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NASCAR Racing Legends – Joe Weatherly

Joseph Herbert Weatherly, also known as “Little Joe,” was one of NASCAR’s earliest stars. His career spanned from 1952 to 1964 and during that time he entered 230 events. He scored 19 pole positions and 25 wins. However, Weatherly’s interest in racing did not begin with stock cars. As early as high school, he developed an interest in motorcycles and went on to win three American Motorcycle Association championships.

In 1950, Weatherly began racing stock cars and won the first modified event he entered. Little Joe had served some time in the US armed forces in World War II and was injured when a German sniper’s bullet hit him in the face, leaving him with some nasty-looking scars and the loss of two teeth. But Little Joe had an ever-fun-loving sense of humor. He didn’t let his appearance get him down. He became known as “The Clown Prince of Auto Racing”.

Weatherly loved to be mischievous and was known for his rowdy behavior. He was a prankster on and off the track. He loved to wear wild clothes and party late into the night. He once drove his practice stint wearing a Peter Pan suit. Little Joe may be remembered as a prankster and fun-loving clown, but he was a force to be reckoned with on the race track.

In 1962 and 1963, he won back-to-back championships for Bud Moore Engineering. In ’63, Bud Moore’s team didn’t have the resources to finish the season, so Little Joe “got discouraged” when he rode in other teams’ cars. He found a way to hang on to the championship. The 1961 Firecracker 250 is a great example of Little Joe’s inventiveness. During the race, his Pontiac began to slow down. He refused to enter the garage and lose his place in the race. Instead, he squirmed in his seat, gripping the gear lever with his right leg and using his left foot to actuate the accelerator and brake pedals. He finished sixth that day. Joe Weatherly was definitely the driver to beat in the 1960s.

He died on January 19, 1964 when his car crashed into a retaining wall. It was the fifth race of the season at Riverside International Raceway and, as a final joke, it has “Riverside Raceway” on its tombstone.

Birth: May 29, 1922

Place of birth: Norfolk, Virginia

Died: January 19, 1964 (age 41)

Cause of death: racing accident

Awards: Named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers

1961 NASCAR Most Popular Driver Award

192 Grand National Champion

1963 Grand National Champion

1952 and 1953 NASCAR Modified National Champion

3 American Motorcycle Association championships

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Statistics

230 races in 12 years.

Best Cup Position: 1st – 1962, 1963 (Grand National)

First race: 1952 Southern 500 (Darlington)

Last race: 1964 Motor Trend 500 (Riverside)

First win: 1958 Nashville 200

Last win: 1963 Hillsboro

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