Jim's Journeys: Saturday, May 3rd - Can Am Speedway Lafargeville, New York
Photo attachment: Norm Davey in Kingston Speedway victory lane, probably 1969 or 1970
I can't remember the exact date, but my first exposure to stock car racing was when my Dad took my brother and me to Kingston Speedway. It was probably in the late 60's. I wouldn't have been quite 10 years old. One of my first stops every Friday night was at the souvenir stand, hoping they might have a few new pictures of my favourite driver - Stormin' Norman Davey. That might go a long way to explaining why I always have a camera with me at the racetracks I visit today.
I take my Dad on a racing road-trip a couple of times every year. Saturday, May 3rd I invited him to join my friend Marlene and me for the show at Can Am. The weather forecast was typical for an early spring weekend. Saturday morning started-off bright and sunny, but by the time we hit the road the clouds had started to roll-in and just outside Kingston, we drove through some rain. Always the optimist, I kept driving – despite the negative opinions that were coming from the back seat. Once at the track, I wasn't in a hurry to head for the stands. It didn't seem to make sense to get in there - only to have the show potentially washed-out - and knowing we wouldn't be back the next week to use the rain cheque. Instead, we waited in the car until the driver's meeting wrapped-up and the cars took the track for hot laps.
After a quick stop at the concession stand for something to eat, we took our seats in grandstand. Can Am is running about 6 classes on a weekly basis this year. Personally, I think that's too many but I like the fact that they have both big block and 358 modifieds on the weekly card. This early in the season, the feature races aren't handicapped, so the main events start heads-up. That means the heat race winners get the front row spots.
In the main, it meant the team cars of Billy Decker and Pat O'Brien would be on the row. Decker has been strong throughout the early spring and Saturday night was no exception. The 'Franklin Flyer' (or the 'Unadilla Thrilla') won the 30 lap feature over Frankie Caprara and O'Brien. Tim O'Brien was 4th and Billy Dunn completed the top 5. Pat could've easily finished 2nd, but he struggled for almost 4 laps to work his way around the lapped car of Pierre Dagenais, who was running Bob McCreadie's #9 car. Larry (Wight Lightning) Wight captured the 358 modified feature, with Decker and Lance Willix second and third respectively.
We managed to stay dry all night while at the track, but drove through some heavy rain on the way back home, arriving in Kingston near 10:30. My original plan had been to head to Rolling Wheels the next day for the 2008 Challenge Cup, but a message I received over the weekend had me scheduled for a 7:00 driving job Monday morning, so I stayed home instead.
This weekend: Capital City Speedway – Stittsville, Ontario Friday, May 9th. Brighton Speedway Park – Brighton, Ontario Saturday, May 10th. In the distance: Brockville Ontario Speedway - Saturday, May 17th. Cornwall Motor Speedway - Sunday, May 18th.
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