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I lost my pal my buddy Jim Rathman passed away tonight
Current NASCAR
Nov 23, 11:14 PM EST
1960 Indy 500 winner Jim Rathmann dies
MELBOURNE, Fla. (AP) -- Jim Rathmann won seven times on auto racing's biggest stages.
An elusive win at Indianapolis in the historic 1960 race finally turned him into a star.
Son Jimmy Rathmann said in an e-mail message to Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials that his father died Wednesday at a hospice facility in Melbourne, nine days after having a seizure at his home. He was 83.
Rathmann was a regular on the IndyCar circuit from 1949-63, but had to settle for second in 1952, 1957 and 1959 at Indianapolis. Then, in 1960, he finally broke through in one of the greatest two-man battles in 500 history.
Over the final 250 miles, he and defending champion Rodger Ward engaged in a test of wills. They traded the lead 14 times in two hours, rarely running more than a few feet apart while fighting worn tires and guessing at fuel mileage relayed to them only by pit board.
With three laps to go, it looked as if Rathmann would once again finish second as Ward continued to lead the race. But when Ward noticed the discoloration in the center of his right front tire, he had to slow down just to stay in the top two. The relieved Rathmann nursed his car back to the lead, winning the race at a then-record speed of 138.767 mph to avoid the dubious distinction of being the only four-time runner-up in 500 history.
And though Rathman revered Indianapolis, there was more to his career.
Born Royal Richard Rathmann, he borrowed the name Jim from his older brother to race underage in the mid-1940s. The name stuck, and his brother later raced as Dick Rathmann.
In 1948, he moved from California to Chicago where he raced hot rods in Andy Granatelli's Chicago-based Hurricane Hot Rod Association.
One year later, he was driving IndyCars and over the next decade, Rathmann became a household name in racing circles. He started twice in Italy's "Race of Two Worlds," winning the title in 1958, and raced three times on the NASCAR circuit from 1949-51. He won the 100-mile USAC national championship race in 35 minutes at a brand-new Daytona International Speedway, and he drove the famed Granatelli brothers' car in 1952.
In 1993, he was inducted into the Auto Racing Hall of Fame, and he was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2007.
But it was the Indy win that vaulted Rathmann into the national spotlight.
He became close friends with the early astronauts and even convinced one of them to place his car dealership decal on a cart that was driven on the moon. Rathmann also became part of the GCR Corporation team that raced in the USAC Series in 1966 and 1967. The "G" represented Gus Grissom, the "C" represented Gordon Cooper and the "R" was for Rathmann.
In recent years, though, Rathmann's health problems prevented him from making his annual journey back to Indy, where he often played golf with former competitors such as Ward, Lloyd Ruby and Parnelli Jones and actor James Garner. With Rathmann's death, Jones is now the oldest living winner of the 500.
Rathmann also drove the Indy pace car six times, before making his last Indy appearance in February 2009 at the speedway's Centennial Era Gala.
He is survived by wife Kay, sons Jimmy and Jay, stepsons Zack and Tosh Pence, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
2011 The Associated Press.
I lost my pal my buddy Jim Rathman passed away tonight
Current NASCAR
An iconic name. Condolences to all.
Does anyone remember a Gallo Wine racecar?
Stock Car Racing History
The #22 finished 19th that day in the 1981 Snowball Derby won by Freddy Fryar. Look at the names in results of that event. What a lineup!
1. Freddy Fryar
2. Jerry Lawley
3. Ronnie Sanders
4. Carl Williford
5. Mickey Gibbs
6. Junior Niedecken
7. David Rogers
8. Russell Nelson
9. Red Farmer
10. Alton Jones
11. Jody Ridley
12. Rusty Wallace
13. Darryl Sage
14. Jack Ingran
15. Jerry Sisco
16. Stanley Smith
17. Mark Martin
18. Herman Smith
19. Jackie McGuire
20. Craig Spetman
21. Billy McGinnis
22. Davey Allison
23. J.D. Hughes
24. Boyd Franklin
25. Donnie Bishop
26. Joey Myers
27. Donald Watson
28. Gary Balough
29. Phillip Grissom
30. Lake Speed
31. Mike Alexander
32. Don Smith
33. Ronnie Brodway
34. Bill Elliott
35. Bobby Allison
36. Dalton Corlett
Does anyone remember a Gallo Wine racecar?
Stock Car Racing History
This is the David Allio photo Bill McPeek mentioned above posted at Dave Westerman's Florida Stock Cars site of Jackie McGuire in the #22 Camaro in the 1981 Snowball Derby at Pensacola's Five Flags Speedway:
Does anyone remember a Gallo Wine racecar?
Stock Car Racing History
I found a discussion about Monty Myers of Tallahassee at the racing web site www.realracinusa.com under the topic Long Lost Florida Speedways : Click on postings to enlarge -
Does anyone remember a Gallo Wine racecar?
Stock Car Racing History
I suspected all along that the car was tied to the distributor, just like the cars of C.B. Gwynn. Nice to get updated info from all you folks to answer Tony Newman's original question.
Does anyone remember a Gallo Wine racecar?
Stock Car Racing History
Here's a tongue-in-cheek article that ties right in with the topic:
NASCARbernet Makes Walmart's New Top 10 Wine List
By Mary Jo Buchanan Bleacher ReportWalmart is reportedly launching into another new endeavor, offering an innovative line of low-cost wines to its customers.
The world's most famous discount retail chain is reportedly partnering with Ernest & Julio Gallo Winery to offer a new line of wine, priced in the $2.00 to $5.00 range.
"There is a market for inexpensive wine," said Kathy Micken, Professor of Marketing at the University of Arkansas. "But the right name is important."
Walmart took Professor Micken's advice to heart and conducted customer surveys to determine the best names for their new wine line. The top surveyed names in order of popularity were:
10. Chateau Trailer Parc
9. White Trashfindel
8. Big Red Gulp
7. World Championship Riesling
6. NASCARbernet
5. Chef Boyardeaux
4. Peanut Noir
3. I Can't Believe It's Not Vinegar
2. Grape Expectations
1. Nasti Spumante
Walmart noted that their new wines can be served with either white meatincluding possum or red meat, and especially squirrel. The retailer notes that the new wine line goes exceptionally well with other favorite Walmart customer foods, from venison to cheese doodles.
A spokesman for NASCAR, who preferred to remain anonymous, acknowledged that the sanctioning body was thrilled with the inclusion of NASCARbernet in Walmart's new line of wines.
"We can't wait to introduce this new wine to our stock car racing fans," said the spokesman. "NASCARbernet will undoubtedly be a great addition to our other adult beverages at the track, and may just give Budweiser and Miller Lite a run for their money."
NASCAR confirmed that the new wine would be available for the season's first race at Daytona.
As part of the festivities kicking off the 2010 race season, Jeff Gordon and Richard Childress, both wine aficionados themselves, are scheduled to host a NASCARbernet wine tasting during Speedweeks prior to the Daytona 500.
"Jeff is super excited about being a part of the launch of Walmart's NASCARbernet," said a representative from Hendrick Motor Sports. "Since his wine is so much more expensive, he is glad that those who cannot afford his wine can at least enjoy the Walmart brand."
Richard Childress agreed with Gordon's sentiments, noting that his wine was even more expensive than Gordon's, far outsurpassing the Walmart NASCARbernet.
But as an avid hunter, Childress thought there would especially be a market for Walmart customers who can buy not only their guns and ammo at Walmart but now their libations as well.
After the launch of NASCARbernet in February, Walmart has confirmed that the wine will be available in all of their stores throughout the country the very next week.
Walmart also announced a special promotion to further encourage race fans to sample their new wine line. For every bottle of NASCARbernet purchased, Walmart will throw in a No. 88 Dale Earnhardt, Jr. T-shirt and one AMP Energy Drink.
"Quantities are limited, so we encourage NASCAR fans to come and line up early for this special offer," a Walmart representative said. "Please be reminded that RV's are always welcome in Walmart's parking lots."
For more information about Walmart's new wine line, including NASCARbernet, visit www.walmart.org or www.nascarbernet.edu .
Does anyone remember a Gallo Wine racecar?
Stock Car Racing History
Stumped at this point. Maybe somebody could ask Red.