THE CRAIG SHAW CORNER


Craig Shaw....from the Portsmouth, Ohio area is a big supporter of the "good ole days" of racing. His many days spent at the old Portsmouth Speedway as a boy left him with good memories. Like a lot of us...Craig likes to reflect back once in awhile to those days...remembering what it "use to be like". Among Craig's interests are the old coupes and supermodifieds of the 1950's and 1960's.

Another one of Craigs interests is the "old tracks" that use to be around...but are no longer running. Besides the old Portsmouth track, he's mentioned these...McDermott Speedway, Rushtown, Kitts Hill, Lucasville, Cheeks Super Speedway ......

Over the past few months Craig has taken it upon himself to locate some of these old tracks...or what use to be... race tracks. He's spent some Sunday afternoons "hunting" and the "good news is"..he has been quite successful in his search. The bad news is...the ones he's found are now mostly "weeds, brush and decay". Well...that's what he expected to find...but he said it's sad just the same. Thinking back to what "once was" and thinking about the many racers and fans that use to occupy these tracks years ago makes a guy stop and think.

Here's one race track Craig found while searching around Dayton, Ohio. This is all that's left of the old Dayton Speedway. JIMMIE remembers going here back in the 1960's and watching Benny Parsons in a good looking #98 Ford whip the best ARCA had to offer on a cold and snowy April afternoon.

Here's Craig going over to the nearby "old" Portsmouth Speedway to "watch em' run" in 1954.


Here's what Craig and "his" gang use for their "back yard" entertainment. It's not a "super late model" but it gets the job done out in the back yard. Ole JIMMIE remembers back in his younger days...my dad had an old 40 model Ford pickup that was used for this same purpose. That's where JIMMIE learned to "broadslide". And...it was really great right after a good rain and when it was just a little muddy and slick...WHAT FUN WE HAD!


Among Craigs other "hobbies" is model building. Craig loves building replicas of the old racers. And...he has many good ones in his collection.

Here's a couple model race cars (can you believe Craig builds "race cars") of Craigs...these are just Craigs cars.

Now...this model of Craigs looks like the old 50's coupe of Dean Knittle who raced down around Craigs hometown of Portsmouth, Ohio. A "real time" pic of this car can be found on one of JIMMIES Guest Pages compliments of Craig. Pretty good!

MORE OF CRAIG'S MODELS









I guess what we're trying to say here at JIMMIES is that we think Craigs a "great guy". He's contributed to our guestbook photos, he's contributed information we needed and loyal support too! JIMMIE just wants to say "thanks" to CRAIG.

Anyone with information about location of old southeastern Ohio race tracks, photos, stories etc. contact Craig...he would be more than happy to talk to you. And...anyone interested in race car model building...get in touch with Craig and share those ideas.

E-MAIL CRAIG HERE