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Neal
I have just finished “Driving With the Devil”, and although I’ve never followed NASCAR and never been to a automobile race of any kind I thoroughly enjoyed your book. My mother and Raymond Parks were second cousins, both grandchildren of Alfred & Arie Barnes (now we know it was Barron) Parks. My mother descends through Sarah who m. Robert Bennett. Also, Walter Parks and Miller Parks both married nieces of my grandfather, Sam Bearden. Your book was not only well researched, but well written. I appreciate the fact that you gave Raymond his due. He was an amazing man, one I didn’t hear much about growing up. My mother’s family kept up with North GA kin, but my grandfather was a very wise man and saw the direction things were going in the mountains during the early part of the 20th century. Having two boys and three girls at the time he moved his growing family to Morgan County to give them a chance at education and better transportation. He also didn’t want them part of the liquor business that he saw was destroying so many members of his own family. In defense of the bootleggers, the only thing that made it a “sin” was that the government wasn’t getting any money from it, government coming to the alcohol well every time they needed money.

My grandfather’s strategy worked. His sons were not involved, but they were always fascinated by the way of life. He did have one of the earliest cars in Morgan County, and brought it home to tell his boys…”All right, boys! Take ‘er apart, see how she’s put together and put her back together again.” A mandatory visit to NGA was always in the works in the summertime when all the brothers came from Michigan, my mother from SC, and those in GA “came home to Grandma’s.”
Hope this isn’t boring you…one last story. An aunt told me that when she was newly married my uncle wanted to visit a cousin of his. It was either Miller or Walter’s wife. My uncle and aunt lived in Atlanta and the Parks (I don’t remember which one) lived in Decatur. When they got to the house the Parks cousin (Bearden) said, “Well, if you want to see _____ we’ll have to go to the jail.” Uncle Harvey did, and they went. My aunt said that cousin ___ went into the jail just like she “was the queen of Sheba.” Parks was in jail for running the bug. My aunt was mortified!
With my grandfather’s family, family was first. They were very close. I think it’s to Raymond’s credit that he seemed to take care of family, also.
Martha

Just finished “Light This Candle”. Amazing book. Thank you for writing this. I have read very few books that nearly brought me to tears….but, this one did. You are an extremely talented author. Again, thank you.

Thanks so much, Martha and Andrew… I’m flattered, and grateful that you both took the time to contact me. Please send me your email so I can send occasional updates on my books. And feel free to spread the word to family and friends. Thanks.

Finished reading “Driving With the Devil” late last night. Remarkable book! Had read “Wettest County in the World” which segued nicely.

My father and his brother have followed racers all their lives and knew everything about the ones featured in your book. (Both in their 70′s) Together they have compiled approximately 15 volumes of racing archives from those early days at Daytona, etc., with each picture listing dates, locations, starting line ups, finishing line ups, etc. Most Obsessive-Compulsive thing you can imagine. Ha! Museum at Talladega has contacted them several times requesting that they come help identify old pictures, but neither will go anywhere if they can’t be home by dark.

Ventured to Anniston, AL from home town of Gadsden, AL (Hokes Bluff) a few weeks ago to take pictures of a midget racer still hanging above a garage door. My dad says it has been there since the early 40′s. No one else left to coroborate its history but he can go on indefinitely.

He no longer attends races (hates crowds) and would never wear a t-shirt emblazoned with anything, but built and raced stock cars in the 60′s and still considers his team quite a legend.

Yours is the only book he has ever recommended to anyone. Glad he recommended it to me!

Vicki Boyd

Hey Vicky, Great to hear from you, and really glad you (and your father and brother) enjoyed “Driving with the Devil.” I wish I’d been able to meet with them during my research. Sounds like they might’ve been able to clear up some of the many questions I had (especially about Red Byron and his days in Alabama). Thanks for touching base, and enjoy the holidays. All the best, Neal (www.NealThompson.com)

Hi Neal,

I’ve just finished reading “Light this Candle” for the second time. What a brilliant read! I have always been interested in space and the stars although I was born in 1979 so I didn’t really know all that much about the space race; it was more about the shuttle when I was growing up. However about 4 years ago I was unlucky enough to be struck down with menieres disease. Being forced to face facts and the huge impact it had on my day to day life was a struggle to say the least.

Then I got wind of an astronaught who had managed to overcome the illness and even fly to the moon – I just had to know more! What a guy, and what a life! A true inspiration to anyone unfortunate to go through having menieres disease. My condition has stabilised for the last couple of years and a few months ago I was lucky enough to fly over to the US (I’m from the UK) and visit the Kennedy space centre. It has to go down as one of the best days of my life. I never thought I’d be able to do that a few years earlier. It was amazing to see the Saturn V rocket but coming a close second was seeing Alan Shepards Corvette with 1st up on the number plate! It was, to quote Alan – Sierra Hotel! I just want to thank you for a great read, I learnt so much other stuff about space and the space race in general, it was very informative. It helped clear up that bit in the movie Apollo 13 where Jim lovell, is told that “Al Shepard’s ear infection has flared up again” – If only they knew! I don’t think he’d have ever got another flight if it had! Anyway, thanks again

Regards

Ian Clarke

Neal, Just re-read driving with the devil and foun it fascinating on two levels. I have been a stock car fan since 1959 when i attended my first race at Fonda,{N.Y.] Speedway at age 10. The racing facts and annectodal history were superb but in top of that, I found your writing style to be mosnterestin! Im going to look into some of your other work. Thank you for such an enjoyable journey into the history of the racing game . Joel Canfield

Hi Neal.. . .
I tried to send you a message to the old email address I had and it came back: neal.thompson@usa.net. Is that still valid? If not send me the correct one.

Thanks,
Jim

Hey Jim,
Here’s the new address: neal (at) nealthompson (dot) come
Drop me a line.
Neal

Loved the book, and glad that Raymond Parks was given the credit he deserved. The Parks family is a colorful one, and it was good to see this part of it recorded.

Thanks @9b8d46fbe18e10f80880ec1ffef9d1ff:disqus – glad you enjoyed “Driving with the Devil”, and thanks for stopping by.

Are you available for book reading/signing in Mocksville, NC October First, 2011? Betty Ward

neal just finished driving with the devil great book  you must have had a WONDERFUL time with mr. parks.  there is a whole other story regarding the numbers running part of the story.i would be glad to share if you are every interrested.  GREAT JOB TEE BOOK GAVE ME MUCH PLEASURE         billy              

Hi Billy, Thanks so much for the plug. Glad you enjoyed it. I feel lucky to have gotten to know Raymond before it was too late. And yeah, I bet there’s another whole book about the numbers running. Tied up with other things now, but I’ll keep it in mind. Take care!