Farmer John Matthews Won Jacksonville's 1964 Leatherneck 150 as Car Owner Burned During Refueling
Stock Car Racing History
I am amazed at the lengthy driving careers some racers have enjoyed. Thanks, William for the tip on Earl.
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Stock Car Racing History
Farmer John Matthews Won Jacksonville's 1964 Leatherneck 150 as Car Owner Burned During Refueling
Stock Car Racing History
It appears that Farmer John Matthews won 18 NASCAR modified races in 1964 - don't know if that was a total or at Jacksonville. In this March 28, 1965 Wilmington Star-News preview of the season opener, he is referred to as "Johnny" Matthews! Wonder if the Wilmington writer knew Dick Petty or Davey Pearson?! Interesting to note the reference to Jacksonville's "sister track" in Concord. What was that about?
Farmer John Matthews Won Jacksonville's 1964 Leatherneck 150 as Car Owner Burned During Refueling
Stock Car Racing History
Farmer John Matthews was back at Jacksonville on March 28, 1965, besting Don Macon and Glen Simpkins among others in a 30-lap modified feature.
Wilmington Star-News
Farmer John Matthews Won Jacksonville's 1964 Leatherneck 150 as Car Owner Burned During Refueling
Stock Car Racing History
I see that the Eatmon name is still very much alive in Wilson, NC. The web site for Eatmon Race Parts says they've been building winning race engines since 1970. They've got a nice little Chevy 358 on sale for just $14,500 if any RR members need something fresh to drop in the family station wagon! Must be selling engines to those Australian SuperCars... I see they'll ship to Australia for just $1200!
NASCAR CHEVROLET SB2.2 RACE ENGINE FRESH BUILD 818HP
Price:
$14,500.00
Weight:
550.00 LBS
Product Description
This is a fresh built Chevy SB2.2 Nascarengine, professionally built here at Eatmon Racing Engines. This engine has all the best parts, some 1 raceused from Nascar Cup teams and some NEW parts. This has a Bryant lightweight crankshaft, Lentz connecting rods, NEW BME pistons, casidiam coated wrist pins, Jesel belt drive, Stef's stainless steel dry sump oil pan, Comp Cams solid roller camshaft, Jesel .937 roller lifters, ATI balancer, Weaver Bros. 5 stage dry sump oil pump, BMRS lightweight oil lines, NEW Edelbrock water pump, NEW CV water pump pulley, NEW GM valley tray, NEW Total Seal rings, NEW Clevite bearings, NEW Fel-Pro gaskets, NEW Autolite spark plugs, MSD distributor, Delphi 8mm insulated plug wires, CV Products pushrods, CNC ported SB2.2 cylinder heads from Joe Gibbs Racing and a ported and polished intake manifold, T&D shaft mounted roller rocker arms, Del West titanium valves and retainers and NEW titanium valve locks and NEW valve seals, PSI roller valve springs, all this in a SB2 Bowtie block. This is a 358 CID 12:1 compression ratio engine. All partswere inspected cleaned, block honed, valve job on heads completely gone through and dynoed with 569 ft-lb torque and 818HP and it was dynoed with a Holley 830 cfm carb. Please feel free to call or email with any questions 252-237-7968 252-237-2437 seatmonraceparts@nc.rr.com shipping is approx. $300 east coast $500 west coast and $1200 Australia.
Farmer John Matthews Won Jacksonville's 1964 Leatherneck 150 as Car Owner Burned During Refueling
Stock Car Racing History
Thanks, Charles. Harold Eatmon motors were legendary for their horsepower.
Farmer John Matthews Won Jacksonville's 1964 Leatherneck 150 as Car Owner Burned During Refueling
Stock Car Racing History
Thanks Bobby for the shot of Farmer John at Lakeview.
I never got to see Farmer John in a car that "modern." Last time I saw him race would have been in late 70s at Wilson, probably in the #00 Glover Farms Eggs car out of Bailey, NC as pictured below in the Tim Hamm photo taken in 1976. Charles, did John return to a #16 at Wilson after this ride?
Tim Hamm caught Farmer John Matthews in #16 and Mac Mangum in #1 mixing it up at Wilson around 1974-1975. Earl Arnold also drove a #1 Late Model occasionally at Wilson in the 70s.
Tim Hamm captured Earl Arnold's #1 at Wake County in 1974:
Farmer John Matthews Won Jacksonville's 1964 Leatherneck 150 as Car Owner Burned During Refueling
Stock Car Racing History
Thanks Jack, Charles, William, and Bobby for your information. Amazing how accurate your memories all are.
Farmer John Matthews Won Jacksonville's 1964 Leatherneck 150 as Car Owner Burned During Refueling
Stock Car Racing History
Thanks, Charles. I found that photo at Jack Walker's Carolina Race Place. On the front fender is lettered "Built by L.D. Austin and Friends." Jack also has several photos of Farmer John Matthews' #16Jr Modifieds. Here's the link to Jack's photos:
http://www.raceplace.zoomshare.com/
Farmer John Matthews Won Jacksonville's 1964 Leatherneck 150 as Car Owner Burned During Refueling
Stock Car Racing History
Thanks for the eyewitness info on Bill Duff's and Farmer John's cars back in the day, William. I wondered also about whether Kenneth Simpkins was kin to Glenn - who also built Wake County Speedway, his cousin, Marvin or Glenn's father, Oscar. If anyone knows, please step forward.
Farmer John Matthews Won Jacksonville's 1964 Leatherneck 150 as Car Owner Burned During Refueling
Stock Car Racing History
One of the most popular drivers I ever saw at Wilson County Speedway was "Farmer " John Matthews of Raleigh, NC wheeling his #16 Late Model. John was also a frequent winner at Wake County Speedway and at the Raleigh Fairgrounds.
Farmer John Matthews' most unusual win, though, may have come in October 1964 at the Jacksonville (NC) International Speedway. Neither Marines nor fire could keep Farmer John from the winner's circle in the Leatherneck 150 . Jacksonville is home to Camp Lejeune , the famed United States Marines installation.
The Wilmington Star-News reports how Matthews' car owner, Kenneth Simpkins of Raleigh suffered serious burns during refueling requiring hospitalization. But Farmer John drove on to victory in spite of his burned car owner. The clip below is from the October 25, 1964 Wilmington Star-News. I'm guessing the Raleigh tobacco farmer was wearing his customary bib overalls in the cockpit!
Farmer John Matthews of Raleigh at Wilson County Speedway in early 1970s with his Cliff Winstead/Cliff's Drive-In sponsored #16 Chevelle. Tim Hamm photo
updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM