Waid's World
A NASCAR BLOG BY Steve Waid
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A surprising new role for a driver from the past
Apr
2
For years, when the NASCAR fraternity went to races at Martinsville Speedway, it frequented a local steakhouse known as Kilby’s.
Drivers, crewmen, media members and fans spent at least one evening dining there.
Eventually Kilby’s became Michael’s, and nothing much changed. Michael’s then became Morrison’s Taste Of Chicago. After time, many agreed that the quality of the food had diminished.
Old habits are hard to break. So last weekend I decided to give the place one more shot.
A long-time waitress whom I knew immediately struck up a conversation. She asked me if I had come to meet the new owner. I had no
idea who that could be.
Lo and behold, it was Buddy Arrington.
I’m sure there are many of you who have no idea who Arrington is. He spent 25 years racing in NASCAR, always as an “independent” driver never blessed with major sponsorship or manufacturer support. He was part of a group that included Richard Childress, James Hylton and many others during the 1960s and ’70s.
Arrington maintained his shop in Martinsville, where he lived. He was the first driver I ever interviewed as a kid reporter for the Martinsville Bulletin.
Arrington raced for 25 years. His best season was 1982, when he compiled enough good finishes to finish seventh in points. He never won a race.
Since Arrington was the first driver I ever met, or interviewed, I always had an affinity for him. But after he retired following the 1988
season I lost contact.
To discover that he now owned one of the most popular restaurants in the Martinsville area among the NASCAR faithful was something I never could have imagined – nor could anyone else, I suspect.
Arrington explained that it was his son Joey who got involved. The younger Arrington is a master engine builder whose company, Arrington Manufacturing, has merged with Bobby Hamilton Racing in the Craftsman Truck Series – and which enjoyed an emotional victory with driver Dennis Setzer at Martinsville this past weekend.
Buddy said that, essentially, he took over the restaurant operation and intended to return it to its former status.
He’s doing a darn good job of it. But then, Arrington always knew how to get the most out of what he had.
Drivers, crewmen, media members and fans spent at least one evening dining there.
Eventually Kilby’s became Michael’s, and nothing much changed. Michael’s then became Morrison’s Taste Of Chicago. After time, many agreed that the quality of the food had diminished.
Old habits are hard to break. So last weekend I decided to give the place one more shot.
A long-time waitress whom I knew immediately struck up a conversation. She asked me if I had come to meet the new owner. I had no
idea who that could be.
Lo and behold, it was Buddy Arrington.
I’m sure there are many of you who have no idea who Arrington is. He spent 25 years racing in NASCAR, always as an “independent” driver never blessed with major sponsorship or manufacturer support. He was part of a group that included Richard Childress, James Hylton and many others during the 1960s and ’70s.
Arrington maintained his shop in Martinsville, where he lived. He was the first driver I ever interviewed as a kid reporter for the Martinsville Bulletin.
Arrington raced for 25 years. His best season was 1982, when he compiled enough good finishes to finish seventh in points. He never won a race.
Since Arrington was the first driver I ever met, or interviewed, I always had an affinity for him. But after he retired following the 1988
season I lost contact.
To discover that he now owned one of the most popular restaurants in the Martinsville area among the NASCAR faithful was something I never could have imagined – nor could anyone else, I suspect.
Arrington explained that it was his son Joey who got involved. The younger Arrington is a master engine builder whose company, Arrington Manufacturing, has merged with Bobby Hamilton Racing in the Craftsman Truck Series – and which enjoyed an emotional victory with driver Dennis Setzer at Martinsville this past weekend.
Buddy said that, essentially, he took over the restaurant operation and intended to return it to its former status.
He’s doing a darn good job of it. But then, Arrington always knew how to get the most out of what he had.
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Comments
3 responses to "A surprising new role for a driver from the past"
stuart ashcraft said:
Apr 2, 2008 at 10:18 AMwhat do you think aney of the drivers atjoe gibbs racing im thiken tonney stewart denny hamline kurt busch at texas motor speedway this weekend .thank you stuart ashcraft
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» Confirm Abuse ReportRobin Drummond said:
Apr 2, 2008 at 1:39 PMBuddy Arrington? I haven't thought of him in years. Good for you Steve, for being around for so many years that your stories are always heartwarming. Not that you're old, of course! LOL! You probably know most of the restaurant owners and waitress' around the country for that matter.
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This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse ReportJoseph Fitzpatrick said:
Apr 4, 2008 at 5:10 AMBuddy Arrington was an asset to NASCAR. But then i'm just an O.F. Good job Steve! WE need more reporters willing to go back and spend a little time with those Drivers and Crews who got us to this point. Some body should do a (where are they now) article about them. Thanks Again The O.F.
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This feature is intended to allow you to report comments that are abusive in terms of foul/vulgar language, harassment, racial/religious prejudice and any words/phrases of a related nature. This feature should not be used to report users who simply make a comment about your favorite driver, with which you do not agree. Commenting is a forum in which we can all express our opinions. Reporting abuse of others should be done with this in mind.
» Confirm Abuse Report