What Was Your FAVORITE Memory in 2008

[Jane]

For me, I have two.

First, when Brian Finney of Merritt Island, my neighbor and Alex's old PE Coach, won the first leg of the Triple Crown at USA International. Brian and his dad Wally have taught all my kids but one PE at Tropical Elementary and that was an exciting night for Brian and his family and for Alex and me.

Second, when Alex won his first heat race at Orlando in his Hurricane. He was on Cloud 9 and so excited. Alex loves to race but has had car problems all year but that night, his car was perfect and he did a great job of winning his heat race although the car broke for the feature and he was disappointed but nothing could have wiped that smile off his face for that win. I don't think I have ever seen such an excited and happy heat winner.

What was your alltime favorite memory this year?? I know Boneman had a few and Ricky Moxley had a few but what was your favorite memory of this year in racing??

As for outside of racing, mine would be having Kaiden and Nathan come into my life. I was there right after Kaiden was born but I missed Nathan's birth but got to see him when he was a month old. But I don't think anything beats having a new grandchild come into the world.

[Boneman]

A few things really stand out aside from the fun of being a driver. As a fan, I loved seeing David Rogers win the last race at USA. As someone in this racing lifestyle, I had a great time on my night as a fill-in studio host for the "Inside Florida Racing" show.

Here is my favorite picture from 2008. This is my youngest son when we were on vacation in the mountains. Everytime I see that, the whole family vacation thing comes back.

[oneoff]

Only went to races three times this year,all three quite wonderfull visites.

1. Mod Reunion at NSS was great. 2. Snowball with my son in Pensacola, double great, being with my son and the race. CCMP a week ago to help out that little girl, that also was great. Hope to go to the races more in 2009.

[carolwicks]

the first annual Mod Reunion

outside of every second i get to spend with Bobby and Hailey my greatest memory was last yrs. reunion. meeting the racers i used to watch and admire over 40 years ago was amazing. Especially Bobby Pendergast who encouraged me to start attending stock car races every week at Norwood Arena in Norwood, Mass. It has since been demolished, but quite a few of the racers and staff are still with us. (Thank God)... Bugsy Stevens has always been on my mind because he was always in some kind of racing news and not always for winning! he is one of the funniest warmest men alive!!! can hardly wait to see them all again this Feb. 13th. at NSS~!!!!! working with Jerry, his family, Phil Shryver, Jack Smith etc. was so much fun and I can hardly wait to do it again!!! Got to meet Marty Little and his lovely wife... great people. i could go on forever but if i do i will be jobless! lol COME TO THIS YEARS REUNION!!! see for yourself!
events such as this seem to bring back memories of happier times. i loved when my sons were little. they were so much fun....the world was in better shape and so was i!!!! rofllllllllllll
carolwicks aka OZZIE

[Frasson118]

Reunion Day was not only my highlight of the year, but the highlight of my whole career as a race fan. It was very gratifying to see that much work turn out to be appreciated by a lot of great people. I was pretty pissed at the time about some of the things that didn't work as planned, but it didn't take long to look back and concentrate on all the positives that came from it.

Another highlight, was the emergence of the UDLMCS and the great car-counts and fantastic racing it brought. I only wish I had seen more of their shows.

Governors Cup weekend was also a blast. It's been a long time since I watched a big race and immediately packed up and headed for another big race. The Southern Slam at South Georgia MSP was one of the best races of the year, and gave me hope that there is still a future for the SLM class in the Southeast, even if our local tracks are too blind to see that "their" formula isn't working. Yet "the other guys" are getting a ton of cars and National support. Look no further than the Snowball Derby and the upcoming Rattler 250 as prime examples.

Rick Bristols Truckers 200 was another show that gave me hope for a class I had all but given up on. Partying with the winning team both Friday and Saturday nights, and watching them belt out some great Bluegrass until very late, was another good time I won't soon forget.

I know this is more than ONE highlight, but I think all of them deserve mention because they've ALL given me hope that our great sport will not only survive the economy, but can THRIVE in spite of it!

[Boneman]

Hey Frass, what about your time driving at USA? Remember hearing "left and lift" everytime I got near?

[Edm]

My favorite memory would be at IHOP when oval44 was in town. I cannot ever remember anyone taking that much crap and just sitting there. I will give him credit cause if it was me, we'd be fighting.

[cake]

Travis Wilson breaking Robert Yoho's single race wreck record at the Governors Cup

[Jane]

I made this thread sticky because I would really like to hear from everyone on their best memories of 2008. Come on guys and gals, let's share with each other. There is enough serious stuff around that this is the time for fun stuff especially as we say goodbye tonight to 2008. So come on now, let's hear it.

HAPPY NEW YEAR - Always, Jane

[JackTripper]

My favorite memory in 2008, as far as racing goes, would be helping out my new friends for the first time in the pits and finishing third at the TBARA race at New Smyrna. I consider NSB to be my hometown and favorite track and the team hadn't finished that well in quite some time. Plus I got to run down to the finish line like a crazed lunatic when they were doing post-race interviews.

[flvideo]

East Alabama

Last Sat was the first week-end I haven't been at a track somewhere in the south east this year. My most favorite track was East Alabama speedway. The racing there was good but the track was neat. I enjoyed the traveling and saw some good racing. Bob...

[TINYTIMDSS]

Mine is Stephen Nasse going upside down doring the asa at CCMP and the UDLMC at CCMP.

[BJ Cavin]

My best memory has to be that early morning when my wife and I went up to Ocala Speedway and watched the first truckloads of clay get dumped in turn 3. I took my wife out for the last lap on the pavement just as the first dump trucks arrived at the gate, and I took the first lap on the new clay after it was graded. And the day was even better because Rich Pratt showed up and hung out with us, and treated us like we were old friends. More racers showed up later, and as word spread Ocala Speedway became some sort of crazy tourist attraction. Funny, but I don't know if all of us really knew how significant that day was or not. But a year later everyone knows how significant it was!

[racnphotos68]

Favorite memory...

I have a few, the first one is watching David Rogers win the last race at USA and then go to the Snowball and finish 6th. He and his crew did a great job!!

Secondly was going to Nashville's Music City Motorplex and the Snowflake and Snowball Derby as a free lance media photographer for the first time, and shooting from turns 1 and 2 of Las Vegas Motor Speedway this past January.

I hope we can endure the problems short tracks every where are feeling, work together and keep our sport going. Support the sponsors, and each other.

Have a safe and Happy New Year and see you at the track!

[Jane]

See, that didn't hurt. We all have some GOOD memories in 2008 and we need to remember and share them since in all honestly, 2008 STUNK for most of the year for almost everyone. I watched friends see their jobs come to an end, others worry if they would have one, and people in construction and electrical work see their work go to pot. Small companies went out of business right and left but somehow we have all made it thru.

But thanks for sharing and I hope we can do more of it.

HAPPY NEW YEAR