CLUELESS #43

[Trojan Joe]

Details I have alot of good stories from that season I can share in person. I had an opportunity to work with the late Alan Kulwicki during the 1988 season. It was by no means a multi-million dollar operation you see now in NASCAR. He had 4 cars in a small garage in Concord, NC. A few times we showed up at the track with 1 motor for the entire weekend. That year he won a bunch of poles, breaking a few track records in the process; and of course invented the "Polish Victory Lap" with his first win at Phoenix. Alan was detail oriented, a perfectionist and a hands on owner/driver. I learned alot about making the most of what you had and in the process out performing the high dollar teams because of his attention to details.

I was always a Petty fan growing up and always wanted to get a pic with him. I had the opportunity when the families were in the pits before driver introductions, put my kid on his lap and the wife snapped the shot. I had the photo made into an 8x10 and a few weeks later, my son went over to him to get it signed. The King put my kid on his lap again, discussed the picture with him and signed it. I cherish that photo to this day....

Here is a pic of Dale and Neil Bonnet before a race in 1988, I believe that is a young Jounior behind him.

The next pic is prior to the World 600 in Charlotte 1988, DW one the race and we got 3rd.

[matey1]

trojan joe that pic of the king in the ford is priceless. i got to meet alan kulwicki a few times as winner ford was an associate sponsor and they always brought him to their stores for the customers. they even rented the old benigans for a couple hours past closing one time and he went around and made sure he talked to everyone in attendance. it was the golden age for sure.

[WAHOONBOX]

COOL PICS TROJAN!!! WOW....

I NEED TO UPLOAD A FILM I HAVE OF MY BROTHER DRIVING IN AN "ENDURO" RACE AT SOUTH BOSTON YEARS AGO..... HE WAS SPUN AROUND......AND TOOK A LAP BACKWARDS SO THAT HE COULD MAKE IT TO PIT LANE WITHOUT LOOSING A LAP

I WONDER WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO THAT 71 TORINO....?

ENDURO RACING WAS FUN FOR US BACK IN THE 80'S ....SHANNON DROVE...I WORKED THE PIT/WATCHED HIS KIDS/SCORE KEEPER ETC ETC.....ONCE WE TOOK THE CAR TO HICKORY FOR A 200 LAP RACE....HE ASKED ME DID I WANT T DRIVE......WHAT? ME? I HATE SPEED! BUT ....AFTER PRODING....I SUCKED IT UP AND CRAWLED INTO HIS FIRE SUIT AND WENT RACING WITH NO PRACTICE


FINISHINED 19TH OUT OF 68 CARS......

WHEN WE TRIED TO PUT THE CAR BACK UP ON THE CAR HAULER TO HEAD HOME, THE READ AXLE BROKE IN HALF....AND WE LEFT THE CAR SITTING AT THE TRACK.... AND WENT HOME CARLESS


GREAT STORY JOE!