Denver midget memories

[Mitch G.]

Just came across this photo from a 1971 USAC midget program. USAC was in town for 3 races in 1971, September 21,22 at Lakeside, and Sept. 24 at Raceway Park, in Colorado Springs. In the back of the program they had some shots from the RMMRA season. This photo evokes really powerful memories for any of us who grew up going to Lakeside Speedway. It's late afternoon, early evening, the sun is going down, the midgets are out for warm ups. This is where you could hear the Offy's crackle as you walked toward the ticket booth. As you bought your tickets, walked up the stairs to the grandstands, and the track came into view, the wonderful midgets would be slowly circling, just before getting the green flag for hot laps! I can smell the castor oil, hear the amusement park in the background, and hear the bark of the Offy. Wow.
http://autoracingmemories.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=9&pictureid=426
Eldon Hearn in #76 leading, Bob Young in #9, Gene Pastor #98 (no roll cage!), maybe Cal Chambers #75, Spider Anderson #41 with his hand up, way in the back, cruising down the front straight at Lakeside.

[webby]

I can remember watching Gene Pastor warming up his midget (without a roll cage) along with all the other caged midgets and feeling like it was kind of sad to be witnessing the end of an era.