Racing has come a long way at the Silver Dollar Speedway since the early 1960's and one man has been there through all the changes.
Art Spaulding is like a walking encylopedia when it comes to local auto racing.
Spaulding says, "Racing is a history of the city of Chico. If you follow the race cars you can understand the history of Chico, it all goes together."
And for Spaulding, he's amassed that history for over 4 decades now, by taking photos at the Silver Dollar Speedway.
Spaulding says, "I've been coming to Silver Dollar Speedway since the first race they had at this race track in 1962. I have been taking pictures here since 1968."
And as the track's official photographer, Spaulding has seen young kids come to the Dollar and end up making big names for themselves, like Kasey Kahne and Jeff Gordon.
Action Sports Lee Carrell asks, "Did anybody have any idea how big of a deal he was going to become when he was racing out there?"
Spaulding responds, "Nobody ever has an idea, that's why I like to take lots of pictures of these young kids."
But he's also truly witnessed the progression of the sport.
Spaulding says, "This car won the first championship the first year they had the race track in 1962." He adds, "The 1 car is a guy named Jimmy Boyd, he was a childhood friend of mine. I've been close to him forever. He won the very first Outlaw Sprint Car race they ever had."
Now Spaulding says he's taken more than 50,000 photos and still has all of the negatives, but even more amazing is this.
Spaulding says, "I remember all of 'em, I remember the names, I remember the circumstances."
And when it's all said and done, surely Spaulding will be remembered for his impact and dedication towards racing in Chico. Reporting for Action Sports, with the Silver Dollar Minute, I'm Lee Carrell.
