Jerry Lee
07-31-2009, 12:16 PM
A name that's permanently etched in the stone of Figure 8 history here in Colorado is that of Tommy Darrow. The only man to own a staggering 8 championships (4 with E.R.A. on Sunday nights and 4 with A.R.A. on Saturday nights), Tom's desire to win was overwhelming.
In this 1997 phone interview I could still hear that determination in his voice that earned him the crowns of the Figure 8 King.
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JL: "How did you pull off 3 championships in a row between '67, '68, and '69, Tommy? There were so many cars out there!"
TD: "Ah, y'know, it's just staying with what you're doing. Not going outside yourself."
JL: "You grew up at Englewood?"
TD: "Me and Rich Codner grew up together. We used to go down there when his Dad had all those dirt cars. We used to climb the fence and get in the pits. They'd chase us out of there and we'd go do it again! (laughs) When the Figure 8's came along I thought I could do that! Then I found out there was 100 other guys on the race track that thought the same thing."
JL: "What was it like those first few years in the 8's?"
TD: "Aw hell, in '64 and '65 there was a few hundred Figure 8's out there on race night, and half of them wouldn't run. You should have seen some of the stuff that was out there at first. Some guys were running with football helmets on! In fact, my first year, I used to borrow Bobby Jackson's helmet all the time because I couldn't afford one. One time I wrecked and he had to come running out on the track to get it because he was in the next race."
JL: "I remember seeing the chrome trim from the cars litter the track during the races and..."
TD: "Oh, they used to never clear the track during the race. And if you crashed, you'd just sit out there."
JL: "Who was tough to beat?"
TD: "Oh, Bobby Jackson, Lee Stogsdill. (laughs) He'd like to lean that big fin on everybody and spook 'em out!"
JL: "Tell me a little about your career in the '70's."
TD: "As the years went by we spent a lot more money on the cars. I used to get a big kick when we'd have 28 cars in the main and everyone was screaming. They thought that was a lot. I thought it was like feeding a baby! This is easy! I'd been in them 40 car main events and won 'em!"
JL: "(laughs) Many times over!"
TD: "And I raced to win! Anyone who says winning isn't everything is a liar. That's the reason you screw your helmet on."
JL: "Did you used to party a lot after the races?"
TD: "Man, I remember sitting out there all night. We'd have a kegger going on 'till 5 o'clock Sunday morning. We used to party up a storm out there."
JL: "Some good times, eh?"
TD: "It was just like going to the movies with your girlfriend and getting paid for it."
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One of the biggest Tommy Darrow fans I ever met was Tanya Elder, a little girl I worked with out at Englewood back in the day. I know she's still out there somewhere and hopefully still checks out this site. This one's for you Tanya!
In this 1997 phone interview I could still hear that determination in his voice that earned him the crowns of the Figure 8 King.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
JL: "How did you pull off 3 championships in a row between '67, '68, and '69, Tommy? There were so many cars out there!"
TD: "Ah, y'know, it's just staying with what you're doing. Not going outside yourself."
JL: "You grew up at Englewood?"
TD: "Me and Rich Codner grew up together. We used to go down there when his Dad had all those dirt cars. We used to climb the fence and get in the pits. They'd chase us out of there and we'd go do it again! (laughs) When the Figure 8's came along I thought I could do that! Then I found out there was 100 other guys on the race track that thought the same thing."
JL: "What was it like those first few years in the 8's?"
TD: "Aw hell, in '64 and '65 there was a few hundred Figure 8's out there on race night, and half of them wouldn't run. You should have seen some of the stuff that was out there at first. Some guys were running with football helmets on! In fact, my first year, I used to borrow Bobby Jackson's helmet all the time because I couldn't afford one. One time I wrecked and he had to come running out on the track to get it because he was in the next race."
JL: "I remember seeing the chrome trim from the cars litter the track during the races and..."
TD: "Oh, they used to never clear the track during the race. And if you crashed, you'd just sit out there."
JL: "Who was tough to beat?"
TD: "Oh, Bobby Jackson, Lee Stogsdill. (laughs) He'd like to lean that big fin on everybody and spook 'em out!"
JL: "Tell me a little about your career in the '70's."
TD: "As the years went by we spent a lot more money on the cars. I used to get a big kick when we'd have 28 cars in the main and everyone was screaming. They thought that was a lot. I thought it was like feeding a baby! This is easy! I'd been in them 40 car main events and won 'em!"
JL: "(laughs) Many times over!"
TD: "And I raced to win! Anyone who says winning isn't everything is a liar. That's the reason you screw your helmet on."
JL: "Did you used to party a lot after the races?"
TD: "Man, I remember sitting out there all night. We'd have a kegger going on 'till 5 o'clock Sunday morning. We used to party up a storm out there."
JL: "Some good times, eh?"
TD: "It was just like going to the movies with your girlfriend and getting paid for it."
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One of the biggest Tommy Darrow fans I ever met was Tanya Elder, a little girl I worked with out at Englewood back in the day. I know she's still out there somewhere and hopefully still checks out this site. This one's for you Tanya!