Friday Hassler
Encyclopedia
Raymond "Friday" Hassler (July 29, 1935 – February 17, 1972) was a NASCAR
Grand National and Winston Cup Series driver.
in his late model
car. In 1970 he drove for James Hanley and finished 20th in points. 1971 was his best season when he drove his own car to 13 top tens and a 16th place points result. Hassler died in a crash during the first Daytona 500 qualifying race
in 1972 at the age of 36 and the peak of his career. The accident happened on Lap 19 and was started when the car of David Ray Boggs cut a tire.
It is said Hassler, an independent driver, helped develop the modern NASCAR race car. Because he was unable to buy the "factory" new equipment as an independent driver, he simply put the improved parts where they would go on the older cars. Thus began the modern race car.
Hassler is prominently featured in the 1975 book The World's Number One, Flat-Out, All-Time Great Stock Car Racing Book
by Jerry Bledsoe
.
Hassler's son Jay recently posted on the McClatchy Newspapers' THATSRACIN.COM "Scuffs" column by Tom Higgins discussing Charlie Glotzbach's win at Bristol Motor Speedway
in the 1971 Volunteer 500. The summer race at Bristol, then run in mid-July, was a 500-lap race run on a hot Sunday afternoon without caution flags. It holds the distinction of being the fastest race at the track in its history to this day. After Hassler's own car dropped out of the race, Hassler replaced Glotzbach for a few stints of the race as a relief driver because of the immense heat and humidity. While it was not an official win, he became one of three drivers to co-drive a winning car in NASCAR's premier series, the third such situation in Bristol Motor Speedway history (Johnny Allen and Jack Smith, 1961, Fred Lorenzen and Ned Jarrett, 1963).
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Grand National and Winston Cup Series driver.
Summary
He made his debut in 1960 but only drove a handful of races per year until 1967 when he drove 21 of the 49 races for Red Sharp and finished 32nd in points. He improved to 27th for Sharp the next year and drove his own car in 1969 to a 28th place finish. He did win the 1969 Snowball DerbySnowball Derby
The Snowball Derby is a 300-lap super late model stock car automobile race held annually at the half-mile Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida. The race has been contested every year since 1968 and is always run on the first weekend in December...
in his late model
Late model
A "late model car" is a car which has been recently designed or manufactured, often the latest model. The term is broadly used in car racing, and often appears in common use, as in "The officer was driving an unmarked, late model sedan."There is no precise...
car. In 1970 he drove for James Hanley and finished 20th in points. 1971 was his best season when he drove his own car to 13 top tens and a 16th place points result. Hassler died in a crash during the first Daytona 500 qualifying race
Gatorade Duel
The Gatorade Duel is NASCAR Sprint Cup Series preliminary event to the Daytona 500 held annually in February at Daytona International Speedway. It consists of two races, and serves as a qualifying race for the Daytona 500...
in 1972 at the age of 36 and the peak of his career. The accident happened on Lap 19 and was started when the car of David Ray Boggs cut a tire.
It is said Hassler, an independent driver, helped develop the modern NASCAR race car. Because he was unable to buy the "factory" new equipment as an independent driver, he simply put the improved parts where they would go on the older cars. Thus began the modern race car.
Hassler is prominently featured in the 1975 book The World's Number One, Flat-Out, All-Time Great Stock Car Racing Book
The World's Number One, Flat-Out, All-Time Great Stock Car Racing Book
The World's Number One, Flat-Out, All-Time Great Stock Car Racing Book is a non-fiction book on early stock car racing written in 1973-1974...
by Jerry Bledsoe
Jerry Bledsoe
Jerry Bledsoe is an American author and journalist known for several true crime titles based on murders in his native state of North Carolina....
.
Hassler's son Jay recently posted on the McClatchy Newspapers' THATSRACIN.COM "Scuffs" column by Tom Higgins discussing Charlie Glotzbach's win at Bristol Motor Speedway
Bristol Motor Speedway
Bristol Motor Speedway, formerly known as Bristol International Raceway and Bristol Raceway is a NASCAR short track venue located in Bristol, Tennessee. Constructed in 1960, it held its first NASCAR race on July 30, 1961...
in the 1971 Volunteer 500. The summer race at Bristol, then run in mid-July, was a 500-lap race run on a hot Sunday afternoon without caution flags. It holds the distinction of being the fastest race at the track in its history to this day. After Hassler's own car dropped out of the race, Hassler replaced Glotzbach for a few stints of the race as a relief driver because of the immense heat and humidity. While it was not an official win, he became one of three drivers to co-drive a winning car in NASCAR's premier series, the third such situation in Bristol Motor Speedway history (Johnny Allen and Jack Smith, 1961, Fred Lorenzen and Ned Jarrett, 1963).