Turning Back the Clock Thread

[Frogger49]

Hello, Phil here.  I love writing Turning Back the Clock for the Newsletter and I hope that you guys and gals enjoy reading it too.  These articles, although lengthy, tend to write themselves (seriously).  Today's 2400 word entry on the 1993 Slick 50 500k took under 3 hours to write.  This thread will be used as more or less a feedback area where you can communicate directly with me and vice versa (comments on columns are only open for so long, you know).

However, there is one problem that I've had with the column.  I like to have source material for the columns so I don't have to assume anything.  My memory is decent on most of the races I've covered this season, but that is only because I have personally the races on TV before, or been able to catch up on the internet.  The all-powerful YouTube has been a significant help so far this season, but there are only so many races on there for our viewing pleasure.

Next year, there will be at least 39 more Turning Back the Clocks that will likely be posted on the website proper.  I will use this topic as basically a way to announce races that will be covered.  We'll start with the announcement of next week's final entry of the season, the 1999 Pennzoil 400 from Homestead-Miami Speedway.

For those who are unfamiliar with the series, these are the races that have already been covered so far:

Daytona:  1999 ARCA 200 (for Shootout Weekend), 1991 Daytona 500 by STP, 1998 Pepsi 400
Auto Club:  1997 California 500, 1997 Marlboro 500 (CART)
Las Vegas:  1999 Las Vegas 400
Atlanta:  1992 Hooters 500, 2001 Cracker Barrel Old Country Store 500
Bristol:  1993 Food City 500, 1999 Goody's Headache Powders 500
Martinsville:  1991 Goody's 500, 1999 Goody's Body Pain 500
Phoenix:  1988 Checker 500k, 1993 Slick 50 500k
Texas:  1997 Interstate Batteries 500, 2000 DirecTV 500
Talladega:  1987 Winston 500, 1996 DieHard 500
Richmond:  1998 Pontiac Excitement 400, 1999 Exide NASCAR Select Batteries 400
Darlington:  1999 TranSouth 400
Dover:  1994 Budweiser 500, 2001 MBNA Cal Ripken Jr. 400
Charlotte:  1992 Winston, 1994 Coca-Cola 600, 1998 UAW-GM Quality 500
Pocono:  1992 Miller Genuine Draft 500, 1998 Pocono 500 (posted on website at this link:  http://www.frontstretch.com/pallaway/29691/
Michigan:  1991 Champion Spark Plug 400, 1995 Miller Genuine Draft 400
Infineon:  1989 Banquet Frozen Foods 300k
New Hampshire:  1993 Slick 50 300, 1998 Farm Aid on CMT 300
Chicagoland:  2001 Tropicana 400
Indianapolis:  1994 Brickyard 400
Watkins Glen:  1992 Bud at the Glen (Off-week between Atlanta and Bristol), 1993 Bud at the Glen (Easter Weekend), 1998 Bud at the Glen
Kansas:  2002 Protection One 400
Gateway:  1997 Gateway 300

Now, you're up to speed on the previous 40 entries.  For next season, I do have some races that I already plan on covering.

Daytona:  1988 Daytona 500, possibly 1989 or 1990 Pepsi 400
Phoenix:  Unclear
Las Vegas:  Unclear, possibly 1998 Las Vegas 400
Bristol:  Unclear
Auto Club:  Unclear
Martinsville:  Unclear
Texas:  Unclera
Talladega:  1984 Talladega 500, hopefully one of the races from 1986
Richmond:  Unclear
Darlington:  1990 TranSouth 500
Dover:  Unclear, possibly 1995 Spring race for one entry
Charlotte:  Unclear
Kansas:  Unclear
Pocono:  Hopefully, the 1995 Miller Genuine Draft 500
Michigan:  1990 Champion Spark Plug 400 and one other race
Infineon:  1993 Save Mart Supermarkets 300k
Kentucky:  Unclear
Loudon:  Hopefully the 1994 Slick 50 300
Indianapolis:  Hopefully, the 1996 Brickyard 400
Watkins Glen:  1999 Frontier at the Glen or 2000 Global Crossing at the Glen
Atlanta:  1993 Hooters 500
Chicagoland:  Unclear
Homestead:  Hopefully, the 1995 Jiffy Lube Miami 300
Off-Weeks:  1988 Budweiser 400k (Riverside), 1994 The Pantry 400 (Busch, Rougemont), 1996 Tyson Holly Farms 400 (North Wilkesboro)

As you can see above, there are some definites.  Those are races that I either have at my disposal here at my house, or are known to be on YouTube.  I'll choose what I want to cover for the unclear races at a later date.  When that occurs, this post will be updated. 

The rest will depend on whether those races become available on YouTube in some shape or form, or whether I can obtain the races somehow.  If you have copies of these races and want to help contribute to the long term success of this column, please reply and I will contact you personally.  I'm saying this upfront.  No money whatsoever will be exchanged other than a shipping reimbursement for you.  It shouldn't cost you anything to help out my columns.  I also won't keep your stuff for long.  I would basically use the tape (or DVD) for what I need, then send it right back to you.  If you send me a VHS tape, I might dub my own DVD-R from that tape, since I have a VHS/DVD Recorder at my disposal.  I would also mention you in the column as a Special Thanks for basically making the column possible.

Sorry I went on as much as I did, but there you go.  I've laid everything out there for 2011.  Feel free to comment below.

[Tyyrus]

Welcome to the Forum Phil . Sounds like an interesting concept . I look forward to your contributions . Being a Die-hard Mark Martin Fan...Still , the 1990 - 1995 Season Nostalgia should be a lot of fun ..Ty .

[Chris]

I love reliving old memories, and reading about past races..
I think it would be a good idea to go back as far as the 70's (and 90's)... lots of great races back then,.. great stories, and lots of great stories about drivers.  Also info on tracks that no longer exist, and IMO it is good for "new" fans to have the opportunity to learn about the great sports past history.

I'm sure whatever you write,... if you post it on a thread here.. some folks will have additional fun facts to add.

[Frogger49]

I love reliving old memories, and reading about past races..
I think it would be a good idea to go back as far as the 70's (and 90's)... lots of great races back then,.. great stories, and lots of great stories about drivers.  Also info on tracks that no longer exist, and IMO it is good for "new" fans to have the opportunity to learn about the great sports past history.

I'm sure whatever you write,... if you post it on a thread here.. some folks will have additional fun facts to add.

I agree wholeheartedly, Chris.  The problem with doing races from the 1970's is the fact that its rather difficult to find source material.  I'd have to write recaps fully based off of final results, and that can be tricky.  I think the last race from Ontario (1980) was televised somewhere (maybe NBC?), but I'm not sure.

Also, I can announce that there will be at least three Turning Back the Clock columns here at Frontstretch.com over the winter to tide you guys over until Speedweeks.

[Chris]

yeah know what you mean about finding info.  I have tons of full races from the 1980's when B Elliott was winning a lot.
Hadn't watched them in YEARS... not even sure the video hadn't dried out and gotten brittle..??  who knows.
May have to dig out some and watch them over the winter

[Frogger49]

Ok guys, we're starting this series a little early.  I'm writing a couple Turning Back the Clocks that will run in January.  The recap of the 1994 Pantry Stores 300 (or The Pantry 400) from Orange County Speedway is complete and will be posted soon (not sure when, yet).  Of course, the issue with the race name is kinda silly and I'll talk about that briefly.

Another race that will be covered will be the 1991 Kroger 200 at Indianapolis Raceway Park.  It was a very interesting race and I believe that it will make for a great read.  Finally, I am in the process of penning the first IMSA edition of Turning Back the Clock.  It will cover the 1996 Rolex 24 at Daytona and run in the week leading up to the twice-around-the-clock classic, which I currently plan to be covering for the site.  Hope you guys enjoy it.

                                                                                                         Phil Allaway