If you would, check me and o'l DW out! This picture was taken in Darlington, South Carolina in 1982. My stepfather, Don, and my mom took my two sisters and me to the Southern 500 that year. As it happened, Darrell and his family were staying in the same hotel as my family. I will freely admit that I was a big time DW fan from the time I was 8 or 9 up until the day he retired. I recall Buddy Baker sitting on the pole that day and Dale Earnhardt won the race. For those of you that don’t know, Dale Earnhardt was driving a Ford that day for the famous Wood Brothers racing team. DW didn’t fair too well that day for some reason… I can't remember. of course, memories of that race bring back old memories from other races I attended while growing up in Lincoln County.
As I remember, the first race I ever had the pleasure of attending was Bristol in 1982. And DW was the man to beat. Both Darrell and Dale were pitting directly in front of ware I was sitting. After trading paint with Earnhardt all day, Waltrip, finally,
prevailed as the victor. My emotions were of disbelief! I had just witnessed my first cup race, at the age of 10, and my all-time favorite driver had just won. How I miss those days! I really had a great childhood. One distinct memory of the day that sticks out in my memory, was that is the guy sitting next to me was a big Earnhardt fan. However I just couldn’t understand why he keep flipping o'l DW the bird ever time he pitted.
In 2000, I was fortunate enough to attend the last Talladega race Darrell ever drove in, which also turned out to be Dale's last Talladega win. It was a sad day for all DW fans because DW ran so far in the back that he lost the draft, while Dale Earnhardt put on one of the greatest performances ever by any driver in any series.
In 1983 I saw the "King," Richard Petty win the Winston 500, for what it's worth! How many folks can say that they actually saw Richard Petty win a race? Country singer Marty Robbins drove in the race that day. Needless to say, o'l DW didn't do that
well that day. I remember DW being involved in a crash that took place in turn 1 with Phil Parsons and host of other drivers. It just so happened that my step-dad, Don and I were walking to the bathrooms located in turn one of the monstrous Talladega track when the wreck occurred.
Darrell is a Kentucky boy who won 84 races and 3 Sprint cups. He also was the first driver to ever win over a million dollars in a single season…not bad for one of us hillbillies!
I want to send a shout to an old hometown-racing hero of mine, Ronnie Bates.
Back in the day, Ronnie used to take me to the racetrack in Corbin when he raced
on Saturday nights. I remember watching Ronnie drive his first ARCA series race in Atlanta. Since then, Ronnie has gone on to race at some of the biggest tracks in the world, including my favorite track; Talladega. Go Ronnie go!
As I remember, the first race I ever had the pleasure of attending was Bristol in 1982. And DW was the man to beat. Both Darrell and Dale were pitting directly in front of ware I was sitting. After trading paint with Earnhardt all day, Waltrip, finally,
prevailed as the victor. My emotions were of disbelief! I had just witnessed my first cup race, at the age of 10, and my all-time favorite driver had just won. How I miss those days! I really had a great childhood. One distinct memory of the day that sticks out in my memory, was that is the guy sitting next to me was a big Earnhardt fan. However I just couldn’t understand why he keep flipping o'l DW the bird ever time he pitted.
In 2000, I was fortunate enough to attend the last Talladega race Darrell ever drove in, which also turned out to be Dale's last Talladega win. It was a sad day for all DW fans because DW ran so far in the back that he lost the draft, while Dale Earnhardt put on one of the greatest performances ever by any driver in any series.
In 1983 I saw the "King," Richard Petty win the Winston 500, for what it's worth! How many folks can say that they actually saw Richard Petty win a race? Country singer Marty Robbins drove in the race that day. Needless to say, o'l DW didn't do that
well that day. I remember DW being involved in a crash that took place in turn 1 with Phil Parsons and host of other drivers. It just so happened that my step-dad, Don and I were walking to the bathrooms located in turn one of the monstrous Talladega track when the wreck occurred.
Darrell is a Kentucky boy who won 84 races and 3 Sprint cups. He also was the first driver to ever win over a million dollars in a single season…not bad for one of us hillbillies!
I want to send a shout to an old hometown-racing hero of mine, Ronnie Bates.
Back in the day, Ronnie used to take me to the racetrack in Corbin when he raced
on Saturday nights. I remember watching Ronnie drive his first ARCA series race in Atlanta. Since then, Ronnie has gone on to race at some of the biggest tracks in the world, including my favorite track; Talladega. Go Ronnie go!
1 comment:
Jim, thanks for these comments. I just now finding them while looking at your website. It was a hoot to have you with us at the short track races. It's always a hoot to be around you my friend. Best of luck to you in your musical career. Your friend, Ronnie Bates
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