Open Wheel Madness, Part 2 - Midget Racing (Stephen Bubb)

The Logbook, Open Wheel Madness: Part-2, spotlights speakers Herb Anastor and Stephen Bubb. Bubb covers the evolution of open-wheel racing from the 1920s and 1930s, touching upon the influence of World War I on motorsports, the types of racing cars, and prominent racers of the era like Ralph De Palma and Deacon Litz. He also discusses the role of venues, the effects of the Great Depression on racing, and the rise of midget racing in the 1930s. Notable stories include Al Capone's involvement in racing and various safety challenges faced by the sport. The script ends with a reflection on the continuous push for innovation and safety in motorsports. ===== (Oo---x---oO) ===== 00:00:00 Stephen Bubb's Background and Racing Passion 00:03:07 The Evolution of Sprint Cars 00:07:15 Racing in the 1920s: Tracks and Competitions 00:08:40 The Role of AAA and Other Sanctioning Bodies 00:10:11 Notable Drivers and Their Stories 00:22:51 Organized Crime's Influence on Racing 00:29:19 The Impact of the Great Depression on Racing 00:31:20 Racing's Growing Pains in the 1930s 00:32:13 Barney Oldfield's Critique of Racing 00:34:29 Government Interventions and Safety Measures 00:35:25 The Dust Dilemma 00:44:31 Midget Racing Takes Off 00:56:29 The Nutley Velodrome Experiment 00:59:35 Jalopy Racing and the War's Impact 01:00:19 The Legacy of Racing Innovations 01:03:14 Closing Remarks and Acknowledgements ==================== The Motoring Podcast Network : Years of racing, wrenching and Motorsports experience brings together a top notch collection of knowledge, stories and information. #everyonehasastory #gtmbreakfix - motoringpodcast.net More Information: https://www.motoringpodcast.net/ Become a VIP at: https://www.patreon.com/gtmotorsports Online Magazine: https://www.gtmotorsports.org/ This episode is part of our HISTORY OF MOTORSPORTS SERIES and is sponsored in part by: The International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC), The Society of Automotive Historians (SAH), The Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Argetsinger Family - and was recorded in front of a live studio audience.