Peanut Turman March 20, 2013 
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - With almost a month passed since the Victory Lane Racing Association kicked off its five-day salute to Auto Racing Legends, officials could not be more pleased with the turn-outs for each of the events which began on Monday night, February 18th with the first annual "Back To The Roots Daytona" held at the Main Street Station where NASCAR guru Bill France operated a service station/garage. An overflow crowd turned out to view vintage race cars, meet legend drivers, participate in an auction and witness the unveiling of a plaque designating the spot where France did most of his planning for races held on the old beach/road course layout in what is now known as Ponce Inlet.
On Tuesday night, fans and legends participated in a "Bench Racing" night at the Ocean Deck. This program was narrated by RacersReunion Radio owner Jeff Gilder and was carried worldwide. The following day found fans at New Smyrna Beach where they participated in a vintage car show and swap meet as well as rubbing elbows with many racing legends.
The highlight of the weeks activities came on Thursday night at the Pelican Bay Country Club where the eighth annual awards banquet was held. A capacity crowd saw 12 legends receive awards for their accomplishments in auto racing.
Those receiving rewards are: Jerry Morgan, President's; Richard Parrish, Victory Lane Racing Association; Jim Vandiver, Glen "Fireball" Roberts; Don Miller, Pioneer in racing; Peanut Turman, "Smokey" Yunick Achievement; Sue Rohn, Woman In Racing; Bill Mangum, Raymond Parks; Dr. Don Tarr, Tim Flock; John Dodson, Red Vogt Mechanics and Engineering; James Hylton, Alan Kulwicki; Ernie Sexton, Writer/Media Sport; Jack Cook, Sr, Memory of Clifford and Davey Allison.
The final activity came Friday morning as fans had a chance to have breakfast with the legends. This was another huge success.
Members of the Victory Lane Racing Association board sends out a special "Thank You" to everyone who participated in all of the functions and a special "Thank You" to the media who helped to promote the events.
Peanut Turman, the recipient of the "Smokey" Yunick Achievement Award, started racing on the dusty dirt tracks of southwest Virginia in 1961 as a 21-year-old.
Before his retirement as a driver in 1972 Turman, who got his nickname "Peanut"as a young boy because of his small stature, he amassed 118 wins in the modified division plus 112 victories in the sportsman class. He chalked up ten track championships (five in each division).
Following his retirement from behind the wheel, he kept involved by serving on the pit crew for the famed Wood Brothers team and driver David Pearson. He also worked with Buck Baker, Larry Pearson, Baxter Price and others.
updated by @dargan-watts: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM
