Andy Granatelli, who became famous as an owner of a winning Indianapolis 500 race car and as a CEO of STP motor oil, died Sunday in Santa Barbara, Calif., at age 90 of congestive heart failure, according to varying media outlets, including the New York Times. Granatelli also was inducted into the Illinois Route 66 … Continue reading Andy Granatelli, race car owner and Route 66 Hall of Famer, dies
Category: Sports
The waitress on Route 66 who loves sports
One of the reasons people love traveling Route 66 is the unique characters they meet. Los Angeles Times columnist Bill Plaschke reports on another such character at the Peppertree Cafe in Glendora, Calif. She's a waitress who serves sports commentary along with breakfasts, and she's become so popular that some diners wait hours for a … Continue reading The waitress on Route 66 who loves sports
Joplin likely will acquire minor-league baseball team
The City of Joplin, Mo., is moving swiftly to accept a proposal to renovate historic Joe Becker Stadium and land a minor-league team from El Paso, Texas, as its new tenant, reported the Joplin Globe. The council voted to have the city staff write a formal agreement defining the terms of a deal toward relocating … Continue reading Joplin likely will acquire minor-league baseball team
Joplin ends Mother Road Marathon
The city council of Joplin, Mo., voted 5-3 on Monday night to end the city's annual Mother Road Marathon because of financial losses and declining participation, reported the Joplin Globe. According to the newspaper, the 26.2-mile event that ran from Commerce, Okla., through Kansas and ended in Joplin dropped from 1,657 participants its inaugural year … Continue reading Joplin ends Mother Road Marathon
Team wants Joplin to improve historic baseball stadium
The El Paso Diablos baseball team wants to move to Joplin, Mo., but wants the city to improve Joe Becker Stadium in return. The Diablos, affiliated with the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball and owned by WLD Suarez Baseball, were so successful in El Paso, Texas, that a professional team moved a Class AAA affiliate … Continue reading Team wants Joplin to improve historic baseball stadium
Chilly day for the Route 66 Marathon
Folks at today's Route 66 Marathon in Tulsa dealt with 20-degree temperatures at race time, with wind chills in the teens. Participants probably were OK once they ran a few miles. But it had to be uncomfortable for fans and volunteers. At least it didn't snow; a winter weather advisory of snow and sleet is … Continue reading Chilly day for the Route 66 Marathon
66ers baseball team unveils new logos
The Inland Empire 66ers baseball team unveiled new logos that still pay tribute to Route 66 but go more in a muscle car and mechanic theme than the Route 66 shield. The Class A minor-league team, based in San Bernardino, Calif., unveiled the logos last week at Hanger 24 Brewery in Redlands, Calif. According to the … Continue reading 66ers baseball team unveils new logos
Sky View Drive-In hosting a half-marathon race
The historic Sky View Drive-In theater on old Route 66 in Litchfield, Ill., is hosting an inaugural half-marathon, called "Race Down Memory Lane," and other activities organized around the event the weekend of Nov. 9, reported The Journal-News. The 13.1-mile race begins at 8:30 a.m. Saturday from the drive-in, with a 5-kilometer race starting there … Continue reading Sky View Drive-In hosting a half-marathon race
Mother Road Marathon gets about 500 participants
The Mother Road Marathon, a race which traverses northeast Oklahoma, southeastern Kansas and southwestern Missouri on Route 66, drew about 570 participants over the weekend, reported the Joplin Globe. Since beginning in 2010, the Mother Road Marathon has experienced a bumpy ride. The inaugural event drew 1,500 participants, dropped to a low of 500 in … Continue reading Mother Road Marathon gets about 500 participants
Litchfield planning a half-marathon race on Route 66
Litchfield, Ill., is planning a half-marathon, a five-kilometer and a children's race on Route 66 in November, reported The Journal-News. Litchfield Tourism Advisory Committee member Shannon Simpson-Hall said the road races came about through the suggestion of residents. The newspaper reported: While plans for this year are still in the works, at least until final … Continue reading Litchfield planning a half-marathon race on Route 66