Remember your first Governor's Cup?

[cake]

Last year was my first. The bar b que. Then going in and watching Billy Mowry fly through the field and end up 3rd behind Russel and Anderson.
Great show

[Osmosis Jones]

Uncanny....

....but I think Rex and I were at the same GC in 1977....I'm sure I saw one or two before that one but that was the first one where I could walk around in the pits by myself....(can't remember if I had to lie about my age to get to do that)....remember the "boat racer's" cars very well and also how they were weapons, as Mr. W. pointed out. This was also the year Dad drove Gene Tharpe's car #33 for some reason (owned by Willie and Sara Lee Teddar).

Went to several more after that and even a few at New Smyrna. In fact, the coldest I have ever been at a race track ANYWHERE was at NSS one time in the late 80's at the GC.....we froze our cojones off it was so cold.

Last one I went to was Frassapalooza One, where I met quite a few of the Karnac regulars of the day. Some memories just can't be repressed, unfortunately.....lol. Wish I could go this year but hunting trips and awful truth of having to work to pay my bills is forcing me to remain in beautiful, sparkiling downtown Palmetto for the holidays.

Oh well....probably just get punched out for something I said on here......lol

Have fun gang....

[Edm]

Here is the first one that I ever wrote back in 1999 - exactly ten years ago.

Wayne Anderson Wins The 1999 Governor’s Cup 200


-joins his father on the list of winners-


October 23, 1999 -by Jane Smith

With a full moon glowing over the race track, thirty two of Florida's finest drivers came to race for the huge silver and wood trophy that is called the Governor's Cup. Earning the honor of having your name added to this trophy is by all means, an honor.

Inspections took place from l2:00 noon until 2 P.M. when the track
was opened for hot lapping. As the cars waited their turns to take
to the racing surface, you could feel the excitement in the air. And
for a change, we watched this event from the grandstands where you
could see the whole track. The only mishap during hot laps was for
B.J. McLeod who hit the wall in turn 4 but with a great crew and alot
of determination, the car was fixed and ready for qualfying at 6:00 P.M.

As all thirty two cars lined up for qualfying, you could see the hope in
each driver's face and the faces of his crew. Eric Black, a 17 year old
high school Senior from Vero Beach, was the first car to take to the
track. Following Eric was Chad Dokken, brother of Michael Dokken who
drives NASCAR Craftsman Trucks. And a surprise driver was in the bunch, Chris Grimes who is one of our SpeedWeeks drivers from Wisconsin but has moved to Georgia now. No mishaps during qualfying, everyone made it thru the turns just fine with B.J. McLeod being the last car out.

Wayne Anderson was fast qualifier with a 18.185 followed by James
Powell III, Jacob Warren, Jack Cook, Dick Anderson, Mike Fritts,
Bobby McClelland, David Rogers, Pete Orr and Jimmy Cope. Regular
races were run and it was time for the BIG BOYS to take to the track
for their 200 lap race.

After a few caution laps and the crowd waving to the drivers and the
drivers waving back, the green flag was dropped and the race begun.
James Powell III took the lead from the green flag but caution was
flown and Wayne Anderson got the jump. The first caution came out
for Tony Amigo in the #77x when his car turned around on the front
stretch but was able to continue racing.

For many fans in the stands, the best part of this race was seeing
Wayne Anderson in first place with his father, Dick Anderson in
second. Father-son raced each other by the book and put on a very
good show. Close behind the Andersons was James Powell III, Jack
Cook and Pete Orr.

Pit stops began around lap 85. When all were done, it had David Rogers up front and B.J. McLeod working his butt off to get back a lap which he did and worked his way up to fourth place which was around lap l44. At this point, l5 cars out of the 32 were left on the track. On Lap l55, B.J. took over the third place but lost it to David Rogers which put B.J. back into fourth when a front tire flew and put B.J. into the wall. The race was red flagged (the first red flag and only red flag of the race) and the track was cleaned. And B.J. was fine, thank goodness.

Wayne Anderson won the race with Jack Cook, David Rogers, David
Reutimann and Rob Underwood behind him. Wayne was obviously
very pleased about his win as he told the crowd, "my dad has his name
on two of these plagues, now I have my name on one. This win means
more to me than you know." With that, Wayne Anderson was surrounded by family, friends, and fans and the l999 Governor's Cup ended once again.

-Jane Smith


Finishing Order:

1. #84 - Wayne Anderson
2. #96 - Jack Cook
3. #11 - David Rogers
4. #237 - David Reutimann
5. #51 - Jacob Warren
6. #09 - Rob Underwood
7. #77 - Daryl Shelnut
8. #64 - Jim McCoy
9. #73 - Chad Dokken
l0. #2 - Jeff Emery
11. #88 - Travis Kittleson
l2. #27 - Mike Good
13. #77x - Tony Amico
14. #78 - B. J. McLeod
15. #44 - Brad May
16. #61 - Jimmy Cope
17. #92 - Dick Anderson
18. #43 - Dennis Schnenfeld
19. #23 - Dave Schwendeman
20. #38 - Shane Sawyer
21. #70 - DeWayne Dempsey
22. #37 - James Powell III
23. #10 - Eric Black
24. #12 - Billy Bigley, Jr.
25. #12w - Justin Drawdy
26. #14 - Keith Vitale
27. #30 - Pete Orr
28. #27x - Mike Fritts
29. #16 - Bruce Lawrence
30. #99 - Bobby McClelland
31. #1 - Chris Grimes
32. #74 - Barry Willoughby

************************************************** **

Finishing Order:

1. #84 - Wayne Anderson - Should be there this year
2. #96 - Jack Cook - No Longer Races
3. #11 - David Rogers - Should be there this year
4. #237 - David Reutimann - NASCAR
5. #51 - Jacob Warren - No Longer Races
6. #09 - Rob Underwood - Races Dirt at Volusia Speedway Park
7. #77 - Daryl Shelnut - Wish He Would Come
8. #64 - Jim McCoy - Had Joe Winchell in his car last time I saw him
9. #73 - Chad Dokken - Not Sure where he went
l0. #2 - Jeff Emery - I think he road races now or something
11. #88 - Travis Kittleson - Lives in North Carolina and has no Super Late
l2. #27 - Mike Good - Maybe his son will race
13. #77x - Tony Amico - Not Racing that I know of
14. #78 - B. J. McLeod - Should be there
15. #44 - Brad May - would love to see him there
16. #61 - Jimmy Cope - would love to see him back behind the wheel also
17. #92 - Dick Anderson - Retired
18. #43 - Dennis Schnenfeld - Not Sure Where He Is
19. #23 - Dave Schwendeman - Not Sure Where He Is
20. #38 - Shane Sawyer - He does race still but in North Carolina I think
21. #70 - DeWayne Dempsey - Love to See Him There
22. #37 - James Powell III - Has Been Racing Dirt Every Now and Then
23. #10 - Eric Black - Disappeared
24. #12 - Billy Bigley, Jr. - Has Won Before and Needs to come back
25. #12w - Justin Drawdy - He is racing Snowflake
26. #14 - Keith Vitale - Not Sure Where He is Now
27. #30 - Pete Orr - We Lost Pete
28. #27x - Mike Fritts - Man, I wish we would come
29. #16 - Bruce Lawrence - Needs to Come Back
30. #99 - Bobby McClelland - No Longer Races
31. #1 - Chris Grimes - Not Sure Where He is
32. #74 - Barry Willoughby - Lives in Seattle now and no longer races

Good list of names there. My first was 91, and 92, then I was in the Marines 93 thru 96. 97, thru 2001 were some pretty good years of racing. Watching the Jack Cook and Dick Anderson battles are still my favorite memories.

Whatever happened to Eric Black, he had some decent runs then nothing?

[Jimmy McKinley]

First one I can *remember* was in '76, when Hamke and Malcuit got together and tore down the fence - and Johnny Hicks If I recall, Don Gregory became the leader, but had made a pit stop due to getting caught up in the wreck, so Howe ended up leading, and eventually ended up winning it.

'77 when Hamke won it, and then '78, the last year that the Cup would be run on a Sunday afternoon, when Anderson and Trickle put on the best damn short track race I'd ever seen - *ever*. That Richie Evans race last year, though, was a close second

Apparently, I'd been to at least the '73 race, because I have the pictures (they weren't called "pics" back then...LMAO).

The way it used to be...practice at the 'Gate on Friday night, along with a regular show. Qualifying on Saturday early afternoon, and load up and head across Tampa Bay to St. Pete for the Gulf Coast Classic. Run the Classic on Saturday night, get a coupla hours sleep, and then heat races and the Florida 200 on Sunday.

After the 'Gate reopened in '81, the Governor's Cup moved to a Friday night show, with the Gulf Coast Classic Saturday night, and then the Coca Cola 200 at DeSoto on Sunday afternoon. *500* laps of Late Model racing in three days! 1981 would also see our car with its best finish, with a sixth behind Eddy, Howe, and I believe either Trickle or Cope (I just remember it was a white car...LOL)

Then, the 'Gate closed for good following the '83 season. In '84, it became the original Florida Triple Crown: a 50-lapper on Friday night at DeSoto, the Classic on Saturday (which expanded to a 125-lapper), and then the 200 back at DeSoto on Sunday.

I miss the Sunday-afternoon "big shows" - the Governor's Cup, the Cracker 200, the Redeye 125 and the Icebreaker (from DeSoto)...we need some more besides the 'Derby

[flvideo]

Jimmy, was the 83 season the last season at the gate? If it was we had the 50 Lapper at Desoto on Friday and we went to the Gate to tape the 125 Classic and when I pulled up in front of the entrance somebody called me and told me it was rained out. It had been raining almost all day. For several years the Florida Triple Crown was a 50 at Desoto, a 125 some where and the 200 back at Desoto. The classic was held at a lot of different tracks. Volusia, when it was paved, Sunshine and I think Orlando one year. It may not have been Orlando. I just remember the track lighting was so bad I had to follow the engine noise at times. That was the only time I can remember saying the race cars needed Lights. Bob...

[Jimmy McKinley]

Bob, '83 was the last year for the Florida 200 on Friday night at Golden Gate. LeRoy won it (Eddy won it in '81, the first year it was on a Friday night, then Cope won it in '82). Saturday was the Classic at St. Pete, and then the 200-lapper at DeSoto on Sunday. I wanna say that Sunshine got rained out that year (on Saturday night).

In '84 and '85, the Triple Crown was the 50-lapper on Friday, the 125 at Sunshine on Saturday, and the 200 on Sunday. In '86 and '87, it became just a Saturday/Sunday show, and was part of the old NA$CAR All-American Challenge Series (even though St. Pete wasn't NA$CAR-sanctioned until '91). I don't believe there was even a Governor's Cup race from '84 to '87, and after that, I can't really remember (as far as a Triple Crown goes), because I moved out of state. In '88, the Governor's Cup moved to New Smyrna, where it's been ever since. I wanna say that either Florida Pro or the old Hooter's Super Cup (the Hooter's Super Late Model Series) put together a couple of Triple Crown series together in the early to mid '90s, because I remember Auburndale, Orlando, and DeSoto putting together something.

[Jane]

I loved the year that the Triple Crown was actually run in three days. It showed alot about the racers themselves and who could do it and who couldn't. I think we ran that Friday at Orlando, Saturday at New Smyrna and Sunday at Desoto. It was a blast but hard on the body.

[flvideo]

When I get some time I will go in my loft and see if I can find some of those old masters. To knowledge I taped all the Triple Crowns from the early 80's till it stopped. Bob...

[M_Seay10]

first gov cup i went to

do i remember? No. dont remember what year or who won all i know is it was some time between 1990 and 2001

[Dana Barlow]

First time up to GC was 1968,made it too a few others,then again in early 80's also crewed on a car that just bearly missed Q the feild. We did better at SS.
Sure seemed like a much bigger deel back then.

[Ted Kempgens]

1968

This was the 1968 Cup. Scorers from the infield. L to R Ted Kempgens, Mike Battle, Randy Alvarez, Rick Battle, Billy Flack, Carolyn Hickey, Jim Flack and Pee Wee Matair. All of us Kids of the Golden Gate Regulars. Went to all of them from tru about 1973 and then off Road Racing. The year Wayne won it Buzzie started on the outside pole and blew a right front going into 1 on the start. I think it was last year that Dad sponsored Buzzie. The following yeaar Dad owned Emil's Tornado. Great Memories Happy Holiday's to all. Ted

[Jane]

The year Billy Bigley won was a special memory for me. Don't remember the exact year but not many cars showed that year but Billy did come and he won. I think it was the same year that karnac had it televised also.

And there was the year that I stood in line at the pit gate to get in with Mike Fritts who I really didn't know well then. Everyone was talking about Wayne Anderson and other winners but not him and he had won one. But I love watching Mike drive a race car, that man can wheel a car. Just like I love to watch Ron McCreary wheel an enduro car, no one like him in an enduro car.

Man, I miss some of the old days. They were great for sure.

[Ted Kempgens]

1968

Sorry here is the picture. Ted

[egspeedway]

Golde Gate Golden Years

I attended from 64 til 71. Iagree that Waynes victory over Bobby Allison was one of the best finishes I ever saw there. As I recall Wayne actually slipped a little coming out #4 and Bobby backed off rather than help him out as so many do now. The photo of Buzzy running towards the finish line is to me one of the classic photos of that era.

[Marty Little]

First Governor's Cup

Like Dave my first GC at GG was 1965. That was before Frank Dery opened the track on Friday night for a regular program that was sort of a test session for Sunday's heat races and the big 200. Later came the Friday night show at the Gate and the Gulf Coast Classic 100 at Sunshine. Any of you who missed the Governor's Cup races in the 60s and very early 70s missed the best times of all.
Long before the Howe cars dominated guys like Bobby Allison, Freddy Fryar, Jack Ingram, Bob Burcham and Roy Trantham towed down to battle the very best Florida had to offer and the races were awesome.
One year, early 70s, 108 late models signed in and they were parked everywhere. Place was jam packed.
In '65 we ran Hialeah for a regular Saturday night show then a bunch of guys loaded up and towed four hours through the night to GG and slept in cars and trucks out back under those big moss cover oaks. What memories.
And yes Dave, trophy named for Al Keller by then Florida Governor Hayden Burns.

Marty