The Stanfields

oldskool · 02-14-2020, 10:20 AM

I know how some hate it when somebody revives a really old thread. So, I'm not gonna do that.

BUT, I was lookin back thru some old threads for some Pontiac info, when I ran across a thread about the passing of Howard Stanfield.

And a couple of posts mentioned him racing at the Hallsville, TX track.

http://classracer.com/classforum/sho...8&postcount=22

Well, we raced there a few times with our '68 E/SA Bird, in '75, then quite a bit in '78 & '79, with our bracket cars.

Mr. Howard raced there when he didn't have a bigger race to go to. After all these years, I still remember how friendly Mr. Howard was. He never failed to stop by our pit to say hi & ask how our cars were running.

I suppose one reason why that stands out in my mind is because of the many races we went to, he's the only person I can remember who ever ask how our cars were running. I suppose that most of our opponents hoped we were running bad, and other wise didn't give a flip.

But Howard Stanfield was different. I didn't know him well. But I knew enuff to know that he was a cut above the average racer we met. And, I suppose he was that way to everybody, from what was said in some of the posts in that thread.

I think Mr. Howard had a small Chevy wagon of some kind, back then. Just Googled his son, Greg. Said Greg was born in 1965. So, in '75, he'd have been only 10. Reckin he wasn't driving yet. But, in 1979, he would have been 14. So, for you guys who knew the family well, back in those days, how old was Greg, before he was allowed to drive, in competition, at the smaller tracks, like Hallsville ?

The reason I ask is because if my dad had been a racer, he would have put me behind the wheel as soon as any track owner would have allowed it. He had me driving cars, trucks, & tractors, before I started the 1st grade. Even drove my sister & my teacher mom to school, in our '55 Ford Mainline, with 3-on-the-tree. Also remember that "Little Eddie" Richardson drove a GTX(IIRC) bracket car at Tyler, when he was quite young. Maybe some of ya'll that raced Tyler in those days can remember his age. I'm sure most of ya'll know him as Edmond Richardson, who has made quite a name for himself in drag racing. But, in those days, his dad was known as "Fast Eddie", he was "Little Eddie". Hey, at least I can say I once beat Edmond Richardson, in a drag race !

This article says he won his first race on a Yamaha, at age 11. Assume he began racing cars, shortly thereafter. Anybody know when he began racing cars, & when he got his 1st win in a car ?

https://us.motorsport.com/vintage/ne...rdson/1867802/

Our Stocker wasn't quick enuff to beat any serious race cars. But, according to our records, one week, when Mr. Howard & Dave Botkin were gone to a bigger race, we slipped over to Hallsvile, & TJ won stock. Back then, at most of our local tracks, the Stock winner got $75, and you could take another $5, instead of a trophy. Hey, gas was less than 60 cents. So, that $5 would buy nearly 10 gal of gas. But, when there was only a small field of cars, the pot was less. So, TJ only got $35 for that win. Still have a copy of the check.

Anyhow, I have nothing but good memories of Howard Stanfield. & I hope his son & grandson continue to have good success in their racing careers.

02-14-2020, 10:20 AM	#1
oldskool VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: The Land of Bayous, Boudin & Crawfish Posts: 1,668 Likes: 223 Liked 747 Times in 362 Posts	The Stanfields I know how some hate it when somebody revives a really old thread. So, I'm not gonna do that. BUT, I was lookin back thru some old threads for some Pontiac info, when I ran across a thread about the passing of Howard Stanfield. And a couple of posts mentioned him racing at the Hallsville, TX track. http://classracer.com/classforum/sho...8&postcount=22 Well, we raced there a few times with our '68 E/SA Bird, in '75, then quite a bit in '78 & '79, with our bracket cars. Mr. Howard raced there when he didn't have a bigger race to go to. After all these years, I still remember how friendly Mr. Howard was. He never failed to stop by our pit to say hi & ask how our cars were running. I suppose one reason why that stands out in my mind is because of the many races we went to, he's the only person I can remember who ever ask how our cars were running. I suppose that most of our opponents hoped we were running bad, and other wise didn't give a flip. But Howard Stanfield was different. I didn't know him well. But I knew enuff to know that he was a cut above the average racer we met. And, I suppose he was that way to everybody, from what was said in some of the posts in that thread. I think Mr. Howard had a small Chevy wagon of some kind, back then. Just Googled his son, Greg. Said Greg was born in 1965. So, in '75, he'd have been only 10. Reckin he wasn't driving yet. But, in 1979, he would have been 14. So, for you guys who knew the family well, back in those days, how old was Greg, before he was allowed to drive, in competition, at the smaller tracks, like Hallsville ? The reason I ask is because if my dad had been a racer, he would have put me behind the wheel as soon as any track owner would have allowed it. He had me driving cars, trucks, & tractors, before I started the 1st grade. Even drove my sister & my teacher mom to school, in our '55 Ford Mainline, with 3-on-the-tree. Also remember that "Little Eddie" Richardson drove a GTX(IIRC) bracket car at Tyler, when he was quite young. Maybe some of ya'll that raced Tyler in those days can remember his age. I'm sure most of ya'll know him as Edmond Richardson, who has made quite a name for himself in drag racing. But, in those days, his dad was known as "Fast Eddie", he was "Little Eddie". Hey, at least I can say I once beat Edmond Richardson, in a drag race ! This article says he won his first race on a Yamaha, at age 11. Assume he began racing cars, shortly thereafter. Anybody know when he began racing cars, & when he got his 1st win in a car ? https://us.motorsport.com/vintage/ne...rdson/1867802/ Our Stocker wasn't quick enuff to beat any serious race cars. But, according to our records, one week, when Mr. Howard & Dave Botkin were gone to a bigger race, we slipped over to Hallsvile, & TJ won stock. Back then, at most of our local tracks, the Stock winner got $75, and you could take another $5, instead of a trophy. Hey, gas was less than 60 cents. So, that $5 would buy nearly 10 gal of gas. But, when there was only a small field of cars, the pot was less. So, TJ only got $35 for that win. Still have a copy of the check. Anyhow, I have nothing but good memories of Howard Stanfield. & I hope his son & grandson continue to have good success in their racing careers.