Bobby Unser, who cut his teeth building cars at his dad's shop along Route 66 in Albuquerque before becoming a legend with his brothers in the auto-racing world, died of natural causes Sunday in his hometown. He was 87. Unser won 35 major races during a nearly 30-year career, including the Indianapolis 500 three times. … Continue reading Albuquerque resident and racing legend Bobby Unser dies at 87
Category: Sports
“60 Minutes” airs its interview with famed sportswriter Dave Kindred at Palms Grill Cafe
CBS-TV's long-running "60 Minutes" news program aired its 13-minute feature about famed sportswriter Dave Kindred, where he was interviewed in the soon-to-reopen Palms Grill Cafe in his hometown of Atlanta, Illinois. The Route 66 restaurant's exterior makes only a brief appearance, though much of the interview was conducted inside. Though it contains little Route 66 … Continue reading “60 Minutes” airs its interview with famed sportswriter Dave Kindred at Palms Grill Cafe
“Mega Mayor” Muffler Man installed at Uranus Missouri complex
A new, 22-foot-tall Muffler Man fiberglass statue was installed Tuesday at the Uranus Missouri complex in St. Robert, Missouri. The statue is called Mega Mayor, a likeness of Uranus Missouri owner and self-proclaimed mayor Louie Keen when he's duded up in his American-flag-inspired costume. Mega Mayor, which holds a large golf ball in one hand … Continue reading “Mega Mayor” Muffler Man installed at Uranus Missouri complex
Skateland in Tulsa closes after more than 50 years
The Skateland rollerskating facility just off Route 66 in Tulsa has closed after more than a half-century there, though it may reopen under a different name next month. KTUL-TV reports that owner Steve Enlow's parents -- both of them skating enthusiasts and teachers -- started Skateland at 11th Street (aka Route 66) and Sheridan Road … Continue reading Skateland in Tulsa closes after more than 50 years
Canyon Coaster Adventure Park planned on the east side of Williams
The city council of Williams, Arizona, today will hold a public hearing regarding a planned Canyon Coaster Adventure Park on 20 acres on the east side of the city. The city's zoning and planning commission unanimously approved the rezoning needed for the development, which means the family amusement park probably is a done deal at … Continue reading Canyon Coaster Adventure Park planned on the east side of Williams
New exhibit at Joplin examines Route 66’s impact on culture
A new exhibit at an arts center in Joplin, Missouri, examines the cross-cultural impact of Route 66 from a native of that town. "Route 66: Crossing Cultural Lines," curated by artist and former American Jazz Museum curator Sara Sonié Joi Thompson-Ruffin, will be in the main gallery of the Spiva Center for the Arts in … Continue reading New exhibit at Joplin examines Route 66’s impact on culture
Sapulpa golf course renamed with Route 66 tagline
A long effort to rebrand the municipal golf course in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, recently bore fruit when city officials renamed it Rock Creek Golf Course on Historic Route 66. The former Charles C. Hamilton Sapulpa Municipal Golf Course sits along Oklahoma Route 66 (aka old Route 66) on Sapulpa's west side, near the historic Rock Creek … Continue reading Sapulpa golf course renamed with Route 66 tagline
Latest RoadTripOK video focuses on Oklahoma City
The latest RoadTripOK video this week features two museums and an annual memorial sporting event in Oklahoma City. Here is the video: https://youtu.be/l6C986buRS0 Here are the three places the video covers: Oklahoma City Memorial and MuseumOklahoma City Memorial MarathonOklahoma History Center Note: The annual marathon went virtual this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Oklahoma … Continue reading Latest RoadTripOK video focuses on Oklahoma City
Dirt 66 cycling, pedestrian trail to be built north of Springfield, Missouri
Construction on a 6.65-mile Dirt 66 bicycle, trail running and walking trail will begin Monday at Fellows Lake just north of Springfield, Missouri. It's the first phase in a 33-mile, $1.8 million trail expansion in the area, reported the Springfield News-Leader. The "Dirt 66" mountain bike/walking trail project is being funded by Springfield-based TrailSpring, Inc., … Continue reading Dirt 66 cycling, pedestrian trail to be built north of Springfield, Missouri
Route 66 Marathon in Tulsa goes virtual because of COVID-19 pandemic
The annual Route 66 Marathon in Tulsa announced a few days ago it is going virtual in November because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The race announced on its website: While we know it’s not quite the same as an in-person race, we believe that the best way to keep everyone safe and still experience … Continue reading Route 66 Marathon in Tulsa goes virtual because of COVID-19 pandemic