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Ernie Saxton | On Auto Racing
One of my all-time favorite announcers and a friend for many years was Ken Squier. He was one of the best in the TV booth. He and I got to announce a couple of events over the years. Several times, Ken invited me up to his Vermont home and unfortunately I just never got the opportunity to take advantage of the invite.
Ken battled health issues for quite a while. Unfortunately, the NASCAR Hall of Fame broadcaster passed away on Wednesday evening of last week. My sympathies go out to his family and many friends.
Gift of Lights event begins
The magic and spirit of the holiday season will be on full display to close 2023 when the “Gift of Lights at Dover Motor Speedway” drive-thru event returns to the Monster Mile.
The second annual Gift of Lights event runs every evening from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve, with more than 60 scenes and 3.5 million lights set up along an almost two-mile pathway winding through Dover Motor Speedway campgrounds.
Gift of Lights is produced by Winterland, Inc., a holiday services firm headquartered in Marion, Ind., with more than three decades of experience, along with support from partners including Delaware Behavioral Health, Delaware’s Quaint Villages, Dover Pools, Del-One and Visit Delaware.
The schedule for the in-car experience includes:
Thanksgiving through Saturday, Dec. 16
Sunday-Thursday: 5-9 p.m.
Friday-Saturday: 5-10 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 17 through New Year’s Eve
All days: 5-10 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased online at GiftOfLightsDover.com or upon arrival, with rates of $35 per car and $60 for buses and limousines. No advance reservations are required. Vehicles will enter the display via a new entrance at 1229 Persimmon Tree Road and exit on Leipsic Road. Follow traffic signs for directions and up-to-date messaging.
Take home history jars
Speedway Children’s Charities is excited to offer a limited number of special ‘moonshine’ jars, containing pieces of the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway track surface. This iconic venue has hosted racing for over 75 years, and we’re proud to give fans the opportunity to take home a piece of this special track.
A limited number of these unique collectibles will be offered, with proceeds benefiting Speedway Children’s Charities. Purchase one of the sequentially-numbered 500 jars to commemorate the track’s racing tradition. Or, purchase a standard edition, contained in its own ‘moonshine’ jar. These jars may be picked up at North Wilkesboro Speedway or shipped for an additional fee.
Jars will be available in the first quarter of 2024, if not sooner. Everyone who purchases a jar will also receive a certificate of authenticity.
Don’t miss your chance to take home history! For additional information, please contact Taylor Kirby at tkirby@speedwaycharities.org.
I have some pieces of racing history in my home office. There is not a lot but the autographed helmet from Richard Petty stands out. And the piece of asphalt from Langhorne Speedway is something I treasure because I wrote about many races at the historic track. And I think about many of those events, Mario Andretti told me that Langhorne was the toughest track he raced at. I have memories each time I drive up Route 1 and pass what was the location of the speedway.
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Ernie Saxton is an auto racing contributor for MediaNews Group. Email him at esaxton144@aol.com.
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