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Big Dave Kaut |
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Page 6 of ? Pages
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Welcome to Page six of The Racing Years By David L. Kaut
1972 Third year of driving, fourth year in racing. Note from Dan: many of the articles and pictures from Dave's 1972 scrapbook were loose in the book. Adhesives in the tape had long ago failed. As a result, I have had to abandon the organization of the material and will leave that to the reader.
#44 is the same car as last year and the year before with the exception of another new body and some suspension modification. It has the same short block as last year with larger heads and the latest carburation system available.
The car was done and ready to race and then in mid-winter, they decided to change the rules and I was forced to move up to the Late Model Super Stocks.
We put new tires on the car. We spent over $300 for them. We had to build new hearders so the tires would work. It doesn't look like the old #44 anymore. First race- Saturday, April 22,1972- Car ran well. Although the pace was quicker, I had a lot to learn and the car wasn't set up properly for the big tires. I knew then that we had a lot of work ahead of us. I came in 2nd in the heat, 2nd in the trophy dash and 6th in the "A" feature. Won $75.
NOTE FROM DAN: This race marked the new management partnership between Lyle Kline and Gaylen Brotherson. Now Playland and Sunset were managed by the same team. The article mentions the new $400 Hobby Stock claim, meant to encourage hobby drivers to become Late model drivers. Instead, history will show that it decreased total car count. The Bronco class is gone and the car counts with it.
Second race- Saturday, April 29th,1972- It was like a new car from last week, after working on it all week and changing the front and rear suspension. It was really runnin! I believe I would have done really well if it wouldn't have been for one person-- Ed Beam who thought he was still in the Broncos, kept pushing me out. I believe he hit me about 6 times. In trying to get away from him, I spun out and was involved in a 3 car pile-up. I had to go to the back of the pack and finished in last place. We got rained out Thank God. There was quite a lot of damage to the left side and some steering damage so I couldn't have raced again anyway tonight. No winnings.
Third race- Sat May 6,1972- rained out. Third race- Sat May 13,1972- rained out again, but did get to make up the "B" Feature of two weeks ago. Came in 4th and won $10. Fourth race- Saturday May 20,1972- Came in 6th in my heat, won the "B" feature and 6th in the "A" Feature. The car was not handling in the warm-ups. We made some changes before the heat race. They must have been right because we finally stumbled on the right combination of weight. But luck was still not with me. Maybe next week. Won $55.
Fifth race- Saturday May 27,1972- Won my heat, 4th in the trophy dash and 8th in the "A" Feature. Car is running and handling great. Actually thought luck was with me again. Everything was running smoothly until the "A" Feature. I worked up to 2nd place, Ed Morris and I hit each other and I broke a steering arm bolt on the right side. Managed to finish 8th. I had quite a bit of body damage. Dutch and I worked from 10:30 to 9:30 at night to get it ready for Monday, Memorial Day. Thank heaven for Dutch. Won $45.
Sixth race- Monday May 29,1972- Memorial Day- Just played it cool in the heat, trying to qualify for the "A". Car was really running good. Still have a little adjusting to do on the front. Getting ot closer to right. Early in the "A" Feature, I worked my way into the lead knowing I wouldn't hold it very long. Ed Moris and Bud Burdick passed me, but no one else could get around. It was a long 35 laps. Won $175.
Seventh race- Saturday June 3,1972- In the heat, it opened up on the 1st lap and I took the lead. I was challenged severely by Zdan and Burdick. I managed to fight them off and kept the lead. Luck was with me again in the trophy dash and I managed to come in second. Came in 3rd in the "A". Lined up 4th row inside. Hung in tight. Was able to slip inside of one car. Follower 101 and 66 in for the checkered flag. No body could pass us. There just wasn't an outside groove that was fast enough. Won $215- my best night yet.
Eighth race- Saturday June 10,1972- Came in 4th in my heat and 6th in the "A" Feature. I amnaged to get to 4th. The car ran well. Got stuck behind Beam. Messed my chance in passing him and ended up sixth, or in other words, I blew it. Won $55.
Ninth race- Saturday June 17,1972- Came in 4th in my heat and 1oth in the "A" Feature. Still adjusting the right front. Maybe i'll get it right someday. Car pushing out a little bit in the north corner. I can't explain the "A" Feature. I just made a big mistake and before I knew it, I was in 10th place. Won $20. Still working on that right front.
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