'Chick' loses everything in fire
News-Times Staff
Article Last Updated: 06/19/2008 05:47:38 PM EDT
It feels like it was yesterday that I was at the Danbury Fair Racearena cheering on my favorite driver.
The one driver who always got the most cheers has recently experienced a great loss.
Charles "Chick" Stockwell, 80, who was voted most popular driver six
times, 1976 to 1981, lost almost everything when lightning struck on
June 10.
The lightning hit the barn behind his Woodbury home and fire quickly spread to the house.
Mr. Stockwell got out of the house in time, but lost all of his
racing trophies, racing memorabilia and his 1936 Ford, the first car he
raced in Danbury, which had been fully restored just three years ago.
The car is a total loss.
He also lost a 1928 Nash, a 1989 Camero and a Harley-Davidson motorcyle.
Some of his belongings were saved. The cows that he keeps on the grounds are fine.
Mr. Stockwell is number one on the all-time win list at the Danbury Fair Racearena.
He accumulated 51 features, 77 heats and 26 consi races and had won the track championship nine times.
Mr. Stockwell, who could not be reached for comment for this column, is "doing fine," according to his friend Kevin Brown.
"I remember him always having time for the fans, he was never too busy to sign an autograph," Mr. Brown said.
"He can't believe that people still care about him, I don't think it's set in yet," Mr. Brown added.
All the success he enjoyed never changed him. He was a farmer then and still.
"He still looks like he's 50 and still does his own haying every day," Mr. Brown said.
A fundraiser picnic is planned for July 5, at the home of Mr. Stockwell's son, Tom, on 66 Peter Road in Woodbury.
Everyone is invited and donations of pictures, Racearena reviews or
other memorabilia would be appreciated. It starts at noon and goes to
"whenever." The family also asked that you bring your own beverage and
food.
The S.N.Y.R.A. reunion is July 27, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the
O'Neill Center, Western Connecticut State University Westside campus,
Mill Plain Road in Danbury.
The reunion this year is dedicated to Chick Stockwell and the proceeds will be donated to him.
If you cannot attend the picnic, but would like to help, e-mail Kevin Brown at kbrown151@aol.com.
Information also is available at the Danbury Fair Racearena's Web site, http://www.danbury-racearena.com.
Listen Sunday morning to the Carey/Coffey ESPN radio talk show on
940/1510 AM; I'll join them on the air, sometime between 10 a.m. and
noon, with more information about the fundraiser.
[url=SCR Article on Chickie]http://www.stockcarracing.com/featuredvehicles/scrp_0806w_chick_stockwell_benefit/index.html[/url]
All the regulars know that to make a pass on the one-third mile flat oval it wasn't gonna be easy. It took guts or skill, sometime both, but always one or the other. Sure, the inside was pretty easy, but making a successful pass on the outside to skill and ballz. Some might take a shortcut. A good knock in the ass end of the guy in front might get you a sneak through the inside. But only the best could make that scary pass on the outside, running near the 10X10 timbered wall all the while risking getting walked out to the fence or sent over the wall. With all that in mind, some drivers were tougher to get around than others and for different reasons. The Crazy Frenchman was a difficult pass for different reasons than Lajoie was. Let's hear your views on who was the toughest Pass at the Racearena.
'Chick' loses everything in fire News-Times Staff Article Last Updated: 06/19/2008 05:47:38 PM EDT It feels like it was yesterday that I was at the Danbury Fair Racearena cheering on my favorite driver. The one driver who always got the most cheers has recently experienced a great loss. Charles "Chick" Stockwell, 80, who was voted most popular driver six times, 1976 to 1981, lost almost everything when lightning struck on June 10. The lightning hit the barn behind his Woodbury home and fire quickly spread to the house. Mr. Stockwell got out of the house in time, but lost all of his racing trophies, racing memorabilia and his 1936 Ford, the first car he raced in Danbury, which had been fully restored just three years ago. The car is a total loss. He also lost a 1928 Nash, a 1989 Camero and a Harley-Davidson motorcyle. Some of his belongings were saved. The cows that he keeps on the grounds are fine. Mr. Stockwell is number one on the all-time win list at the Danbury Fair Racearena. He accumulated 51 features, 77 heats and 26 consi races and had won the track championship nine times. Mr. Stockwell, who could not be reached for comment for this column, is "doing fine," according to his friend Kevin Brown. "I remember him always having time for the fans, he was never too busy to sign an autograph," Mr. Brown said. "He can't believe that people still care about him, I don't think it's set in yet," Mr. Brown added. All the success he enjoyed never changed him. He was a farmer then and still. "He still looks like he's 50 and still does his own haying every day," Mr. Brown said. A fundraiser picnic is planned for July 5, at the home of Mr. Stockwell's son, Tom, on 66 Peter Road in Woodbury. Everyone is invited and donations of pictures, Racearena reviews or other memorabilia would be appreciated. It starts at noon and goes to "whenever." The family also asked that you bring your own beverage and food. The S.N.Y.R.A. reunion is July 27, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the O'Neill Center, Western Connecticut State University Westside campus, Mill Plain Road in Danbury. The reunion this year is dedicated to Chick Stockwell and the proceeds will be donated to him. If you cannot attend the picnic, but would like to help, e-mail Kevin Brown at kbrown151@aol.com. Information also is available at the Danbury Fair Racearena's Web site, http://www.danbury-racearena.com. Listen Sunday morning to the Carey/Coffey ESPN radio talk show on 940/1510 AM; I'll join them on the air, sometime between 10 a.m. and noon, with more information about the fundraiser. [url=SCR Article on Chickie]http://www.stockcarracing.com/featuredvehicles/scrp_0806w_chick_stockwell_benefit/index.html[/url]
Hmmmmm, I went to the other Racearena site recently and found you have to write an essay to get in!!!??? What next? Will you need to take your S.A.T.'s? Well, Here you gotta do nothin' 'cept show up! Welcome if you are frustrated with the elitism over there!