At noon today, I went the memorial service for Joe Carver held in Nashville. Another one was held last weekend in North Carolina. But so many folks knew him from here that they held a second one in West Nashville.
The church's minister, Darrell Waltrip and long-time local sportscaster Hope Hines offered some memories, funny stories, and reflections on Joe as a friend and as a promoter. Here are a few I can remember.
- As a teenager, he got a job as a bellman at the James Robertson Hotel in Nashville. When human resources realized he was under 16, they apologized but told him he could no longer work there. Rather than take no for answer, he walked to the state capital building and asked to see the governor. Apparently, the governor's receptionist made it happen. He explained to the governor that his father had passed away and that he needed to work to help support his family. The governor have him a work permit that he took back to the hotel!
- DW told about a TV show I'd forgotten about: Pit Stop. Channel 5, the local CBS affiliate, aired it. Carver put it together, and Hines was the host. DW was a regular guest. Darrell said the show just didn't come across as well as it should have - mainly because most local drivers weren't great interviews, at least on a 30 minute magazine-type show. Even Hope saw it wasn't going anywhere. They suggested to Carver to end it, but Joe was either dating the station's receptionist or wanted to. (He ended up marrying her.) Either way, he said "As long as that receptionist is working here, we're keeping the show."
- DW talked about Joe spotting for him at a race late in his career. He was on a really thin budget, and everyone was pretty stretched with race day duties. But one race, Joe said he'd spot for DW. Problem turned out to be a couple of things. One, he wouldn't key the mic when he saw trouble. Darrell had to ask why only to get "welll, I was about ready to tell ya about that." After DW wore him out about giving him a heads up, he said Joe turned into Eli Gold and told him EVERYTHING - including 2 and 3 wide racing going on BEHIND him.
When the service concluded, I intro'd myself to DW. Told him we'd never met, and that I didn't know Joe. But I also said I grew up at the Fairgrounds watching a style of racing and promotion set in motion by Carver. He was polite and such. Then I told him I also followed him on Twitter and that I was "toomuchcountry".
He laughed and said "Ohhhh, toomuchcountry. You've busted on me a few times on there haven't you?" I just replied "Well maybe. But only a time or two I think - just to get a couple of facts straight." He seemed to find that funny.
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Schaefer: It's not just for racing anymore.
updated by @tmc-chase: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM
