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With as much as I've been staring at a computer screen lately, it was a nice break to…
Connected history
This memory belongs to a chapter that returns elsewhere in the archive.
Original instagram caption
With as much as I've been staring at a computer screen lately, it was a nice break to spend the day in @rickeslick’s shop. Some of you may have seen his vintage sprint car on display in the trade show area of the Chil Bowl, and if you didn't get a chance to stop and talk with him, you really missed out. A few people here may know of Rick's son Danny Eslick, who has won the Daytona 200 a few times, 4 times out of the last 5 years to be exact, and his other son A.J. who was also an accomplished motorcycle/flat track racer. What I want to introduce you to is one of the most interesting people I have ever met, and he's right here in the heart of Tulsa. I've posted about rick before, as we have been good friends since I moved here, but every time I leave his small shop, I cannot stop thinking about the wealth of knowledge and history I have just taken in. Rick is one of the nicest guys I have ever met, and his collection of "Vintage" racing memorabilia and race cars is as impressive as his knowledge of open-wheel racing. Today I was returning a book I had borrowed and was shown a first edition issue #1 open wheel magazine, an early 70's Milwaukee Mile program along with various other old programs and photo books recalling racing around Tulsa in the 60's and 70's, a USAC Poster from 66 or 67 advertising "Indy 500 Drivers" coming to Tulsa Speedway, along with a lot of photos of Rick's old midget at Rujo Raceway (now known as port city). What I was most excited to see however was his Half midget painted up to match Bill Vukovich (Vuky) 1953 Indy 500 winning car. What a treat, these photos do not do it justice but this was the best I could do. Also included are a few other photos I took as I was digging through some stuff, I was gifted an awesome Popular Mechanics book from May of 1967, exploring Indy car technology, but I was also gifted with a time spent with one of the best people on the planet. Thanks for always having your door open Rick, its an honor to look through your "junk" as you call it.