Jack Walker
Who is the the driver of the # 2-US
Who is this driver ? The car is sponsored by Gene's Marina of Roanoke Rapids, NC. It has a very strange number also. This photo was taken by Bob Williams in October 1967. Does anyone have any information about this car and driver?
Just a curiosity question, Jack - do you know the track? It has an interesting looking retaining wall and red light, as well as what appears to be a light pole right at the retaining wall. I'm guessing I'm looking at asphalt, which rules out Chantilly Speedway just down the road from Roanoke Rapids at Weldon which was dirt and never looked this nice. Definitely not Southside and I don't believe South Boston (I could be wrong on that), which I believe would have been the closest asphalt tracks to Roanoke Rapids in 1967.
I note that Bob Williams shot a lot of Beltsville stuff around this time period - could the track be Beltsville and most likely Limited Sportsman or Hobby division?
Hey Dave - Your correct that the track was Beltsville(paved). The photo was taken in 1967. One person told me that the car also ran at Wilson(dirt). That's a very strange number. I sure would like to come up with some more information on the driver and car. .... Jack
Well, Jack.... here's a thought -Beltsville began running its Indian Summer Twin Classics in October 1967, a big NASCAR Modified race and a big NASCAR Late Model Sportsman race.If anyone can find a copy of the results for the October 1967 NASCAR Late Model Sportsman portion of the Beltsville, MD Indian Summer Twin Classics, the mystery might possibly be solved.
I am going to make an absolute wild guess that the driver might be James Hayes, Jr. of Norlina, NC. Norlina via U.S. 158 is just 34 miles from Roanoke Rapids. According to the Maryland Stock Car Racing Hall of Fame website, James Hayes, Jr. of Norlina raced at Beltsville. That's my wild guess.
Thanks Dave, and Robbie. I wonder what the deal is with the strange number?
Here's an interesting side note whether the car in the photo is the James Hayes, Jr. car or not. His sister Cathy married John Hendrick, brother of Rick Hendrick. James' son, Jamie, drove through several NASCAR divisions for John until he was killed and then drove for Ken Shrader. Not sure whether he is still racing or not, but he at one time worked for his Aunt Cathy at Hendrick Honda.
Maybe the number is just a takeoff on the state oriented numbers (1VA, 3NC, 4SC, etc.) we were all so familiar with at that time designating that this driver was competing in multiple states - the U.S. in other words.Or maybe he was saluting our northern neighbors with a southern greeting, "TO Y'OUSE!"
Here's a photo of "Steady Eddie" Flemke's modified taken at the famed Beltsville Speedway Indian Summer Classic Twin 100s for NASCAR Modifieds and Late Model Sportsman on October 20, 1968.