Monday, April 20, 2009

Racing at the Acres! (Yes, Robin and I are certified Humboldt Okies.)

Robin and I have been watching stock car races at Redwood Acres together for 35 years. Even sponsored cars in the past. Yep, we are two Humboldt County Okies. The only thing that separates us and trailer trash, is that our house lacks wheels. Robin's dad, Bill Carroll, is from Oklahoma and my mother, Mable Powell, went to college there. Robin's dad (Democrat) was a union millworker at Simpson. Robin's mom Mildred worked the Fisheries. My mother (Democrat) was a union retail Clerk at Bazar. Hard working class is in our blood.

We were there to root for "Fergy" Ferguson. I have known Ferg for about 40 years and have been watching him race since the 60's. His step son Rick is one of my best friends. I hung out at his house on Marsh road in Myrtletown and spent many hours watching Ferg work on his stock cars. Rick and I even messed with a few of his cars. Ferg used to go up and down Marsh making sure they were race ready. The neighbors didn't care, it was a close knit group.

Ferg is racing in the Limited Street division now. He used to race in the Sportsman, but it is now too pricey. He won the Trophy dash and placed 2nd in the main. Other drivers that I know that race the Acres, Jay Bahner, Bruce Ziemer, Dave McMurray, Al Acuna, Angelo Marcelli, Denzil Barrett, Scott Baker, Craig Baker, Pat Conway, Marvin Savage and Donnie Hyman. I am sure there are others I might have missed.

We used to take the kids when they were little. It is good, clean family entertainment. Unless you have to go use the bathrooms there. Those are nasty. Oh, and the fistfights that do happen under the grandstands. Doesn't happen as often as in the past. OK, might want to leave those kids at home.

6 comments:

Joel Mielke said...

Thanks for the hilarious post. Redwood Acres sounds like great fun (except for the bathrooms).

Rambo said...

I stopped going to the races after they paved the dam thing. Asphalt is great but dirt makes me squirt :-). Though my best bud in the world, LeRoy Marsh Jr races there and I think his wife does too

samoasoftball said...

I loved the dirt tracking! Leroy Marsh Jr drives in the Thunder Roadster division. I used to buy trophies from his mom for softball tournaments. Good family.

Anonymous said...

Since they have security guards at the races not many fist fights except occasionally in the pits. Usually lots of kids at the races and lots of them sign up for the Junior Fan Club. Lots of kids and fans go to the pits to talk to drivers and get autographs after the races end. Obviously you went to the pits after the races too.

Rambo said...

If you bought them at the Trophy Store then that was his Aunt and Uncle, Tim and Sherrie. They took the hint ears agoo and left Humboldt for greener (Portland) pastures.

belsaw said...

sorry rambo.. his Mom, Carolyn, worked at the trophy store along with Tim and Shrrie