Old DeSoto Stuff...

[flvideo]

My eyes aren't very good Jimmy! I'll look for it tomorrow.

[pacecardriver]

I believe the 79 Late Model champion was Jerry Adema (Scotts Dad).

[flvideo]

Can anyone remember the dates Stimus was at Desoto?

[crystal]

Bob the Spider-Man ad said may 19 1989

[flvideo]

I'd guess that's why I couldn't find 5/20/88. The closdest I could find was 5/28/88. I'll look agin tomorrow. for 5/19/89.

[flvideo]

Crystal

where'd you see 5/19/89? I see where it says may 20 but no year.

[bubba]

Friday May 19 1989 is at the top left ..actually that is the date the ad ran in the bradenton herald, so if they ran saturdays, the race would have been on the 20th.

[flvideo]

Lord willing and the creek don't rise I will find it today!

[Mark Keeler]

It says in Red near the bottom "Saturday Racing Schedule May 20th" look a couple inches up from the bottom. Red writing.

[Matt Albee]

These type of promotions were ongoing at Desoto, not just a couple of times a year like most tracks in Florida. There was something new almost every week. And EVERY special promotion was in the local papers, on local radio and tv, on posters in windows all over the area.
The autograph sessions by the NASCAR drivers was always the most popular of course, but he gave everyone, from grandparents to children, a reason to want to be in the grandstands each week.
We might see a track owner or promoter try to copy something like this now, but after a few weeks they'll go back to posting on message boards as their way of promoting. We sure need another Stimus ( only the promotional side of Stimus ) around Florida again.

By the way, is that Gene on the tractor in the above photo?

[petermmg]

These type of promotions were ongoing at Desoto, not just a couple of times a year like most tracks in Florida. There was something new almost every week. And EVERY special promotion was in the local papers, on local radio and tv, on posters in windows all over the area.
The autograph sessions by the NASCAR drivers was always the most popular of course, but he gave everyone, from grandparents to children, a reason to want to be in the grandstands each week.
We might see a track owner or promoter try to copy something like this now, but after a few weeks they'll go back to posting on message boards as their way of promoting. We sure need another Stimus ( only the promotional side of Stimus ) around Florida again.

By the way, is that Gene on the tractor in the above photo?

Matt. Whatever happened to Tom Stimus and his ownership of the track? Did these great promotions create a big return on investment? Was he so successful in promoting the track that he then sold it for a big profit? Again, I am a newbie and trying to learn the history of Desoto. Thanks.

[Matt Albee]

Don't know for sure what happened to Stimus, i know he got into trouble over a business he owned, separate from the race track. The track was then sold several times. There's guys on this site that probably know a lot about the Stimus situation, maybe they'll chime in.
As to his promotions actually turning a profit, i'd have to think so because of the volume of people in the stands and the car counts. Must have sold a lot of food and drinks not to mention programs. He also sold a lot of billboards and race sponsorships. Anyone who was there remembers the traffic jam for MILES back down the highway leading to the track for some of his promotions. And most of those in the traffic jam had to turn around and go back home because the place was already overflowing with fans.
But i don't have any idea how much it cost to bring the NASCAR drivers to the track in those days. I don't know how much it cost to have a loaner super late model for use by visiting NASCAR drivers. So maybe he made a bundle. maybe he didn't. But he had the most successful show in the state every week for the time he was there.
It's been a lot more quiet around here since he left.

[Frasson118]

Jimmy... I don't think that pic is from the first Fla Pro race. I was there for it, and I'm pretty sure Billy Bigley won it (in Grant Thormeiers car 26), and Junior Purcell was 2nd in a red #2, that I believe I'd seen Mickey Wright drive previously.

What I DO remember for sure, is that 59 Late Models were on the property, with 57 of them signing in. Mike McCrary Sr & Jr. were in the parking lot, but never pulled in. There was a USA Late Model show the previous night at Charlotte County (PGS now), and many guys ran both.

I would not have even been there, but I ran into the crew for Gary Southard after the Friday night show at OSW, and they told me about it. I never even went home that night, drove straight to Desoto, and camped in line to get in the next morning. The first car in line besides me? Gary Southard....

What a cool sight to wake up to..... racecars and tow rigs lined up all the way down the driveway. That was a great series, until someone who will remain anonymous, decided he should get in on the action and started a competing series that quickly killed both. Bert Ashleman had it going ON with his Fla Pro series.

[Jimmy McKinley]

Thanks for straightenin' me out, Jerry :P I do believe, though, that that picture *is* from A Florida Pro race. Maybe not *the* first one, but a FP race nonetheless

While on the topic of old Desoto Speedway history, does anybody else know who won the first late model championship at the track? Just as a clue, its not one of the popular names from that era, but still pretty good. He beat a fellow by the name of lovelady by 5 points for it.

I'm gonna go with Gene Tharpe. He was a pretty consistent guy back then. May not have won a whole lot of features, but, he was there *every* week.

[Frasson118]

Just thought of something... my story can't be quite accurate either. I think that first one was a Sunday afternoon show. There were a lot of Citrus, Sunshine, New Smyrna, Auburndale & Lakeland racers. Charlottes USA show wouldn't have been a Friday show, and all those other racers wouldn't have ALL skipped their regular Saturday track.

Therefore, I COULDN'T have gone straight from OSW (Friday) to Desoto on Sunday.

Old age is leaving me with a touch of Anheusers disease...