@bobby-williamson16 years ago
At the time of the crash, Don MacTavish was the reigning NASCAR modified champion. That's Curtis Turner in #87.
@paul-zappardino16 years ago
I had 2 heros in NASCAR LMS from New England when I was 13 , Don MacTavish and Pete Hamilton, Don came to Beltsville many times. I remember on that day February 22 was a saturday. Dad brought a TV down the shop because ABC was going to have a delayed broadcast of the Permatex 300. I heard the news that Don was killed and was already in tears, My father would not let me see the crash sequence, the look on his face said it all!!! The newspapers ate this up, the New York times had pictures ion the front page of the wreck, they showed Don hanging over what was left of the front of his car with both legs noticeabley missing, Baltimore sun did it also. Alot of people said the crash was "SPECTACULAR", BULLSHIT it was "HORRIBLE" I would like to see them go thru a simulator and go thru that wreck and then tell me it was spectacular. On everyFebruary 22, and when they start the "300" I take a little moment of silence for my old hero . My Dad and I still talk about it and we probably will tmorrow morning when I show him this picture and he will say the same thing, I still would not let you see what i saw and another thing, He was my hero to son! One more note, I think these pictures should have never been printed, Stock Car racing magazine did it best , they just showed the engine in front of gate 7 and that is enough to explain the tragedy that day. RIP Don!
@ron-wetzler15 years ago
That happened in front of where I was sitting. He had paid for his family to come down to watch him race. It was a very sad day RIP Don .
@nick-sinclair15 years ago
I sure remember this awful accident. It was early in the race, we were still pretty bunched up when Don, who was running about 3rd or 4th, lost it on the little hump over the tunnel in turn 4. Poor Sam hit him, as there was no chance to avoid him. I think a couple other cars were also involved. Don's car shattered into several pieces.I can still clearly recall barreling into the smoke and suddenly seeing the engine from MacTavish's Mercury Comet sitting in the middle of the track. Only the sun light reflected off the chrome valve cover saved me from hitting it, as otherwise I'd never have seen it in time. I drove Andrew Parker's '61 Chevy that day, it was the old L.D.Austin car.A.J.Parker has been dead these many years, but I sure haven't forgotten him. My youngest son is named for him.
@bumpertag15 years ago
I grew up hearing of this crash it wasn't till recently that I saw the footage on youtube. It is horrible. I found it under 1969 Permatx 300.
At the time of the crash, Don MacTavish was the reigning NASCAR modified champion. That's Curtis Turner in #87.
I had 2 heros in NASCAR LMS from New England when I was 13 , Don MacTavish and Pete Hamilton, Don came to Beltsville many times. I remember on that day February 22 was a saturday. Dad brought a TV down the shop because ABC was going to have a delayed broadcast of the Permatex 300. I heard the news that Don was killed and was already in tears, My father would not let me see the crash sequence, the look on his face said it all!!! The newspapers ate this up, the New York times had pictures ion the front page of the wreck, they showed Don hanging over what was left of the front of his car with both legs noticeabley missing, Baltimore sun did it also. Alot of people said the crash was "SPECTACULAR", BULLSHIT it was "HORRIBLE" I would like to see them go thru a simulator and go thru that wreck and then tell me it was spectacular. On everyFebruary 22, and when they start the "300" I take a little moment of silence for my old hero . My Dad and I still talk about it and we probably will tmorrow morning when I show him this picture and he will say the same thing, I still would not let you see what i saw and another thing, He was my hero to son! One more note, I think these pictures should have never been printed, Stock Car racing magazine did it best , they just showed the engine in front of gate 7 and that is enough to explain the tragedy that day. RIP Don!
That happened in front of where I was sitting. He had paid for his family to come down to watch him race. It was a very sad day RIP Don .
I sure remember this awful accident. It was early in the race, we were still pretty bunched up when Don, who was running about 3rd or 4th, lost it on the little hump over the tunnel in turn 4. Poor Sam hit him, as there was no chance to avoid him. I think a couple other cars were also involved. Don's car shattered into several pieces.I can still clearly recall barreling into the smoke and suddenly seeing the engine from MacTavish's Mercury Comet sitting in the middle of the track. Only the sun light reflected off the chrome valve cover saved me from hitting it, as otherwise I'd never have seen it in time. I drove Andrew Parker's '61 Chevy that day, it was the old L.D.Austin car.A.J.Parker has been dead these many years, but I sure haven't forgotten him. My youngest son is named for him.
I grew up hearing of this crash it wasn't till recently that I saw the footage on youtube. It is horrible. I found it under 1969 Permatx 300.