memories of 311

[latemodeljunky]

ive nevr posted on here but get on regular to see whaqts up and when racing is gonna start again. so insted of negative smack about 311 lets make a change. do any of you recall any of the 80-90os of the track? like i remember as a kid standing in the pits after a race and watching booper bare run some hot laps when the only light he had was the moon and a lilttle light right at pit road entrance,that was awsome to hear him set it in the corners and watching him go by that little light........... oh the memories!

[dirtywhiteboy]

lots of great memories,..growing up at 311,..use to play racecars in the dirt with matchbox cars at the bottom of the concrete bleachers!!whish my younguns had the same oppatunity!!!

[Gr8DirtFan]

Several good memories as a teenager there. My best friends dad drove the Cam2 gas truck and we would sit on the top watching the races. Years were 81-86. I posted some old pictures I took back then, I think back in May.

[Fiesty]

Many, many fond memories. I know of someone that even has a short video clip of the first race ever held at 311.

[latemodeljunky]

remember them 2 super streets that were sponserd by allied i think, they were blue and white if i remember correctly! anyone know who drove them?

[jojoracer]

I remember Herbbie Poole running completly
over Wayne Megee taking his whole body
off except or the lf fender, the thing of it
is they never stoped racing, but they stoped
the race to remove the fiberglass body, he he.
I remember Philip Richardson taking the lead
while air born , two cars were leading I believe
Donald Tucker and Benny Davis, they were
running side by side, and Philip had a run going
he went in between then they were closing
together, they all come together at once
Philip went air borne about 3 ft off the groung
I don't think he lifted, still made the pass
no body wrecked........I remember a heat
race with 6 cars ????? they went 5 wide
down the back strait, and the other car was
looking for a place to stick his nose.
And son! this is just the tip of the iceburg
of the races i've seen at this place....
I think it had alot to do with driving and
leaf springs, just my way of thinking??
you used to see alot of racing close to
someone 1 inch off there Qtr panel, you
don't see that much any more??? Cars jerk
around too much....

[DirtBlood]

i have seen so many races there i only wish i could remember all of them, have seen the local guys out run the then have a tampa guys and the other way around. but back then we had good shows every week good close racing and then of course the times when they would beat and bang till it ended in trouble lol you guys know what i mean. oh for the good ol day to return

[Racngal]

I have alot of fond memories of 311 myself. There has been alot of good teams to sling dirt there and has kept me on the edge of my seat numerous times.

I also remember a Super race there and Ken Shrader was racing...NASCAR was in Martinsville. Ken knows that I'm kin to David Pearson and that I know Terry and Kim Wood Hall. Well, Carl Edwards rolls up to 311 and looks for a Super to race. People were coming from all over asking Carl to do a flip and for autographs and stuff. I was in Ken's trailer talking to him about the "rules" that night. Carl came over and asked me about the performance of Bill Tesh's car...so we got to talking and Ken told Carl about me being kin to David. Well, I thanked Carl for coming to 311 to race and apologized for him having tons of people around him all the time and then I said...Carl...I'm gonna ask you something tonight that nobody here will ask you...he said what? I said...well, do you want my autograph? lol He started laughing and said yes I do....hehehe I tore off a piece of paper and said Good Luck to Carl Edwards, From Lisa Pearson...hehehe We still get laughs about that...hehehehe

I sure do hope that we continue to make memories at 311 because it's too good of a track to be sitting there...and I love to see the awesome teams that go out there and race for all they are worth every week.

[jojoracer]

i have seen so many races there i only wish i could remember all of them, have seen the local guys out run the then have a tampa guys and the other way around. but back then we had good shows every week good close racing and then of course the times when they would beat and bang till it ended in trouble lol you guys know what i mean. oh for the good ol day to return

Speaking of that and seeing Garys car in your avatar. I'm remembering a Hav-A-Tampa
race there in 94 or 95. The Dunn Benson Ford car won 2 weeks before I can't remember
If it was Earl Pearson Jr or not but, Gary started in the back came to 2nd with about 10
laps left, the Dunn Benson car was a strait away ahead Gary still running easy, waiting
for a caution so he could burn him a new one, caution never came, and Gary finished 2nd
about 1/2 a strait back...... now the rest of the story......my engine builder made freinds
with the crew chief of there car, they were talking after the race. I tapped him on the
sholder and said ( you know Gary never opened his car up) He looked at me like I was
crazy..... 2 weeks later the big race Gary won the Dunn Benson Ford was 4th. he he..
I just Love it when that happens.......

[zacharygirl19]

There have been some great racing moments there, but I love the place because of all the wonderful friends I met since we started racing there. Shoot, I'd get there as soon as the gates opened just so I could have time to socialize with everyone before the racing began LOL. And of course, 311's where I met my husband too! :tongue:

[~giggles~]

There have been some great racing moments there, but I love the place because of all the wonderful friends I met since we started racing there. Shoot, I'd get there as soon as the gates opened just so I could have time to socialize with everyone before the racing began LOL. And of course, 311's where I met my husband too! :tongue:


AWWWW.....Isn't that sweet!! :hug:

[JRhodes]

I'm remembering a Hav-A-Tampa
race there in 94 or 95. The Dunn Benson Ford car won 2 weeks before I can't remember
If it was Earl Pearson Jr or not but,

It must have been Rodney Combs. Earl didn't start with Dunn Benson until 1999 or 2000. Can't remember which one.

I remember my trip to 311. It was the 2001 Hav-A-Tampa race that Dale McDowell won. I remember joking with him after the race about how that was the first race I had been to that he hadn't ended up on his lid or been wrecked. I had the chance to spend the weekend with McDowell, Skip & Janice Arp, Freddy & Naomi Smith, Earl Pearson Jr, Ray Cook, and Mike Duvall. It will go down for me as the first place I met Rambo Franklin, and he made a lifetime fan. That was awesome. I had a blast up there. Steve Blackburn won the steel head feature with Rambo hot on his heels. I remember that was when Blackburn drove the #54 car, and the announcer called it the B54 Bomber. The folks we sat beside had me going with their stories about the track. That was a great time. Still have the pictures to go back and reflect on it. Can't wait until my kids have pictures to document their racing travels.

[dirtywhiteboy]

I remember Herbbie Poole running completly
over Wayne Megee taking his whole body
off except or the lf fender, the thing of it
is they never stoped racing, but they stoped

i remimber herbbie poole,as good at fightin as he was racein!

[DOCCALLAHAN]

i was there for that race when dale mcdowell won it for 20 k i got in the winner circle pic with him ill post tomm

[JRhodes]

i was there for that race when dale mcdowell won it for 20 k i got in the winner circle pic with him ill post tomm

I think about the top 3 or 4 all had flats at the end of the race. That was a great race though. I know Dale's went flat in Victory Lane and Booper had a flat(driving the Rumley's #6).

[DOCCALLAHAN]

yea he had no tread left on the rr tire and looks like dales engine was about to blow look at the ground had alot of oil water mix on it

[camlobe]

If I remember McDowell was about the only one that didnt have a flat.....100 lap feature.....Freddie Smith was the first one flat RR about lap 60......ended up about 5th or 6th.....

[JRhodes]

If I remember McDowell was about the only one that didnt have a flat.....100 lap feature.....Freddie Smith was the first one flat RR about lap 60......ended up about 5th or 6th.....

That's the one. Freddy was haulin' it at the end after the tire change.

Doc, I remember Dale's car started smoking heavily about two laps to go.

[JRhodes]

Don't know if any of ya'll got the chance to or not, but we attended the Dirt Racing Outreach service before the race Saturday. Dude let me tell you Ray Cook can wheel a racecar, but the man can also belt out a song. That was a cool service for myself.

[PRP]

I have never been to 311 , I was hoping to make a trip up there later this year to see a race ...

[DOCCALLAHAN]

you might get the chance if they run again hard to say when hes gonna run again this yr
yea i told dale how the track was and recommended what tires to run and he used them but used them all up the rr was nutn but threads but he won it it was an wesome race i just wish someone would do that agian at 311

[JRhodes]

you might get the chance if they run again hard to say when hes gonna run again this yr
yea i told dale how the track was and recommended what tires to run and he used them but used them all up the rr was nutn but threads but he won it it was an wesome race i just wish someone would do that agian at 311

I'd make the trip back up there for another one, that's for sure!!!!

[DirtBlood]

yeah Gary will do that he will test a car out b4 a big race then spank em then the big race lol

[latemodeljunky]

anyone remember mel hough??the ol #51! rip mel boy that take me back

[DOCCALLAHAN]

i remember melvin always ran in super races he had a car like a tank it was tough as crap

[latemodeljunky]

no doubt doc, i remember him telling me and my uncle ray shelton he bought junk yard motors for 50 bucks and ran them every week lol made money though

[onourside11]

The one memory that I remember most, was when I took my Beloved Cousin, "May He Rest In peace" :) to his first Race Ever. It was at 311 Speedway. I will always remember how much fun he had listining to the sound of racing engines and how he got so excited when ever their was racing . I remember one time when a race was called of due to rain and it was early, we did'nt want to leave. We watched people come out of the pits and you know how slick the track is? We laughed and carried on wondering who would make it. Ford or chevy? dodge or others. I will remember that night for as long as I will live.

God Bless You Tommy

Peace

[latemodeljunky]

the is funny watching the haulers try to get out when it starts raining!!!! we never unloaded the car if it was cloudy untill we had too because the first drizzle of rain fell we was outta there lol:smiley_880:

[DOCCALLAHAN]

that is way too funny watchin everybody get out specially after its really rained hard and real slick heck ive been stuck in the pits there till about 3 just waiting my turn to get out

[JRhodes]

How about the night they drug Bodine Massengill's car off the track when it was still upside down.

[DavenportFan75]

yea JR I was there lol now that was funny I said holy **** it was because he was showing his ass I believe lol

[311rebel]

How about the night they drug Bodine Massengill's car off the track when it was still upside down.
were from the country and we like it that way.

[311rebel]

if u go to a race track and your car is being pulled from turn 3 upside down trough the parking lot..u might be being pulled by a redneck..

[JRhodes]

I forgot who it was, but he ran into them under caution I believe and that's when his car flipped. God I wish I had a video of that to show my wife.

[jhofficial]

I forgot who it was, but he ran into them under caution I believe and that's when his car flipped. God I wish I had a video of that to show my wife.

I think it was Noel Tucker, but dont qoute me on that.:cool_shades:

[311rebel]

I forgot who it was, but he ran into them under caution I believe and that's when his car flipped. God I wish I had a video of that to show my wife.
toatled noel tuckers car in the process..got what he deserved ..bodine barred from 311..

[311rebel]

one of my fond momeries .one night ray tucker coming down front straight away.another driver ran out to his car..ray was nice enough to give him a ride on his hood..goes to show the man is always thinking something of fellow drivers..

[JRhodes]

Speaking of Ray & 311. I think it was when he was driving the Barber Chevrolet car or it might have been afterwards. Anyhow, it was back at the UDTRA race that McDowell won. Tucker was in the steel head class that night. During his qualifying lap, he went into turn one, and never lifted. I thought for sure he was about to turn the car over. He hit the high side and shot down the back chute. I couldn't believe that car never turned over. I swear he bicylced the car in the corner. It was a pretty cool, but somewhat wild sight to see.

[311rebel]

Speaking of Ray & 311. I think it was when he was driving the Barber Chevrolet car or it might have been afterwards. Anyhow, it was back at the UDTRA race that McDowell won. Tucker was in the steel head class that night. During his qualifying lap, he went into turn one, and never lifted. I thought for sure he was about to turn the car over. He hit the high side and shot down the back chute. I couldn't believe that car never turned over. I swear he bicylced the car in the corner. It was a pretty cool, but somewhat wild sight to see.
he gets around it pretty good . always has.

[311rebel]

one of the wildest things i have seen..years ago when it first opened was seeing cars go through that 2 foot high wood backstretch wall .u could see trees shaking.the wild thing was half time they would drive back around 3 and 4..back into the track..fans use to climb the pine trees where the turn 4 bleachers are now and watch the race.thats old school..

[Racngal]

How about the night they drug Bodine Massengill's car off the track when it was still upside down.


That was funny!!!!:lol:

[HELLONWHEELS]

That Beat Anything I Have Ever Seen

[Slim_Shady]

Well , I guess it's time to put in my 2 cents worth.
I remember back in the late 60s early 70s Donald Tucker and Jimmy Scott in Rumley's #6 and #5 runnin' neck and neck. Man those cars were beautiful. Then there was Jack Hedrick in Jimmy Mabe's #11. First race I ever went to there was a Sunday afternoon. HOT!!!!!! as the dickens. So much dust you couldn't see a thing. Back then there wasn't any guard rail from off turn 2 till comin' off #4. Hell there wasn't anything on the inside of the front straight either...... just drive off the track and straight to the trailer (if you had one). Back then a lot of guys flat towed. I used to have to ride in the car to help turn it (especially on gravel) LOL. Now that was a thrill for a 12 yr old kid. Now THOSE were the good old days.

[311rebel]

Well , I guess it's time to put in my 2 cents worth.
I remember back in the late 60s early 70s Donald Tucker and Jimmy Scott in Rumley's #6 and #5 runnin' neck and neck. Man those cars were beautiful. Then there was Jack Hedrick in Jimmy Mabe's #11. First race I ever went to there was a Sunday afternoon. HOT!!!!!! as the dickens. So much dust you couldn't see a thing. Back then there wasn't any guard rail from off turn 2 till comin' off #4. Hell there wasn't anything on the inside of the front straight either...... just drive off the track and straight to the trailer (if you had one). Back then a lot of guys flat towed. I used to have to ride in the car to help turn it (especially on gravel) LOL. Now that was a thrill for a 12 yr old kid. Now THOSE were the good old days.
i remember those red white and blue novas..nice cars.

[Slim_Shady]

Yes they were. But I was really thinkin' about the black and gold 64 Chevelles.

[DOCCALLAHAN]

theres one of leroys camaros here benny davis driving it at 311Lets Share Some Old & New Dirt Racecar Photo's - Page 22 - Local Race Chat (http://www.localracechat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31990&page=22)

[snowicee]

How about the night that Billy Hicks didn't come across the scales after qualifing and had to start in the rear of the clash race instead of outside pole(?). He was passing at lest one car every lap or two. Ended up finishing second I think but it was great to see him handle that car.

[onourside11]

:rock_on:Do yall remember when the classes of race cars were Limited Sportsman, Hobby, and Pure Stocks back in the 70's and 80's? Now that was good racing!! OH http://www.localracechat.com/forums/luckyicons.com/images/fuYeah I believe there is a creek below the back stretch? I have heard when their wasnt a wall back there hearing from someone that race cars when in it? Is that true? And remember the sprint car that went over the wall in turn three? I heard the driver recovered from it.

Peace

[latemodeljunky]

this has been a great thread thanks guys!! but all this talk about the past got me thinking of my ol buddy doug chilton,i use to help doug and was supposed to be there that night we lost him, but went to lonestar in greensboro,ive beat myself up to this day about that.... rip doug ol buddy

[DOCCALLAHAN]

yea i remember that nite it really sucked i ran his name and number on the car rest of the season

[DavenportFan75]

this has been a great thread thanks guys!! but all this talk about the past got me thinking of my ol buddy doug chilton,i use to help doug and was supposed to be there that night we lost him, but went to lonestar in greensboro,ive beat myself up to this day about that.... rip doug ol buddy


yea my grandparents owned the racetrack then the andrews it was a tough night that night

[dirtywhiteboy]

this has been a great thread thanks guys!! but all this talk about the past got me thinking of my ol buddy doug chilton,i use to help doug and was supposed to be there that night we lost him, but went to lonestar in greensboro,ive beat myself up to this day about that.... rip doug ol buddy\

wont ever forget that night,..i was in the stands setting beside his family,said!! i just bought my chassie that evening,..didnt fill like biulding a car for years after that night,might get together one day...

[capefear01]

Never been there but it's cool to read your stories. Keep it alive!

Cape

[camlobe]

Anybody remember the car landing in the stands? Only been one that I know of.......who was it???

[311rebel]

Never been there but it's cool to read your stories. Keep it alive!

Cape
u need to ride up and visit it one night when it opens back up.its to nice a place to not be open.somebody will wise up soon.hopefully.the supers put on a fast show on the half mile..u will be glad u made the trip.

[SouthernGal2318]

Noel Tucker and Bodine M.... I remember that night. First night ever at 311 and saw that happen. I was scared out of my mind until they started dragging douchbags car out of the track on its hood.:smiley_880: That was funny as anything. I wonder if there is a video out of it anywhere???

[jojoracer]

Talking about going in the stands... 1 night we were down
running late models and the 360 sprints were down. I
believe 1995 but not sure, It was a girl driver can remember
her name, but she was fast running about 5th to 8th pos
she kept getting higher and higher on the strait 4 or 5 inches
a lap on the frt strait, I punched one of my crew members
and said watch this and I pointed she came by no problem
next lap I punched him again and said watch this, this time
she brushed the wall, climbed the wall went over the flag
stand by at leasted 15 ft. fliping, She wound up 2/3 way
down the strait near the inside wall, I think she broke both
legs,sorry to hear that......but I'll never forget it...... those
sprints were so fast down there, I refused to turn my back on
them while they were running, and they were just 360's ,and
when the WOO 410s came down there in the late 80's I think
it was. They were so fast they would'nt come back, They
were in the low 13 sec range,close to 170 mph on the straits,
now thats dangerous.I've been on that track turned backwards
at over 140 mph, I've been on fire, been in the wall sevral
times,been hit in the drivers door at over 100 mph, and just flat
tore up a hand full of cars down there,I feel it every day, it lets
me know I'm alive. Never been scared of a race car, even got
in one and raced with a cast on my leg , but those sprints
they are a whole different story........

[camlobe]

Answer to my question is.........Ernie McBroome......mid 70s, orange #08, thru the fence and landed on the 2nd row.

[rumleyfan]

I guess LeRoy Rumley is the most successful car owner to run at 311 over the years. If I remember correctly....one year his car won 33 races........driver Benny Davis. Even
made the car start in the rear many weeks.

Drivers of the 6 car:
well when there was number 5 and 6 Rumley car:
Donald Tucker and Benny Davis
Patrick Gann
Ray Tucker
Tommy Brim
Terry Cardwell
Billy Hicks
Booper Bare
Steve Lucas
Petey Ivey
Steve Blackburn and all the above have wins in the car at 311
HotRod Lamance
Paul Croft
Ricky Weeks

and I'm sure I missed a few!

There hasn't been one year (best I can remember) when the Rumley car hasn't won
a race, going on 51 years now.

[antidive]

The Bodine Massengill incident got the track in the shape it is in now. His owner threatened a lawsuit that scared Jaybird into selling to Bobby Johns so it really is not that funny

[311rebel]

The Bodine Massengill incident got the track in the shape it is in now. His owner threatened a lawsuit that scared Jaybird into selling to Bobby Johns so it really is not that funny
dont understand what he was threating to sue for.the car was already wiped out because he hit noel hard enough to wipe his car out.i didnt think it was funny.i thought it was justice served.