Todays entry is provide by Jeremy Sellers. He talks about his personal experience with Rex White , one of NASCARs fifty greatest drivers. Jeremy is the owner of Jerms Joint and here is the story of how Mr. Rex Whites autograph came to Sellers own Wall of Fame:
Ive made it my own personal goal to make sure that the last surviving legends of NASCAR dont simply fade into the sunset. Since my interest in the sports history, Ive discovered there are some true gems still among us that find it flattering that they havent been forgotten. As this article will not be as long as I usually submit to you folks, it is without a doubt another humble installment of my growing collection of autographs AND my growing admiration for these old motorheads.
Any of you can go to Jayski.com and print off the list of NASCARs 50 greatest drivers. I would highly recommend that you all at least look at it, study it, and take into realization that every driver on that list made the sport what it has become today. Me? I printed this list off, had it laminated, and is on display in my bar for all to relish. It was after this I decided to web search many of the ones still surviving. I yearned to research their statistics, what they are doing now, and even see about obtaining merchandise they might have. You would all be surprised to know how many appearances they make, race teams they run for their family members on the local, or even ARCA circuit, and the fact that they love to know we still remember them.
I came across the simple site for Rex White . Now most of you probably dont remotely recognize the name of this 1960 NASCAR champion, and thats okay I reckon. However, reading his stats from his web page made me salivate with interest. Within one year, he entered 233 races, posted 28 career victories in five years (the most of any driver ever in that time span), and 36 poles. Thats just the tip of the iceberg. For the entire scoop, check out www.rexwhiteracing.com .
To the point, the only contact is through his biographer Anne B. Jones Ph.D. Firing off an email, I anxiously awaited her reply only to get a brief email stating she was out of town and would address my request for autograph when she returned. I always explain our profession, our little bar, and how much we would love to have a legends signature to add. Weeks passed without a word before I again, submitted another email, and she sent me Mr. Whites personal post office box address down in Georgia. Without hesitation, I typed up a nice letter, offering to pay for postage, etc, if he could just give me the information, and how flattering it would be to be able to add him to our Wall of Fame.
Two weeks had come and gone when a large envelope arrived for me. There was no letter of explanation inside, no order form, no request for payment. However, there was an 8 1/2 x 11 of Rex back in the day standing next to his Gold Thunder #4 with To the Guys at Jerms Joint, Rex White signed at the bottom. What a treat, I thought to myself, only to find out that wasnt all. Tucked under this photograph were two postcard sized snap shots of Rex which he had signed for us as well. This fact continues to prove that the legends of NASCAR take
- March 2, 2010 at 5:04 pm
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First of all, I find it strange to be on this site, since Ive never been a race fan, well, I actually enjoyed drag-racing during the 60s, but was never a fan of the oval tracks. About 6 years ago I moved to Fayetteville, GA, and shortly afterwards, I met Rex. We both live in a retirment community, and are just a few houses from each other. When I first met Rex, I had no idea he was a former driver, and could actually have cared less. Even though hes about the age of my mother, we started talking and started becoming friends. Then I started finding out about his racing days. It was all very intriguing to me, and Ive just recently found out about this article and others on the internet and intend to do more research on him. As Ive grown to know Rex, Ive realized that hes not only a champion of drivers, but most importantly, he is a champion of men.
Even though Rex is still fairly busy doing interviews, speaking engagements, autograph signings, etc., hes still never too busy to help his friends. Ive know a couple of Rexs friends that were in bad health, and if they needed something, Rex was always there. It might be just someone to pick up a prescription at the pharmacy, pick up some groceries, take them to the doctor , or whatever, he would always make time to do it. One of our neighbors is disabled and on a very limited income, if Rex is mowing his yard and looks over and sees that her yard also needs mowing, he just rides over there on his mower, cuts her grass, and doesnt expect anything in return. Hes also helped me on more than one occasion when I was in need
But he doesnt wait on someone to call him in need, hell just stop by, visit for a while, just to check on his friends, and he actually came over and spent about an hour with me earlier this evening. I always enjoy spending time with him, and always feel very refreshed after our visits.
Many of you only know Rex as a racing hero , but I know him as a man, and as a friend, and believe me, hes one of the greatest heros Ive ever know. Im just very thankful that Ive had the opportunity to get to know him and become one of his friends, hope that Im able to enjoy that friendship for many years to come, and I hope many of you get that opportunity.
I just wanted to share a little different perspect of Rex with all of you that admire him. One thing Anne, if you read this, he also loves vine ripe tomatoes, and okra, and if its young and tender, he loves to eat it raw. Hes the only person Ive ever know that liked raw okra.
the time for the fans, when fans take the time to remember them. Only then did my buddy Michael hold the signed pictures along side the envelope and it was easy to ascertain that Mr. White even addressed THIS himself, too!
Rex White is almost 79 years old and still remains extremely active. I strongly encourage all of you to at least drop by his website, for me, I plan on purchasing a copy of Gold Thunder, which is his biography written by Anne B. Jones. Theres a wealth of NASCAR history out there folks, bathe in it while you still can!
I was SO happy to find this site, and read so many great comments about Mr.Rex White. My Dad andI met him at the Darlington Historic Race Festival, Labor Day weekend 2008. My Dad was a huge fan of Mr.Whites. I begged my Dad to go with me, and yall will never know how very Thankful to God I am that my Daddy agreed to go.. he passed away very unexpectedly Oct.24, 2008. Less than 2 months later.
Heres our storyafter the Q&A session on that Saturday, my Dad and I went up to the front stage, where Mr.White had been seated. I walked up to the side of the stage to speak to Mr.White. My Dad was several feet back from me (he had a knee replacement 3 months prior to that it was hard for him to get around.) I asked Mr.White if he would speak to and take a picture with my Dad, to which my Dad replied i cant get up on that stage. In a matter of seconds, Mr.White was down off the stage, standing beside my Dad. Yall my Dad cherished that moment, and so do I. I enlarged that picture and put it in a frame at eye-level in front of my Dads favorite recliner, so he could see it every day. He told me so many times how much he enjoyed our trip there, and how happy he was to get to actually meet Mr.White. I think these short messages are from the heart,not an autographing hound.------------------------------------------------------------GREAT Memories
updated by @johnny-mallonee: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM
