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Best from CC, lets see,

 

Slick Yomens, Billy Hardcastle, Dub & Jarrett Rollins, The Flannagans, James and Lawrence Micklechek, Bruce Beddoe, Joey Heinaman, Bruce Sanders,... theres a bunch. This is just a few. Monty always raced hard and was always fast. I think he was very good but if you asked Monty himself I bet he would vote for a certain purple car with a #70 on the door as the best to come from CC. There was also a bright red #44 that did pretty well too.

 

JMO but the Rapper was the best.

Mel

The Rapper was there in 1979 when Nichols was track champion. A bunch of the other guys you just named were also there. I just don't understand why he isn't mentioned among the great drivers to come out of CC. There was a post on here awhile back that said if they were to race now who would win, alot of drivers were mentioned except Nichols. I just want to know why not? Why is it when they talk about the best drivers to come out of CC he is never mentioned? This happens all the time. Why do you think it's the Rapper?

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This was the time I l;ived at C.C. Speedway and went to San Antonio and Austin regularly.Nichols was a good driver and one of my favorites at the time.I guess the reason he doesn't get the props like Slick,Rick,Bruce and so on is he wasn't always the most"gentlemanly" drivers around.I remember an on track encounter with James Michleucek(sp?) that resulted in a discussion between the two on the front straight.Wisely Nichols never took his helmet off.And the time he was escorted out of SAS after allegedly wrecking half the field on the back straight.I think we can all agree he was one of the most interesting drivers to watch race.I have to say to me Freddy Fryar was one of the best short track drivers ever.Have to agree Rick Rapp was the best to come out of Corpus as he did a lot with less.

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Why is it when they talk about the best drivers to come out of CC he is never mentioned? This happens all the time. Why do you think it's the Rapper?

 

It is universally understood by all of us who were involved in the late model racing back then that Rick Rapp did way more with inferior equipment than about anyone else.

You Nichols fans wont like this, but in equal cars, Rapp would have been the choice, hands down.

Nichols was running the latest design Howe Chassis, with power from Prototype Engineering. In 1979, he was one of the first to bring that type of car to the area. Most everyone, including Fryar and Rapp, were running Late Model Sportsman style cars, and were a few years old.

Ya'll want to make a big deal about Nichols setting a track record; Well, he took that hot stuff car, and broke the track record by about 4 one-hundredths of a second. And the record had been set by Labonte in their couple year old sportsman style chassis. When Jimmy Finger and a few others got the same level of equipment Nichols had, it didn't take them long to get the all time record to a 17.934.

In 1979, Nichols should have dominated CC with his equipment. And Rapp and Yoemans were racing most of the nights at SAS. Rapp was in the DART car, and later the Melvin Myers car that Myers bought from Tony Fasulo. Yoemans was in the sportsman style chassis Cheathem bought from Bob Labonte. Yoemans may have run a few nights at CC, but he raced enough at Hwy16 to win the championship. And Rapp took that Myers car to the 1980 championship at San Antonio. The Myers car was the sister to Fryar's Nova. They were both Banjo Matthews cars that actually started life as Chevelles before being re-skinned to Novas. Fasulo, the owner of the #48 that Myers bought, was Fryar's Father in law.

One of ya'll thinks that Fryar and Nichols were on the track together only in 1978, but they raced a few times in 1979. Fryar won about everything he raced in 1979 at Hwy 16 and on Fridays at Austin.

As previously stated, while Nichols set a record early in the season, by late 1979, he was back in CC, his record had been reset, and he had long been escorted out of the place after trashing half the field down the San Antonio backstretch.

And about Fryar not being there because he might be shown up by Nichols; that statement shows a lack of knowledge about who Fryar was, and what his racing was about. Fryar did not have anything to prove to anyone, Nichols or anyone else. While he was racing a lot over here, he was also running the bigger shows in the Southeast, Ft Smith, and wherever he could make enough money to eat. He didn't adjust his schedule just because some supposed hotshot with a car was going to show up somewhere.

 

Simply put, if you wanted to see someone who could win with equipment, aggression, and the ability to show a lack of respect for the other drivers with his driving style, well, I guess that Nichols would be your man.

 

But those of us who had to fix all the damage could see that there were several drivers that could win on sheer driving talent, with lesser equipment, and did it while cleanly racing their fellow drivers. Rick Rapp is at the top of that list, and you can add all the Corpus names Mel mentioned to that list.

 

Wisely Nichols never took his helmet off.And the time he was escorted out of SAS after allegedly wrecking half the field on the back straight.I think we can all agree he was one of the most interesting drivers to watch race.

Arob is right about Nichols being interesting to watch, but for a lot of the wrong reasons.

 

And before you get the idea that I don't like Nichols; I do. We used to talk every race. I just was there over and over again to see the different side of him when he got in the racecar.

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well i remember nichols driveing wasnt the best ..and i liked him ..tore up alot of cars .mostly others ..and from what i gathered yesterday from a person who raced back then ..fryar started in the back and move into second near the end of the race ..rick had it won untill his motor went up in a large fire .... that was in 1979 ..

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As always, Tom is right on the spot with all the history and how things went back then. Couldn't agree more with everything you pointed out.

 

Billy

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Why is it when they talk about the best drivers to come out of CC he is never mentioned? This happens all the time. Why do you think it's the Rapper?

 

It is universally understood by all of us who were involved in the late model racing back then that Rick Rapp did way more with inferior equipment than about anyone else.

You Nichols fans wont like this, but in equal cars, Rapp would have been the choice, hands down.

Nichols was running the latest design Howe Chassis, with power from Prototype Engineering. In 1979, he was one of the first to bring that type of car to the area. Most everyone, including Fryar and Rapp, were running Late Model Sportsman style cars, and were a few years old.

Ya'll want to make a big deal about Nichols setting a track record; Well, he took that hot stuff car, and broke the track record by about 4 one-hundredths of a second. And the record had been set by Labonte in their couple year old sportsman style chassis. When Jimmy Finger and a few others got the same level of equipment Nichols had, it didn't take them long to get the all time record to a 17.934.

In 1979, Nichols should have dominated CC with his equipment. And Rapp and Yoemans were racing most of the nights at SAS. Rapp was in the DART car, and later the Melvin Myers car that Myers bought from Tony Fasulo. Yoemans was in the sportsman style chassis Cheathem bought from Bob Labonte. Yoemans may have run a few nights at CC, but he raced enough at Hwy16 to win the championship. And Rapp took that Myers car to the 1980 championship at San Antonio. The Myers car was the sister to Fryar's Nova. They were both Banjo Matthews cars that actually started life as Chevelles before being re-skinned to Novas. Fasulo, the owner of the #48 that Myers bought, was Fryar's Father in law.

One of ya'll thinks that Fryar and Nichols were on the track together only in 1978, but they raced a few times in 1979. Fryar won about everything he raced in 1979 at Hwy 16 and on Fridays at Austin.

As previously stated, while Nichols set a record early in the season, by late 1979, he was back in CC, his record had been reset, and he had long been escorted out of the place after trashing half the field down the San Antonio backstretch.

And about Fryar not being there because he might be shown up by Nichols; that statement shows a lack of knowledge about who Fryar was, and what his racing was about. Fryar did not have anything to prove to anyone, Nichols or anyone else. While he was racing a lot over here, he was also running the bigger shows in the Southeast, Ft Smith, and wherever he could make enough money to eat. He didn't adjust his schedule just because some supposed hotshot with a car was going to show up somewhere.

 

Simply put, if you wanted to see someone who could win with equipment, aggression, and the ability to show a lack of respect for the other drivers with his driving style, well, I guess that Nichols would be your man.

 

But those of us who had to fix all the damage could see that there were several drivers that could win on sheer driving talent, with lesser equipment, and did it while cleanly racing their fellow drivers. Rick Rapp is at the top of that list, and you can add all the Corpus names Mel mentioned to that list.

 

Wisely Nichols never took his helmet off.And the time he was escorted out of SAS after allegedly wrecking half the field on the back straight.I think we can all agree he was one of the most interesting drivers to watch race.

Arob is right about Nichols being interesting to watch, but for a lot of the wrong reasons.

 

And before you get the idea that I don't like Nichols; I do. We used to talk every race. I just was there over and over again to see the different side of him when he got in the racecar.

 

Been real busy lately, but after reading your post along with some buddies of mine they recall Rapp being at CC every Sat night driving a purple Sardine can looking car. They also don't recall Nichols racing in SA and then fleeing to CC late in 1979. Then you wanna say that once Jimmy Fingers had the same equipment and car as Nichols he was 2 seconds faster, I dont think so. What did Fingers have under the hood a 300-shot of nitrous to be 2 seconds faster, cause he sure wasn't a better driver then Nichols. Where you get your info from I don't know? but what you say and what I've seen just don't add up. Rapp beating Nichols with both in equal cars, YEAH RIGHT! Apparently you didn't see Nichols run every Sat night in CC cause you were in SA at the time. You say Yoemans was running in SA in 1979, that's because he couldn't win in CC, enough said.

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Well thats fine Viper. He is the greatest to you. That means your a good fan of his but don't be pissed off because others have a different opinion.

Not pissed off, I just don't recall alot of this stuff happening back then. If you weren't in CC in 1979 then you wouldn't remember him. But it bugs me to read all these posts about Rick this Rick that Slick this and Slick that Freddy this, well you get the point. To say Rapp would of beaten Nichols in equal cars and Rapp would win a race now if they all raced is crazy. What are these guys SMOKING.

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They're not smoking anything, sir. They are telling it the way it is.

 

To even imply that Freddie was afraid to compete against Mr. Nichols is absolutely laughable. If you are actually being serious and not simply trying to start some sort of twisted BS on here, then you don't know what you're taling about.

 

In addition, some of the people you are putting down in this thread are well-respected racers who raced with and against the legendary racers you are tyring so hard to degrade. Tom Taylor, who probably knows more about Texas racers and Texas racing than any living person, is known by all of us to be honest and full of intergrity.

 

Meanwhile you are hiding behind a computer keyboard and a screen name making wild statements that shows that you are full of something other than what Tom's full of...

 

By the way, what is your name?

 

Nick

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Hello to all, I'm Monty Nichols, I just wanted to say that I raced with all the guys yall are talking about and they were good racers and there were many more not even mentioned. On any given night any of us could win. We had a lot of fun back then, but I can say I have alot more for helping my son race now LOL. I would like to say that Freddy nor any of the other drivers were afraid of racing me and I was not afraid of racing them. We were freinds yall. We raced each other hard. We all lost and we all won and thats it. To my fans out there, thanks for your freindship. I hope this does not make anyone madd because thats not my intension. Well goodnight yall and God Bless All of You and your Famlies. :)

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They're not smoking anything, sir. They are telling it the way it is.

 

To even imply that Freddie was afraid to compete against Mr. Nichols is absolutely laughable. If you are actually being serious and not simply trying to start some sort of twisted BS on here, then you don't know what you're taling about.

 

In addition, some of the people you are putting down in this thread are well-respected racers who raced with and against the legendary racers you are tyring so hard to degrade. Tom Taylor, who probably knows more about Texas racers and Texas racing than any living person, is known by all of us to be honest and full of intergrity.

 

Meanwhile you are hiding behind a computer keyboard and a screen name making wild statements that shows that you are full of something other than what Tom's full of...

 

By the way, what is your name?

 

Nick

My name is Adam and I'm from Victoria TX, I didn't say anything bad about anybody on this thread. I didn't mention anybody's wife like someone did, nor did I say any bad remarks about anybody. I speak of what I saw back then. Mr Taylor states that Mr. Rapp raced in SA that year, but I seen him in CC in 79' along with Mr.Yoemans. He also states that Monty's car and equipment was more advanced then the other's and he makes it sound like that's why Monty was winning. And once the rest of the drivers got the same equipment he states Jimmy Finger was 2 seconds faster 2 seconds. I just don't believe that, he's making Monty look bad. So many great drivers to come out of SA like John Kelly, Bendele, Oats, Brieten Jr. Hagy, Davidson also raced there, Umschied, Riethmeyer, Yoemans, Jay Watson, Tommy Grimes and none of them could break the track record held by Jimmy Finger (17.9). I thought cars and equipment are more advanced now What's up? That's why some of the things he says I just find it hard to believe.
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You say Yoemans was running in SA in 1979, that's because he couldn't win in CC, enough said.

Viper75 your'e a [eidted out by Nick Holt, 6/2/08]. Slick won the champoinship at CC in 78 and the we wanted to start racing in SA and won the championship in 79. Laid off in 80 and then won the championship in Austin AND CC in 81. And you say he couldn't win at CC????????????????????I may be off a year or two but I think I'm right. Go look and see who has won the most TIDA races. You are one of these guys that couldn't drive a nail and now your'e an expert on drivers. I've got a big enough set to leave my name - Jody Keys.

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You say Yoemans was running in SA in 1979, that's because he couldn't win in CC, enough said.

Viper75 your'e a [eidted out by Nick Holt, 6/2/08]. Slick won the champoinship at CC in 78 and the we wanted to start racing in SA and won the championship in 79. Laid off in 80 and then won the championship in Austin AND CC in 81. And you say he couldn't win at CC????????????????????I may be off a year or two but I think I'm right. Go look and see who has won the most TIDA races. You are one of these guys that couldn't drive a nail and now your'e an expert on drivers. I've got a big enough set to leave my name - Jody Keys.

Adam Canales for your info. buddy. I see your a big fan of Slick that's good, I like Slick too. The only reason I watched the TIDA'S back in the days was because of Slick, I have pictures of Slick at home he was a good driver. But if you're from CC and if you're a big race fan then you know who Monty is, are you even old enough to remember him. Why not give the man some credit, I give credit where credit is due. The only question remains is what would of happened if he would have raced in the TIDA'S? Like I said in another post, he was pushing a late model with his Super Stock car, but what would I know about drivers?

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I worked on Slick's car back when he had the black 57 Chevy #3 all the way up to the last time he raced in Memphis, TN. There's alot of great drivers that came from this area. Naming a hand full is not doing justice. You attacked Slick and I defended him. You said the reason he was not racing at CC in 79 was that he couldn't win, which is TOTAL BS. I'd put his fat butt in a car today and race you anyday.

 

Hello to all, I'm Monty Nichols, I just wanted to say that I raced with all the guys yall are talking about and they were good racers and there were many more not even mentioned. On any given night any of us could win. We had a lot of fun back then, but I can say I have alot more for helping my son race now LOL. I would like to say that Freddy nor any of the other drivers were afraid of racing me and I was not afraid of racing them. We were freinds yall. We raced each other hard. We all lost and we all won and thats it. To my fans out there, thanks for your freindship. I hope this does not make anyone madd because thats not my intension. Well goodnight yall and God Bless All of You and your Famlies. :)

 

Nicky's answer shows a lot of class.

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Like I said, I like Slick he was exciting to watch always had a fast car, he was the reason why I never missed a TIDA race back in the days in CC or SA. We went just to see Slick. If my memory is right didn't he at one time drive a maroon or purple #6 car in CC. I can't quite remember but I think he did. Correct me on this if I'm wrong. If you have any pictures of that car can you post them, sure would like to see that car again.

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Like I said, I like Slick he was exciting to watch always had a fast car, he was the reason why I never missed a TIDA race back in the days in CC or SA. We went just to see Slick. If my memory is right didn't he at one time drive a maroon or purple #6 car in CC. I can't quite remember but I think he did. Correct me on this if I'm wrong. If you have any pictures of that car can you post them, sure would like to see that car again.

Mid and dark maroon #24 with yellow numbers. Allen Yeats' wife picked the color. I've got alot of photos but can't let you see them because he raced in SA in '79 because he couldn't win at CC. Remember. Go back to the grandstands and race.

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Like I said, I like Slick he was exciting to watch always had a fast car, he was the reason why I never missed a TIDA race back in the days in CC or SA. We went just to see Slick. If my memory is right didn't he at one time drive a maroon or purple #6 car in CC. I can't quite remember but I think he did. Correct me on this if I'm wrong. If you have any pictures of that car can you post them, sure would like to see that car again.

Mid and dark maroon #24 with yellow numbers. Allen Yeats' wife picked the color. I've got alot of photos but can't let you see them because he raced in SA in '79 because he couldn't win at CC. Remember. Go back to the grandstands and race.

Come on buddy don't be like that man post them, quit being a hater.

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I remember in 1991 at CCspeedway a week before the TIDA's were gonna be there the announcer that night said there was a Late Model car here to show the fans just how fast these cars were. Mike Denman comes out in his black 88 and about ten seconds later Monty Nichols comes out in his SUPER STOCK CAR. He follows Mike Denman around for about five laps and then Denman nails it coming out of turn 2. Of course Denman pulls away from him going down the back stretch, but what's AMAZING was that Nichols was pushing him in turns 3 and 4. For about 4 or 5 laps Nichols was pushing his car in the turns, I remember looking around and saying how in the hell is that possible. That's a LATE MODEL being pushed around by a SUPER STOCK. WOW! Now All I have to say is that what if Nichols was driving a LATE MODEL car in the TIDA's what do you think he would have done? I know everybody who was there that night remembers this because I know I do. Monty Nichols the best to come out of CCSpeedway. I wanna here from Monty himself why he quit racing. I have more stories if yall wanna here them, just hope nobody gets upset about them.

Bruce Beddoe and Wayne Norrell did the same thing with their Super Stocks when TIDA came to CC Speedway

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Bruce Beddoe and Wayne Norrell did the same thing with their Super Stocks when TIDA came to CC Speedway

Don't ever remember seeing that, maybe your talking about in a heat race or a feature race.

 

If I remember correctly it was intermission when #11 & #88 were on the track no other cars involved.

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Bruce Beddoe and Wayne Norrell did the same thing with their Super Stocks when TIDA came to CC Speedway

Don't ever remember seeing that, maybe your talking about in a heat race or a feature race.

 

If I remember correctly it was intermission when #11 & #88 were on the track no other cars involved.

it was during the race

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I dont have a dog in this fight, but have watched many great drivers at CC over the years. As a 6 yr old, Dub Rollins was my first favorite driver because he was my Dads favorite. For me it would be hard to pick who was the absolute best if you could somehow put them all in equal equipment and on the track at the same time. In a heat or short feature, any of the drivers mentioned could and probably would win. In the longer races where tire management and smoothness matter more, I would lean towards Bruce Beddoe. Real smooth and clean driver that I saw win or be competitive in races where he wasnt the fastest at the beginning but seemed to come on at the end. Just another opinion. Now, put all of the guys mentioned on the same track in equal equipment for a 100 lap race this Saturday night at the Bullring, and I would pay 100 dollars to see it. :D

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Jody dont let this guy rile you up!!! Until they have walked in our shoes and seen what weve seen they can never take away the great memories we all share. This generation won't get the chance to see the talent we did, from not a few drivers but a bucket full. I always judged drivers not so much on talent but by their passion. Theres no doubt that was an era!!! And you know there was some pretty good crew chiefs and crewmen around also. I never thought i would say from the old days!! Well not as old as oldtimer!!! Rick Sinard

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Jody dont let this guy rile you up!!! Until they have walked in our shoes and seen what weve seen they can never take away the great memories we all share. This generation won't get the chance to see the talent we did, from not a few drivers but a bucket full. I always judged drivers not so much on talent but by their passion. Theres no doubt that was an era!!! And you know there was some pretty good crew chiefs and crewmen around also. I never thought i would say from the old days!! Well not as old as oldtimer!!! Rick Sinard

You know Rick, people in the stands have no idea how much time is involved in one of these cars. I know when we ran in Austin and CC we would leave Fri at about 4pm. Race and get home around 3am. Get a few hours of sleep at be at the shop around 8am to fix what was tore up AND change the setup for CC. Along with that we had full time jobs during the week and worked on the car at nite. We never got paid for it. We did it for the love of the sport. At the end of the year you got a trophy,bragging rites and Allen got a little bit of money - nothing near what he spent. I'm not trying to hijack this thread, but there are alot of great drivers - not just a hand full - that never got the break they were looking for. And it's real easy to sit in the stands and 'grandstand drive'.

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  • 7 years later...

I realize im a few years behind in this converstion but im gona add my two cents anyhow. 1973 was the first time I went to CC my father and oldest brother were the crew for Johnny Thomas out of mathis they won 2-3 stocker championships in the mid 70's. Until I left Texas in 1990 I didnt miss but a handfull of races and was a good friend of Mac and Dennis McClain so i helped them out in the pits anytime they needed. To get to the point and the topic of this discussion there is no doubt Monty was fast anytime he showed up as far as what he did in S.A. r Houston I never saw him race at either one. I very much agree that the equipment Monty was running was far superior to all of the local racers, im sure Fryar and several others at both of the other big tracks had the same equipment Monty had. And I will just say what no one else would the reason u dont hear Monty mentioned with other drivers of that era James Mikulencak, Slick Yeomans, Rick Rapp which in my opinion were the best at that time. Say between 1976-1984 and I may b off a year r so not that there wasnt other good drivers Rollins, Hardcastle, Flanagan, Unitas, Edwards, Sanders, Baldwin, Wells, etc. To the best of my memory Beddoe didnt start runnin super stocks till mid 80's and Denman after him which by then Dennis McClain was winning his fair share of races/championships and Lawrence Mikulencak was a force also. Back to Monty he was NOT well liked for several reasons he was young and had $$ which at that time was very uncommon, his driving style was very aggressive kinda like dale sr. on steroids!! Personally I didnt know Monty although we both grew up in Calallen/Tuloso area but i sure as hell didnt root for him. I honestly dont remember Freddy ever racing at CC but I do remember a super stock #0 from Houston coming down for a 100 lap race and leading 80 r so laps before tires went away r it may have broke but Tom Riley would show up anytime there was a big purse and he was a threat to win every time. As far as the best to ever race at CC even though he split his time on the asphalt with the 1/2 mile dirt at cuddihy before spending his last years in texas strictly at S.A. and Houston has to be Texas Terry. Does anyone remember him coming back I think early 80's and driving James Mikulencak car in a feature race. He started scratch and had no problems coming thru the field to win going away. I'd like to see how many times he raced against Fryar cuz i really doubt that Freddie won very many of those races!

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