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This question maybe should be asked during the dark days of winter. But what the heck - as a tribute to the recent Pombo-Sargent race held at the Thunderbowl and two very popular drivers - tell the forum your favorite story about either one of them. Here's one from the late Bob Barkhimer -
This is a memory going back to KEARNEY BOWL Speedway in Fresno ...
By Bob Barkhimer :
One of the most popular drivers I ever met was Marshall Sargent... a Big strong and muscular man . One night at Kearney Bowl a fight erupted in the infield.
I went out there and found my friend Smokey Hanoian ( also the track referee / official ) trying to stop the flow of blood from his "just broken nose" Seems that Marshall Sargent had hit Smokey ... breaking his nose.
This was the worst possible thing ...having one of our most popular drivers hitting our official which was also very well liked.
I went over to Marshall ... amid all his shouting pitmen and said : "Marshall ...you are SET DOWN !" (Suspended)
I then asked Smokey to file assault and battery charges against Marshall, which he did !
Afterwards I said to Marshall..."What got you into this ... You know we can't permit this " Marshall took a long look and told me ..."Barky , Smokey called me a Son of a B____ and NO ONE ...even my dad calls me that !"
That complicated matters so I went to Smokey and told him what Marshall has said. Smokey explained that yes ...he did say that ...however that is a term he uses everyday to all his friends ...
WOW ... what do I do now ?
Sargent went to court ... The judge fined him $ 50 and placed him on probation for 6 months ...Which is about the time it took to get Smokeys nose back to normal .
Marshall then came back to race again ...
AUTO RACING is dangerous ... JUST ASK SMOKEY !
"Ralphie, Senor, muchas gracias por una mas cerveza" -
Scott Daloisio @ the PAS
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