For these lesser known heroes, the post-racing journey is less known. Their accomplishments are disregarded. They go unrecognized, but for them they lived the life and that alone makes them happy. These drivers instead journey to events like the Occoneechee Reunion and the Living Legends of Auto Racing where they can meet up with their old friends and fans and jog each others' memories.

Fallen Heroes

These occasions are really quite amazing. Friends reunite and new friendships are forged. I myself have taken advantage of some of these to meet many incredible figures: Greg Sacks, Dick Passwater, Vicki Wood, Johnny Allen, Blackie Wangerin, and the late Jim Vandiver.  The stories are sometimes awe-inspiring, and others are funny, with the occasional dead-serious story thrown in.  I have learned many things about the sport from these folks, and maybe someday there will be a post about them.  For me, those folks are amongst the heroes, because without them there wouldn't be racing as we know it.

It is Jimmy Massey I am here to speak about, however.  Jimmy had a quiet career in Grand National with 12 top-5s and 28 top-10s, but in just 51 starts!  He twice finished 2nd in the 500 lap races at Martinsville.

But it was the Convertible Division where Jimmy made his mark, with 3 wins, 20 top-5s, and 37 top-10s in just 57 races.  But it was the way he won that was special.  While the season was being dominated by Curtis Turner, Jimmy Massey was one of the few drivers who actually managed to beat Curtis on the track (aka with an on-track pass).  When all is considered, Jimmy Massey is arguable one of the best drivers, if not THE best, to never win a Grand National race.

Jimmy Massey's name belong with other winless drivers of the time: John Sears, Neil Castles, G.C. Spencer, Tommy Irwin, etc.  One can only build such a résumé on one thing alone: talent.

To all the drivers who have gone from us: thank you for all you did.