The Logbook

Grassroots and bootstraps strategies were used by early racing pioneers in West Virginia beginning in the 1930s. Tom Adamich, co-author of the auto racing entry in the West Virginia Encyclopedia and other related articles/publications will profile several events and individuals who innovated and dominated on the dirt tracks, ball diamonds, and other unique race courses that dot the hills and valleys of the great state of West Virginia.

Steve Post currently is one of the pit road reporters for MRN’s race coverage. He is the co-host of Winged Nation, an audio and television program on MAVTV covering sprint car racing.

This presentation examines the 2023 alliance between Leidos, the international high-tech engineering firm, and NASCAR to build a “Next Gen” Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV).

Mackenzie Kirkey’s presentation focuses on NASCAR driver Curtis Turner, the efforts of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters to unionize NASCAR drivers in 1961, and the tactics used by NASCAR’s Founder and President Bill France Sr. to try and thwart their attempts.

Buz McKim’s presentation explores the racing career of NASCAR’s iconic founder William “Bill” France and the origins of NASCAR in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

It appears that Maserati in the 1950s identified their competition cars by their engine numbers, not their chassis numbers, and that this process allowed for the individual cars to have carried more than one identity. This has implications for the provenance of these cars.

The 1940 Mille Miglia is an anomaly in the long history of the race. The previous classic editions, held between 1927 and 1938, were run on the thousand-mile figure-of-eight open road course covering half of Italy.

Katharine Worth's presentation will analyze the 1930s through the lens of Grand Prix racing - and the aspirations to race at that level - in Germany and Great Britain, addressing how motor racing became increasingly connected to politics and nationalism, showcasing the complex relationship between Germany and Britain at the time.

From the archives of the International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC) comes the digitally remastered version of "Land Speed Records" 2014 presentation by George Webster as part of their Center Conversations series.

As 2023 draws to a close, we thank our many fans and supporters who made our 25th year of operation a special one! Our Silver Anniversary celebration drew an enthusiastic crowd who helped us acknowledge our milestone in style.