Down Into Turn One

Look carefully at this old picture.  Number 17 is waiting to get onto the five-eights mile hard clay oval track of the Orange County Fair Speedway.   He's not exactly ready to go because his helmet and goggles are not on. It's probably a publicity photo for the speedway or for the weekly program. 

Most likely it's a Saturday evening early or late in the season based on the jackets and flannel the people are wearing.  The stands in the far back ground appear to be somewhat full. 

The men standing on boards in back of the green Chevrolet shortbed sidestep pick-up truck have their attention drawn to the first turn of the race track.  All four of them are watching with intensity.  Perhaps there is a lead change going on, or perhaps there is a bunched-up group of stock cars headed into the turn.  Maybe the race is close; down to the last few laps.  Or maybe there is an accident.

Looking carefully at the sidestep you see a red fire extinguisher.  Once you notice that one you look through the cockpit of number 17 you can see a whole bunch of fire extinguishers. 

The green pick-up is the safety vehicle for the race track.

The man in the red flannel shirt looking to his right into the first turn is my dad. 

In 1975.

In 1975 my dad would have been 42 years old; younger than either of his boys are now.  In fact, I would have been eight years old - the same age as TJ this year.  There is Dad in his prime of his life on a Saturday night doing something that gave him so much pleasure. 

The green truck belonged to Monroe Lumber; my dad's business.  Every Saturday he would close the lumber yard at noon.  In the spring, summer, and fall - if the weather was nice - he would load the back of the truck with fire extinguishers and drive to Middletown, NY, and provide safety and fire response for the race track. 

He loved stock car racing.  It gave him a thrill that other people get watching football, or hockey, or anything involving speed and human competition.  He never climbed into a car and drove it, he always enjoyed being a spectator.

When we got older we got to go with him.  Around 12 years old, I was allowed to drive the company forklift an load the fire extinguishers.  When I turned 16, I got a job at the raceway myself and would ride with him.  We came home covered in clay dust at midnight only to be met by mom at the back door who ordered us to strip and shower before we brought the dirt into the house.

My brother, Andy, found this picture and sent it to me.  It's so benign.  A simple promo picture that caught my dad in the background but it brought back so many great memories.  How awesome to see him like this.  In a few weeks it will be nine years since we lost him to cancer.  We miss him and this was a great way to remember him.