How come nothing from this will effect the double-secret probation that he was already on? Controversy does breed interest, albeit good or bad. Perhaps hoping to ramp up sagging television ratings? Conspiracy theory!...conspriracy theory! .... just could not resist that one! Still ya gotta remember how NASCAR works.
This is a great story about the one of the last truly independent racers. I was at The Glen that day as PR rep for Dale Sr. and Goodwrench. That morning the team had talked about racing against J.D. the night before. I had not gone, as Dale's business manager and one of my bosses, went with him.
I was down in our pit and had just watched the tail of the field come by and remember seeing J.D. and Jimmy Means head downhill to turn one. We were located down pit road toward pit out. News slowly came down that it was bad. When the red flag came out Ihad to stay with Dale Sr. for awhile. We knew it was bad. Having been involved in the NASCAR experience for a number of years, you know in what you don't hear. After some time several of us reps went up to the media center and saw the replay. We knew.
The clouds hung low over the top of the mountain and gave a sombering effect to the day. I went back to the Goodwrench hauler and saw our team scorer who was shaken. She had known J.D. for a long time and was friends with Jean, his wife. I tried to console her, and it was then that I saw one of those moments that stay with you. By then, there were anumber of other people around their respective team haulers. Several crew members from other teams were pulling J.D. s pit equipment, all in one wagon, and a jackup through the garage area to the truck. Among them were Henry Benfield and Gale Wilson. It was very sobering and brought tears to the eyes of many people. It sort of hit you then, this is real.
I can only imagine what Jimmy Means saw and felt, and to this day he does not wish to talk about that particular day. I can't blame him there.
It is hard to believe it has been twenty years ago. It's too bad that J.D. didn't get to retire on his terms. But he did things on his terms, and he died doing what he loved and knew how to do. He would probably enjoy a group like RR today, but would still be his quiet self.
Neat story about how things come around.
When I worked with Dale Sr. and he won, we did indeed head from victory lane to the Unocal suite for a champagne toast. I treasure those times as each I went I kept my crystal wine glass from the toast. I have a nice set and wonderful memories.
And Jane Hogan made someof the best desserts you have ever had, not this manufactured stuff.
When I think of souvenirs, I think more of what the average fan could have bought way back when, and there was not the saturation of non-realistically collectable items. I have a very rare post card collection that was sold by Charlotte Motor Speedway back around 1970-71,and was drawn by artist Sam Dunn and printed by Anderson Pressand shows comical cartoons of drivers at Charlotte Motor Speedway. I have an extensive program collection which I'm proud of. Also, a lot of the older post cards when you had to get them from a team after a race. A lot were photographed by Ray Mann and Don Hunter. I have a Charlotte Motor Speedway cushion from some time between 1060-64 when they changed logos. I also have some speedway ash trays. Darlington always had more souvenirs than other tracks, and now I try to find them even if they are a ceramic tea cup or plate.
As far as the more collectable things,I have items from the NASCAR Speedway Division, NASCAR Drag Race Division, and old brochures. I have a poster, ticket order brochure and entry blank for the first Southern 500,a NASCAR Drag Race trophy, some entry blanks from 1947 that are posted in my photos, NASCAR arm bands record albums, PDA key chains,and much etc. I love these older itmes and maybe they can help put my son through college one day. I can't see them all every day but as a collector, it's just something knowing that you have them. I hope that one day I don't end up on Hoarders!
What are some of your favorite race car nicknames or slogans that you have seen on a race car.
Being a Ray Hendrick fan, I always remember "Little Bo Hawg" on the white LMS Nova, The late model Camaro modified of, I think it was Bob Melnick, that was the "Atasumacamaro" and one of my all-time favorites, The #0 "Honey Bear" coupe of Perk Brown.
