Doug's Intro OK then … Here’s the deal: If you recognize the above name, and you’re a fan of his unique work, my guess is that you’ll respond pretty quickly and proceed to have one hell of a great time listening to the unique (and true) motorsports stories that veteran journo Joe Scalzo tells and especially in the head-on way that he tells them. I say “listening” because, even though you’ll be reading them, I think you’ll start to “hear” them as well … yeah, his stories are always that personal. ...You’ll find (or maybe you already know) that this guy is very good at relating straight across without a lot of build-up … his personal tach needle swinging into the power curve early-on and staying there beating against the redline right to the last sentence. There’s a cadence to his “stuff” (as he calls it): it’s fast without being frantic, it’s hip without being precious … a cranked-up use of the language that (for me) feels (and almost sounds) like racing. Of course, the wonderfully appropriate and often crap-kicking/colorful nicknames with which he christens famous racing people and his straight-from-the-gut-feelings about what was transpiring on (and off) the racetrack at the time usually make chances of a “quiet read” anything but. Joe (and called “Scoop” by everyone from A.J. Foyt, Jr. to Smokey Yunick) has been at the business of motorsports reporting since the late ’50s. His numerous books on the subject (both cars and motorbikes) are considered by many (me among them) to be classics, and most (if not all) of them are now out of print but still very highly recommended. Please Note: these short-form pieces, as presented here, are solely the memories and recollections of Mister Scalzo. (And if you think that WE are going to correct or edit HIM … you might as well log-off NOW.) ...These are Joe’s honest stories and his hard-won thoughts regarding such motorsports fun and games as he has had knowledge of for some time now. They’re here collected for our readers’ amazement and edification. Joe's stories all, in one way or another, well and truly stand on the gas. Even though a five-point harness and an FHR are not required for reading... they are strongly recommended. - Doug Stokes