(From my seat high above the Talladega Superspeedway)
Welcome to my Cyber World of Working On My Redneck. I am the Chairman of the Board, CEO, editor, publisher, proof reader, research assistant, and the janitor for this site.
I will reveal a little bit of information about me and why I love racing.
I am a former USAF C-141A Lockheed Starlifter pilot based at Travis AFB in the late 70’s, and retired airline pilot with type ratings on the B-737, B-757/767, B-747-400, Airbus A-320, and of course the L-300 ( C-141).
I have been going to racing in one form or another for more than 50 years. My older brothers started taking me to local short track racing, as well as drag racing in the Fresno, CA area in about 1960. Even back then USAC and NASCAR came to Fresno, Clovis, and Hanford, CA with the names of A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, Johnny Rutherford, Roger Ward, Eddie Sachs, Red Farmer, Parnelli Jones, the Allison brothers, Cale Yarborough, and Richard Petty, etc.
In addition to oval racing, I have also been a part of the straight-liners, drag racing. I have witnessed the very young Don “The Snake” Prudomme starting out his drag racing career for Roland Laong’s “Flying Hawaiian”, Connie Kallita, Tom McEwen, and “Big Daddy” Don Garlitts in the early years, as well.
Witnessed by the fact that my profession was flying, I have always had a passion for speed! It didn’t matter if the speed was airborne or on the ground, I just loved speed. The sound of the P-51 and the sound of a 7,000 hp Top Fuel dragster, both, brings chills to me! If it hauls the mail, slings dirt, burns rubber, hurts your ear drums, or just looks really cool, I love it!
Therefore, my goal is try to quench your thirst for NASCAR, IndyCar, NHRA, the World of Outlaws, and other forms of racing news. However, my main focus will be NASCAR and IndyCar racing. Some articles will be pure news and facts, and some articles will be editorial and my opinions. Nevertheless, I hope that you will join in and contribute to an open discussion of the events and stories of this web site.
Now, for the real truth as to how I came up with the name of this site. I have been using this phrase, “working on my redneck“, for years in referencing my love, no make that my addiction to racing! As I have stated before, if it is loud, burns rubber, slings dirt, or just plainly “hauls the mail”, I love it! But when queried as to where I was last weekend, or why do I go to races, I would always retort, “I was just working on my redneck”! That would usually get a smirk or a laugh from the other folks. Nevertheless, in reality I was telling everyone the truth!
Now one definition of being a “redneck” is a glorious absence of sophistication! Thank you, Jeff Foxworthy! It is funny but not always a true definition of being a “redneck”.
However, there is another faction of the public who think that being a “redneck” is loving racing, NASCAR in particular, especially since it was born in the Southeast from the moonshine era. Since I might be guilty of both of those definitions, it was only appropriate that I purchased that domain name to reflect that idea and write about all forms of racing!
I hope that you enjoy my take on what is going on in the racing world! Additionally, I hope that my articles will entertain you, possibly educate you, trigger a comment or response from you, or maybe just possibly make you laugh!
One thing that is certain, I will call ’em as I see ’em!
Have fun with my website, join in, possibly share this site with your friends, and leave your comments!
Leon Hammack
TIL NEXT TIME, I AM STILL WORKING ON MY REDNECK!
Yep Capt, I remember showing you how to jump the fence at Clovis CA in the 50’s and early 60’s to go watch the races there on Saturday/Sunday. Kearney Bowl Speedway in Fresno CA was one of our favorite places to hang out while we were kids/teenagers. Clovis CA had a neat dirt half mile at the fair grounds and we went very early so we could practice our “fence hopping” technique. Got there early enough not to miss the water truck going sideways in the corners driven by non other than Blackie Gegeian, the race promoter. What fun days those were for sure. I still love dirt track racing and go to as many as I can feasible schedule.
Thanks for the site Capt.
Jerry
Yep those were the good old days for sure!! The last time I hopped the fence at Clovis was the summer of 1973!
Damn son, I was a young boy hanging out with my dad and older brother in the mid 60’s at Chandler field airport, just across the street from Kearny Bowl. My pops used to take me and my buddies to the Saturday night races there. Al Pombo, Marshall Sargeant, damn I miss those nights. Clovis speedway was another favorite Saturday afternoon hangout. What a life I have had!
Leon, I just flew with one of Hendrick’s former corporate pilots, while furloughed US Air, who could only say the wonderful things about working for him. Only reason I stumbled on your website was by trying to remember Hendrick’s name to learn a bit more about him. Googled: “engine manufacturer nascar owns chevy dealerships rags to riches”. Thanks for helping me find his name.
Sorry, but I don’t know much ’bout NASCAR. Closest I’ve seen is demolition durbies in England. Good fun.
Best wishes.
Sincerely,
Chris Woodhead AKA “Billy-Bob Bud-Brown” (redneck working name )
Former USAF C-130, T-41, T-37, T-6A; current Boeing 737
Chris, thanks for your comment and visiting my web site!
Do you work for US Air/American? I am a retired airline pilot myself who worked for Eastern til we struck in ’89. Then I went to work for United til I officially retired in 2015 as a B-767 Captain (B-727, B-737, B-747, B-757/767 and A-320). I also was an USAF puke (1973-1979) flying T-37, T-38, and C141/A Starlifters at Travis AFB.