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| Humble hostess (second from left) and racing associates, circa 1989 |
The Goat and I watched Rush the other day. I loved every minute of it, but it sure brought back a slew of memories.
Back in the day, Budweiser used to run an Indy car race at Cleveland's Burke Lake Front Airport. I always went with Mom and Dad, a boyfriend or some buddies. It was all about cold beer, hot sun and loud fast Indy cars.
I used to love going to the Friday night practice sessions and time trials. Admission was a buck and the crowds were reduced to a few coolios sauntering around drinking beer while the Indy cars screamed around the track.
One year, I got a hold of a couple of hot passes, which got you into the pits. Man, that was great.
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| Paul Newman pulls into the pits on his moped at the Cleveland Bud 500 |
Aw hell, I miss those days. I miss Mid Ohio and Nelson's Ledges. I miss the buckets of chicken and zippo lighters and endless mud. I miss Dad telling stories about Watkins Glen and the Bog.
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| Dad tries on an Indy car for size while his '49 Willys watches on |
I miss Chris Economaki and Jackie Stewart jawing on ABC's Wide World of Sports while Dad and I emptied cans of Stroh's and watched A. J. and Mario and Bobby chase each other around the oval.
I miss all of it.
Maybe when all this goddamn snow finally melts, I'll pack the kid up and drag her down to Nelson Ledges for one of those crazy events they have down there: the motorcycle shows or one of those silly club races.
Now if I could only get this lump out of my throat.
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| A cargo boat glides by the Roar on the Shore |
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