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| Some of you are old enough to remember those parting words on the Mickey Mouse Club, "Now its time to say goodbye to all our family.." Never much cared for those words as I never much cared for goodbyes. But no matter how tenacious I have been to deny it, the time has come to say goodbye to the track I love the most.
For whatever reason, I did not attend the Mesa Marin press conference that day that it was announced the track was going to close. I guess it is a good thing for it would have been challenging navigating the Grapevine with crocodile tears.
I went to the track one or two times after that announcement. It was on my schedule many times more than that. But I shut down. It was as if someone told me the dearest person to my heart would never recover. And so I coped with the same feelings one would when going through the stages of a fatal illness. I first was struck with disbelief and then sunk into denial which later turned to anger and now I guess I am finally having to accept it. Mesa Marin is having its last stand this weekend and no matter how much I tried to say it is not happening, the time has come to say goodbye.
The first race after the track announced closing I walked upstairs, up the stairs behind the men's bathroom because Marion told me it was the easier way up and Marion always gave this ol' lady good advice. I saw Mike from the Bakersfield Californian in his spot and Stephanie looking out the window and then Shirley walked in. She told me not to say anything because she would cry. So I hugged her and I didn't say anything, I walked to the spot where I always plugged my computer in, stopped and then I kept walking and walking much further down, just so no one could see me weep.
I wiped the tears and marched up to the roof. I wanted to get photos to remember the track I love, we all love. As I ascended the stairs and my head was high enough to see the rooftop and there was Larry. He was sitting quietly with his chin on the back of his hand, similar to the pose of " The Thinker" gazing out at the track. And I remember that beautiful sun setting to the left of him. I didn't say anything. I left him with his thoughts.
I walked back down and then back in and Marion was in the announcer's booth, doing just about the same thing as Larry, sitting looking out at the track. Now if you know Marion you know he doesn't normally sit.
That was one of those sad days, but now maybe it is time to remember all the good days. To thank the entire Mesa Marin staff for giving us such great memories.
Maybe some of you would like to share with the Collins family the fond or funny memories. Yep, I guess it is time to say goodbye.
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.: Community Cares Index- Doc Quinn
Well, let me see here. Mesa Marin is the last place I saw Davey Allison and Harry Gant. Marion and Gary were both awful good to me and my family! Hell, I even won my very first rookie of the year trophy at Mesa Marin. We also helped introduced the IMCA mods. there. In fact it was my trannie blowing that convinced Marion and Gary that automatics would be outlawed in modifieds. lol. Well, at least I done one thing good even if it was bad for me on the exhibition day! I have since heard that a new track is coming up somewhere west of the old track. I hope that news is true! Thanks Marion and Gary for some fun times racing!
Doc "Mistabluesman" Quinn
www.docquinn.com - Amanda
it effects me so much. - Rod Johnson Jr
Ive been going there since i was 4years old it has been my favorite track by far ask any of my family members. I watched my dad run thousands of laps on that track, 100's of races, so one of my greatest memories was Oct 13, 2005 win my dad Won the Final Super Late 125. He finally was able to put the Johnson name in the history book. Its pretty cool walking into the living room everyday being able to see the silver plaque. Its just disappointing nowing ill never get to race on it. Ill miss you MMR and thanks Marion for all the fun times. - Marty Walter
Having spent the better part of the 80's racing at every short track in southern California, most of which are now closed, I can tell you Mesa Marin was 2nd to none. I considered it home and am very fortunate to have raced, and even won some there. But this is not about a race track. Race tracks are asphalt, concrete, and grand stands. This is about Marion, the Collins family, and the Mesa Marin staff. Every promoter and race track in the country should be looking at them to see how it can be done better. Thank you Marion. The track may be gone, but the memories never will. - Larry Kahler
Working as an offical for NASCAR for many years on the west coast i had a chance to work at MESA many times.It will be a big lose to the west coast. To the Collins family and all who raced and called it home on Sat nights,
GOOD LUCK - Michael B. Medlin
Thank you to the Collins family for the many years of memories at Mesa Marin, you will never be forgotten - Peggy Blue
This years classic was tremendous. Thanks Marion for pulling my son Jason out of the crowd to do an interview with you, he was honored to have been chosen. We will miss you and the track. There just aren't enough words, or the right words to express the loss of this great racing facility. God be with you Marion and the entire Collins family as you venture out into what ever lies ahead for you. Thanks for the wonderful memories those can't be taken away. - Bernie & Stephanie
Dear Marion,Shirley,Gary and Larry
Thanks for the many memories. One of the greatest times of our racing lives was when Marion let us promote our own race. The "Dash For Cash" was concieved from the jaded mind of a racer,fan,owner,vender who spent about 100 days a year at the races. We spent many hours getting the sponsors lined up. We spent almost as much time convincing some of the drivers to run the race.The race format played out beyond our wildest dreams. Sean Monroe(arch villan) drew last place starting position to the delight of the crowd. When he got all the way to the front the crowd went wild. When he lost the lead with a little help the crowd went crazy. For those who wern't there this was a winner take all race. Sean Woodside drove one of the best races of his life and took home all the money. The Truck race was anticlimantic after that. I've been to thousands of races in my life but that race was the best. Marion thanks for every thing over the years and a special thanks to the racers of Bakersfield who accepted this Saugus Boy as one of thier own from 1985 to 1999.Goodby and Good Luck All. - Fred Armstrong
Having recently lost the beloved Portland Speedway, I can only imagine what the Mesa Marin faithful are going through. When measured against the scope of life and death, one could surmise that the loss is relatively trivial... but the fact is that for many, it will be a sudden and unwelcome end to a chapter in their lives. My hope for all is that the pain of the loss fades, and that the memories that remain give comfort and joy. The Collins family has always been gracious to us whenever we came down to work. For that, I’ll always be grateful. God bless. - bocci
What a waste, another one bites the dust............ - Burry Dolbeare
Wow, does that story and photo of the first Mesa Marin Classic bring back memories. That race was the third of a four "Open Comp" series held that year. The first was at the now defunct Colorado Springs Internatio0nal Speedway and the last was at the now defunct Craig Road Speedway in Las Vegas.
Right after Larry went through the winners ceremonies at Mesa, he must have recognized me from CSIS. He suddenly handed me his trophy and said, "I've got to pee like a race horse", and off he went to the rest room. That being the first trop[hy ever hnded to me, of course I had to walk through the pits with "my trophy", which needless to say, I gave back.
As I hope many of you know, Larry went on to win hundreds of feature races and at least two national NASCAR Short Track Championships before he died of cancer a few years ago. He will go down in history as one of the all-time greats in short track racing, as will Mesa Marin as one of the all-time great short tracks. - Michael Sprague
I feel like I am losing a member of my family.Thank you to the Collins family for providing some wonderful memories that will be kept forever.Good Bye. - Jay
I'm from the midwest and I Know what the fans from Mesa Marin are feeling.It hurts to know that a place with such rich racing history will not be around any more. The califorina racing tradition will continue but with a heavey heart. GODS SPEED MESA MARIN - Thomas McKie
It was a sad day indeed when the announcement came that Mesa was closing. Mesa was the first track that I had ever been to and that first time was in 1977. I was 7 years old. I remember the battles of Thirkettle, Ruttman, Digger Helm, Ron Esau, Jimmy Inslo, Sonny Easley, Montes and others. Mesa was always the place to be on Saturday nights throughout the years. I will never forget the fun times that I have had at Mesa, never a driver, just a fan. I wish the Collins family the best of luck and well wishes for the future. I surely will miss Marions big smile each Saturday night.
Thomas McKie, Long time Mesa Marin fan. - Jesse
After over 10 years of being at that track, i always enjoyed the racing, sad to see it closing, but oh well. - Ron's Rear Ends
Thank you to the Collin's family for providing years and years of good clean family fun. We will truly miss Mesa Marin. Ron & Wendy - Tim Mc Millin
It was a honor for me in 1977 to race in the fall classic. It was just as much fun this year to race there again, the place is still great. Thanks for having been there for all of us to enjoy and have sooo much to remember. Thanks - J.R.Ybarra
To the Collins, thanks for the great racing your facility has provided over the years. I still remember the sense off "awe" when I fist visited Mesa Marin back in 1991 and then witnessing one of the best short track battles I have ever seen in your street stock division. Blessings to you all!! - Vegas Racers
Collins family- please buy the Bullring- we need your kind of people in Vegas. - Lori
this weekend is going to be my 3rd time out to Mesa Marin, Ive had alot of fun there, its better than all of the tracks in so Cal...Thanx for giving us all such wonderful memories Im sure we will all miss you - Gary Jenkins-Jenkins Racing
It will be very said for this week to end. Thank you for have the Super Late Model race. I will be there to race and I am going to stay for the whole weekend. Marion you have always been outstanding. I feel very blessed to have meet you and your family. May God Bless you and your family for many years to come. See you at the races!!!! Love in Christ Gary Jenkins - Salty
Rolling up for the first time in early January 1997 for our first practice ,Marion himself came down and introduced himself and welcomed us to his track,No other track owner has ever done that.
Hate to see the place go, won't forget the summer's I spent there, or the people I met,
I'll see you all at the October Classic so we can all say thanks to the Collins family
I'll be there in the in feild in the best seat in the house for the last race. - Tim Doyle
What words can one share about such a wonderful track. Marion Collins always amazed me. He has a work ethic second to none. He would awe me every time i saw him collecting tickets or cleaning the bleachers and any number of mundane tasks that he didnt have to do but he was hands on with every aspect of his track. I only wish i would have had the opportunity to race there as well as showing up as a fan. Good luck to all at MESA.
Tim Doyle
#18 Super Truck I.S. - Brian Haynes
What a shame. This was one of finest facilities in the country. I have so many fond memories, driving into the infield for the very first time. Towing all the way from Redding on a Sat. morn with Mike Chase, racing that nite, and turning around and driving back after the races. Winning the Sonny Easily race with Larry Detjens about 1980 was one of the high lights of my long racing career. Larry was one of the best drivers I ever saw, and he was fast at Mesa Marin. I got to meet Billy Vukovich III while testing my Tour car at Mesa in 1988, it was fun to watch him make those open wheels cars go! It's a shame to see her go the way of the dozer, racing is the big loser. - chad
When looking at the rich history of all the great high banked 1/2 mile short tracks around the country (Nashville, Pensacola, Jefferson-GA, Toledo, Salem, Winchester, Odessa I-70, Oregon-WI)most of which may be in their golden years it is sad to see this one-Mesa Marin say good bye. Without doubt it is one of the best. - Dave & Renee Farr
Collins Family, we want to thank you for all the good times & wonderful memories over all the years. Also the extended family of just everyone there including drivers, crew, officials, track workers, firemen, announcers and all the staff. It was so much easier to deal with all the b.s, the bad times & the sorrow of life when there was an escape from life at Mesa Marin on the weekends. It was like comming home when we got there. We cannot put into words how much you & everyone will be missed. There will be alot of tears this weekend because its one of our favorite places in the whole world. We love you all. - Dave & Renee Farr
Collins Family, we want to thank you for all the good times & wonderful memories over all the years. Also the extended family of just everyone there including drivers, crew, officials, track workers, firemen, announcers and all the staff. It was so much easier to deal with all the b.s, the bad times & the sorrow of life when there was an escape from life at Mesa Marin on the weekends. It was like comming home when we got there. We cannot put into words how much you & everyone will be missed. There will be alot of tears this weekend because its one of our favorite places in the whole world. We love you all. - joey zampa
one of the most exciting tracks Ive ever raced on wish it could be a hundred more sorry to see it go - Mike
Have never been to Mesa Marin but I can truely sympathize with those of you with lots of memories of the track. I know I get sad walking away from my local track after the last race of the season. I can only imagine how you all must feel knowing your home track is closing for good. - Matthew Sullivan
Mesa Marin set the standard of for California's short tracks. Unfortunately on my part, I will have never attended a race at the facility and that deeply saddens me. We'll always have the memories. - McKean Racing Family
Hate to see the track go. It has been a real challenge to our team and would really like the opportunity to conqure it. - Roger
I had only been here once, back in '91. I ended up dating the trophy girl (Susan Hathaway). I lost touch with her and found this site in my search. Ah, the good old days. I did security for Mark Reed when he was running with Texaco-Havoline. Sad to hear it's closing done! - debbie ash
We at Ash Motorsports are in a state of shock. I'll never forget the day Ed came home and told me about this track they were building in Bakersfield. He was one of the first one's to test on it before it opened. Our best to the Collins-We Love you. - Bakersfield FAN WHY??????
Why would he sell to a DEVOPLER?
Why not to someone who wants to to RUN it! - Vince & Sue
Great memories of the track - watching Bill Sedgwick in the Spears Manufacturing #75 car, the Craftsman Truck series, and all the other Winston West Drivers. We are sorry to see Mesa Marin go away. With Saugus gone, all the "local places to race" have disappeared. - jim curran
I was at Mesa Marin for the first Winston West Grand National race, 1977 I believe. The #57 Chevy Monte Carlo, driven by Ron Gautsche and owned by Don Guy was the car. I remember the asphalt was so new that the jack stands snak into it. I hope to be at the October Classic to bid a fond farewell the a great race track - Lee Elder
Several things stand out in my memory of Mesa Marin, but the three most important are:
1. Racing there in 1996 in a street stock (finished 12th out of 21 starters!!);
2. The amazing Southwest Tour finish when Chris Raudman and Sean Monroe crashed with three laps remaining in a race. Raudman won anyway and became the first SWT driver ever to post a victory margin of a lap or more. He won by TWO laps that night and, if I recall correctly, clinched the championship as well. All that after crashing with three laps remaining;
3. The great people at Mesa Marin, including the fans, track employees and the Collins family.
Lee Elder - Jack Mcmillan
The west coast racing scene will not be the same without Mesa Marin and the October Classic - Peggy Blue
I have been coming to Mesa for special event races since they opened their gates. I will really miss coming up for the Oct. Classic. Thanks to the Collins family for giving us our memories, we will miss you and your race track. Mesa Marin Raceway is the only reason I ever came to Bakersfield, so after this years Oct. Classic I will probably never see Bakersfield again!! - wes miller
I've been racing for 14 years and Mesa Marin by far was the most fun I've ever had in a race car. Was looking forward to getting to run there again in 2006. Of all the track closures we are hearing about, this is by far the most upsetting. Thanks to everyone that mad this track such a special place. - Rick Ruzbarsky
Man it was cool to drive that track. Hauling the mail down the straights then droping off into the corners to come off 2 free up snug to that wall just to hit that bump going into 3 to help get your attitude right to come off 4 with a nose on the next pass. Thanks for the memories - Carrie
This track puts on the best show around. Great promoters, it will be truley missed. Nothing will replace the end of the year tradition of the October Classic! - Kristi Schmitt
I am truly in shock. Mesa Marin is the track my parents would fly be to from Colorado to race because of the competition and being a hard track to drive. The experience that Mesa Marin gave me is unreplacable. Everyone official and person who worked there always treated me and every other driver with the utmost respect. Larry Collins is a superb person and so is Marion. I will truly miss returning to Bakersfield in the 2006 series. My favorite track and I am so sorry to see it ending. Wishing everyone the best. - Bobby Dezarov 77 Super Stock I.S.
this is some of the saddest news for west coast racers everywhere. Although I have only been to Mesa twice, I have quite possibly some of the fondest and finest memories there. I am going to miss my final points race at Irwindale to go and run with the Late Models in the final October Classic. I have dreamed of racing at mesa since i was 11, but now this is my final oppertunity so I am going to do it - Harvick Fan
I too am truly saddened, by the news of Mesa Marin closing. I have had the pleasure of attending races at Mesa Marin for all the 28 years the track has been open. The opportunity to view races involving Open Comp stock cars, Winston West series, Southwest series, Super Modified, CRA, All-Pro, Craftsman Truck series, Usac Silver Crown, Usac midgets, weekly sportsman stocks, street stocks, and so on and and so on. Mesa Marin has privided the most variety of different types of racing ever witnessed on the West coast. It is unfortunate that the one remaining first class 1/2 left on the West coast is Irwindale. Saddly Irwindale is a one grove race track. Mesa has two distinct groves, one high, one low. The side by side racing and high line passing will sorely be missed. Mesa Marin good bye. - Steve
Only been out there once two years ago for the Craftsman Trucks and SW Series. Couldn't believe how nice a place it was. One of the truck series officials I know said to me, "this is what Madison (WI)Int'l Speedway should be". We don't have a short track anywhere as nice as Mesa Marin here in Wisconsin. Wish we did. Sorry to see the place go.
SB - melissa anderson
Well, we as a part of the racing family for many years and presently are really sad to see Mesa go.
Although, i live on the East coast now and don't get to go see my brother race there, i did
spend many of saturday nights there watching my dad as a kid....
I have so many memories of mesa that i will NEVER forget. They will definately be missed.
And even though we didn't always agree with the calls that were made by Marion, Gary, or Larry, we sucked it up and showed up the following weekend.
We'll miss you all.... - pat daly
what a shame,california,finest and fastest 1/2 mile gone.that leaves us w/irwindale speedway.godspeed mesa marin.thanks to the collins family for a great place to race,and good luck to your future endevors - Steve
I was not suprised to hear the announcement that Mesa Marin would be shut down but I was deeply saddened to say the least. Mesa had always held a special place in my heart and even more so when Saugus Speedway was abruptly shut down in 1995. Having raced at Saugus and Orange Show Speedway (and later at Irwindale). I was in awe the first time I went to Mesa Marin.The high banked turns and the size of the 1/2 mile made me think I was now at a superspeedway! It became my favorite racetrack as everytime I went to Mesa I left with special memories. I can vividly remember just about every race I ever attended at Mesa including the night the Super Trucks (as they were called at the time) made their debut. Mesa has always been the most fan and racer friendly track I have ever been to and that was because the Collins family really cared about the fans,racers and sponsors. I understand the dilemma the Collins family had to struggle with in making this decision and while it breaks my heart to lose the best short track I have ever been to, I completely understand and support the Collins family and wish them only the best in the future. Adios old friend(s).......
ps; Larry Collins, if you are not too busy in the future, would you PLEASE help the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds get their racing program going??? - Tommy Mason
Its very sad to see mesa go because its by far my favorite track. Im a Irwindale Speedway regular but no matter what, i was always excited to go to mesa marin. Ive always had dreams of racing at Mesa Marin but since im only 16, im not going to get the chance. Mesa will be missed but not forgoten, ill take videos and a lot of pictures for my self and future generations to come. To all Mesa Marin staff I thank you guys for all that you have done. Marion Collins, what can I say but incredable, you dont know how many times you would make me laugh, I remember when the nascar Grand National West division was practicing and I look over and watch Marion walk down the flag stand stairs, hop off the wall and run across the track while a car is coming at him at 110-120 mph. I also enjoyed the lay back attitude at mesa when we would show up early and be able to sit in the stands and have Marion kick us out when it was time to get tickets. Man will I miss this one of a kind track. Thanks for everything Collins family. You guys are simply the best! - Andy Daddario
Personally, I haven't slept much since the announcement was made. Just a fan going there the past 20 years or so. The days of bopping up Weedpatch Highway to my favorite place. The nights of buying my son a new Hot Wheels at the souvenier booth and running it from the top of the grand stands to the bottom. The nights of 2 cars side by side diving into turn one, will both, one, or none, make it out. Countless October Classics motorhoming out behind turn 2, hanging with the crews. All gone, forever. - Spider
Silence is not golden...but silence and shock and sincere feeling of loss is the only kind of emotion, along with the welling of tears that can be felt by this announcement.
It is said that all good things must come to an end, but oh how I hate this kind of "progress."
We are losing another irreplaceable good thing to prosperity and history.
We will only have the echo's of race cars reverberating in our memories to remember Mesa Marin and the people who made it.......and silence. - Tom
It is sad to see this racing facility closing. Marion Collins really promoted his track. I can remember many times seeing him stocking the snack bars, putting numbers on the seats, hauling ice around, he lived ate and breathed his race track. To the Collins family, their staff, their sponsors, their competitors, and their fans we bid you a fond farewell, wish you a great future, and may the roar of the racing engines roar up and down the streets of those homes that are now there and will be built there, and may the cheers of the crowds come through their pipes. Good Bye.
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