Story By: RON HEDGER / SARATOGA AUTO MUSEUM – SARATOGA SPRINGS, CT – The slate of presenters for the November 25, 2023 “Racing Memories” program at the Saratoga Automobile Museum has been finalized.
Formerly known as “Lost Speedways,” the program on the traditional “Saturday after Thanksgiving” date will feature five guests speaking on topics ranging from Showroom Stock racing to Slingshots to favorite historical photos.
“Over the years, our focus has shifted from gone but not forgotten speedways to other aspects of the sport, so a name change seemed to be in order,” said event organizer Ron Hedger. “We’ll have topics of interest to fans and racers involved in all aspects of the sport. The program will open with a late morning replay of my interview with Ronnie Johnson about his late father, Jack, as we’ve had numerous requests from people who want to see it again. From there, we’ll move to our presenters.”
The program will open with the voice of Lime Rock Park, Greg Rickes, recalling “Slow Cars, Epic Races – The Car and Driver Showroom Stock Challenge.” He will be followed by Ron Hedger’s interview of modified hero Dave Camara, who retired at a young age, then returned to competition this year. Chris Grady will then do a brief look back at his late father John’s “Top 12” favorite photos and relate the stories that go with them.
After intermission, up and coming modified star Jack Lehner will be interviewed by Hedger, with a double-header presentation following to cap the program. Richie Tobias, who was a huge hit last fall, will return to talk about his Slingshot cars and introduce some past and current racers in the division who will have their racers on display. From there, Hedger will interview Tobias about his USAC career and memories of his father, Dick, who besides being a great racer pioneered the tube-frame modifieds still seen today.
As usual, memorabilia will be on display along with a new attraction for 2023, as the museum’s meeting room is currently being updated as a display area for SAM’s extensive collection of racing related items along with story boards about unusual heroes and speedways of the past.
