Fifteen years ago in 1993, the NASCAR Featherlite
Modified Tour Series traveled to Richmond for a 25-lap event, which
served as a preview of an up-coming event. Jeff Fuller took the event
over Doug Hevron, Mike Stefanik, Reggie Ruggiero and Mike Ewanitsko.
Mark Martin made the Busch Grand National event at Richmond a no-contest
affair as he coasted to an easy win over Joe Nemachek. In Winston Cup
action, Davey Allison beat out Rusty Wallace by 4.38 seconds for the
win.
Ten years ago in 1998, Steve Park, well on his
way to becoming a NASCAR Winston Cup superstar suffered a major setback
at Atlanta when he crashed during a practice session and suffered a
broken leg, collarbone and broken teeth. Bobby Labonte won the actual
event, which was run on Monday because of rain.
Five years ago in 2003, Ryan Newman was the
Winston Cup pole sitter at Atlanta. Bill Elliott was the outside pole
sitter. Bobby Labonte took the lead from Jeff Gordon with 11 laps to go
in the 325 lap-400 mile contest. Many suffered blown engines on what has
become one of NASCAR’s fastest tracks. Less than a full house of fans
was observed.
Last year, 2007, the big news of the week was
the joining forces of Zach Sylvester and Curt Chase for a run for the
Whelen Modified Tour Series title. Sylvester, who calls Hebron, CT home
and Chase who is from Mansfield are almost neighbors.
Veteran photographer Howie Hodge reported that Wild Bill
Slater had successfully undergone open-heart surgery. Hodge stated that
the 1965 Race of Champions winner was operated on at the St Francis
Hospital on Friday, Mar 9. He added that he had a couple months of
recovery time ahead of him, but was handling it well. Slater, originally
from Danielson, CT became one of the first New England Superstars of
Auto Racing. Numerous feature wins and track titles topped by a Race of
Champions win at Langhorne, PA made him a true icon of the sport. It was
Slater who convinced Jack Arute to first lease, then buy the Stafford
Motor Speedway in 1970-71.
Jimmie Johnson beat teammate Jeff Gordon to win his third
straight Nextel Cup race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Johnson received a
pit-road penalty and a slight bounce off the wall, but otherwise had few
problems navigating around the track that was under intense scrutiny all
weekend because of changes owner Bruton Smith made to the 1.5-mile
speedway. The changes included an increase in the banking from 12
degrees to 20, and a curved pit lane unlike anything the drivers had
seen before. Because the new surface produced such fast speeds, Goodyear
had to bring a very hard left-side tire that was capable of withstanding
the loads. There were nine cautions, most of them products of the new
configuration and tough tire. David Ragan spun on the opening lap, and
Casey Mears, Robby Gordon and Ward Burton were in a three-car accident
10 laps in. Joe Nemechek and Dave Blaney wrecked eight laps after that.
Johnson led 89 of the 267 laps en route to the win, but it
came at Gordon's expense. Gordon led 111 laps, but thought he had a flat
left-rear tire following a late round of pit stops and gave up the lead
to Jeff Burton with 32 laps to go. Johnson got by both of them five laps
later and held on after a final restart with 11 to go. Jeff Burton won
the Busch Series event that was a wreckfest.
This week here are
several vintage racing photos of "Wild Bill" Slater
courtesy of
vintagemodifieds.com
Eastern States Expo
Fairgrounds 1959 A 1960's
first class operation
Norwood Arena
Ring my chimes at 401-596-5467 E-mail:
smithpe_97_97@yahoo.com
The Chrome Horn
'Looking Back with Phil Smith' Archive
THE END