I met Lee when I was only 21 years old as a sales rep. I called on him at his Chevrolet dealership in Guttenberg, Iowa. The year was around 1976, shortly after his horrible sprint car crash. I have never forgotten him, he was one of the neatest guys I have ever had the honor of meeting. I just ran across this short video of Lee. A true racer and gentleman. Although I did not know Lee personally, when I met him he inspired me to believe in myself and have never forgotten him. Thank you Lee for taking time in your busy day to meet with me way back then. You truly changed my life!
Miss Him a lot , I watched in the Champ cars at Sacramento back when I was a Kid , Amazing talent and one heck of a fun guy to talk to after the races. The King of USAC Gary B!
Damn Robin, that was awesome bro! Like yourself I could go on and on about Gary. Its impossible to stick to one story about the guy but I'll try. It was a Saturday night sprint car race at Eldora and I recall that all the hot dogs were there. I cannot remember exactly what year it was but it had to be shortly after his return to racing following the Syracuse wreck. The feature that night had a ton of the guys who had just run the 500 and I remember that like half the top ten of that year's 500 were in the feature. The race was a war and Gary fought like hell for a 7th place finish. Obviously that finish wasn't up to Gary's standards. Immediately after the race he retreats to the back of his trailer for a cold one. I was just a kid and I go walking right into that trailer and Gary's sitting there with his head down and I startle him and he looks up and his face is beat red and soaked in sweat. I say "how's your arm Gary?" He looks at me sort of disbelievingly, then smiles and says "it is fine, thank you for asking." Easily one of the greatest race car drivers of his time.
RIP Robin May will never be the same without you
Damn I miss this guy
I met Lee when I was only 21 years old as a sales rep. I called on him at his Chevrolet dealership in Guttenberg, Iowa. The year was around 1976, shortly after his horrible sprint car crash. I have never forgotten him, he was one of the neatest guys I have ever had the honor of meeting. I just ran across this short video of Lee. A true racer and gentleman. Although I did not know Lee personally, when I met him he inspired me to believe in myself and have never forgotten him. Thank you Lee for taking time in your busy day to meet with me way back then. You truly changed my life!
I'm addicted Robin !
Thanks for bringing back the good old days of racing, and the Giants that made the sport !
Salute to Gary ABSOLUTELY !
Thanks Robin , keep them coming
Miss Him a lot , I watched in the Champ cars at Sacramento back when I was a Kid ,
Amazing talent and one heck of a fun guy to talk to after the races.
The King of USAC Gary B!
thanks Robin for another great look behind the scenes, love ya bro
Robin your the best. Thanks
Thanks Robin, I love your reporting, passion for open wheel racing, and this series is great! Keep it up and thanks again!
RIP Gary
Great story thank you.
LOVE IT!
Damn Robin, that was awesome bro! Like yourself I could go on and on about Gary. Its impossible to stick to one story about the guy but I'll try. It was a Saturday night sprint car race at Eldora and I recall that all the hot dogs were there. I cannot remember exactly what year it was but it had to be shortly after his return to racing following the Syracuse wreck. The feature that night had a ton of the guys who had just run the 500 and I remember that like half the top ten of that year's 500 were in the feature. The race was a war and Gary fought like hell for a 7th place finish. Obviously that finish wasn't up to Gary's standards. Immediately after the race he retreats to the back of his trailer for a cold one. I was just a kid and I go walking right into that trailer and Gary's sitting there with his head down and I startle him and he looks up and his face is beat red and soaked in sweat. I say "how's your arm Gary?" He looks at me sort of disbelievingly, then smiles and says "it is fine, thank you for asking." Easily one of the greatest race car drivers of his time.
funny how many ultra-successful racers "we would never have heard of if idiots hadn't been stupid"
Tom Bigelow ??
Rest in Infamy