is now 80 years old, sharp as a tack and loves to talk about that weekend. I have heard the story many times. He and Mom just left to go back to Florida and We talked about it again then. I always have to say hi to Bob Bahre for Harold when we are at NHIS. I did this weekend and I also confirmed that he isn't buying back OPS to put in a Home Depot.
Very cool story Bill. Kind of funny that you post something cool about racing history and OPS and hardly anyone has a comment.
I believe at the 1986 Oxford 250 Bobby and Darrel Waltrip ran in the event. Afterwards they both hung around in the infield and my father and I got to say hello to both of them. They just stood there smiling and talking about Oxford and enjoying it. So much different these days after the races.
Mark,
I was not surprised. Such is racing. It is not about fun, it is about making yourself miserable.
Bill
I have actually been resisting posting for a couple of days. I so want to write a parody of the latest "press release" I saw regarding some club race happening this weekend.
I am trying to resist.
If I do write it, you will see the typical 50 comments about how I am firing things up, blah blah blah.
I just read the Maine Racing board for the first time in a week or so. They are still arguing about the same stuff. What will they argue about when those cars are gone?
Anyone hearing the same rumblings I am about an Edsel track?
Anyone check out car counts anywhere last week?
well to say the least....a 109 car count spread over 10 divisions is nothing but glorified heat racing. to me 109 cars should be the count for 4 or 5 divisions, not 10.
personally, i hope the edsels do not go away....why? because i like short track racing. i was at wiscasset last week (unfortunatly not too impressed with their show) and will be at BRMS this weekend, and OPS oct 6th, and probably star for their enduro at the end of the month, and probably any other track i can find thats running within a reasonable drive from my house. maybe even some karts.
Any division/tour with 20 plus competitive cars gets my attention, be it lms/slm, limited/super street or lawnmowers. And even the non competitive divisions/tours can be made so by a good handicapping system. I would say to any promotor if your fastest car/ point leader starts near the front, thats a recipe for a boring race.
how did doug White make a buck last week???? i seriously doubt that he did with the 200 people in the stands and 10 divisions of payouts, obviously thats not his priority and more power to him, i hope his endless bankroll continues. Will pass make $$$ at BRMS this weekend? probably, but looking at pit fees and entry fees i can see they are putting the pinch directly on the guys providing the show.
I dunno, I don't care what kind of car it is, i hope for good racing at all tracks....and i suggest we all start doing the same instead of slamming one camp or the other....when we do that we all hurt our sport we love so much
kvarn
MAINES BIGGEST RACERS MAKE MAINES BIGGEST RACE WEEKEND!!!!!!!!! GET OVER IT.
Well said Kvarn!!!!
I think it is a bad business model to expect a tour operator or track owner to fund racing out of his pocket because he likes it. What other business in America operates on that basis?
I agree with you Kevin. Racers should appreciate the folks that are taking money out of their wallet to fund tours and tracks. Like you said, more power to them.
Biggest as in tallest?
your right Bill, it is a bad busines model....as a fan, however, i love it. But i also recognize that people like myself that watch swamp buggy racing on espn because its racing are few and far between. I recognize that short track owners need to watch their p's and q's when it comes to $$$, and for that reason i support them all.
Shoot, if i had a billion dollars, i'd run some pretty crazy races that paid a crap load of $$$ just cause i could. But if i was trying to make a living then i'd have to run it like a business.
Bottom line when i look at ANY track in the state of maine and see 800 to 1000 people in the stands vs. what it used to be in the old days, i realize that because of the way things are these days that short track racing in itself is a dying breed. And no amount of rich guys throwing $$$ around to any type of race car is going to change that. What will help change that is US. Us as fans, officials, track owners/promotors, and racers out there beating the drum and working together (and yes Bill, i know from conversation you have and do try to work with other promotors)to any one who will listen, and even a few that won't listen to come to a local track...and bring a friend. Lets stop infighting and complaining and making each other miserable, and start doing our share to build whatever track you attend, or it will be gone soon. We (short tracks nationwide) are not NASCAR, we are better, people just don't know it yet.
kvarn
I want to see those swamp buggy races live. I have driven past where they run them a few times but I have never hit the right race weekend,
I hear you on the rest of the stuff Kevin. Unfortunately, cooperation will not occur in my opinion.
your probably right on that....never seen the buggys live either bu ti would if i was in the area. I guess i just wish that we (a collective we) would all work together to promote what we love rather then bicker back and forth all the time
kvarn
Steve Perry and Marco were speaking positively about Oxford Plains on the Mainely Motosports the other night and even showing some in-car footage and promoting the upcoming ACT race. Being two outspoken people against Oxford's changes I thought this was good to see.
I cannot watch that clip or I would have a heart attack! Actually, I am just kidding. Steve is a nice guy. He has always been a pleasure to deal with.
What is the deal with that show? Where does it air and when?
It airs on Wednesday nights cable channel 9 at 9:00pm was a real good show last night
where i live it is on wednesday nights at 8 on channell 12...
That would be belfast, not sure if it is same channe;; in oxford...
awesome...that what i like to hear...i know henceforth i will be trying to speak on a posative note about most any racing here in maine.
kvarn
the club race will still be better than the powder puff race you ran in july billy boy
Kevin, I guess some keyboard commando's arent going to take you up on the positive postings idea. If I dont see you at the Ridge, maybe catch you at the Milk Bowl or the OPS finale.
One more thing, it really shows the mentality level of some anonymouses when even a post about a racing legend veers into the "oh yeah, well you suck" mentality.
Anyone know what the payout purse was last night at the ridge? I cant seem to find it anywhere. Thanks
well kev...all we can do is try. I'll be in the pit area saturday, undecided on sunday because of the $$$. when is the milkbowl? I have not been to troad since 1986, maybe its time i make a trip.
kvarn
kvarn,
The Milk Bowl is next weekend - Sat and Sun.
cool....i may head up
kvarn
thunder road is AMAZING......i absolutly love that place and the ACT type late models put on a helluva show there!
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