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Sprint Cup
CUP: Calinoff’s Capsule Comments
Richie Evans was the greatest modified racer of all time...
Modified racing legend the late Richie Evans will be enshrined in the NASCAR Hall of Fame tonight. (Photo: NASCAR)
Webster’s definition of “fame” is: The state of being widely known or recognized; renown; celebrity.
New NASCAR Hall of Fame honoree Richie Evans may not be a household name to the new or casual NASCAR fan; he was basically only “famous” to those who were rooted in the Northeast or those who have followed NASCAR’s oldest sanctioned division, the Modifieds. Yet, he’s probably the most accomplished racer never to make it to the highest ranks of our sport. And that suited him just fine.
My first encounter with the “Rapid Roman,” a moniker that reflected his hometown of Rome, N.Y., was in 1976 at the Islip (N.Y.) Speedway. I was a young kid playing announcer there and the “big boys” of the Modified series were in town for a 300-lap race — on a 1/5-mile oval. Yep, one-fifth.
In an effort to do my job well, I strolled the pit area and talked to the out-of-town drivers and got some background information. Everyone was cordial and spent ample time to allow me to take notes.
“Mr. Evans,” I said, “my name is Mike Calinoff, I’m the announcer here and I’d like to ask you a few questions.” Evans looked me up and down and said, “Richie Evans, Rome, N.Y.,” and walked away. I was devastated. The biggest name in Modified racing just shunned me — and he was pretty arrogant about it, too. I knew right then I didn’t like that man.
Thirty laps to go in the race and Evans was in command. He was putting on a clinic as he had in so many races over the course of his career. But, I was getting nervous. I clearly didn’t want him to win and have to suffer the embarrassment of being snubbed in the post-race on-track interview.
With five laps to go it was apparent that my worst nightmare was coming true.
I remember being nauseous as I walked from the announcers booth to the track to do the interview. What questions should I ask? Will he even speak to me? Please, let it rain or something!
Evans emerged from the car to the salute of his crew. The fans went wild and the champagne cork shot into the air. At that moment, I had wished the cork would have popped me in the head and knocked me out. I was really dreading this.
I stood far from the festivities, trying to maintain a low profile — and then he spotted me. His face went from jubilation to the most serious look you could have imagined. He walked straight over to me and swiped the microphone from my hand.
“Does everyone know my friend Mike?” he said, looking at me and now smiling. “He’s the announcer here and he’s got some questions to ask me.” He handed me back the mic, put his arm around me and I proceeded to interview him.
My friendship with Richie Evans was long-lasting. Right up until the tragic day he lost his life in an accident at Martinsville Speedway in 1985 — just one week after he had clinched his eighth national title. The day we met and the day he passed away changed me forever.
Richie Evans was a racer’s racer. He didn’t prefer the attention he got by default, and he was happy being the big fish in the little pond. He just wanted to race.
My friend Richie Evans is very deserving of this honor. Not because he was famous, but because of what he accomplished in his career. I sometimes think we should call it the Hall of Accomplishments.
Yesterday was a really meaningful day for me, knowing that one of my heroes and friends had the greatest honor of our sport bestowed upon him. I’m really proud of him and I believe that somehow, some way, he knows that.
Mike Calinoff is the Spotter for Matt Kenseth (NSCS), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (NNS) and Nelson Piquet Jr. (NCWTS). A 20-year veteran of the sport, Calinoff has many business interests in NASCAR and is the owner of the SouthEast Limited Late Model Series. In addition to spotting, writing for SPEED.com and FordRacing.com, Mike can be heard each week on Sirius NASCAR Radio Channel 128 every Wednesday with Dave Moody at 6 PM ET. An engaging figure with race fans, Calinoff regularly runs contests on his Facebook Fan Page for fans to win race tickets and pit passes to NASCAR events. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeCalinoff, join his Fan Page or visit his website. He can be reached at mike@mikecalinoff.com.
The opinions reflected herein are solely those of Mike Calinoff and are not necessarily those of SPEED.com, FOX, NewsCorp, SPEED, Roush Fenway Racing, Kevin Harvick, Inc., Ford or Diageo.
New NASCAR Hall of Fame honoree Richie Evans may not be a household name to the new or casual NASCAR fan; he was basically only “famous” to those who were rooted in the Northeast or those who have followed NASCAR’s oldest sanctioned division, the Modifieds. Yet, he’s probably the most accomplished racer never to make it to the highest ranks of our sport. And that suited him just fine.
My first encounter with the “Rapid Roman,” a moniker that reflected his hometown of Rome, N.Y., was in 1976 at the Islip (N.Y.) Speedway. I was a young kid playing announcer there and the “big boys” of the Modified series were in town for a 300-lap race — on a 1/5-mile oval. Yep, one-fifth.
In an effort to do my job well, I strolled the pit area and talked to the out-of-town drivers and got some background information. Everyone was cordial and spent ample time to allow me to take notes.
“Mr. Evans,” I said, “my name is Mike Calinoff, I’m the announcer here and I’d like to ask you a few questions.” Evans looked me up and down and said, “Richie Evans, Rome, N.Y.,” and walked away. I was devastated. The biggest name in Modified racing just shunned me — and he was pretty arrogant about it, too. I knew right then I didn’t like that man.
Thirty laps to go in the race and Evans was in command. He was putting on a clinic as he had in so many races over the course of his career. But, I was getting nervous. I clearly didn’t want him to win and have to suffer the embarrassment of being snubbed in the post-race on-track interview.
With five laps to go it was apparent that my worst nightmare was coming true.
I remember being nauseous as I walked from the announcers booth to the track to do the interview. What questions should I ask? Will he even speak to me? Please, let it rain or something!
Evans emerged from the car to the salute of his crew. The fans went wild and the champagne cork shot into the air. At that moment, I had wished the cork would have popped me in the head and knocked me out. I was really dreading this.
I stood far from the festivities, trying to maintain a low profile — and then he spotted me. His face went from jubilation to the most serious look you could have imagined. He walked straight over to me and swiped the microphone from my hand.
“Does everyone know my friend Mike?” he said, looking at me and now smiling. “He’s the announcer here and he’s got some questions to ask me.” He handed me back the mic, put his arm around me and I proceeded to interview him.
My friendship with Richie Evans was long-lasting. Right up until the tragic day he lost his life in an accident at Martinsville Speedway in 1985 — just one week after he had clinched his eighth national title. The day we met and the day he passed away changed me forever.
Richie Evans was a racer’s racer. He didn’t prefer the attention he got by default, and he was happy being the big fish in the little pond. He just wanted to race.
My friend Richie Evans is very deserving of this honor. Not because he was famous, but because of what he accomplished in his career. I sometimes think we should call it the Hall of Accomplishments.
Yesterday was a really meaningful day for me, knowing that one of my heroes and friends had the greatest honor of our sport bestowed upon him. I’m really proud of him and I believe that somehow, some way, he knows that.
Mike Calinoff is the Spotter for Matt Kenseth (NSCS), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (NNS) and Nelson Piquet Jr. (NCWTS). A 20-year veteran of the sport, Calinoff has many business interests in NASCAR and is the owner of the SouthEast Limited Late Model Series. In addition to spotting, writing for SPEED.com and FordRacing.com, Mike can be heard each week on Sirius NASCAR Radio Channel 128 every Wednesday with Dave Moody at 6 PM ET. An engaging figure with race fans, Calinoff regularly runs contests on his Facebook Fan Page for fans to win race tickets and pit passes to NASCAR events. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeCalinoff, join his Fan Page or visit his website. He can be reached at mike@mikecalinoff.com.
The opinions reflected herein are solely those of Mike Calinoff and are not necessarily those of SPEED.com, FOX, NewsCorp, SPEED, Roush Fenway Racing, Kevin Harvick, Inc., Ford or Diageo.
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