Pipe Smoke – Historic videos on YouTube

I’d like to start this with belated St. Patty’s day wishes to all of my Irish friends.

Never forget one job interview with an person of Irish decent. He was drinking a beer! I got the job and stayed there for a number of years. Had a lot of fun and the dealership is still operating in Chicopee Ma.

Also like to wish my wife a happy birthday. Since 1990, Janet has been my partner and best friend. Today she is making corned beef and cabbage!

On Monday I paid a visit to one of my favorite racing teams. The Kia was overdue for it’s state inspection and Joe Reszutek operates A&H Service in Chicopee. Had a chance to chat with Joe while the Kia was getting looked at. He and daughter Lori compete at Stafford Motor Speedway. Talk about a traditional racing team! Joe is a veteran late model driver who cut his racing teeth at the former Riverside Park Speedway. Lori started at Monadnock Speedway, gaining experience on the high banked 1/4 before moving to the flatter 1/2 mile at Stafford.

While sitting and waiting, I picked up a copy of Area Auto Racing News. Nice to see that Lenny and his crew are still at it despite the increased competition provided the internet. When I was traveling, AARN was always filling the number 2 slot on my reading list behind the infamous Speedway Scene. www.aarn.com

My favorite Cup announcers are/were Dave Moody, Mike Joy and Benny Parsons. I always loved Benny’s knowledge and his love of both life and the sport. Dave and I go back to the FF era, although he would not have wanted to be seen with me. It could ruin your drinking! Mike Joy also has New England roots. So much for name dropping!

Had some time to do some web surfing this week. Found some very interesting historic videos on You Tube. Some of it is rare footage and some simply replays of recent Cup races. One fo the more interesting videos is a crash during the 1960 modified sportsman race at Daytona. Picture this, mid 50s Fords and Chevs, mixed with fendered pre war coupes on the high banks. Amazing thing is that given the lack of technology and the number of cars, there was no fire and no serious injuries. I would think that many of these cars were but one step removed from the short tracks of the day.

If you never saw the big blocks on the square oval at Flemington N.J., you missed something

Prayers for the families of Stub Fadden and Hal Marshman. Got word about Stubby after last week’s column went in. He competed at Catamount Speedway and on the early Busch North series. Sad thing about the internet is that more people will know of his passing than ever saw him race. Rev Hal served as the pastor for Daytona International Speedway for many years.

Another lap down. Find me at kokoracer@gmail.com, on facebook or hanging with the gang at wwww.e-aa.org