R.I.P. Alex "Mad Duck" Karras - A Huge NASCAR Fan & Friend of Dale Earnhardt

In July I wrote an article for our Home Page about Camaraderie in Racing.

http://racersreunion.com/camaraderie-made-racing-special-by-dave-fulton/

The paragraph below appeared in that article:

When the late Joe Littlejohn picks up your breakfast tab or Bud Moore and his wonderful wife Betty buy two weeks of groceries for your family, you know there is camaraderie. Camaraderie is writing news releases late into the night in Gene Grangers Spartanburg basement. Camaraderie is listening to a well told joke by Joe Whitlock to Alex Karras in the dim confines of the bar at the Southern Pines Sheraton.

We lost Alex Karras today. He was a huge NASCAR fan, a friend of Dale Earnhardt, a mighty pro football player and competent television actor. Now he and Joe Whitlock can once again share a joke together. I never had a better time than listening to those two old pros one up each other in motel bars on the NASCAR circuit in the early 80s.

Rest in Peace, Alex. I enjoyed your humor at the races back in the day.

Link to New York Times coverage of the passing of Alex Karras:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/11/sports/football/alex-karras-nfl-lineman-and-actor-dies-at-77.html

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"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"
updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM

Alex enjoyed hanging out with Dale Earnhardt and went to many races. To me, that establishes the "Racing Connection." This one line from the New York Times probably describes why it was Dale who caught his attention:

"whose irrepressible character frequently placed him at odds with footballs authorities"

There was nothing funnier than to watch Dale crack up when Whitlock told Karas the story of the man on his wedding night with the unusual diseases, such as kneesels. I can't repeat it here, though.

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"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"

you know most people didnt know dale had a sense of humor - but he loved to laugh - he liked a dirty joke as good as anyone i know - and he could be funny himself - thanks for this dave .