Old Time Stock Car Convention

Vintage stock cars in action!

I grew up with a father and brother who loved to work on cars. When we were children living in Harpursville, NY, my father had a gas station across the road from our house. He was always helping the local teenagers work on their cars. We went to the local dirt tracks, but Five Mile Point in Kirkwood, NY, the most often. I remember sleeping on the hard benches wrapped in an army blanket. Later when the race was done, we would walk around the track. Looking at the places where the cars had hit the wall or where they had crashed and there were broken parts left behind. All these years later, about 60, I have been renewing my interest in stock cars. Sonny and I went to The 24th Annual Central New York Old Time Stock Car Convention Reunion & Hall Of Fame Induction on Sunday,  September 15th in Morris, NY.

I wish you could hear them!

It took place at the Otsego County fairgrounds in Morris. We arrived early when many of the cars hadn't arrived yet. It was foggy and bustling with activity. Cars were being hauled in on their trailers and put in place. Bustling with energy and excitement there that morning! It was an all day affair. The fair concession stand was open to sell food. We found the only picnic table in the shade and others joined us. One that did was a man who lived in the same city I do and knew one of the my neighbors!

Sonny enjoying the action!

A stock car that is raced on the dirt tracks is a lot different than the NASCAR race cars which is what I was more familiar with. What I didn't expect was the cars taking to the dirt! It was awesome to hear those cars again after so many years of not going to a dirt track. I think I went once in the nineties. Those drivers gave us a show and it was enjoyed by everyone. The sounds and smell was amazing!

David Conde

I must admit, being there with my boyfriend, Sonny was special. He had grown up around the Beagell family, who have celebrity status in the racing community in my hometown. His Dad worked for Don Sr. and Sonny raced the dirt tracks himself. Even though he does not race any longer, he is still in contact with others who were or still are involved in the sport. Now he is racing the RC cars locally and having a great time doing it. So he was running into a lot of people he knew at this show. It was fun!

Race fans enthused to see the old cars!

Later that afternoon, there was a special presentation for an induction in the stock car of fame for some of the old time drivers. Very moving segment of this day as many of those drivers have passed away and their family members accepted their trophies. As they pointed out, racing was not just a driver and his car, but all the people behind the scenes, as well as their families. Racing families and fans love their drivers and at the ceremony there was standing room only left. The seats had filled up fast. 

Some of the vintage stock cars

Sonny and I had a wonderful day and I got to meet some of his friends. Especially Richard Parry, who worked hard behind the scenes on this show and I knew from Facebook. There was also a vintage car show but that will be a future blog post. I admit to liking the vintage and old time cars and vehicles and that is probably due to my age. I don't care. It is what I grew up with and my love for those will never be passed by the new vehicles in recent years. This is a great way to spend a day with your family reliving the past, whether it was part of your past or not. It is free admission for all and you can't find much free entertainment anymore. I hope to go more of these shows in the future.

Don Beagell's Cars got much attention.

Thank you to Sonny Barrett for taking me to this show! I loved it!

Copyright © 2019 Kathleen G. Lupole

All Photographs Copyright © 2019  Kathleen G. Lupole