Capt_Redneck

http://www.thatsracin.com/2012/01/17/80759/evans-was-star-in-modified-circles.html ThatsRacin.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Evans long ruled the Modified realm By Scott Fowler - sfowler@charlotteobserver.com Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012 The first three classes of NASCAR’s Hall of Fame mostly have been reserved for the giants of the sport’s top series – men with names like Earnhardt, Petty, Pearson and France. In this year’s third induction class, though, is a man named Richie Evans. And if you only follow stock-car racing’s Sprint Cup series, right now you’re wondering: “Richie Who?†But Evans’ posthumous induction this week in Charlotte is a victory for all the men who race on half-mile or smaller tracks and work on them at small garages for the joy of it. He is the only one of the 15 men so far elected into the sport’s hall with no ties to NASCAR’s top series. “This induction just screams volumes about the importance of local level, short-track racing,†said Dick Berggren, who covered Evans for years, does NASCAR pit reporting for Fox Sports and serves as executive editor for Speedway Illustrated magazine. Nicknamed the “Rapid Roman†because of his roots in Rome, N.Y., Evans never raced a single time in what is now the Cup series. He never got rich by racing, either. But he became the king of the NASCAR Modified division, where he won nine national championships during a 13-year period and established a reputation for both working and playing hard. “Personality-wise, he was a lot like (the late NASCAR driver) Tim Richmond,†Berggren said. “Tim had people who wanted to be with him, be around him. Richie was like that, too. Tim could drive anything and win, and Richie could as well.†Jimmy Spencer drove against Evans for several years in the Modified division before making his move to the Cup series. “He was one of the best drivers I’ve ever driven against, including (Dale) Earnhardt and Rusty Wallace and guys like that,†Spencer said. “Just an incredible competitor.†Although Evans became a larger-than-life character in the world of low-slung, open-wheel NASCAR Modified stock cars, he never wavered from those small-town roots. He grew up on a dairy farm in upstate New York. Rome was his home base for decades until he died in a practice crash in Martinsville, Va., in 1985. Evans’ cars always were orange, dating from early in his career when someone with a connection to his shop happened to “find†some extra paint the city of Rome used to paint its snowplows. That paint found its way onto Evans’ No. 61 car and eventually became his signature color. A gifted mechanic, Evans worked on his own cars alongside his crew and frequently raced four times a week and up to 80-110 times a year. In those days, every NASCAR-sanctioned race was an opportunity to gain points. In some years – particularly during his streak of eight straight Modified championships in 1978-85 – a floppy-haired Evans won more than half the races he entered. NASCAR credits Evans with an estimated 1,300 starts and 475 wins, but no one really knows for sure. A winner’s check for a typical Modified race back then was $2,500. Evans made enough to race full-time and live a comfortable lifestyle – moving South and trying out the Cup series never became a serious consideration. Much like Earnhardt, Evans could be gracious or intense, depending upon his mood. “He almost had a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign hung on his face before a big race,†said journalist Bones Bourcier, who wrote “Richie!†– a 2005 biography of Evans. “But when he was in the other mood, mostly after a race, there was no one more fun to talk to. He not only enjoyed a good party, often he was the party. And not the guy who was stumbling around. Richie was always in control. He liked to instigate.†Evans was kind to other racers, giving them advice on how to set up their car or drive on a certain track even though they might beat him doing so. “I would go and ask him for help sometimes,†Spencer said. “And he wouldn’t ever tell you ‘No.’ †In 1985, at age 44, Evans still was the king of Modified stock-car racing. He clinched his eighth consecutive national title in the next-to-last race of the year, then headed to Martinsville for what should have been a no-pressure season finale. But during a practice run, Evans hit the wall head-on in a one-car accident. The prevailing theory has long been that his throttle stuck, but the evidence was inconclusive. “The enduring mystery of the crash added to everybody’s grief,†Bourcier said. “As in Earnhardt’s case, when a guy reaches a certain level you don’t expect him to be killed in a relatively simple-looking crash.†Twice married, Evans left behind six children. If he were alive today, he would be 70. And he undoubtedly would have been the life of the party once more at his Hall of induction in Charlotte this week. Instead, those with a bent toward NASCAR history are left to educate the younger generation about how good Evans really was. Said NASCAR driver Tony Stewart in a recent SPEED documentary on Evans: “He was what Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty are to the Cup Series. That’s what Richie Evans was to Modified.â€

Richie Evans "King Of The Modifieds". This one driver holds special meaning to me. I watched him race locally growing up. He is the only hall of famer so far that hasn't raced at the Cup level. I grew up on Long Island and went to our local track "World Famous" Islip Speedway up until it closed in 1984. I only lived about 2 miles from the track. Modifieds and figure 8 racing were the main features. Modifieds especially. The Northeast and Long Island back in the 70s and 80s was "Modified Country". I watched so many soon to be famous drivers beat and get beat by our local boys. Geoff Bodine, Greg Sacks, Steve Park, Jimmy Spencer and local legends Charlie Jarzombek, Jim Hendrickson, Fred Harbach, Tom Baldwin ( Tommy Baldwin Racing - his father), Tom McCann Al D'Angelo. These guys are legends to me. Plus I think modifieds are the most beautiful race cars out there.

David Ragan and David Gilliland will be locked into the first 5 races of the season. Front Row was in the top 35 of owner points for both cars so they don't have to worry until race #6.

Great song about current state of country music artists and songs. I love songs that speak their mind. Lotta Boot Left To Fill - Eric Church

Now IF someone from HazzardNet did buy Coy's General, would Mufn', Brian or MaryAnne be entitled to cut of the sale??? Just kidding about that. Anyway I understand the rules and such and am glad this info was posted here. I only wish I had that kind of money for a car. I would spend it on that one instead of the "other" LEE that is going to auction. I'm gone Darrell

Volcano How many remember the movie Joe Vs. The Volcano?

Thanks Hoss.. the thumbnails weren't loading for me earlier and I couldn't see them. Everything is working fine now and thanks again for the photos. I'm gone Darrell

Hoss...now see if you post a screen cap John Schneider. That woulld complete the Dukes cast in SATB... I'm gone Darrell

Yes The Andrew Sisters are legends. They earned their place in history especially during the WWII era. Now here is one from a real cool Cat that brings back the swing/big band sound. The Dirty Boogie - The Brian Setzer Orchestra

Another one from a legend. Thank God I'm A Country Boy - John Denver

Here is a great live version from "The Man In Black"

Thank the Lord...

This is the description of the car from Barrett-jackson... http://www.barrett-jackson.com/application/onlinesubmission/lotdetails.aspx?ln=1291&aid=443&pop=0

He won't get near the amount they estimate. I think he will be lucky to what he paid for it ($1000 approx). Once people know the true history and how it was obtained and the so-called resto, it should have no real value.. Again just my opinion. I'm gone Darrell

Still waiting to see where David Ragan will be racin this year. Just got a message from him today that he is working on announcing what team and series he will be in. I'm gone Darrell

Found this article today on foxnews.com. General Lee #1 going up for auction at Barrett-Jackson. http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2012/01/03/original-general-lee-jumping-auction-block/?test=faces I can't believe it will get to the price they estimated ($1 mil). Not saying the car isn't worth it but if you know the history of Lee # 1 and what was done to it both in the restoration and who did the restoration it isn't worth much at all. But that is my opinion. I'm gone Darrell

Another song about rain for ya.

Yeah would be nice to see the General Lee paint scheme on the track but NASCRAP would never allow it. Too many "corporate" sponsors to appease that would would not like to associate themselves with sim ple things like the Dukes Of Hazzard. That is where the sport is today and because of thinking like that , NASCRAP has lost way too many of it's older fanbase. Back in 2004 a company Redneck Junk wanted to sponsor a car but NASCRAP wouldn't allow it because of image problems. http://www.scenedaily.com/news/articles/sprintcupseries/nascar_hurts_small_teams_ignores_heritage.html Ever since Sprint/Nextel and Brian France took over NASCRAP it has forgotten about the past that heritage that built it. Enough of me being on the soapbox.. I'm gone Darrell

That is what I have been saying for years... I love the show and love the movie, I still pop the DVD(Theatrical version - still mad it isn't widescreen though) in often . I'm gone Darrell

Sorry Hoss but have to get back to some good music..

Here's one from one of the GREATEST bands ever...A tribute to both Dimebag Darrell and Kurt Cobain

I know it's not the original but Elvis's take on this classic is unforgettable. Blue Moon Of Kentucky - Elvis Presley

Here is one from the Reverend Willie G. Blue Jean Blues - ZZ Top

I like country but am not a fan of the Nashville "pop" country sound. I like a lot of the less mainstream country - Jason Boland & The Stragglers, Stoney LaRue, Aaron Watson, Roger Creager, Pat Green, The Randy Rogers Band, Casey Donahew and one of the best "outlaws" Jackson Taylor & The Sinners. Here is Jackson Taylor's song "Country Song". I agree 100% with his take on the state of country music. He is also a great guy, met him and hung out with him when I was in Texas.

House