ARCA Born in a Handshake at Daytona; NASCAR, ARCA Go Way Back

[@joeshmoe1585]

Great Job Bubba, Once again I learned something...

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

You're always welcome; thanks again! HMM

[@scottbutler1481]

Super show! Kiokuk racers were no joke. Never realized Ernie had won so much. Bobby and I are same age.....got to watch Jack operate in the shop......never a boring trip. I think Jack was fond of alot of people he didn't want them to know lol. Thanks for what you do!!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Great stories...thanks for sharing them here. I chatted with Bobby just yesterday at Toledo Speedway...super cool. I wonder what's left in Jack's old race shop...I'd love to go back inside! Thanks for watching...HMM

[@kyleolson279]

A lot of fans need to hear this deeper perspective on stock car racing history. Thank you Don for providing a platform to give these pioneers the respect they've been so underserved in getting from the "mainstream" motorsports media. IMCA, USAC, ARCA, etc. all have tremendous history that should be covered more.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks kindly, Kyle. I completely agree on getting these pioneers more coverage. I just wished more people saw it our way. Greatly appreciated...HMM

[@kyleolson279]

@@HistoryMysteryMan Definitely wished more saw it our way. At least you're doing your part!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

@@kyleolson279 Thanks for that...

[@Blrtech77]

HMM, Once again thanks for the amazing history of ARCA-NASCAR. I appreciate all that you do and as I said, Be Safe Out There! Looking forward to the maritime history!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks again! Capt. Darrell coming soon! HMM

[@wideslammer]

NIce job -- I learned some new things from watching/listening to you. I'll bet you could share a lot of stories of your ARCA days with us, and you could do it form the comfort of your home as you did with this. Searching for the pictures to supplement your commentary adds a nice touch to the video.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks again, sir. And yes...I have many stories to share, good and bad, so I should be careful. That, but I don't think enough people would be interested at the end of the day anyway. The numbers reflect that. I sure appreciate you...HMM

[@jakecroxton]

@@HistoryMysteryMan Don't let the numbers fool you...there is a pretty sizeable audience for this type of thing that may not yet know where to look. Once we put the pieces together of HEY That's Don Radebaugh and we understand where you've been - we kinda hope that our news feed fills up with new content...I'll bet it's all really good stuff.

[@jakecroxton]

And I'll add to that...and I mean this in the most respectful sense...there are a lot of these stories that may just end up lost without their preservation. No pressure lol.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

@@jakecroxton I appreciate your support Jake!

[@elroyelblander6277]

👍👍👍.. thanks for another intriguing history lesson feller...see ya next time..have a good weekend 👍👍👊

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks again, Elroy. This ole feller is having a great weekend...based on your recommendations! HMM

[@rogerozdarski2935]

Thank you HMM for explaining the history of ARCA. Great video. Looking forward to your upcoming video on the ARCA final. Also more stories about the Fitz. Great job you do.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

You're welcome Roger! So great to have you on this journey...all the way through, start to finish...thanks! HMM

[@j.d.preppingerie6522]

Hey Don great job, thanks JD

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

You're always welcome JD...great to hear from you! HMM

[@robertayers9424]

Great explanation. Thanks for clarifying everything! Thanks for a great race season, look forward to your finale ! Thanks again for all your conversations and stories!!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

You're always welcome Robert. And I always look forward to your feedback...so rewarding...and valuable! HMM

[@chuckg6039]

My gosh Don. 454 straight ARCA races you attended! I remember asking you once if you ever watched a race at the old Columbus Motor Speedway. You said no. You started after the two ARCA races were held at CMS. They were in 1982 and the other in 1993. You started with ARCA in 1997. I recall being there for one of them. Can't recall which one. Boy do I miss our local track. Loved going there Don.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

You are correct Chuck. I have been to a lot of tracks across Ohio but never to Columbus Motor Speedway. Sounds like I'm too late at this point. I was in Columbus a couple weeks ago in the Westerville area...neat little town. Thanks sir...HMM

[@greggrauscher34]

Another great video! You have so much knowledge on the history of ARCA and Midwestern stock car racing in general, this type of monologue comes natural for you. I think it's important for newer race fans to know how competitive and what a big deal ARCA, IMCA and USAC were in the 1950's and 60's and even well into the 1970's. I could also add that the old Winston West Series/ Pacific Coast Late Model division was also a big deal back in the day and like the Midwestern sanctions, the drivers could hold their own and on occasion win NASCAR races. Sad that IMCA and USAC haven't sanctioned stock car divisions in decades and ARCA & K&N West despite still offering some good racing and cool venues would be at the level of single A baseball if one wants to use that analogy. A big shout out for your 454 consecutive ARCA race streak. It shows your dedication and probably a bit of luck too that you never had a family emergency or serious illness etc. that would have caused you to miss a race or races. Looking forward to Capt Darrell and the Fitzgerald content. Hope to see some non-Fitzgerald content as well. Not much Great Lakes shipping or even ship content in general that I don't find interesting.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks Gregg. Yeah...it was quite a streak...454. There were definitely other full-timers who missed races for non-emergency things. But if i would have done that, I would have had hell to pay...turns out I got hell anyway. Best thing that ever happened to me when I left...time to move on! Full ahead...HMM

[@greggrauscher34]

No problem HMM. "Everything happens for a reason", even if it's an overused saying it definitely applies to your long tenure with ARCA. Glad that you are enjoying life more now!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

@@greggrauscher34 Things are much better these days...thanks Gregg. HMM

[@louislepage5111]

Jack Bowsher , Mr Ford was his nickname 😊

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Jack was truly one-of-a-kind...completely unique and particular to himself...amazing man. Thanks Louis...HMM

[@TheBestTruckerWolfe]

Can’t wait to hear from captain Walton

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

You and me both, brother! Thanks...HMM

[@waynedavis8980]

Thanks Don 😊

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

You're welcome Wayne...thanks again! HMM

[@tomstrawmyer4980]

Another good video in the books! 😁

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks again Tom! HMM

[@donolbers]

Lol, Don, Jack Bowsher's personality might be classed as "difficult", certainly one of Dayton, Ohio's fiercest competitors

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

And that difficult personality is what made Jack...Jack. He was unique and particular to himself...super interesting and yes...fierce. Thanks again, Don...HMM

[@bobsmyth9776]

I used to go to MIS ,( MICHIGAN) to watch the Twin 250's ARCA & Indy Cars .Was a great show & ARCA was faster than NASCAR back then......were 't they ???

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Good stuff Bob...thanks. And yes...I can remember several weekends when ARCA out-qualified Cup. I remember one super-hot weekend at Charlotte when Ryan Newman was running ARCA (before he went NASCAR). Newman not only broke the ARCA one-lap track record, but the overall track record as well. And nobody (Cup and/or ARCA) out-qualified Newman that weekend. NASCAR tended to frown on that. HMM

[@jamesmccarthy5086]

Thanks for sharing! Hopefully I can catch your video on the finale Saturday! Love your radio that was behind you, how old is that? And I’ve got a newer Edmund Fitzgerald book that you may find interesting. It’s by Ric Mixter, it’s called: Tattletale Sounds The Edmund Fitzgerald Investigations. It was very good!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks again, James. I believe that Zenith radio -- which still works -- dates back to the late 1920s. Yeah...I haven't read Mixter's book yet, but I'm hearing its super-good. Thanks for the recommendation....and your feedback! HMM

[@jamesmccarthy5086]

@@HistoryMysteryMan that’s really cool! We have an old radio as well not sure from when and I don’t think it works. Plus Mixter is also one of the few who dove the wreck. And his other book The Wheelsmen is very good!

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

@@jamesmccarthy5086 Yeah...I really need to sit down with him for a video conversation...thanks again, James.

[@jamesmccarthy5086]

@@HistoryMysteryMan I hope you get a chance to. I’d like to sit down and talk with him one day as well, I’ve so many questions!

[@jimmichels6534]

No Halloween 200 this year?

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Not sure yet...but it's looking like a no. I assume you'll be there? Thanks ole friend...HMM

[@jimmichels6534]

@@HistoryMysteryMan I am planning on it.

[@rbb1949]

Do you still announce anymore?

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Only around the house!

[@rbb1949]

@@HistoryMysteryMan gotcha I watched a video of a big crown Vic race at Salem speedway but I can't remember if was 2023 or 2022 but the announcer sounded like you. Anyway keep up the great work on these videos.

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

@@rbb1949 Thanks...I was announcing at Salem up through 2022, but that was my last year.

[@ryansalyers5515]

This video reminds me of the IMCA and USAC sprint car organizations during the 50's and 60's. Would you agree that IMCA sprinters were the biggest rival to USAC sprinters, at least in the Midwest and Southwest?

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Absolutely...USAC and IMCA sprints rivaled each other with similar competition levels in the 50s and 60s. The same is true of the NASCAR, USAC, ARCA and IMCA stock car leagues of the 50s and 60s...they were all similar, competition-wise. Thanks again, Ryan. HMM

[@bobvalentine8927]

Love the history

[@HistoryMysteryMan]

Thanks again, Bob...so appreciated. HMM