Remembering Jim Paschal

Today - December 5 - would have been Jim Paschal's 85th birthday. Truly one of the great ones. He is one of a handful of drivers I wish I could have met and visited before he passed away.

• 400+ starts
• 25 wins
• about 150 T5s
• 230 T10s
• Winner of the 1964 World 600.

Sadly, his victory in the Petty Enterprises #41 (and Richard Petty's 2nd place finish) in the 1964 600 was pretty much overshadowed by the tragic fire that consumed Fireball Roberts and ultimately cost him his life.

Bristol 1961 in Julian "J.H." Petty's Pontiac (from Ray Lamm's collection):

Winning at Nashville for Petty Enterprises in 1962:

Winning at Wilkesboro (from Ray Lamm's collection):

TMC, I was very fortunate to have been around Jim many times, mostly, at first, because he drove for Petty Enterprises but even when he was driving for Friedken, I would still encounter him at every opportunity. He was truly one of the great pioneers of the sport but just like the '64 World 600 win was overshadowed, it seems like every acccomplishment Jim had was overshadowed or overlooked. Sad because he was a great driver and an even greater man. Thanks for the post.

it awsome i got tosee jim paschal race.jim one of the great driver.alway like his name.his name fix in nascar

Met Jim in 1964 at Hillsborough rode with him in pace car,he was a very nice man and a great driver.

Used to love to watch Jim race. One of my fondest memories is seeing Jim in the #14 Friedken Enterprises Plymouth and Cale in the #27 Banjo Matthews ride race side by side for the lead lap after lap in Rockingham's first spring race, the 1966 Peach Blossom 500. Got to see Jim win in the Grand American division in that red/white/blue Javelin at Raleigh Fairgrounds in 1970. After Jim left the Tom Friedken Grand National ride following the 1967 season, Tom put our local Richmond hero Ray Hendrick in a second Friedken car - #15 - for four Virginia Grand National races at South Boston, Langley Field, Richmond Fairgrounds and Martinsville. Ray posted 4 top 10 finishes in his 4 Friedken starts, including a 5th at Langley.

1970 Grand American Paul Revere 250 at Daytona

Jim won the 1963 Turkey Day 200 on November 22, 1962 at now defunct Tarheel Speedway, Randleman, NC near the Petty compound in a Petty Enterprises car. The property is owned by Joe Millikan's father.

Tarheel Speedway Randleman, NC Today

*bump*