Original Message

 Great Question!  I loved reading everyone's story on how they got involved in racing.  For me, it started in about 1954 when I was 5 or so.  My Dad worked on and lettered the hot rods of his brother-in-law, Clyde "Big Woody" Kelly.  My Dad's brother, Mel, drove Woody's #4 at New Egypt, Hightstown (the original asphalt track) and Arneys Mount..  My Dad passed in 1963 and so my Mom (Ruth), who was a big race fan and we continued going to New Egypt (the original asphalt 1/4 mile) and started going to Wall Stadium and Old Bridge.  When Old Bridge closed (1965?) Mom switched to Windsor and Flemington with me in tow.  Also in 1965, our neighbor Chic Ronan bought an old hot rod off of Augie Moschera for a stagging $ 200.00 and started his limitied sportsman career that lasted about 10 years.  Some of my fondist memories are of the nights spent in Chic's garage, at Tighman's Used Auto Parts looking for parts, and in the pits at Windsor, Flemington, and even at the old Atlantic City Speedway.  My short owner/ driver career (end of the 1975 season at Windsor) convinced me that I was a much better pit crew guy (I grade my self at C at best in that category) and an even better fan than I was driver!  I now hit New Egypt, Bridgeport, and Grandview about 10 times a year as a fan.  There was a period when I wasn't going at all until I discovered 3Wide. And I'm glad I did as reading the posts and viewing the great photos got me back to the track.  Scott Ely