Another Chapter In The Racing Book
By Jim Heiland
Another chapter in my Vintage Racing life comes to a close, and another chapter is starting.
About 2 months ago I placed an ad for my 70 Chev Nova #79 on the Daytona Antique Auto Racers web site. Right after New Years, Pat McNear from Ft Meyers FL called and asked about the car. I sent a bunch more pictures and we talked a lot. Long story short, he bought the car, but part of the deal was, I had to deliver it to Florida. I hate going to Florida in the winter.
Chris and I left for Florida January 18. That night we were guests of Gary and Mary Mitidiero in Homer Glen Il. We pitted near them in Darlington SC last September. Great people and wonderful hosts.
Our goal was to be in Dayton Beach on Wednesday. As we were coming up to Jacksonville Fl, I saw a sign for the Ceil Commercial Center.. I took that exit and low and behold after a few minutes of driving we were at the old Naval Air Station Cecil Field. I was station there in the early 60’s. After a quick tour of the base, I drove 11 miles to NAS Jacksonville, another place I was stationed. What a trip down memory lane.
Lots of changes in 45 years.
We got to the Daytona Speedway late in the afternoon. Checked out there track schedule for Thursday.
Later on we went to Mark and Rosemarie May’s house. They were kind enough to put us up for a couple nights. The May’s moved from Marshfield WI to Florida last October. I raced with Mark the last 5 years. He has the #00 Challenger and the #777 Marty Robbins car. They are 15 Minutes from the speedway. Thursday Chris and I toured the Speedway and Daytona USA. That was a lot of fun and interesting.
That night we were all invited for dinner at Darrel and Sheila Bassuener. They own the Golden Sands Speedway in Wisconsin Rapids WI. And have been wintering in Florida for a long time. Darrel also has a 57 Chev Vintage Stock car and racers with us old timers. Bassueners live about 20 minutes from Mark and Rosemarie. What a fun night Darrell gave us a tour of the neighborhood. Some of the people who have had house’s there are, Mark Martin, Kevin Harvick, Richard Childress, Theresa Earnhart to name a few.
Friday morning to was off to Charlotte County Speedway in Punta Gorda FL to deliver the race car.
DAARA was having a Vintage Race Weekend there. We met Pat McNear and his friend Julie Wilson. They looked the car over and gave me a check. It took a while to unload all the tires and spare parts. Pat and his crew got right to work checking everything over and ready to race. Chris and I spent some time visiting with some of the DAARA members we had gotten to know over the years. Fun to see familiar faces far from home.
I thought the races were Friday afternoon and had made plans to visit old friends in Naples FL Friday Night. We had to leave around 4pm, which was ok. I was having a little trouble letting go of the race car so it was good to move on. I under stand Pat won both races on Friday night and everything but the kitchen sink on Saturday.
Sunday morning I was checking out the weather channel. Looked like freezing rain and snow in our return path home through Georgia Kentucky and Tennessee. Well I called my friend Gary Nachbar in Charlotte NC and invited myself for dinner Sunday night. He and Jan were glad to have us, so off we went to Charlotte. Monday morning we went up to Mooresville NC. I wanted to visit the Memory Lane Museum.
Last September we pitted next to Alex Bean and his son Sam, owners of the Museum. They have over 150 Stock Cars, and tons of memorabilia. The pictures I took don’t do it justice. Put it on your must see list. I could have spent the whole day there. Then Chris had to visit JR Motor Sports (Dale Jr’s Nationwide Team head quarters) That was a sight to see also. On the way back to the freeway, I saw a sign
2nd Chance Racing Parts. I had to poke my nose in there. WOW tons of race parts, axles, fuel cells spindles, hubs, what a candy store.
That afternoon we had lunch with my son in Waynesville NC, made a quick stop to say Hi to friends in
Ashville NC. Tuesday we went through Bowling Green KY and took a quick tour of the National Corvette Museum. By Wednesday afternoon I was back in Arlington MN. What a trip! 4458 miles, 409 gallons of gas. I feel we packed 5lbs into a 4lb bag.
Now I start the next chapter, it’s time to get the Bob Jusola #4 Nova race ready.
Stay tuned for the next update.
www.memorylaneautomuseum.com
www.2ndchanceraceparts.com
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