How long will the motors keep roaring around these parts?

June 11 is just another day in the calendar, unless you are Joe Montana, TV doctor Oz Mehmet, or others who had birthdays this past Monday.

It was also June 11, 1919 that Sir Barton claimed the Belmont Stakes to become the first horse to win the Triple Crown, following other victories in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. And in 1979, movie star John Wayne lost his battle with cancer.

Much more obscure, and lost in time 40 years ago in 1978, the first stock car race was held at Spokane Raceway Park and won by Yakima’s Don Dowdy. Why is the day personally memorable? It came six days before my we...