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Comment by Clock The Wolf on September 2, 2012 at 5:00am

Oh.

Comment by RTZGUITARS on September 2, 2012 at 4:49am

Great stuff Clock, sorry about the big post But i love Drag History......

And speaking of Lions starting-line explosions, a whole host of people surmised – as I did privately – that the circled fan in this scan of Jon Asher's Garlits explosion photo may have been the fan injured by the shrapnel, some of which keen-eyed readers point out can be seen in the photo. Larry Sutton, who was the starter and who waded into the stands to save the fan's life, confirmed to me that that is the general area where he found the injured spectator, whom Lions historian Don Gillespie indentifies at Tom Ditt.

Greg Liskey, who is a two-time Sportsman Motorcycle champ in Division 7, was there and recalled, "I was 18 and on the pit crew of Dennis Thompson's stocker that day. All decked out in our newly acquired white uniforms, we were lookin' good but unfortunately were eliminated in competition. I headed to the stands to watch the big boys run. I have told lots of people that Lions is the reason I flunked high school.

"As the event headed to a conclusion, I remember Garlits and Richard Tharp pulling to the starting line. It was one of those moments that anyone lucky enough to have ever been there could only describe as 'Lions!' There was electricity in the air. As Tharp and Garlits left the starting line, instantly there was a huge explosion! I watched Garlits' car separate and the cockpit tumble forward just off the starting line. The motor and front of the car swung out and came to a stop just past the Tree. Tharp streaked towards the big end. Everything was in slow motion to the senses."

Terry White also was there with his older brother, in the same stands, just out of the frame downtrack. "We were understandably awestruck by the action on track and paid no attention to what was going on in the stands a short distance from us," he said. "When spectators started yelling at people on the track from the stands to our lower right, we noticed the commotion. On-track personnel, Sutton included, found their way to the stands, and soon another ambulance (one was on the track for 'Big') showed up behind us on the return road. When I see those photos, it takes me back.   This change everything!!!!

Comment by Clock The Wolf on September 2, 2012 at 3:37am

Thanks FatBoy!!!

Comment by FatBoy CooKen on September 2, 2012 at 3:27am

Vroooom vrooom :)

Comment by Clock The Wolf on September 2, 2012 at 3:10am

Thanks James, Wes, Willardj, Pick, Diglydog, Uncle J, Buggy, and Jason!!!!!!!!!

Comment by Jason Mills on September 2, 2012 at 3:02am

Comment by BUGGY (C) on September 2, 2012 at 2:38am

Ya best one yet!

Comment by Uncle John on September 2, 2012 at 2:37am

FORD: Fix Or Repair Daily.    Found On Road Dead.   GMC: Get Mechanic Cwik! 

Comment by BUGGY (C) on September 2, 2012 at 2:31am

How very very cool....

Comment by Diglydog on September 2, 2012 at 1:59am

Yeah, great sounds Clock.

I agree with Uncle John about the cars - pushrods, tappets, carburetors, points....the sort of thing you can hit with a hammer, not like today's modern electric stuff.

Trouble is, you do have to mess with old motors because, if you don't, they stop working :-\

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