Grand American vs. LMSC

[carterfan]

Time for a change of pace for me.

I went to my 1st race @ the fairgrounds in '83. I have some fond memories and I've got a picture of Sterling's #14 Beaman Pontiac/Pepsi Firebird hanging in my living room.

I have some questions that I hope someone can answer. I know it's been 25 yrs, but here goes:

How does today's LMSCs differ from the Grand Americans, such as chassis, engine, etc.? Were the Grand Americans lighter?

Were the Grand Americans the same cars used in ASA/All Pro at the time?

What kind of lap times did the Grand Americans turn and what type of times would they turn if they were running today?

Does anyone know of any of them still in existence? I would love to see one and get some photos.

Thanks,

Brad

[rcampbell]

I wonder what Eula Faye had to say about that hero card..........lol

[billys2099]

Actually that was the Season my Dad won the Grand American Championship '83. The Car's arent much different actaully. They were Straight Rail cars, motor wise back then were a little stronger than the 400 crate motors now. The cars had to weight so much per cubic inch. I think the cars where around 2800 lbs, and 58 left side, I think, I was only like 11 years old..haha. The Tire rule was more open, Good Year or Mc Crery Tires were the choice. The Cars ran around 19:00s, and teens. A little faster than now, but these days with the Shock Package we run compared to then, and all the newer bolt parts out there, those cars would be in the 18:40s, or maybe quicker...Alot like the CRA cars.

[billys2099]

Thats willd to think about those days.... We only had 3 regular classes every week, and the track payed more Money to win the Grand American race every week than the LM feature now. Now we have about 7 or 8 classes, and play less and we cant keep the d**n gates open....Wonder where the problem is....hmmmm.. ha ha

[et66]

Man them Grand Amreican cars were bad azz. I remember the Siscos Marlins Alexanders Greens And maybe Formosas runnin that division. Very good racing. d redd do you have more pics from them old days. Those cars were like an old All Pro car with a Thunderstock body. Maybe not that bad but you could chop the hell out of them. Im not sure maybe Billy could answer this but I think they were built motors with a big 650 or 750 dual line. Great division. ET66

[51fan]

Hey dredd

I enjoyed the pics ...post more if you have them

[calhoun]

Billy, do you know the years of any of these?

[billys2099]

Calhoun, that is way to cool...
The first Pic is 1980 Howe Straight Rail car.
The second pic is 1982 McMurtrey Straight Rail.
The third pic is 1981, Howe Straight Rail, ( A.K.A, Leg breaker) check out those Big Bubble Fenders....haha. Where is the world did you find those?
Where did you find those

[carterfan]

Donnie,

Thanks for those pics. The Sterling one is the one I have.

[dr16]

Andy Pope ! wow thats my uncle. what year is that?

[calhoun]

Billy Clanton (#50), Andy Pope (#20) and Ronnie Moore (#19) in 1980.

[calhoun]

Oct 2, 2008 12:22:00 GMT -5 Smith said:

The year was 1980. I noticed that Jerry Sisco was not listed and knew he drove the 16 car for Wayne Day/31W Insulation Company.

I think he drove two races at the Fairgrounds in 1977. He and Dave both quit that year because of the terrible accident with their mother at Talladega. I don't think Jerry ran again until the season opener in 1981 when he finished 3rd to Sterling and Phil Grissom. Billy, can you confirm that?

[calhoun]

Here are the results from the opening night 200 lap race from 1980. This would be the first race of the new Grand American division, and as you can see, not all the cars were actually Grand Ams. Some leftover Late Model Sportsman cars are included to make up a full field.

Click here for 1980 opening night Grand Am 200 results

[billys2099]

Yeap Calhoun, You are right on the Money... I think Dad and Wayne only ran about 4 Races in the 1980 season. That is the Year that Dad, came back after the accident in Talladega. If I can remember right, they ran Huntsville, Rockford ASA race, and Winchester ASA, and one race at Nashville that year.... great memory ...

[carterfan]

It seems to me I remember someone running a late '60s or early '70s Cougar in the LMSC. I can't remember the car #, but it was light blue. Does anyone else remember this?