Jack Duffy: The Last Coupe in Daytona

Racing Through History's GHOST TRACKS will feature legendary racer, Jack Duffy, 80 years young and still racing. Jack began his driving career in 1950 and is still going strong. Among other notable accomplishments, Jack '37 Chevy coupe was, literally, the last coupe to ever race at Daytona. This story was chronicled in a 1974 issue of Stock Car Racing magazine, and by this Howard O'Reilly photo. Be sure and tune in to this Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM right here on Racers Reunion.com
updated by @bobby-williamson: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM

If I remember right Bobby was in that race and won it. but more noted didnt Paul Newman get spun out by Jack Duffy? It was chilly that year there in the infield so it must have been early Feb . we were there to see the race that year and boy it was a good one.

That's the race, JM.....The coupe was flying. Had he not run out of gas, Duffy would likely have won the race. He had passed eventual winner, Bobby Allison, with ease. Duffy and Paul Newman made contact, with Newman getting the worse end of it.

Being the other Jack Duffy #3 coupe owned and driven by Steve Percario was at Occoneechee this past weekend the timing couldn't be any better to hear the story live from jack Duffy himself. I'm really excited to hear the story Bobby. Photo taken at Darlington Historical Racing Festival 2010

According to the Dave Westerman Florida Racing History Site, the Duffy coupe in the Daytona photo was purchased from Buzzie Reutimann.


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"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"

Permatex 200

NASCAR Modified race
Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL
February 15, 1974
47 laps on 3.85 mile road course; 180.95 miles

Fin St Driver # Owner Car Laps Money Status Laps Led
1 7 Bobby Allison 2 1973 Chevrolet Camaro 47 6,750 running 28
2 Tiny Lund 5 1974 Chevrolet Camaro 47 3,600 running 0
3 John Bryant 57 1973 AMC Gremlin 46 2,350 running 0
4 Denis Giroux 25 1973 Chevrolet Vega 44 1,200 running 0
5 Geoff Bodine 99 1974 Chevrolet Vega 43 1,000 running 0
6 Jerry Dostie 55 1972 Chevrolet Vega 42 900 running 0
7 Charlie Blanton 92 1972 Chevrolet Camaro 42 800 running 0
8 Gene Felton 96 1971 Chevrolet 41 700 running 0
9 Gene Bergin 4 1972 Ford Pinto 41 600 running 0
10 Bugs Stevens 15 1971 Chevrolet Nova 41 500 running 0
11 Jerry Cook 38 1973 Ford Pinto 35 495 transmission 0
12 Benny Kerley 14 1974 Chevrolet 34 490 0
13 Don Miller 69 1969 Chevrolet Nova 34 465 0
14 4 Richie Evans 61 1972 Ford Pinto 34 480 0
15 2 Ray Hendrick 1 1969 Chevrolet Camaro 31 475 engine 0
16 Carl Horton 8 1972 Ford Pinto 31 470 0
17 Jack Duffie 30 1936 Chevrolet 28 465 0
18 3 Paul Radford 26 1972 AMC Gremlin 27 460 5
19 Brian Ross 44 1969 Chevrolet 25 455 0
20 Melvin Swisher 53 1972 AMC Gremlin 25 450 0
21 Bill Osmun 3 1970 Ford Pinto 20 395 0
22 Bobby Fleming 54 1972 Chevrolet Camaro 17 390 0
23 Bobby Mausgrover 51 1965 Chevrolet 16 385 0
24 Jimmy Railey 18 1970 Chevrolet 16 380 0
25 1 Maynard Troyer 6 1974 Ford Mustang 15 975 14
26 Jimmy Griffin 12 1972 Ford Pinto 15 370 0
27 Marv Treichler 33 1968 Chevrolet 14 365 0
28 Eddie Pieniazek 03 1973 Ford Pinto 12 360 0
29 Dick Tobias 83 1969 Chevrolet 10 355 0
30 Bill Marino 42 1973 Ford Pinto 8 350 0
31 Bob Park 19 1965 Chevrolet Corvair 8 345 0
32 Jim Landry 34 1972 Chevrolet Vega 7 340 0
33 Paul Newman 0 1971 Ford Pinto 7 335 water pump 0
34 Ernie Shaw 17 1970 Ford Mustang 7 330 0
35 John Peterson 84 1969 Ford 5 325 0
36 Jerry Hufflin 37 1974 Chevrolet Camaro 0 320 0


Notes: The race was shortened from 200 miles to 180 because of the energy crisis.
Average Speed: 98.879 MPH
Attendance: 30,000


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"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"

You are right Dave and that coupe is still in existence, restored in the Reutimann colors which raised a few eyebrows to those that knew the history of the car, wondering why it wasn't restored back to it's more historical value as the last coupe to race at Daytona.

This story gets better with every bit of new information, thanks guys

I actually listened to this race on MRN Radio, pulling of course for outside front row starter Ray Hendrick, by now past his prime. That's ole cigar chomping, bourbon swillingWilson County Speedway dirt track star Carl Horton in his Pender County Special who finished just ahead of Jack. The Daytona infield road course was no place for modified racing. I remember at the time we thought it was quite a joke for Newman to be in the modified. Definitely a fish out of water.


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"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"

That's cigar chomping Carl Horton on the dirt at Wilson, NC's Wilson County Speedwayin 1976 driving his Pender County Special - two years after finishing one position ahead of Jack Duffy in his coupe at the 1974 Daytona Modified race. Tim Hamm photo from his photo page on this RR site.


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"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"

Here's Bud Lindemann covering the 1974 Permatex 200 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_mSKibmIeE

Good find Jim... my memory was right, Maynard Troyer and Ray Hendrick started on front row.

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"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"