DOVER'S LAST DAY: May 23,1976....the story unfolds

[dinotheweirdo]

Got more "local" input from Dan Emerson (Moroso). He was young then ...used to sneak in. He lived in town and one of his freinds "hung" around -got in for free and did odd jobs. Remembers his friend saying in the afternoon , Chet Anderson told him (with about 4 spectators in the stands)..."Go lock the Gate'. Seems that week Chet had just gone through a legal battle with 1 of three local families that just about ran the town. Can't say who-they still live in the same house. It was over the same old complaint -noise.

[BOBBY S.]

funny you mentioned the NOISE problem
it was talked about at the site saturday,
we mentioned that Dr. Joice Brothers was one of the
neighbors that did the BIG push against the track
when moved on the hill back than.

[masracingtd1167]

Dino that was Skip North in the other lane driving Mother . I think that picture was taked around 74 or5

[dinotheweirdo]

Noise problem ....The Real Dr.Joyce Brothers lived in Wingdale ? Bobby mentioned "talked about Sat" meaning At the Field trip. NOISE seemed to the reason huh ? and from locals ? thought the Insurance was the problem ? Could it be that pressure was put on the Insurance Co. BY the locals ??? Town Made out ($$$ )every Sunday including the American Legion. More to investagate.

[dinotheweirdo]

Think Ole Leroy That worked in the Food Stand (American Legion Guy) would tell us a bunch...He should be invited To Dover Fest In Jan.at old Sam's (Gene's)

[dinotheweirdo]

Seems it was a little bit of everything going on...Smokey said, Chet told him the car count was way down, becuase of the "gas crisis" remember the odd-even days ? and lines ? Peat moss was selling ,so they went into that, til about 1980.

[Robert]

To all the ODF Members,
I sent Dino a message the other day about what might have been the reason for the closing of the track. He said "Post It".
Here it goes. Every once in awhile, over the past years, I would bump into someone who came to the track and start talking about the good old days. On quite a few occasions a certain story would be brought up by different people but had the same ending. I have been told more than a few times about this. It's just to strange to be a coincedence. But as the story goes, there was an accident at the track one day, pretty bad, maybe fatal. The Police Chief of Mt. Pleasant was either a friend of the family of the person injuried or related to that person in some way. Anyway, he had a lot of pull and supposingly had a big part in closing down the track. He was a real hardass in his day. They called him "Duke". I lived in Thornwood at the time of the tracks closing, in the Town of Mt. Pleasant, in "Duke's Territory". I knew who he was, his reputation, and stayed out of his way. He was always trying to give us a hard time...didn't like fast cars...hotrods...motorcycles. We never got caught doing anything, but were always accused of everything, if you know what I mean. I'm trying to give you members an idea of what kind of person he was and why , in my mind, this story could be true. If anyone can add too or take from this, please do so. I'm only conveying to you members what I've heard over the years.
Bobby M.

[dinotheweirdo]

Checked a few sources through "Dover CSI",called Smokey - who saw Chet a lot after it closed, around Danbury, and some legal records...No fatalitys ever at track AND NO lawsuits filed with State or county ???....We have some more replies pending ...digging deeper and will keep you posted.

[dinotheweirdo]

WE FINALLY GOT SOME DEFINATIVE INPUT....HERE'S what just came in from MIKE MANNION -"Family member" (Married Joe Archieres Neice)...Track Worker and corrected (Geezerville) Me on a few things! Thanks for the reply Mike !

Hello Old Friend.
Have been in Fla for the past month. Sorry for the delay, and thanks for the trust.

The track was closed for 1 reason. The auto emissions standards and gas prices were making the sport unactractive for the "STOCKER" crowd where Joe and Chet obviously made most money ( racer volume). This, combined with a fantastic offer to buy the property for humus peat and gravel processing made the closing and sale a "no brainer". It was a boring demise compared to the story about an accident...... which has absolutely no merit. Joe and Chet knew nothing about drag racing, and couldn't have cared less. They only looked at making money.

Hey, if you ever re-do the web page, you need to make a correction on the audio. I never gave time slips at the quarter mile. That was done by Ron sombody.....who was usually stoned all day. I was in charge of the staging lanes and hot car pits during the morning time trials. A thankless job since everybody wanted more runs, and nobody thought they were being treated fairly! For the afternoon eliminations, I was in the tower with you and timer Frank Grice. I did the dial-in handicaps for the cars running for $$$ bucks.. Remember?? I loved working as much as you did. You were a great announcer and kept me amused all the time, and I credit you in a big way for Dover's success.

Thanks for your efforts to keep the memory alive. Let me know how I can help. Sincerely hope to see you again some day.
Mike


So there ya have it ...from the guy that Knows... "behind the scenes" ....Family member
well sometimes I got some details mixed up ..but will correct! Thats what the Forum is about... hearing all the info from everybody !

[Robert]

Thanks Dino and Mike for straighting out the rumors over the years. Ten little indians I guess.