Forum Activity for @david-l-steelman

Ned Jarrett

Stock Car Racing History

One more story for today. Moyock dog track late 50's. 200 lap national modified championship. October on a Sunday afternoon. Over 100 cars showed up. Qualified all, we won the pole with Bobby Isaac driving. Did not start until almost 5pm due to long qualifying and two last chance heat races. Eddie crouse #269 won, Isaac #9 was second, Earl moss #3 was third. I scored Isaac, sat beside bill wimble's wife, Morris metcalf was official scorer. We got second place money, pole money and 150 from autolite spark plugs. Total 1100, that was the most we ever had won in one race. We finished the race with an empty tank and both right side tires with fiber showing. That was a good ride back home to Boonville nc that night.

Ned Jarrett

Stock Car Racing History

Ray Platte while subbing for ken rush, died driving our car 1963 at south Boston. I think Ray had a heart attack and then hit the third turn wall. this was the only driver injury in 15 years of racing. I forgot Rex White drove at bowman gray stadium a couple of times for my father. I also forgot we won a modified feature at Greensboro with Billy Myers driving my brother's car. Richmond fairgrounds late 50's. Paul Sawyer was promoter. We ran Wilson NC fairgrounds on Sat and won. drove to Richmond, slept on the ground near racetrack, finished second, Bobby Isaac driving. Mr Sawyer owe us 200 hundred dollars appearance money for both races. His comment after Richmond race was "I thought you had won so much in two races you would not want the 200". After a small discussion standing right on the. Track near flag stand, Mr. Sawyer pull out two big rolls of money and finally gave my brother the 200.

Ned Jarrett

Stock Car Racing History

Can,t remember much about peace haven, I was too young. I remember it was always on Sunday afternoons and some people would come straight from church and still have their white shirts and ties on. You are right Curtis turner did drive a few times for the steelmans. So did ray platte, Earl moss, Tom Webster, Eddie crouse, and the USAC champion Mel Larson at the old concord speedway. That was a Bruton smith promotion. I think we got $200 extra or appearance money.

Ned Jarrett

Stock Car Racing History

yes that is the building that my father frank Steelman and brother built and maintain their race cars. Used #9 from 1949 thru 1963, 1964 used #53. Regular drivers where shorty York, pee wee jones, Ned jarrett, Bobby Isaac, last one was ken rush. I traveled with them form Daytona beach course to syracuse mile and everywhere in-between.

Ned Jarrett

Stock Car Racing History

Yes that is building. Ned only drove that one year, then Bobby Isaac started in 1958. Thanks for the pictures! I think Shorty York may have been first driver maybe 1949 thru early fifties, then Pee Wee Jones, then in 57 starting running all dirt with Jarrett and Isaac. then in 1963 started running asphalt again with Ken Rush. thelLast year 1964 we used #53, won modified championship at Bowman Gray. Last race we ever run was at Trenton NJ late 1964. That fall sold everything and quit. Frank did help out Bobby Isaac a few times in the pits late 60's and early 70's with #71 K and K car.

Ned Jarrett

Stock Car Racing History

Ned Jarrett did not drive for my brother starting 1958, but recommended Bobby Isaac who at the time was driving outlaw tracks in Sc and NC for Frank Heffner, Cherryville NC. Bobby drove 1958 thru 1961 for my brother. Best results was we won a 200 lap modified race at Hickory NC fall of 58 or 59. It was the last race ever run at Hickory on dirt. We also won a 50 lap race the night before at Columbia SC speedway. Ken Rush drove for us 1962 - 64.

Ned Jarrett

Stock Car Racing History

Good story from fall of 1957. Ned had two second place finishes in one day at Richmond & Greensboro fairgrounds driving Frank Steelman Jr #9 sportsman car. Ran second to Johnny Roberts #7 at Richmond in the afternoon. We loaded quickly and started to Greensboro and Ned stayed and got winnings and then flew his plane toward NC. Ned had plane trouble and had to land in a corn field south of Danville. A farmer brought him to Greensboro just in time to start in the rear for the main event, finished second. Cannot remember who won Greensboro feature. Earl Moss driving William Davis #3 also ran both races. William got a speeding ticket on the way to Greensboro. I am David Steelman crew member of #9. PS: Ned was the first person I can remember that was a businessman, gentleman, and handled himself with class during the early racing days. Ned won the sportsman championship in 1957 running around 70+ feature races.
updated by @david-l-steelman: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM

Ray platte

Stock Car Racing History

Died at south Boston speedway va, 1963. Driving #9 owned by franh Steelman Jr, Boonville nc. Regular driver was ken rush, high point nc. Ken had broke his ankle playing softball, ray was filling in. I know this for sure, I was there and drove the tow truck home with the wreck car. David Steelman brother of frank.
updated by @david-l-steelman: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM

Help Decipher The Mysteries Of The First NASCAR Season

Stock Car Racing History

Ted Swaim was definitely from Winston salem!

Lakewood Speedway

General

Bobby Isaac drove Frank Steelman's #9 red and white 37 modified Ford to a third place finish 1959, 60, 61 not sure. We raced against 32 ford Modifieds and the like. Ralph Earnhardt flips his #8 coming out of turn two. Isaac driving the same Steelman car had won Spartanberg on Friday night and Myrtle Beach on Saturday night prior to Sunday's Lakewood race. I am David Steelman, age 69, Elkin, Nc. I was at all three races tagging along with by brother Frank.