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Had my 15 minutes with Dean Rusk discussing politics while in college. Very approachable, but getting very old then. Also got to attend a seminar by the poet Stephen Spender -- back in my English Lit days.
Writing about NASCAR and other motorsports for about 20 years I've spent time with or interviewed about all the racing drivers and many crew and engine builders you can think of from John Force, Steve Kinser, Sammy Swindell, Richard Petty, Randy Dorton, Robert Yates, Junior Johnson, Bill Elliott, Tim Richmond, Dan Gurney, David Pearson, A.J. Foyt, Carroll Shelby (really larger than life), Earnhardt Sr. & Jr. Gordon, Yarborough, etc.
Foyt was setting a closed course record in the Olds AeroTech back in the '80s and is one of the bravest/craziest, most down to earth people I've ever met. Tough as barbed wire. Cale Yarborough the same. Richard Petty the most comfortable in his place in racing history and as real as it gets.
Followed Adam Petty from his short track ASA days and it really hurt when he was killed. The kid had his granddad's touch. Also when Randy Dorton was killed in the Hendrick plane crash. He always had time to explain engines and NASCAR politics to me.
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