Arrested At The Starting Line: The Insane and Fraudulently Funded Top Fuel Career of RL Peyton

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ต.ค. 2024
  • This is the story of the only Top Fuel racer in history to be arrested on the starting line of a national event drag race after exiting his car. His name was RL Peyton and he was the singular cause of one of the most internet famous drag racing photos out there.
    A wildman from Florida, Peyton was a law breaker, a grifter, a man who lived fast, loose, and crazy, but who was also an awesome engine builder and top fuel racer. With no budget to speak of and no plan beyond tomorrow, he was able to upset some of the sport's great names out of nowhere.
    Funding his operation with stolen credit cards for at least one season, this is the story of a guy who would and did do anything to feed his addiction to nitromethane fuel.
    Enjoy this tale of a drag racing maniac, RL Peyton.

ความคิดเห็น • 586

  • @hbbeverly
    @hbbeverly 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +117

    I was there that day. I was 16 years old, and drove down with one of my buddies to see our neighbor Howard Parks run his 426 Hemi Powered '67 Plymouth Belvedere. He won his class, but the whole day took on a different slant when this guy R.L. Peyton pulled up to the line. We didn't pay much attention because his rail job didn't look nice, like Tom Hoover's and Don Garlits. Next thing I know, R.L. pulls his rail crossways in the middle of the track, and then got out and pulled his Riviera into the other lane as you can see in the photos on the video. Everybody started booing R.L. because he was holding up things with his protest. From where I stood I don;t think anybody there was supporting R.l by their actions. We were all pissed because of his presumably bogus protesting. I could tell by the appearance of the car that he was a low-budget racer. About Ten minutes went by and the beer cans and bottles started flying onto the track by the thousands. The photo shown doesn't really reflect the true amount of glass and cans that were thrown that day. I took a picture of it, but haven't seen it in years. The bottles and cans were a foot deep in some places, and had to be removed with a front-end loader! This very event was forever more the reason that glass bottles were not allowed anymore at sporting events. Especially in Bristol!

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  9 หลายเดือนก่อน +18

      This is amazing!

    • @HorseMalone
      @HorseMalone 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +13

      Cool story, Bro !

    • @WootTootZoot
      @WootTootZoot 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@HorseMalone lol

    • @shable1436
      @shable1436 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I seriously doubt it was a foot deep of cans and bottles, rednecks back then wouldn't waste their beer like that, I've seen similar trash piles, but only at festivals of hundred or tens of thousands of ppl, and emptying their coolers around the corners and perimeters.

    • @salolsen7953
      @salolsen7953 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      😅

  • @oakridgestars
    @oakridgestars 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +158

    These stories make today's drag racing sound pretty boring. Thanks for sharing this history with everyone.

    • @proracer382d
      @proracer382d 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +21

      These types of stories are still happening, they just can’t be told until the statute of limitations runs out. 😂

    • @roberthevern6169
      @roberthevern6169 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +10

      ​@@proracer382dahhh, very astute observation! Go to the head of the class!

    • @dukecraig2402
      @dukecraig2402 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +12

      Everything about today's life is boring compared to years ago, in the 1970's America was like the wild west, people actually had their freedoms back then, they'd cruise the strip, bar hop through half the night, now all people do is stay at home on their computers either thinking about the good old days or wondering what they were like.
      America's a great big yawn fest compared to what it used to be.

    • @joshuagibson2520
      @joshuagibson2520 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

      ​@@dukecraig2402somehow all the pousy's took over. I miss those days you speak of.

    • @dukecraig2402
      @dukecraig2402 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@joshuagibson2520
      It's because the cops nowadays are assholes, anyone who'd go around jamming up as many citizens as they can over all these bullshit petty laws they've stacked on the books the past 40 years while real criminals like the one that murdered my son are running around because the big bad tough guy police spend all their time sticking it to citizens is an asshole, period.
      In the mid 80's when that MADD mothers movement started the cops of that era were a little reluctant to jam up some working guy who stopped and had a beer on the way home from work because they seen how ridiculous the penalties were getting for having one beer in you, no incident or anything like that, they seen it was ridiculous and wasn't right, but 10 years later and ever since the cops that came in got no problem doing it to people, and in the meanwhile they themselves will go out with their buddies on the weekend carrying on because they know nothing's going to happen to them because they're in that club.
      When I got out of the Army un 86 I could have gotten a job with the State Police, but it's like I told everyone I'll bust my ass working construction or something honest like that before I'll stick it to a citizen, only a little wanna be tough guy pussy would do something like that.

  • @LILMADERR23
    @LILMADERR23 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +82

    I can not express how much i love learning about this side of drag racing!
    Thank you, Brian, for all your hard work!

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  9 หลายเดือนก่อน +14

      I’m super thankful you enjoy watching!!

    • @peterschancel7223
      @peterschancel7223 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      @Briian Good stuff.. Racing always expensive .. always a good way to clean dirty money. The reason IMSA in the 70's was nicknamed The International Marijuana Smuggling Association. Eg Whittington Brothers,. R.L. wasn't the sharpest tool in the box.. Thanks..

  • @John-k2o9r
    @John-k2o9r 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    I’m 73 and followed racing since I was a kid and never heard this story. Your narration and info is priceless. Thanks for preserving the history.

  • @mypl510
    @mypl510 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +38

    Early Drag Racing was a golden era, but also a Wild West! At the early California Hot Rod Reunions, some of the stories I heard where way too crazy to be true, but, as time went on and I learned more, they where true! Thanks Brian, for keeping the History alive! Warts and all!

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Appreciate you watching!

    • @ehguy3628
      @ehguy3628 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      Also interesting is the almost complete lack of engine maintenance between rounds in the top fuel dragsters and other classes.

  • @mrmiscast
    @mrmiscast 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +23

    Love those stories from the "wilder" times of Drag Racing.. Running on the proverbial shoestrings and having a wild time doing so, much like NASCAR of the time NHRA and IHRA were a sport of run what ya brung, and however you got it there.. Way more fun than the semi-corporate PR controled Automotive Sports of today... Thanks Brian as always... such great story telling

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Appreciate you watching!!

  • @af4od02
    @af4od02 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +21

    I am pretty sure those beer cans on the Bristol Drag Strip were pull tab steel cans. Aluminum beer cans didn’t enter the drinking scene until the late 1970’s. I missed the steel cans. I always felt beer stayed colder in steel cans rather than aluminum.

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      You are 100% right. I screwed that up.

  • @stevemetcalf9109
    @stevemetcalf9109 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +27

    Another incredible story Brian! Love it, keep 'em coming!

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Thanks for digging them!!

  • @timrussell1559
    @timrussell1559 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I actually met mr peyton in 1991 at the atlanta dragstrip. We had been hauling our car up and down the entire east coast that year competing for the fastest street car in america title (which we finally acheived and held for 8 months, it was not an easy task!) Anyway, mr peyton introduced himself to us as an old top fuel racer from the 1960's, i had never heard of the guy before and didn't know him from the man on the moon. I asked him if he was running a car on that particular day and he said no, i got into a bit of legal trouble in the late 60's and had to hang up my helmet, but, i miss it every single day. He even pulled out an old worn and tattered A.H.R.A license from the 60's and showed it to us. He talked about racing against the greats back in the day, Don prudhome, garlits, bill dunlap etc etc. I had no idea if anything this middle aged guy who was sucking down copious amounts of old milwaukee were true or not, but, he was a very polite and interesting guy and i couldn't help but to listen to the tons of stories he had to tell. I never saw mr peyton again after that one day in atlanta georgia. After watching this video i now know that this man was very much legit with everything he had told us. It's a real shame that he could not continue doing the sport that he obviously loved so very much. Rest in peace Mr. R L Peyton!

  • @williamwigfield7296
    @williamwigfield7296 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +21

    Gotta hand it to ya. Your enthusiastic storytelling on the podcasts brought me here. They helped to make my jobs go better when doing tedious stuff, but the visuals on TH-cam are like icing on the cake! Great job and continued success.

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thank you William!

    • @joshuagibson2520
      @joshuagibson2520 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I have to watch them. He has so many good pics, video, etc.

  • @Onewheelordeal
    @Onewheelordeal 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +16

    It just kills me that this channel doesn't have millions of subscribers.
    I mean it's Brian Lohnes delivering cool drag racing history for dang sake, how can any self-proclaimed "car guy" not be watching these?!?

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  9 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      Hey, I am glad ANYONE wants to watch ‘em!

    • @Hatebreeder716
      @Hatebreeder716 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I just found it and clicked Subscribe as fast as I could. This stuff is great

    • @deanhil3978
      @deanhil3978 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Caught a new one today! Subbed!👍

  • @The55nomad
    @The55nomad 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +13

    The characters in drag racing are not all boy scouts. What a great story. Goodfellas meets Heart Like a Wheel. Thank you for this fabulous piece of history. Keep 'em coming.

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Appreciate you taking the time to check it out!

  • @rhinoengler
    @rhinoengler 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    This was my uncle. I heard all kinds of stories..now I find this. Crazy my other uncle Harrison Peyton is working on turning this into a movie
    Called Wild man...crazy hope it becomes a movie the stories I could tell about this guy

    • @slowpoke96Z28
      @slowpoke96Z28 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Oh wow. What’s the story with the house at the beginning that caught on fire?

  • @2dogsmowing
    @2dogsmowing 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

    You have to think. Ww2 ended not long before Nascar and NHRA got started up.
    Most of the guys that started both series are ex military men. Still looking for the adrenaline rush like the war.

    • @roberthevern6169
      @roberthevern6169 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      You said it perfectly!!

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Nailed it

    • @2dogsmowing
      @2dogsmowing 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @roberthevern6169 . Thank you.
      It's a realization I had just before making the comment.
      I never thought about the war years in contrast with the start-up series years. Lol

  • @GolfSux
    @GolfSux 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I am 39, but run a FED. I wish I was around back then. Those days seemed so rowdy. I love drag racing and salt flat history.

  • @edminas3159
    @edminas3159 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    Thank you Brian, I have been a fan since 1965 and this was a fun story new to me.

  • @davidleonard8369
    @davidleonard8369 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +8

    Cool stuff! Boy, when you started talking about some of the unsavory characters in the early days of drag racing I was almost frozen with fear. Thank you for not mentioning Gene Snow.

    • @stepanbandera5206
      @stepanbandera5206 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Was Gene Snow an outlaw? I mean, they did call him the "Sno- man".🤔

    • @davidleonard8369
      @davidleonard8369 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@stepanbandera5206 convicted child molester. Banned from NHRA.

    • @edgarbeat2851
      @edgarbeat2851 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      ​@@stepanbandera5206I think he was done for having relations with an underage boy.

    • @stepanbandera5206
      @stepanbandera5206 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@edgarbeat2851 🤦Didnt know that. Sad.

    • @davidleonard8369
      @davidleonard8369 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@edgarbeat2851 sexual relations? He had many scrapes with the law starting in 1978 with his final conviction in 2000. One of the charges against him was sexual assault of a child under the age of 15. One boy claimed he sexually abused him for over six years. The boy was 17 years old when he made the statement. Snow took a plea deal pleading guilty to causing bodily injury to a child under the age of 15.

  • @deantait8326
    @deantait8326 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    My momma warned me about these dirty drag racers. This is why businesses literally cut-up credit cards if declined or rejected 🤔😳😎…
    And I met Billie and he was a hoot and charming too.
    What about the Chicago Tuff Rabbit group ?

  • @micahbuchheit1283
    @micahbuchheit1283 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Never gets old listening to a great storyteller !! Thanks Brian !!

  • @Wilson-kd2sl
    @Wilson-kd2sl 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

    Super cool to see advertisements for New London Dragway and EastSide Speedway. Two tracks close to me. Both now closed. Never got to race at New London but have spent many weekends at EastSide

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I have been to both places. I think EastSide may be coming back?

    • @Wilson-kd2sl
      @Wilson-kd2sl 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@brianlohnes3079 I'm not 100% sure. Only had maybe 4 races last year. Havent heard of any plans for 2024. The property is for sale but like always the land value is worth way more then the business.

    • @ethannewman9113
      @ethannewman9113 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I live like 10 mins from New London.. Never raced there but, went there many times as a kid with my Dad and watched and was there for the last race before they closed... Sucks that it's gone and most likely, never coming back 😢 loved seeing that old flyer though!

  • @matthewstevenson1267
    @matthewstevenson1267 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +15

    Great content, as usual. Thank you for keeping drag history alive

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thank you for watching it!

  • @roberthevern6169
    @roberthevern6169 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    Wow!! I had never heard of this!! Unbelievable!! 'Transporting restricted substances'.... sounds like Gary Balough and the Whittington bros of the roundy round set!!
    Happy New Year, Brian! Fantastic as always! You never disappoint!

  • @MycontentisgoldJerryGold
    @MycontentisgoldJerryGold 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    I wondered if Broadway Freddy would make an appearance, and you did not disappoint. Did you know that Broadway and the late Don Schumacher had history? Schumacher had a brand new Funny Car stolen from him, and shortly thereafter Freddy showed up with an identical car. When Shoe confronted Freddy, it was said that a gun or knife was displayed, and Shoe was warned to mind his own business.

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  9 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      I made a multiple hour podcast on Freddy. My podcast series is called the Dork-o-Motive podcast and there is an episode called, “the mafia killer who loved funny cars”. There is some awesome first person story telling involved!

  • @chrishorbatt3504
    @chrishorbatt3504 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    I remembered that picture of their pro stock with them dressed up as gangsters! I always wondered Billy the Kid was a cowboy. Why are these guys dressing up as gangsters?!

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Hahaha

    • @roberthevern6169
      @roberthevern6169 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Cuz they were gangsters.....??!!
      Oh, yeah, the seedy underbelly....

    • @ChaseKnight-j7p
      @ChaseKnight-j7p 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      One year at the U.S.Nationals, they dressed like that for the pre-race Pro Stock parade.

  • @ExcitedDragon-fp8yp
    @ExcitedDragon-fp8yp 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I was born in 1965, my Uncle, Billie Chapman robbed pharmacies in the Cincinnati Tri state area. He claims to have worked with RL on some "transportation" jobs. He did say RL was a wild man, Billie was fearless and enterprising in his own right. RIP, RL truly lived fast ...

  • @danswrld
    @danswrld 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Wow. That was an awesome piece of history that I had never heard of! Thanks!

  • @esidedude2869
    @esidedude2869 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    Man, this was awesome. Never would've known about this if I hadn't clicked on it. Thanks!🤘🏁

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Appreciate you giving it a shot!

    • @jamiecrawford8133
      @jamiecrawford8133 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      ​@@brianlohnes3079Cool video, very interesting stuff, thanks for making them.

  • @merylpelosi8485
    @merylpelosi8485 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    You just can't make this stuff up. Keep the great stories coming.

  • @markbrewer4862
    @markbrewer4862 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    Love the Jack Approved Decal on the scoop at 29 seconds!!

  • @scottprentice8411
    @scottprentice8411 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    In the early 80s I worked with a old guy, he went by the name POPS. He was retired LAPD. He told me about the time he had arrested DON (THE SNAKE) PURDOME.
    He did mention that Don had got caught up in a bum wrap.

  • @patlatorres7000
    @patlatorres7000 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Sounds a lot like the Wittington brothers and John Paul & his son (and others?) from the heydays of IMSA. Motor racing has never been at a loss for "interesting" participants!

    • @gregorygolden1296
      @gregorygolden1296 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Think they called IMSA the "International Marijuana Smuggling Association".....

  • @Wilson-kd2sl
    @Wilson-kd2sl 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    Can we do a video on Brooklyn Heavy , the name alone sounds like a great story waiting to be told!

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      It’s a fascinating tale. He did a lot of good for racers and a lot of bad for drug addicts.

  • @davidmarvosh5354
    @davidmarvosh5354 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

    I'm 77 years old and raced nationally in the seventies. I don't remember R.L. Payton but there were quite a few marginal cars running Top Fuel back in the day. At the NHRA Nationals they has 32 car fields because of the roller starters. It was cool to watch Top Fuelers make run after run with little delay between runs. I used to have a friend that would travel with me to National events to crew on these budget fuelers. Some of these cars could law down reasonable qualifying passes usually expiring at the end of the quarter. Several would qualify and some would actually go a couple of rounds. I remember a few names ( Dick Lahie from Michigan, Chris Karmasines from Chicago, John Logenecker from Ohio and Grant Stoms from the east coast. Be nice if you could do an article on these back end qualifiers. Lot's of neat stories.

    • @mikebaker9574
      @mikebaker9574 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Dick LaHaie became a NHRA world champion as well as crew chief on other world champions, Paul Longnecknecker won a couple of IHRA events.

    • @davidmarvosh5354
      @davidmarvosh5354 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      @@mikebaker9574 Yeh, I got Paul's first name wrong. Lohgge chassis in Lansing built Dick's chassis. I had a Anglia with a Lohgge chassis for awhile, was going to make it into an Eco Altered. Never happened, got married instead. Paul was a really sharp and nice guy. I didn't follow IHRA events, didn't know about that. When Pro Stock first started he was an early adopter, had a weird pink metallic Camaro. Ran pretty quick too until the names got involved. He would have been a champion if he had funding. He worked his but off. Looking at your last name I wonder if you are related to Dick Baker. He ran a Buick in NHRA stock eliminator.

    • @mikebaker9574
      @mikebaker9574 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@davidmarvosh5354 no kin to anyone lol. Just a longtime drag racing fan/ nut.

    • @Al_Catraz1
      @Al_Catraz1 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Paul Longenecker had a clutch explosion incident during a pass in Union Grove WI back in 1977 that killed a woman in the stands from flying debris. Paul was arrested at the track for involuntary manslaughter and released shortly after the paperwork procurement but on a different note from what I remember, 32 car Top Fuel field was only at the US nationals in Indianapolis. By the time I started attending national event races in the late 1970s, Top Fuel had crank drive starters by then.

    • @jamiecrawford8133
      @jamiecrawford8133 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      There was also a guy from North Dakota, Struksness?? That ran top fuel at most national events.

  • @TillrockART
    @TillrockART 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    Great story! Drag racing in it's infancy was the wild wild west! Loved seeing the Grove! Thanks Brian! More please... (How about a Broadway Bob story?)

  • @randalljames1
    @randalljames1 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

    Glad you do these stories... lots of the original licensed fuel drivers are passing away faster the mile markers on the highway.. their stories need shared... On the "Fueling cards" most of the gas companies required a "authorization" number over $25 in the early 70s.. no idea when it started... I wasn't a petroleum transfer engineer till my HS days in the mid 70s..

    • @slowpoke96Z28
      @slowpoke96Z28 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      $25 was an ass load of fuel back then too. So most vehicles on the road would never see a $25 bill normally.

    • @randalljames1
      @randalljames1 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      that is correct. I was at a Shell station on US50 bypass in Pueblo CO at the time..(Mid 70s) You would get change back on a ten spot..

  • @mitchstott4004
    @mitchstott4004 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    You should be nominated as one of the all time greatest story tellers. Yet again I had heard of the cans and bottles being thrown on the Bristol track. But had no idea of what circumstance it was centered around.

  • @brianiswrong
    @brianiswrong 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    In the early 70's a pro stock car from a the states turned up in the uk🇬🇧 called the LONDON HEAVY
    it was far and away the fastest pro stock car in the country and won just about every event it entered.
    My father was racing in pro stock( big john 289 mustang fast back) and was gifted a pair of new slicks by the heavy's driver as a thank you for help during a race weekend.
    My dad (sadly passed) told me years later, any favour asked or given by the cars driver was accepted with out question as the guy who owned the car in the states, was not a man to mess with.
    The London heavy was the same body/ trans and engine,and painted identically to the Brookland heavy.

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Woah! Never knew he shipped one over!

  • @Merylstreep1949
    @Merylstreep1949 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    That would make a great movie 😂could u possibly do a video on the two midwest classic drag strip's of Great Lakes Dragway in Wisconsin and US30 Dragstrip in Indiana please, such a big part of being a 1970s kid

    • @user-bl6ne3hc6n
      @user-bl6ne3hc6n 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Funny I was thinking the same thing, if this was the 80s, Burt Reynolds, in cast,

    • @BillBitchin
      @BillBitchin 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      ​@@user-bl6ne3hc6n, absolutely, Reynolds

  • @user-bl6ne3hc6n
    @user-bl6ne3hc6n 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    25 bucks😊😊 ,ya that would send him a message, and he goes back, thats funny, they need to make a movie of this,

  • @R.Sole88109
    @R.Sole88109 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    What a character!.😉
    Top Tip, if your career has a high risk of arrest, decide on your name between your girl and you before she has to bail your dumb ass out and incase of getting a blue light hello!. 🚔😂

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      See, we all learned something today!

    • @R.Sole88109
      @R.Sole88109 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      @@brianlohnes3079
      Every day is a learning day.
      Many thanks for your hard work on bring us so many interesting drag racing history videos🍻
      Although I prefer 4x4s, your channel is one of the most fascinating I've subbed to.👍🏻
      Time to fit a Turbonique axle to my geriatric Land Rover🤔😂

  • @timmyers1006
    @timmyers1006 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    And that is why all cans and bottles were banned from drag racing events. I remember late 70's and early 80's going to SIR and they would search your cars for alcohol. Now days you dont get to park close to the fences, and they look in all coolers and such to enter the event.

  • @jamesdamron2065
    @jamesdamron2065 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    This story was Awsome,,do some more!! Lmfao there were more guys out there like this dude than you think!!😂

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Oh, I know. Eventually I have a whole “bad guys” series coming.

    • @roberthevern6169
      @roberthevern6169 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Reminds me of a team of 'very well prepared' Corvettes
      I saw back in the Nixon era: 'Joint Venture' was the team name, and each team car (2 maybe three cars) had this door height funny serrated edged leaf painted boldly on the 'team cars'. Pretty sure they were sponsored by 'racing money launderers' of Div 6!!
      Those were the daze!!

  • @hotrodmodeler4649
    @hotrodmodeler4649 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Great watch! Thanks Brian 👍🏼

  • @ronv6637
    @ronv6637 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Great to see the flyer from Great Lakes in Union Grove,Wi probably only track but Bristol still in operation. Broadway Bob is gone but not forgotten

  • @TomHaroldArt
    @TomHaroldArt 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    What an incredible story! I've never heard of this guy to my memory, and I'd not seen the beer can-littered track photo either. What a great job coming up with this story and all the information surrounding it. Excellent work once again, Brian!

  • @proracer382d
    @proracer382d 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    I’m not sure how you keep outdoing yourself Brian, but keep it up my friend.

  • @jameseastwood4984
    @jameseastwood4984 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Best episode ever. I don't think many of the F1 sponsors are that clean either.

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Racing history is filled with many RL Peytons. Just different budgets and accents. Haha

  • @garyjackson3531
    @garyjackson3531 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    There was a similar situation, beer cans on the track, at Alamo Dragway in San Antonio and the AHRA Nationals. It started when 'Goose broke a rear end and left oil from the starting line to well past the finish line. This was back when Garlits was part of the AHRA. Vice President, if I remember correctly. Fans were aggitated because Mongoose wasn't disqualified for oiling the track, even though Garlits himself had DQed a Pro Comp racer for putting a few drops down.
    The clean up was typical AHRA. Not very good. Anyway the next race was Garlits vs San Antonio local Jody Smart. You can guess how that went.
    Long story short, every beer can and bottle in Bexar County ended up on the track.
    Smart was a class act and won some NHRA races.

  • @LoveBaby-o4o
    @LoveBaby-o4o 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I loved see the New London flyer, I spent many a Sunday there in the 70's and 80's. By then no T/F cars would come there, but some Alky funny cars did. Good memories

  • @ranr44
    @ranr44 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I think the first time the Paytons ran their TF late model Hemi was at Spruce Creek(they were one of the first to run one). McMillan was going to go first. I was told that the fastest thing he had driven up to that time was his Corvette. Any way T Payton was having trouble mixing the fuel so he just dumped 100% in. After they got it cranked McMillan stalled it right off the line. Trying to get out he dumped the chute out so instead of repacking Payton just cut it off with a knife? I thought they were done for the night but they cranked it up again and made a half pass with no chute. Before the dragster they had a AAF Altered made out of exhaust tubing. It had a 413/426 Wedge in it I believe. After a few runs the tubing was bent out of shape. Some how they managed to get one of the 427 Chev motors and put it in a 57 Chevy. They had to have gotten it from Ray Fox or Smokey Yunic since they were the only ones to have them at that time I believe. Money Talks.

    • @slowpoke96Z28
      @slowpoke96Z28 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Money talks, but it sounds like with this guy, 5 finger discounts walk.

  • @gregschultz2029
    @gregschultz2029 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Totally Awesome Video,Thank You Brian,That Was Fun Stuff !!!

  • @billgermani5769
    @billgermani5769 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Is RL Peyton Hank Hills father? Anyone around small tire racing know what I’m talking about. Florida to?

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Hahahaah

    • @billgermani5769
      @billgermani5769 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@brianlohnes3079I knew you’d get that one Brian! Fill the cup with ice, Crown to the top and just kinda pass the Ginger Ale over it.

  • @9rjharper
    @9rjharper 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Awesome stuff! 1960s and ‘70s drag racing has always fascinated me. The Surfers were my heroes as a kid and would make a great story.

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Amazing story. Yes. Brilliant guys with the perfect driver/

    • @9rjharper
      @9rjharper 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Out of curiosity, do you know what is happening at 16:56 in this video? It looks like a small block dragster is running on rollers.

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      @@9rjharper those are roller starters. Back when the cars had to be push started an idea was hatched to speed up the process. The starters would be near the starting line, typically. You pulled the car on, put the clutch in, the roller were powered by an engine and then you let the clutch out and hit the magneto switch and boom! Your car was fired and you were off to the races

    • @9rjharper
      @9rjharper 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@brianlohnes3079 Aha! Sounds familiar now. Thanks!

  • @TexasDragRacingVideo
    @TexasDragRacingVideo 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Amazing story. Thanks for sharing Brian.

  • @kevinrussell5099
    @kevinrussell5099 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Wow, what a story! I followed drag racing closely back then so I recalled this character's name but somehow missed (or maybe forgot) the Bristol incident. And I definitely didn't know about Billy Stepp's background! Thanks!

  • @leonardgilbert1762
    @leonardgilbert1762 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Hey Brian, I've been following drag racing since 1967 at age 10 & I never even heard of this guy. Great story! Thanks & Happy New Year.

  • @jimjoe9945
    @jimjoe9945 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Jesus is the way, the truth, the life. No one comes to the father but through him.

  • @pirateatfourty
    @pirateatfourty 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    my dad was into top fuel in the early 60's till the mid 70's i remember him talking about him said to me stay away from him he is a crook, he showedup at the bakersfield drags and they caught him trying to steal a blower off another dragster. a fist tight ensued my dad walked over to him and said to stop this. there are families here. my dad was 6'3 and no slouch. if i remmeber correctly tommy ivo got into it with him also. guy was a trip when i started to drive i made damn sure i was never at the same track as he was. but he stayed mostly in florida and the east coast.there was another guy who was a lot like him back then, john bennet he would also steal you blind from blowers to blower belts to nitro tires, he stole a unsponserd guys rear wheeels and tires while he was in the can lol guy cameout and beat the shit out of him, drag racing was a lot of fun back then before the big money guys ruined it, i still have dad front engine car as well as my old front engine car. too expensive any more.

    • @velocity5918
      @velocity5918 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      YEP WENT FROM JUNK YARD RACING TO CHECK BOOK RACING TO MAJOR CORPORATE SPONCER RACING, I HAD TO QUIT ALSO, THE PRICE OF PARTS RAISED ON PURPOSE NO WAY WAS NHRA GOING TO LET A PRIMER GRAY NON SPONCER FUNNY CAR SHOW UP AND BEAT OLE JOHN FORCE!

    • @slowpoke96Z28
      @slowpoke96Z28 7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      You keeping them or selling them?

  • @chassisresearchkid
    @chassisresearchkid 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    How about a story Virgil Cates. Don't be scared.

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Only the story about setting two records in two classes in one day with the same car. The end of life stuff? Naaaaahhhhh

    • @chassisresearchkid
      @chassisresearchkid 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@brianlohnes3079 I really want someone to dig into that part. I was told by your friend and mine, that he was told to leave it alone in no uncertain terms. He did

  • @shanewoolsey940
    @shanewoolsey940 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I stopped this at 1:12. I was born in 1965. My father, like all of his friends were drag racers and car club members. My parents were no different than my friends parents but they were in motorcycle clubs. I always wondered why 'car clubs' never got a bad rep like the 'bikers'. Same people back then just different ways of going fast on pavement. (edited for this) Liked and subscribed.

  • @keithstudly6071
    @keithstudly6071 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    A neighbor of mine when I was a kid was the owner of one of the "Billy the Kidd" Stepp Cuda's. I remember the car but I had no idea of it's history. That neighbor was named Testa and ran a Shell service station as well as spending a lot of time at Raceway Park. He did have the car repainted to take the "Wanted, Billy the Kidd" off the side.

  • @ldnwholesale8552
    @ldnwholesale8552 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Drag racing running on theft and drugs?? Never. Well apart from the dozens of times that I know of

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Hahahahah

    • @roberthevern6169
      @roberthevern6169 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      How is that witness protection program going for ya??

  • @johndehaven8694
    @johndehaven8694 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    US 13 Dragway is my home track. I love the old clippings from there. I would love to know where you found them. Thanks for a great video

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Newspaper searches yielded them.

    • @johndehaven8694
      @johndehaven8694 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@brianlohnes3079 thank you

    • @jamiecrawford8133
      @jamiecrawford8133 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Is (or was?) the drag strip in Delmar on the same property as the dirt oval track?

    • @johndehaven8694
      @johndehaven8694 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Yes it is. The dirt track is still there

  • @outragousbob4367
    @outragousbob4367 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Thanks for these historical videos Brian, it helps with the long New Hampshire winters!

  • @JonnyHolms
    @JonnyHolms 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    This was excellent, im amazed at how much research you must of done. Great channel.
    Thanks..

  • @markholroyde9412
    @markholroyde9412 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Graham Ellis and his Son are in Jail today for running a Superbird Pro Mod at Santa Pod on Heroin £££ they were importing via their haulage Co . Some dope else was nicked also with a '55 doing the same thing, "Drug racing" .....its a powerful thing🤣 Great vid. UK

    • @roberthevern6169
      @roberthevern6169 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      How about Darrell Alderman with the Wayne County Speed Shops(Detroit). Didn't he go to the 'graybar motel' for a minute??

  • @damnyankeefl
    @damnyankeefl 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    i remember how credit cards were handled then with the carbon paper swiped. probably used one as a convenience store clerk in the late 70s. one of the first job interviews i went on in 1981 was at a bank and the guy said one of their upcoming projects was to be ATM machines. things sure have changed. thanks for this brian. really great stuff you're doing

  • @ThomasELeClair
    @ThomasELeClair 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    ,,,,,,,,,thanks again as always , for the work , research , and dedication to drag racing.......As a kid,,,,,Richie Di Nome was a friend of mine,,,,,He told me racing stories involving his older brother,,,,,Freddie ,,," Broadway Freddie " ....

  • @the4x4pig
    @the4x4pig 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Awesome story. Thank you!

  • @Markcigar1
    @Markcigar1 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    “Brooklyn Heavy’s WILD ORANGE PUMPKIN” a street racing legend in Brooklyn NY

  • @cameronsteffen8113
    @cameronsteffen8113 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Brian you are so good at your job and amazing story teller sucks I’m so young cuz I’d love to see this stuff happen thank you for all you do for the sport and keeping it alive

  • @itwontcomeout5678
    @itwontcomeout5678 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    When you’re playing GTA with a wanted level and get Busted while racing

  • @velojsh
    @velojsh 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    This was a good one man. Thanks Brian? Duck race anytime soon? You know, just to hang out?
    See you in Kenny's pit...😉🤪

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I’d love to if I had the free time!

  • @JRotten
    @JRotten 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    In the end, this guy was not only living his dream. But living life to the fullest.
    Beats any 9 to 5 gig.

  • @nobodynoone2500
    @nobodynoone2500 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    It's really annoying when you refrence all these stories, but fail to give a single detail about them. Either tell them or don't dicktease.

  • @PacoOtis
    @PacoOtis 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Dude! Slow down! You got a bus to catch? LOL

  • @steve644
    @steve644 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    In 1970, while I was in high
    school, I began working in
    the restaurant of a Ramada
    Inn along I-75 just north of
    Dayton, Ohio. Bill Stepp
    would occasionally come
    and eat there. He always
    had a body guard with him
    and he never ate in the
    dining room area because it
    was too dimly lit according
    to some of the older employees who knew about
    him. He once left a $20
    tip for a young, attractive
    waitress which was a big deal at the time and caused
    a bit of a stir among the other
    waitresses.
    At the end of the video it was said that “where ever R L
    Peyton is right now you can pretty much guarantee he’s having a great time.” I beg to
    differ.Unless he had a serious
    reckoning with his Creator he
    is definitely not having a great
    time now.

  • @BeaulieuTodd
    @BeaulieuTodd 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Oh my! I remember having to call every credit card purchase in! 1985.

  • @frankdragottasfranktv7675
    @frankdragottasfranktv7675 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Another one I never knew! Thank you Brian!!

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thanks for watching, Frank!

  • @joshjones3408
    @joshjones3408 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Buddy your really good with the history of this sport....an I thank you deserve more credit an appreciation 👍👍👍👍

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Hey, no credit necessary. I am just happy people enjoy this stuff.

  • @rayleehylton8427
    @rayleehylton8427 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Great story, thank you for sharing !!

  • @beecj0
    @beecj0 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    The subscribe button is stuck on none. Ill keep trying to click all. Just an FYI

  • @BCaldwell
    @BCaldwell 4 วันที่ผ่านมา +3

    You're an absolute legend Brian

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  4 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      Thanks!! I’ll take it! Haha

  • @kurtisstutzman7056
    @kurtisstutzman7056 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I remember the carbon paper 'machines'... My dad's gas station, and after that, a baseball card shop both used those things... I swiped many cards on those mechanical things as a kid working in those stores...! And individually pricing every item in the stores with the old school yellow price guns... Thanks for the memories... Keep up your awesomeness...

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Working at a gas station in high school, we totally had one of the old school carbon paper machines!

  • @pauljanssen7594
    @pauljanssen7594 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Yes the the national Hot Rod association started my outlaw street racers like me and my friends.

  • @loganjohnson9339
    @loganjohnson9339 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Bristol Baaaaaaaaaby.... my home town track im bout 15 minutes away in kingsport, TN.. anybody comes here lookingbfor a lil hometown track go to Cherrokee Drag Strip in Rogersville, Tennessee

  • @timreed-dq3nx
    @timreed-dq3nx 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Beer cans weren't made from aluminum in 1968. Those cans are steel.

  • @sky3353
    @sky3353 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Wow! Brings back old memories. Came across your channel as recommended. I'm hooked. Liked and subscribed. Looking forward to watching more of your videos. I learn so much from the great comments on here. Great bunch of people with similar interests and stories. Thanks for doing this. I know it must be a lot of hard work and time consuming. Thanks!

  • @stevenpederson1645
    @stevenpederson1645 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Thanks Brian, what a story. Can you do a story about a young Prudhome, when allegedly there was a remodeling of a motel, or Big Jim Dunn's alleged hero fireman driver to set the records straight.

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      So many stories to tell. Will get them on my
      List

  • @mikecurtis2585
    @mikecurtis2585 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Wow that's a crazy story! Keep them coming!

  • @frisk151
    @frisk151 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

    This was awesome!!! Thanks for sharing!

  • @MikeSamuelsII-ve8gp
    @MikeSamuelsII-ve8gp 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    One of the better stories I've heard so far this year, thanks!

  • @PullStartStables
    @PullStartStables 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Awesome story! 7:25 RL Hoover was credited with steeling Hoover’s fuel. I’m not sure if there is a way to edit that 😉

  • @timothyhays1817
    @timothyhays1817 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Interesting. Back in the 60s, I'm pretty sure that most brands of beer came in tin cans. Coors was of the first to use aluminum cans.

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I am sure you are right on that. Good call. Swing and a miss for me!

    • @roberthevern6169
      @roberthevern6169 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Yeah, but Coors will always be stanky beer to me!!

  • @gregorygolden1296
    @gregorygolden1296 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I remember going with my dad when i was little to Ollie Olsen's shop at Southern Blvd. & Dixie Highway in W.P.B, Florida. They were long time friends. I just Loved the racecars. I grew up and ended up racing Stockcars. But never forgot Ollie and his race shop....

  • @tonyt8805
    @tonyt8805 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Brain keeps you on the edge of your seat while
    telling the most amazing stories ever! 😎 💯 😎

  • @davidbeers5949
    @davidbeers5949 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Wherever he is right now he's probably having a good time what kind of comment is that... He's dead dude!

    • @Racer997
      @Racer997 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Doesn’t mean he’s not enjoying himself. 🤔

  • @Hoffas_beneficiary
    @Hoffas_beneficiary 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    RL Peyton was a bit before my time, I didn't get [actively] involved in drag racing til 1972...Never heard of him til now but certainly have heard of (and knew) others in drag racing with stories of similarity pertaining to the "Fast Lane" of financing their racing operations. Never knew Billy Stepp personally but have raced against him a couple times when he had a Plymouth Arrow but another guy was driving. It was no secret tho that billy the kid was an outfit figure, I believe he has since passed away...
    ...Great job tho with this coverage!💯👍

  • @usa2121
    @usa2121 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    First 5:10 58 Top Fuelers capable of 200 MPH 1n the late 60's is one hella show boys and girls. Second 15:37 Thats one sick ass groove they be lay'n down. Thank you for your hard work and passion BL . Appreciate you!!

  • @nhra7110
    @nhra7110 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Wow! What a character! Thanks Brian for the great history lesson.

    • @brianlohnes3079
      @brianlohnes3079  9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Thank you for digging it!