I grew up in the city that made the piston rings for those cars, and watched or listened to the races that made those men legendary. Foyt was the favorite; the Unsers were not very classy, but damn they could drive. Mario was the feckless underdog, always trying, usually failing, and a gentleman every time. Regardless, they were to a man balls-out drivers and despite the rivalry solid professionals all. And the race was as much about pushing the engineering as it was about the drivers.
Haven't watched the race in decades. The Speedway owners and the race administration have emasculated and ossified it. That started when Andy G scared 'em shitless with his turbine, and by 1990 it was no longer about the cars and pushing the engineering. It wasn't that he didn't win- it was that they wouldn't even let him try. Still a spectacle, no longer racing.
I sure miss the excitement of 'a certain Sunday in May'. It used to be a helluva race.
That city that made the piston rings would not have been on the western side of Michigan would it? Because there were one hell of a lot of piston rings made here also. And a very big hat tip to Al Unser. I used to watch auto racing when it was done by men of his caliber. Unlike the prima donnas of today.
the people of Chama are dancing a jig today. Ask the waitresses at Foster's Restaurant, just how well liked he was, son as well. Word is he received multiple violations from the forest service for riding his snowmobile out of bounds in the wilderness area. And in Chama, if you don't behave like a good citizen, your barn will catch on fire-mysteriously of course.
I saw Al Unser race at Pocono when I was maybe 12 years - old circa 1975? I don't even remember who won, but knowing I watched Unser, Foyt (my favorite), and Andretti made a lasting impression.
We had a camper on the infield right at turn one and we had a pit pass. Cool memory!
Damn, now I have a sad, but he had a good run.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in the city that made the piston rings for those cars, and watched or listened to the races that made those men legendary. Foyt was the favorite; the Unsers were not very classy, but damn they could drive. Mario was the feckless underdog, always trying, usually failing, and a gentleman every time. Regardless, they were to a man balls-out drivers and despite the rivalry solid professionals all. And the race was as much about pushing the engineering as it was about the drivers.
ReplyDeleteHaven't watched the race in decades. The Speedway owners and the race administration have emasculated and ossified it. That started when Andy G scared 'em shitless with his turbine, and by 1990 it was no longer about the cars and pushing the engineering. It wasn't that he didn't win- it was that they wouldn't even let him try. Still a spectacle, no longer racing.
I sure miss the excitement of 'a certain Sunday in May'. It used to be a helluva race.
I feel the same way about pre-woke NASCAR: Three hours of advertising occasionally interrupted by a car race.
DeleteThat city that made the piston rings would not have been on the western side of Michigan would it? Because there were one hell of a lot of piston rings made here also.
DeleteAnd a very big hat tip to Al Unser. I used to watch auto racing when it was done by men of his caliber. Unlike the prima donnas of today.
the people of Chama are dancing a jig today. Ask the waitresses at Foster's Restaurant, just how well liked he was, son as well. Word is he received multiple violations from the forest service for riding his snowmobile out of bounds in the wilderness area.
ReplyDeleteAnd in Chama, if you don't behave like a good citizen, your barn will catch on fire-mysteriously of course.
Many folks in Albuquerque were less than impressed by the Unsers.
ReplyDeleteAll I have to say is AMF!
I saw Al Unser race at Pocono when I was maybe 12 years - old circa 1975? I don't even remember who won, but knowing I watched Unser, Foyt (my favorite), and Andretti made a lasting impression.
ReplyDeleteWe had a camper on the infield right at turn one and we had a pit pass. Cool memory!