New Member

MEMORIES · 12-27-2007, 10:37 PM

Hello everyone. I just joined today and thought I'd intoduce myself. I'm 54 years old and bracket raced locally for 20 years from 1975 to 1995. My home track, Brainerd Optimist Dragstrip, on the Georgia-Tennessee line, ran NHRA modified and super stock until 1981. I loved those classes and saw some of the Southeast's best racers come through there. Our home grown hero was Cotton Perry who won a NHRA modified championship with his H/MP 6-cylinder Chevy II. I look foreward to hanging out with you guys and discussing the past.

MEMORIES.

Geerhead55 · 12-28-2007, 12:03 AM

Welcome aboard,,,,,,,,,,, Its a great site with a lot of good people,,,,,,, some real good knowledge here. Theres also a lot of good story telling here.
2 bits of advice: If you're sitting on a collection of old racing photos send them in to Bob Rice so we can all enjoy them,,,,, and don't be afraid to use your real name.
Danny Durham

76 RACER · 12-28-2007, 12:27 AM

welcome...I remember that car! How about the 4-Dr. Nova that Joe Lemley raced with a 6cyl?

MEMORIES · 12-28-2007, 07:00 AM

Thanks Mark, Danny. Yes, I got the Sportsnationals video last week and I know Bob Rice, he does have some great photos. I don't see any way to post photos on here but I guess you could post a link to an online photo album. Some of the stock & ss racers that ran at my track were Robert Nance, Jim Kinnett, Sonny Ray, Jimmy Bridges, Clark Davis, Charlie Lee, Steve Bagwell, Richard Griffin, Bobby Cunningham, Woodro Josey, Randy Payne, Bob McCoy, Ronnie Trafenstedt, Jimmy Wood. All but the winners in modified and super stock would run another complete race for second place money. We got to see a lot more racing that way.

MEMORIES ( Wayne )

Bob Rice · 12-28-2007, 10:24 AM

Wayne,
When I read your post I knew that it had to be you. Welcome to the site, I think that you will enjoy it here.
Bob Rice

Jack Matyas · 12-28-2007, 11:04 AM

Wayne--Welcome and I know you'll like it here....there are plenty of seniors who are willing to talk about the good 'ole days--most who remember your hometown hero--Cotton Perry . By the way -- why did they call your track Brainerd Optimist ? Also , at 54 years young you can still jump into something and do brackets (or more) again--it might keep you young awhile longer..........Happy New Year

high winder · 12-28-2007, 01:57 PM

Hi Wayne , There used to be a lady that was a hair dresser don't remember her name she drove a 64 falcon & her better half had a roadster. Do they still race up there? I liked to watch her kick A**

MEMORIES · 12-28-2007, 09:16 PM

high winder, that was Terry and Sandy Hood who always ran Fords, I've got several photos of their old cars. Terry went into the dump truck driving business and they haven't raced in about 15 years.

Wayne.

DK FRAZIER · 12-28-2007, 09:33 PM

Hi Wayne, Neat website, huh? Lots of history here.

Mark you can reach Cotten at 706-935-3281.

Jack, Dragstrip is owned by the Optimist Club of Brainerd. Brainerd is a community in Chattanooga. Your little GTO is really a cool piece, can't wait to see it with war paint. Good luck with your new car.

Highwinder, the lady driver you ask about is Sandy Hood. Her husband is Terry Hood. They still own the little Falcon.

greg fulk · 12-29-2007, 01:15 PM

I don't know if any of you guys remember Joe Lemley but he is still racing! he's running a 66 chevyII stick car called the sliver bullet (i think the car came from N.C.) if ya go to Bluegrass raceway parks web site & click on results you'll find he's won a few races in their footbrake class. oh the car runs 5.80's 1/8th mile!

12-27-2007, 10:37 PM	#1
MEMORIES Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 298 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	New Member Hello everyone. I just joined today and thought I'd intoduce myself. I'm 54 years old and bracket raced locally for 20 years from 1975 to 1995. My home track, Brainerd Optimist Dragstrip, on the Georgia-Tennessee line, ran NHRA modified and super stock until 1981. I loved those classes and saw some of the Southeast's best racers come through there. Our home grown hero was Cotton Perry who won a NHRA modified championship with his H/MP 6-cylinder Chevy II. I look foreward to hanging out with you guys and discussing the past. MEMORIES.

12-28-2007, 12:03 AM	#2
Geerhead55 VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Tacoma, Washington Posts: 1,632 Likes: 0 Liked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: New Member Welcome aboard,,,,,,,,,,, Its a great site with a lot of good people,,,,,,, some real good knowledge here. Theres also a lot of good story telling here. 2 bits of advice: If you're sitting on a collection of old racing photos send them in to Bob Rice so we can all enjoy them,,,,, and don't be afraid to use your real name. Danny Durham

12-28-2007, 12:27 AM	#3
76 RACER Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 247 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: New Member welcome...I remember that car! How about the 4-Dr. Nova that Joe Lemley raced with a 6cyl?

12-28-2007, 07:00 AM	#4
MEMORIES Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 298 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: New Member Thanks Mark, Danny. Yes, I got the Sportsnationals video last week and I know Bob Rice, he does have some great photos. I don't see any way to post photos on here but I guess you could post a link to an online photo album. Some of the stock & ss racers that ran at my track were Robert Nance, Jim Kinnett, Sonny Ray, Jimmy Bridges, Clark Davis, Charlie Lee, Steve Bagwell, Richard Griffin, Bobby Cunningham, Woodro Josey, Randy Payne, Bob McCoy, Ronnie Trafenstedt, Jimmy Wood. All but the winners in modified and super stock would run another complete race for second place money. We got to see a lot more racing that way. MEMORIES ( Wayne )

12-28-2007, 10:24 AM	#5
Bob Rice Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: New Bern, NC Posts: 617 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: New Member Wayne, When I read your post I knew that it had to be you. Welcome to the site, I think that you will enjoy it here. Bob Rice

12-28-2007, 11:04 AM	#6
Jack Matyas Live Reporter Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Bethlehem , PA -Christmas City , USA Posts: 4,926 Likes: 406 Liked 2,050 Times in 398 Posts	Re: New Member Wayne--Welcome and I know you'll like it here....there are plenty of seniors who are willing to talk about the good 'ole days--most who remember your hometown hero--Cotton Perry . By the way -- why did they call your track Brainerd Optimist ? Also , at 54 years young you can still jump into something and do brackets (or more) again--it might keep you young awhile longer..........Happy New Year __________________ Jack Matyas 1547 FS/C 2015 Camaro COPO # 62- 2012 Camaro Convertible COPO

12-28-2007, 01:57 PM	#7
high winder Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: usa Posts: 14 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: New Member Hi Wayne , There used to be a lady that was a hair dresser don't remember her name she drove a 64 falcon & her better half had a roadster. Do they still race up there? I liked to watch her kick A**

12-28-2007, 09:16 PM	#8
MEMORIES Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 298 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: New Member high winder, that was Terry and Sandy Hood who always ran Fords, I've got several photos of their old cars. Terry went into the dump truck driving business and they haven't raced in about 15 years. Wayne.

12-28-2007, 09:33 PM	#9
DK FRAZIER Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bogart GA Posts: 117 Likes: 2 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: New Member Hi Wayne, Neat website, huh? Lots of history here. Mark you can reach Cotten at 706-935-3281. Jack, Dragstrip is owned by the Optimist Club of Brainerd. Brainerd is a community in Chattanooga. Your little GTO is really a cool piece, can't wait to see it with war paint. Good luck with your new car. Highwinder, the lady driver you ask about is Sandy Hood. Her husband is Terry Hood. They still own the little Falcon.

12-29-2007, 01:15 PM	#10
greg fulk VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: jackson Posts: 1,165 Likes: 0 Liked 5 Times in 3 Posts	Re: New Member I don't know if any of you guys remember Joe Lemley but he is still racing! he's running a 66 chevyII stick car called the sliver bullet (i think the car came from N.C.) if ya go to Bluegrass raceway parks web site & click on results you'll find he's won a few races in their footbrake class. oh the car runs 5.80's 1/8th mile! __________________ Greg Fulk 308 308X P/SA "ALL AMERICAN"