SPRINT: Brad Doty Visits an Old Friend
17 April 1998
Apple Creek,OH--BRAD DOTY visited an old friend on Wednesday afternoon, April 15, the fully restored #18 Gambler Chassis Sprint Car once sponsored by Coors Beer. A restoration project undertaken by Larry Wood and Bill Holder, the car and Doty are the subject of an upcoming feature article written and photographed by famed racing journalist Bill Holder. The feature will appear in the July 1998 issue of OPEN WHEEL magazine.Holders article will delve into the process of restoring the car,its history,and of course,Brad Doty,who had a stellar career with the World of Outlaws behind the wheel of the famous open wheel Sprint Car. Wood,Holder and Doty met at Muskingum County Speedway in Zanesville,OH to do the photo shoot.
It was unbelievable! exclaimed Doty,who retired from Sprint Car racing after serious injuries in July 1988. I put my old firesuit on and climbed in for pictures. The suit still fit! And there was even mud still splattered on the helmet. I didnt drive it,I was pushed by a four wheeler,but even that was REAL cool!
Bill is doing an article on it for OPEN WHEEL magazine, commented Doty. It was quite a site when they started rolling it out of the trailer. There were a lot of people that supplied parts and all the guys did a great job putting it together.
From the time Donnie Moran opened the gates at the track,Doty was swept by a feeling of nostalgia. Maybe even some deja vu! Like the Toyota commercial says, said Doty, Oh,what a feeling! I felt right at home,it was like I never left. Man,when I slide behind the wheel into the seat I just felt like,OK!Fire me up!!Yeah,it was a fun couple hours for sure!
One feeling Doty got from the experience was the feeling that time had evaporated. When Lauri and I were leaving, explained Doty,I looked out the rear view mirror,and I saw the rig. It was just like we were back racing and leaving the track in our motorhome to head on to the next race!
Full details about the restoration project,complete with photos,will appear in the July 1998 OPEN WHEEL magazine,available at newstands across the country.The car will also be on display at the Brad Doty Classic on July 16 at Attica Raceway Park and at the Kings Royal on July 17 & 18 at Eldora Speedway.
In Other BRAD DOTY NEWS:
Brads next The Nashville Network (TNN) broadcast will be the Pennzoil World of Outlaws event on May 15,1998 at the Terre Haute Action Track, Terre Haute,IN. The broadcast will be live on TNN from 8:00 - 11:00 pm.
The all new BRAD DOTY Website will be online next week at: www.RacerUSA.com The new website will have lots of Brads history,his television and personal appearance schedules,merchandise,news and more,including a regular column from Brad for all his many fans.
