Dick Fleck And The Living Legends
Of Auto Racing 1992 To 2000
Below you find an article that "Crocky Wright" wrote. It was published in the "The Checkered Flag Racing News". In the article he wrote about the Annual Banquet.
*************
The main ballroom of the Adam's Mark Hotel in Daytona Beach was filled to capacity for the fifth annual Living Legends of Auto Racing Banquet on Feb. 12, 1997. The large crowd was welcomed by President Ray Fox and LLOAR founder Zetta Baker. The Master of the ceremonies for the gala affair was Bob Latford, racing historian. The guest speakers included Bob Latford, Jerry Joslin, and Ernie Saxton. Fourteen new members were inducted into the hall of fame. They included Clarence Cagle, Bill Chubbuck, Jerry Cook, Harvey Duck, Juanta Epton, Bill Gazaway, Ronnie Kohler, Bob Latford, Bob Mock, Russ and Mary Moyer, David Scott, Bill and Nicki Taylor, Wally Vanwert and Smokey Yunick.
Ernie Saxton, President of Ernie Saxton Communication, received the Russ Moyer Media Achievement Award.
Special thanks and congratulations go to Dick Fleck, the banquet coordinator and his able staff for the finest banquet held in Daytona during Speed Weeks.
*************
There were drivers bold in the days of old,
When the tracks were dirt and clay.
And I sing in praise of those bygone days
And the men who showed the way.
*
So listen to my story
Of the men of yesterday,
Of drivers and the glory
That long since fades away.
*
I'll admit today's are among the best,
Earnhardt and Terry and Jeff and Rusty.
But maybe you've heard of some of the rest,
When drivers were rugged and tracks were dusty.
*
Did you ever see Ol' Leadfoot Turner
Power his way through a turn broadside
Spewing dust trails? There was a burner -
The King of the Ragtops gave 'em a ride.
*
Maybe you've heard of the great Fireball,
Always charging to get in the lead.
Some say Roberts was the best of all
On a high banked track at thundering speed.
*
There was LeeRoy Yarbrough, a charging man.
Running flat out was all he knew.
Get out in front his only plan,
And be in front when the last flag flew.
*
Tim, Fonty and Bob, the three Flock brothers.
Running flat out down to the line.
Crossing the country to race with the others,
Their memory lives on in racing's shrine.
*
Before The King came a Petty named Lee,
Grand National Champ when it all began.
Founder of a racing dynasty,
Patriarch now of all his clan.
*
Remember Weatherly, called Little Joe?
A carefree man with a ready smile.
Another champion of long ago,
Who won with nerve and dash and style.
*
Remember The Hornet, that Hudson machine?
Herb Thomas drove it when he was a star.
Charging in front at the drop of the green,
One great driver for one great car.
*
On tracks of the mind I see faces there,
Those great driving men of bygone years.
Paschal and Panch and Welborne and Blair
And Buck and Junior, all great pioneers.
*
There were drivers bold in the days of old,
When the tracks were dirt and clay.
And I sing the praise of those bygone days,
And the men who showed the way.
*************
The early years of racing on the Daytona Beach
The annual parade on the beach every February. By the Living Legends
Myself at Daytona Speedway in the Living Legends Parade before the Daytona 500 in 1998
Myself at the podium at the annual Living Legends Banquet in February 1998.
Myself with Zetta Baker the president of the Living Legends with Cindy Evans the driver on the parade lap before the Daytona 500 1993
Myself in the beach parade in Daytona February 1999.
Myself in parade February 2000.
Parade Feb 1997 I am in the middle with Bill Gazaway to my left and Joe Epton on my right.
Myself in the beach parade in 1998 with Joe Epton
Myself Pointing to my car at the Daytona Beach Race in 1956
This is a statue of BILL AND ANNE FRANCE. The founders of NASCAR and Daytona Beach Racing.
Myself signing old race car at the banquet in February 2000
The banner at the Living Legends Banquet