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Cronkite was 'curious' track fan
By JULIE MURPHY
Staff Writer DAYTONA BEACH NEWS JOURNAL
Daytona International Speedway hadn't been open for a full year in November 1960 when Walter Cronkite came to town.Though Ruth Bon Fleur and her husband, George, worked as scorers for Bill France both on the beach and at the speedway, she was at the track that day representing the Chamber of Commerce.
An honor she has not forgotten."I presented the key to the city to Walter Cronkite," Bon Fleur said Saturday.
"He was a very kind man, and he had the best voice in person."A racer himself, Cronkite was a member of the Art Riley Motors team 50 years ago, reports the Sporting News online.
It says the team won races at Lime Rock's 'Little LeMans' in 1957, '58 and '61 -- and says the newscaster was the only finisher in a five-car team one year, taking a B-division win and placing third overall.
"He was curious about the Speedway," Bon Fleur said. "I told him some of the background -- that engineer (Charlie) Moneypenny designed the track."Cronkite was impressed by the highly banked turns, she recalls, and that he couldn't stand solidly on them because of the angle.
"We spent 10 or 15 minutes chatting," Bon Fleur said. "I don't remember it all, but I do remember he said, 'I can't imagine what door this would open,' when I handed him this huge key with a ribbon tied around it."
Born Walter Leland Cronkite, Jr.
November 4, 1916(
St. Joseph, Missouri, United States
Died July 17, 2009 (aged 92)
New York City, New York, United States
Occupation Television and radio broadcaster
Spouse Mary Elizabeth "Betsy" Maxwell (1940–2005)
Children
Nancy Elizabeth Cronkite (b. 1948)
Kathy Cronkite (b. 1950)
Walter Cronkite III ("Chip")
Religious belief(s) Episcopalian
Notable credit(s) CBS Evening News
Rest in peace Walter.....
By JULIE MURPHY
Staff Writer DAYTONA BEACH NEWS JOURNAL
Daytona International Speedway hadn't been open for a full year in November 1960 when Walter Cronkite came to town.Though Ruth Bon Fleur and her husband, George, worked as scorers for Bill France both on the beach and at the speedway, she was at the track that day representing the Chamber of Commerce.
An honor she has not forgotten."I presented the key to the city to Walter Cronkite," Bon Fleur said Saturday.
"He was a very kind man, and he had the best voice in person."A racer himself, Cronkite was a member of the Art Riley Motors team 50 years ago, reports the Sporting News online.
It says the team won races at Lime Rock's 'Little LeMans' in 1957, '58 and '61 -- and says the newscaster was the only finisher in a five-car team one year, taking a B-division win and placing third overall.
"He was curious about the Speedway," Bon Fleur said. "I told him some of the background -- that engineer (Charlie) Moneypenny designed the track."Cronkite was impressed by the highly banked turns, she recalls, and that he couldn't stand solidly on them because of the angle.
"We spent 10 or 15 minutes chatting," Bon Fleur said. "I don't remember it all, but I do remember he said, 'I can't imagine what door this would open,' when I handed him this huge key with a ribbon tied around it."
Born Walter Leland Cronkite, Jr.
November 4, 1916(
St. Joseph, Missouri, United States
Died July 17, 2009 (aged 92)
New York City, New York, United States
Occupation Television and radio broadcaster
Spouse Mary Elizabeth "Betsy" Maxwell (1940–2005)
Children
Nancy Elizabeth Cronkite (b. 1948)
Kathy Cronkite (b. 1950)
Walter Cronkite III ("Chip")
Religious belief(s) Episcopalian
Notable credit(s) CBS Evening News
Rest in peace Walter.....