Alton, IL. Hayden Profitt, Don Nicholson in the stockers. Garlits, Karamisines and the Speed Sport Roadster in top eliminator. I was there running my 52 Chevy with a Corvette six. Small town Illinois - going to Springfield and cruising North Grand. Stopping in at the Icy Rootbeer drive in. Sitting at a stoplight on 6th street in Springfield, revving my 56 Olds next to a 60 Impala. I saw the cop behind him, he didn't. He left hard. I didn't. Still remember the look on his face.

Then there were the race riots in the 60's - pretty much everywhere. Big one in Peoria when I was in college. Another one in Omaha in the late 60's where I was working.

It wasn't all good - but it was a lot simpler.