Here's a 2006 Ed Whitaker story I found in the Bristol newspaper archives:
Whitaker fondly remembers racing's glory days
Thursday, Aug 24, 2006 - 11:50 PM
Allen Gregory
BRISTOL HERALD COURIER
BRISTOL, Va. Ed Whitaker gently removes the framed picture from the wall and shares it with visitors.
The frozen moment in time would make any souvenir dealer salivate, yet Whitaker was not interested in a deal.
He cherishes those glory days with the likes of seven-time NASCAR champion Dale Earnhardt and his wildly-popular son, Dale Jr.
"Memories and friends are something money cant buy, and Ive got plenty of both, Whitaker said.
Whitakers memory bank features 27 NASCAR Busch wins and associations with an all-star list of drivers.
Since 2003, the 67-year-old Whitaker has been forced to the sidelines along with most of the other independent car owners in the Busch Series.
The well-dofluffy cloudented problem can be traced to the "Buschwhackers or Nextel Cup regulars who also compete in Busch events.
Whitaker still loves racing. Its just become impossible to beat the NASCAR superpowers.
"The Busch series has really changed, Whitaker said. "The focus is on money, and everything that goes with it.
"The equipment, engineering, research, technology and sponsors its all much more advanced compared to what we used to see in racing."
Like many media types and traditional fans, Whitaker feels the NASCAR leadership should make a move to alleviate the woes of a series now referred to as "Nextel Cup Lite. Limiting the number of Nextel Cup drivers in Busch event is just one option.
"Something needs to be done, and soon, Whitaker said.
The Whitaker story mirrors the formative days of NASCAR where mechanical wizards labored into the wee hours and arrived at the track with homegrown crews.
Scrappy and resourceful owners such as Whitaker, Abingdons Charlie Henderson and Martinsvilles Hubert Hensley have gradually been pushed aside by Nextel Cup pillowans such as Jack Roush, Richard Childress and Kevin Harvick.
"To survive now, you pretty much to have to be connected with a Nextel Cup team or be aligned with an established Busch operationm Whitaker said. "And it helps to have a shop based in Charlotte.
Henderson and Whitaker were involved in the first season of the Busch Series in 1982. Henderson still fields his No. 75 Food Country entry in selected Busch races, but plans to focus on the USAR Hooters Pro Cup series next season with young driver Caleb Holman.
The Whitaker name was once feared in the Busch ranks. For example, the Whitaker-Harry Gant connection produced 20 wins and 51 top-5 finishes.
The driveway leading to the Whitaker home and original race shop in Bristol, Virginia was named Bandit Drive in 1987 to honor Gant, who drove the popular Skoal Bandit car at the tame.
"Ill tell you, Harry was the real deal, Whitaker said. "Harry raises cattle in North Carolina now, but he still calls and drops by at times. We stay in contact with a lot of guys in racing.
Whitaker also worked closely with the Earnhardt family, fielding cars for Dale, Dale, Jr. and Kerry.
"I ran a lot of races with Dale and we always got along good, Whitaker said. "One of my favorite memories came in 1982 at Bristol when we fielded two cars with Morgan Shepherd and Dale.
"Morgan took the inside pole and Dale got the inside pole, then Sam Ard spun Dale out on the first lap and the door came off Morgans car later in the race. That was a wild night.
Those frustrations were tempered by the relationships. For example, there was the day that a relative unknown named Dale Earnhardt, Jr. drove by himself from North Carolina to the humble Whitaker race shop.
The younger Earnhardt was eager to learn some essentials before making his Busch debut at Bristol Motor Speedway
"Dale still had the reins back then, but I could tell there was something special about Dale Jr. after that Bristol race, Whitaker said. "I just knew Junior would be hot stuff.
The late Davey Allison was also among the drivers who made the pilgrimage to meet Whitaker. Davey even lived with the Whitaker family for a while.
"Davey and his father (Bobby) split the 1986 season driving our car, Whitaker said. "We didnt win any races, but we had fun.
Fun has been the byword for Whitaker during his lengthy and colorful journey through racing.
He went racing for the first time at age 25 with Buddy Wright at Sportsman Speedway in Johnson City. Around two dozen drivers, including the late Butch Lindley and Sam Ard, rode with Whitaker as he progressed from local dirt tracks to the old NASCAR Late Model Sportsman and Busch Series.
Various ace mechanics toiled alongside Whitaker. That list included current Morgan-McClure Motorspots crew chief Chris Carrier, veteran NASCAR crew chief Tony Lambert and Bruce Saunders, who works on the Richard Childress Racing Busch car driven by Clint Bowyer.
Whitakers wife, Maxine, was along for every lap and late night.
"We have so many great memories, Maxine said. "Most of the drivers that worked for us were in the early stages of their careers, so we watched them grow up.
"Davey called me mom, and I kind of took him under my wing and fussed at him when he didnt do the right thing.
Maxine also offered support and advice to the current king of NASCAR.
"Nobody knew who Dale, Jr. was early in his career, but I told him that he would be famous one day and stressed that he should never forget his roots, Whitaker said. "Dale, Jr. remembers us now everytime he sees us.
Just like her husband, Maxine misses the personal touch and family vibe that once rant thrived in NASCAR.
"When we started out, the Busch Series was more like a hobby or fun deal. Its not like that anymore, Whitaker said.
Ed Whitaker now spends his time watching various motorsports events on TV and tending to his small fleet of 1930s-era sedans. His old race shop is now the site of a carpet business.
"I guess you could say Im semi-retired, Whitaker said. "I still watch all the races, but someday would have to do a lot convince to get back in the sport.
While hes been away from the pits since a ill-fated venture dubbed Team Bristol ended in 2003, Whitaker still has a prominent place in the Busch Series record books. For many years, Whitaker ranked as winningest active Busch owner.
"I dont worry about any of the current teams or drivers beating my records, Whitaker said. "Those guys probably spent more money in one season than I did over my entire career.
For many reasons, Whitaker is proud of his NASCAR legacy.
"I treasure all of my trophies, photos, cards and friends, Whitaker said. "I had a great ride in the sport
agregory@bristolnews.com|(276) 669-2181
http://www.tricities.com/tristate/tri/sports/racing.apx.-content-articles-TRI-2006-08-24-0072.html
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"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"
