Larry Frank, 1962 Southern 500 winner, has passed.

I wrote a closing to an article I did in Racing Collectibles Price Guide back in the early ninties that ended, similarly to Jimmy Durante's TV show closing "Good Night Mrs. Calabash, where ever you are, with the line, "and goodnight Larry Frank, wherever you are."It took a quirk of fate five or six years for his search for me to let me know just where he was.I was working with Racing Collectibles Club of America on their initial diecast release, a '63 Ford Sportsroof Grand Nartional Racecar when mine and Larry's paths finally crossed at a show in Charlotte NC. His '63 Daytona racer was one of the versions I was working on. He and his lovely wife were signing autographs in a big tent with several others for a vintage race car show that B.D. McClure and Alex Beam was putting on at McClure's memoriabilia shop just across from the Charlotte Motor Speedway.He told me that he had been looking for me ever since the article ran and we had a great time during the weeklong event. He gave me several autographed photos and we bench raced and swapped stories like old friends. I never got to show him the model of his '62 because we lost touch when I left RCCA and I'll always regret I didn't get the location of his body shop in time to send him a photo disc with the models.The real racers are few and getting fewer. We should make sure, if and when we have the chance, to let them know just how much they mean to us. And good night, Larry Frank, wherever you are, my good and cherished friend.
updated by @jerry-sims: 03/23/19 08:33:53PM

And Morris Metcalfe catching the scoring error that almost cost Larry the win and getting a promotion because of it.

Well put Jerry, LARRY FRANK was special, he was in the big wreck at Daytona 1960, we talked about that wreck for over an hour, a great story. He drove a car for George Pool at Charlotte motor speed way, this was the same car that Glenn Wood set on pole at Daytona M/S race 1958. This was the first race at Charlotte after it was finished, my dad Gordon Mangum was a crew member on the car #22, I have tried to do some research on this race,the information I get from the track, they say it never happened, Larry started 3rd behind Buck Baker, passed Buck going down the back stretch and led most all the race until a right front wheel bearing failed., I'm thinking Larry still finished in top five. If any one knows about this race please contact me. This race was a Mod Sportsman race, oh yes Buck Baker won the race. This was the first race for this track after it was finished. I'm thinking 1959 early to mid season.Way to go Larry,

God Speed Larry Frank

i've made a club for GOD REST HIS SOUL

I never knew Larry Frank but sent him a photo to sign, which he did and sent back promptly which I became a Larry Frank fan immediately afterward. Larry will be missed and my thoughts and prayers go out to Margaret Frank and family.

We lost another member of our family.We will miss Larry.

i meet larry at charlotte the winston in 90s my prayer are to his family and jerry like tribute thaks

Semper Fidelis Larry! (Always faithful)