Got to see both Larry Rice and "Sleepy" Trip race Midgets in Australia, in the very, very early 1980s. Boy, did those guys know their business or what? I was left deeply impressed, along with the whole Country at the time, by sheer talent of these Men and the raw power they could squeeze out of their vehicles. Outstanding!! I for one, will ALWAYS remember them, both of managed to race on these shores on several, seperate occasion, always with the most exciting of results!! Well done, both of you guys ... Unfortunately gone, but never forgotten!!
Mel Kenyon is the GOAT as far as I'm concerned. Love hearing Gary Lee and Larry Rice again they used to holler "WHOA" announcing these races more than Bill and Ted used the expression.
My brother and a buddy of mine went to that event, I couldn't go because of a commitment announcing on Sat night at a track in PA................they said it was intense in the stands for a few mins...............I've been to this place many times.........probably this, Salem, the old I-70 pavement and Toledo are my favorite short tracks in the Midwest...
Keep em comin! I grew up watching this stuff and actually contacted Lingner group to get a few old archives. I miss it soooo much. Thanks for doing this with all these old Thunder episodes!!!!
I went to Winchester once, I believe it was the Sammy Sessons Memoral race. It was late in the year and colder than a well digger's ass. I was coming down with the flu and it's a long drive from Louisville. I had my insulated overalls on, and it amaized me how many people were there in shorts and t-shirts, suffering. Salem is 25 miles up the road so when I need a high bank fix I just go there.
thanks charles, im glad youve started doing the full show in one part, that really helps to re-live these thunder shows just as they happened, any chance you could do a few of the old 15 min vids over and make them the full shows? this is some of my FAVORITE Classic racing.
it's so weird seeing Doug Kalitta in a midget. i knew he'd raced em but i was too young. actually an early memory i have is of doug's first drag race in 98
Steve Butler- Most unappreciated USAC dominator of that era. where was his REAL shot? that Indy try was nothing more than the equivalent to a NASCAR Start and Park team in reality, and its sad.
It is total B.S. that free networks only show NASCAR when sprint cars are the best racing there is and now you have to pay to watch it. I know it's all about the money.
Got to see both Larry Rice and "Sleepy" Trip race Midgets in Australia, in the very, very early 1980s.
Boy, did those guys know their business or what? I was left deeply impressed, along with the whole Country at the time, by sheer talent of these Men and the raw power they could squeeze out of their vehicles. Outstanding!! I for one, will ALWAYS remember them, both of managed to race on these shores on several, seperate occasion, always with the most exciting of results!!
Well done, both of you guys ... Unfortunately gone, but never forgotten!!
In 1994, I discovered the magic of Thursday Night Thunder and forever fell in love
This is when I first discovered Tony Stewart, he immediately became my favorite driver of all time.
It's a shame they don't have saturday night thunder anymore. I remember watching this race on tv!
Flo racing
So much better than anything in NASCAR, then or now.
Back when ESPN actually had racing on it.
And when it actully cared about racing.
Mel Kenyon is the GOAT as far as I'm concerned. Love hearing Gary Lee and Larry Rice again they used to holler "WHOA" announcing these races more than Bill and Ted used the expression.
A family size bag of Doritos, an ice cold Coke, and the house to myself. Good times....
Thank you for posting these videos, I only saw the ones from Indianapolis park.
My brother and a buddy of mine went to that event, I couldn't go because of a commitment announcing on Sat night at a track in PA................they said it was intense in the stands for a few mins...............I've been to this place many times.........probably this, Salem, the old I-70 pavement and Toledo are my favorite short tracks in the Midwest...
Keep em comin! I grew up watching this stuff and actually contacted Lingner group to get a few old archives. I miss it soooo much. Thanks for doing this with all these old Thunder episodes!!!!
Glad to see you have this in full. My version only had the sprint feature.
Man I remember that fire vividly even all these years later- one of the scariest incidents I ever saw on SNT.
I went to Winchester once, I believe it was the Sammy Sessons Memoral race. It was late in the year and colder than a well digger's ass. I was coming down with the flu and it's a long drive from Louisville. I had my insulated overalls on, and it amaized me how many people were there in shorts and t-shirts, suffering. Salem is 25 miles up the road so when I need a high bank fix I just go there.
A “Well Digger’s Ass?” That’s an *interesting* metaphor...
Rip tony Elliot
thanks charles, im glad youve started doing the full show in one part, that really helps to re-live these thunder shows just as they happened, any chance you could do a few of the old 15 min vids over and make them the full shows? this is some of my FAVORITE Classic racing.
it's so weird seeing Doug Kalitta in a midget. i knew he'd raced em but i was too young. actually an early memory i have is of doug's first drag race in 98
Can you believe I-Racing doesn't have this historic track scanned and isn't available to race at?
Salem Speedway too
I can't figure out why?...lol
Steve Butler- Most unappreciated USAC dominator of that era. where was his REAL shot? that Indy try was nothing more than the equivalent to a NASCAR Start and Park team in reality, and its sad.
Steve butler raced for my grandpa gorge tony
do you have that race shown with Bob Siccony's crash at 1:24
Yes. The full race is here: 1991 USAC Midgets at Winchester
The Cicconi crash by itself is here: 1991 Bob Cicconi Midget Crash at Winchester
It is total B.S. that free networks only show NASCAR when sprint cars are the best racing there is and now you have to pay to watch it. I know it's all about the money.
Was there