Curtis Crawfish Crider
Stock Car Racing History
Family, friends and racers say goodbye to "Crawfish" Crider
Curtis "Crawfish" Crider made 232 starts between 1959-65 in NASCAR's top division, then known as the Grand National Series. In 1964, he had seven top-fives and finished sixth in the final points standings.
News-Journal file photo
By Godwin Kelly
MOTORSPORTS EDITOR
Daytona Beach News-Journal
Published: Friday, December 28, 2012
ORMOND BEACH -- Curtis Crawfish Crider, 82, was remembered by friends and family before being laid to rest at Volusia Memorial Park on Friday afternoon. He died Dec. 21.
The standing-room only service was conducted by Rev. Andy Pollock, Halifax Health Hospice chaplain, who said the humble Crider lived a full life enhanced by his racing background.
He wasn't just a great racer, Pollock said. He was a wonderful dad, husband, brother, grandfather and friend.
Crider's casket was covered by an American flag in the chapel. He was buried with military honors during the graveside service.
He was a great guy, said Kris Crider, who is married to Crider's son, Dean. He was a jokester. He'd give people the shirt off his back. He opened the house to people for different racing events.
Crider's wife of 35 years, Louise, sobbed with family members on the front pew of the small chapel. Crider's sister, Faye Perdue Pietschman, of Eden, N.C., sang a touching, old-style gospel song, which brought tears to those in attendance.
Curtis lived his life with passion, for racing, for family, for friends and having a sense of joy, Pollock said. I know Curtis had a passion for racing, put that gas pedal to the floor and let his engine scream.
He loved something far more. He loved all of you. What good is a race if there's nobody in the grandstands? Then, you're just riding in a circle. Today's a day when Curtis is standing in the winner's circle, with the checkered flag in hand and we are here to celebrate his life; that he's finished his final race.
Crider, family and friends said, was one of those rare people who gave more than he accepted during his life. Stubbornly independent, Crider refused anything which had the scent of charity about it, even though his Ormond Beach house remains in disrepair.
To this day, blue tarps on the roof hide the punishment inflicted by a falling oak tree from the 2005 hurricane season.
Curtis never took help, son-in-law Mark Gibson said. There were times when he should of, but didn't. He was a very proud man. That was Curtis. That was the way he was.
Originally from Abbeville, S.C., Crider made 232 starts between 1959-65 in NASCAR's top division, then known as the Grand National Series. All but seven of those starts came from 1960-64.
His best season was in 1964, when he competed in 59 of 62 races, scored seven top-fives and finished sixth in the final points standings.
The colorful Crider left the national touring series but didn't leave racing. He soothed his competitive itch on the short tracks of Florida, using Volusia County Speedway (now, Volusia Speedway Park) as his home base.
He captured the Florida State Championship three consecutive years (1972-74), winning 52 short-track features in that stretch.
Along the way, he helped many other racers get their start, such as Gibson, who enjoyed a 20-year ARCA career. Gibson married Jan Crider, one of Curtis Crider's five children.
I've known Curtis 40 years and when somebody wanted or needed (something), he was willing to give it to them, Gibson said. He gave me a shot in his race car when I didn't have anything going on for me.
He was giving all his life. If somebody came by wanting their car fixed, he'd fix it, and probably 90 percent of the time, never took a dime for his work. Curtis had a mighty big heart.
After leaving racing, Crider made a modest living restoring vintage and antique cars and trucks at his Ormond Beach home. His clients ranged from neighbors to car enthusiasts in Europe.
Crider's pride and joy was a 1940 Ford cab sitting on a 1970 truck chassis, purchased earlier this year by Gainesville's Charles Poindexter.
I know they are having a tough time financially, said Poindexter, who added that Crider tried to give him the truck as a gift.
I found out the best offer on the truck and sent them a check for that amount, Poindexter said. I know a lot of guys like Curtis, who ran NASCAR races in the 1960s. He helped a lot of people. He took me in; him and Louise, as a friend.
Chip Crider offered a bit of humor about his father during his eulogy.
Dad liked to laugh; he lived, Crider said. He was the greatest Dad that could ever be. He was cool. He shot pool.
