Channel Title: History Mystery Man Channel Description: Welcome to the home of the History Mystery Man. I go back and forth between auto racing and the maritime industry. Having worked in racing for decades, you'll find the most fascinating stories in American motorsports here...interviews with living legends and more. As a former Great Lakes Tug Captain, I've got the maritime industry covered too, including my fascination with the Edmund Fitzgerald. Occasionally, I wiggle in American history through the charm of small town America. I take the backroads, side roads and slow lanes in search of the best stories that exemplify the personality, character, grit and charm that lives across the American landscape. If you know of a great story that looks like a good fit, feel free to reach out. Thanks for your support! All rights reserved. Content may not be copied or embedded for any purpose. History Mystery Man <video> How to Mix a Knoxville Nat'ls Margarita; Plus Jack Hewitt & Conner Wade Cameos Description: This one starts out with a Knoxville tequila twist and ends with a heart warmer. And yes, Jack Hewitt makes a guest appearance at a new-concept retro t-shirt trailer out-fitted with driving legends from yesteryear. You'll meet the owner of the apparel trailer too. Plus, a super-cool conversation with DIRTVision's Conner Wade and his take on the industry. And wait till you see the Pennsylvania woodcarver just outside the Hall of Fame museum; she's quite spectacular. Come with me, your all-time favorite History Mystery Man, for another 2024 Knoxville Nationals adventure. Enjoy...and thanks for your support! </video> <video> New Info: Edmund Fitzgerald Season 4 with Capt. Darrell Walton Description: Season 4 with Captain Darrell Walton is finally here. In this first episode Capt. Darrell focuses on a public comment from Donald Evans regarding the inability to fully secure the Kestner hatch clamps on the Edmund Fitzgerald. Evans served as a deckhand on the Fitzgerald in 1974, just one year before the Mighty Fitz sank in a Lake Superior storm on November 10, 1975, all 29 hands lost. Ironically, it was Capt. Darrell who discussed this very subject in a video from last season. Evans provides the evidence to back up what Capt. Darrell has already explained. Join me, the History Mystery Man and Captain Darrell for another deep-dive into the mystery of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Thanks for your support! </video> <video> Edmund Fitzgerald: "Don't Allow Nobody on Deck!" P-4 with Captain Darrell Walton Description: There are many theories as to why the mighty bulk freighter Edmund Fitzgerald sank in Lake Superior November 10, 1975. Captain Darrell Walton, whose uncle Ralph Grant Walton went down with the Fitzgerald, certainly has his thoughts on what happened during one of the worst storms ever remembered on Lake Superior. While Captain Walton hasn't varied from his original opinions, he's brought new and fascinating information and evidence as to what may have happened when the Mighty Fitz went to the bottom with all 29 hands aboard lost. Join me, the History Mystery Man, and Captain Darrell Walton with yet another deep dive on the mystery of the Edmund Fitzgerald...and thanks for your support! </video> <video> Edmund Fitzgerald Wreck, in Canadian or U.S. Waters? P-3 with Captain Darrell Walton Description: This one covers a wide range of topics from the Edmund Fitzgerald load lines to the actual geographical location of the wreck at the bottom of Lake Superior. The Mighty Fitz has been deemed off limits for further diving and exploration from the Canadian government; but is the Fitzgerald completely in Canadian waters? It's a question that deserves some answers, and Captain Darrell dives into that very question...all that and much more. Enjoy Part 3 of Season 4 with Captain Darrell Walton and our coverage of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Thanks for your support. </video> <video> ARCA Born in a Handshake at Daytona; NASCAR, ARCA Go Way Back Description: In 1964, NASCAR founder Bill France, Sr. and ARCA founder John Marcum made a handshake deal that prompted a name change for Marcum's midwestern-based MARC tour. After 3-time ARCA champion Jack Bowsher gave it his official seal of approval, the change was effected...and the rest is history. Originally born as MARC in 1953, the ARCA Menards Series is now in its 72nd season (in 2024) of competition. While the NASCAR Cup Series is today the absolute world leader in the sanctioned stock car industry, it wasn't always that way, specifically in the 1950s and 1960s when NASCAR, ARCA, USAC and IMCA were on comparatively equal in terms of competition levels. In fact, 6-time ARCA champion Iggy Katona raced and won against NASCAR's best in the '50s and '60s and 3-time ARCA champion Nelson Stacy won some of NASCAR's crown jewels, including the World 600 at Charlotte and the Southern 500 at Darlington. Come with me, your all-time favorite History Mystery Man, as I dive into this incredible story of early-era stock car racing across America. Enjoy...and thanks for your support! </video> <video> Donny Schatz Leads Knoxville Soundbites, plus Corey Day, Carson Macedo, Tyler Courtney & more Description: I spent some time with several drivers at the 2024 Knoxville Nationals, including 11-time Knoxville champion Donny Schatz. But I didn't stop there...soundbites also include Corey Day, Jacob & Bobby Allen, brothers Carson & Cole Macedo, Bill Balog and Tyler Courtney. Enjoy more from the 2024 Knoxville Nationals with the History Mystery Man. Thanks for your support. </video> <video> Edmund Fitzgerald, “Does Anyone Know Where the Love of God Goes?" With Capt. Darrell Walton Description: Once again, Captain Darrell is taking us all in directions none of us could have seen coming, but here we are...Part 2 of Season 4 with Captain Darrell Walton. This one's got some bizarre twists to it, including information on some late-season work to the Edmund Fitzgerald that required a blade change on the prop, just a month before the Mighty Fitz went down. God rest the 29 men who died in this noble cause...Great Lakes Martimers are bad-ass to the core. Thanks for your support of the History Mystery Man! </video> <video> Meet 16-Year-Old WoO Rookie Landon Crawley; Youth Movement on the March Description: The youth movement is alive and well in the top leagues of sprint car racing. From Corey Day to 16-year-old Landon Crawley, the kids are making their mark among the ranks. Crawley is the son of a 3-time ASCS champion Tim Crawley, and grew up at the track. The Benton, Arkansas World of Outlaws rookie, currently driving for Sides Motorsports, has his sights set firmly on a career in motorsports and took his first shot at the Knoxville Nationals in 2024. He's already earned a top-10 finish in a World of Outlaws A-Main event, and yearning for more. Join me, the History Mystery Man, for more adventure at the 2024 Knoxville Nationals with rookie Landon Crawley and crew. Plus, you'll meet another up and comer making his mark on the junior leagues. All that and more! Thanks for your support! </video> <video> ARCA: 1st Foreign-Born Champion in 72 Years of the Automobile Racing Club of America Description: The ARCA Menards Series Owens Corning 200 season finale at Toledo Speedway had a lot of fast-moving pieces and parts. Not only did the event produce the first foreign-born national champion (Andres Perez of Mexico City) in 72 consecutive years of ARCA competition, it also pumped out the first Black Rookie of the Year in Lavar Scott. The diversity in competition was on full display, especially if you add female racers Toni Breidinger and Winnipeg's Amber Balcaen who finished 4th and 6th in national championship points respectively. No surprise was race winner William Zawalich, who won from the pole in a Joe Gibbs Racing entry. Come with me, the History Mystery Man, on this beautiful day at Toledo Speedway for the 2024 season wrap. Enjoy...and thanks for your support. </video> <video> Keokuk, Iowa: Famous Buddy Baker Charger Found Among Keokuk Stock Car Legends Description: This one, produced in Keokuk, Iowa, starts out with a super-cool story about Buddy Baker's winged Charger (first to go over 200mph on a closed course)...and how it was discovered in the weeds behind USAC Champion Stock Car racer Don White's race shop. Fortunately, I've always wanted to visit Keokuk, Iowa...not only for the small town vibe on the Mississippi River, but for the Stock Car legends who grew their roots in Keokuk. So...traveling in between Knoxville, Iowa and Springfield, Illinois, I stumbled upon the Derr Motor Company in Keokuk. That's where my curiosity got the best of me, so I went inside and started asking questions. No sooner did I start, Bruce Derr, the grandson of 12-time IMCA Stock Car National Champion Ernie Derr, popped his head out of his office. As gracious as he was with me (a perfect stranger), he took me on a once-in-a-lifetime tour of Keokuk, Iowa and showed me where stock car legends Ernie Derr, Don White and Ramo Stott once lived and where their race shops once flourished with the sights and sounds of their 426 cubic inch Mopar engines. For me, it was like striking gold. Come with me, your all-time favorite History Mystery Man, on a tour of Keokuk, Iowa as we track the footsteps of stock car legends. Enjoy...and thanks for your support! </video> <video> P2: Edmund Fitzgerald, Getting to Know Bruce Hudson Through an Ole Friend Description: Join me, the History Mystery Man, for Part 2 of my sit-down conversation with Farrell Spence, who roomed with Edmund Fitzgerald deckhand Bruce Hudson for two seasons in 1974 and 1975. Hudson, just 22, was one of the youngest crew members to go down with the Edmund Fitzgerald. Spence recalls his time with Bruce and his visits with the Mighty Fitz for Steak Night on Tuesday nights. It's also known that Hudson was planning a trip to California in his brand new '74 Dodge Challenger after the Fitz's final run of the season; but fate stepped in when the 729-ft. ore carrier went down Nov. 10, 1975 in a fierce hurricane-like storm on Lake Superior, just 17 miles from safe harbor in Whitefish Bay. </video> <video> Edmund Fitzgerald: Getting to Know Bruce Hudson through an old Friend Description: Bruce Hudson's story reads like a Hollywood script. From humble beginnings in a Cleveland, Ohio suburb to the ill-fated Edmund Fitzgerald, Hudson packed a lot of life in his short 22 years. There was so much life ahead. He had just purchased a brand-new 1974 Dodge Challenger and was planning a trip to California with his Fitzgerald shipmate David Weiss. There was also a baby girl on the way...but whether he knew his gal was pregnant or not remains an open question. He was young, smart, adventurous, handsome and making good money as a deckhand on the pride of the Columbia fleet -- the Edmund Fitzgerald. His Dodge Challenger was at the ore dock in Toledo awaiting his arrival. There was just one more trip to make before the season ended, from Superior, Wisconsin to Detroit. But the Gales of November came early, and Hudson and his 28 other shipmates perished in a terrible Lake Superior storm on November 10, 1975. So much life ahead...or so it seemed. Join me, the History Mystery Man, for Part 1 of "Getting to Know Bruce Hudson Through an Old Friend" ... a sit-down with Farrell Spence who roomed with Bruce in a rented Oregon, Ohio home during the last two years of Bruce Hudson's life. Thanks for your support! </video> <video> Making The Coffee Connection in the Knoxville, Iowa Square Description: Sprint car fans, by the 10s of thousands, flock to Knoxville, Iowa every summer for the Knoxville Nationals. But I'm willing to bet that most of the fans that come for the most famous sprint car event in the world never get down to the Knoxville Square to see the 1896-built Marion County Courthouse, the center piece of the Marion County seat. As it turned out, my curiosity got the best of me so I ventured down to the town square to get a glimpse for myself. In doing so, I stumbled into The Coffee Connection, one of the super-cool, bustling businesses that help drive the small town of Knoxville, Iowa. I also ran into some awesome race fans from my neck of the woods. Come with me, the History Mystery Man, for another small town adventure, this one in Knoxville, Iowa...enjoy, and thanks for your support! </video> <video> Meet Cody Jacobs, Mastermind Crew Chief for David Gravel, and More! Description: It takes more than a race driver chock-full of skill and courage to win in the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series. Gotta have a great wheelman for sure but it doesn't happen without a great Crew Chief too. World of Outlaws points leader David Gravel found that 'great crew chief' in Cody Jacobs, who calls the shots for Gravel and the Big Game Motorsports team. Jacobs is the son of Sprint car veteran driver/winner Dean Jacobs. He's also got his team on top in the World of Outlaws points standings in the back half of the 2024 season. Come with me, the History Mystery Man, to meet Cody Jacobs at the 2024 Knoxville Nationals. There are some added bonuses at the end of this one too. Thanks for your support! </video> <video> Edmund Fitzgerald: 49th Annual Tribute, P-5 with Captain Darrell Walton Description: Join me, the History Mystery Man and Captain Darrell Walton for our 49th Annual Tribute to the Mighty Edmund Fitzgerald. This year's Tribute includes some moments from the official Bell-Ringing ceremony at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at the Whitefish Point Lighthouse. Gordon Lightfoot's beautiful ballad, "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" is a central theme in our Tribute as we dive into the lyrics and what they mean. Capt. Darrell also shares a story about Oglebay Norton Corporation we think you'll find interesting. Overall, this one serves as our salute to the 29 men who went down with the mighty Edmund Fitzgerald. May they always rest in peace. Thanks for your support. </video>

Description

Welcome to the home of the History Mystery Man. I go back and forth between auto racing and the maritime industry. Having worked in racing for decades, you'll find the most fascinating stories in American motorsports here...interviews with living legends and more. As a former Great Lakes Tug Captain, I've got the maritime industry covered too, including my fascination with the Edmund Fitzgerald. Occasionally, I wiggle in American history through the charm of small town America. I take the backroads, side roads and slow lanes in search of the best stories that exemplify the personality, character, grit and charm that lives across the American landscape.

If you know of a great story that looks like a good fit, feel free to reach out. Thanks for your support!

All rights reserved. Content may not be copied or embedded for any purpose.

History Mystery Man

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