The View from the Grandstand ...

I honestly don't recall the first races we saw, just remember the excitement we all felt at watching young guys from the area racing and the trials and tribulations of getting a car ready for Mike.  I remember numerous trips to junkyards for parts, running errands during the week while the guys building the car were making a living.  After some bumps and bruises and more than one mechanical failure, success came in winning an occasional heat or consolation and perhaps finishing 4th or better in the feature.  That first car #69 was owned by Kemp Beaumont and Bill Spicer.

Hot Saturday summer nights were a family affair.  Michele, who at age 5 was her dad's biggest fan, wore a racing jacket identical to Mike's.  I remember the fireworks, the Joey Chitwood shows, the parachute jumpers and all the extra attractions.  I recall the night Mike broke his leg in a race and coming back six weeks later to win the feature.  It had been a long, miserable six weeks of not being able to work, and even worse, not being able to race !!

One night, John Mackison and Mike raced side by side for the lead over most of the race, with Johnny nosing Mike out at the end.  They got out of their cars, shook hands and the crowd gave them a standing ovation.

I cherish the memories of the fun we had with Sterling Boehler, Jim Measley and Elmer Shearer. I still remember "Shorty" Ensor, a 26 year old midget who always got into the races at kids' price until he walked in one night smoking a stogie.

Racing at Bowling Green was never boring, always extremely good racing by young local men, some of whom became very well known for their racing ability.  A lot of them went on to bigger and better races after the demise of Bowling Green .

Helen Wilhelm
BGSPS Vice President