Joe Weatherly
Encyclopedia
Joseph "Joe" Weatherly was a two-time NASCAR
championship driver. Weatherly was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America
in 2009 after winning NASCAR's Grand National (now Sprint Cup Series) championships in 1962 and 1963, three A.M.A. Grand National Championship
s, and two NASCAR Modified championships.
http://www.yourfunshop.com/home/archive3/index3.html. This behavior earned him the nickname "The Clown Prince of Racing". In 1956 at Raleigh
, while racing in the convertible series, Weatherly's engine blew. With the help of Ralph Liguori
pushing from behind, he displayed showmanship to the fullest extent by crossing the finish line while standing in a 'chariot of fire'.
in 1948. In 1998 he was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame
.
event that he entered. He won 49 of the 83 car races that he entered that season. In 1952 he won the NASCAR
Modified
National crown, and he again won 49 of 83 car races that he entered. Weatherly won 52 more races in 1953, and won the Modified National crown again.
Weatherly had partial interest in what would later be called Richmond International Raceway
from 1955 to 1956.
In 1956 he moved into the NASCAR Grand National series (now Sprint Cup.) He drove a factory-sponsored Ford car for Pete DePaolo
Engineering.
In 1957 and 1958 he drove for Holman-Moody.
Weatherly won NASCAR's Most Popular Driver Award
in 1961.
He won two consecutive championships in 1962 and 1963 for Bud Moore Engineering
. Moore did not have enough resources to run the full season, so Weatherly frequently "bummed a ride".
. His head went outside the car and struck a retaining wall, killing him instantly. Weatherly was not wearing a shoulder harness, and did not have a window net installed on his vehicle, because he was afraid of being trapped in a burning car.
He is one of two reigning champions of what is now known as the Sprint Cup to die during a season as the defending champion (1992 Winston Cup champion Alan Kulwicki
, who died in a plane crash during the 1993 season, is the other) and the only one of the two to die during a race.
This tragedy eventually led NASCAR to mandate the window net, seven years later in 1971. Window nets are used in most stockcar racing series to this day.
He is buried in Norfolk, and has (as a final joke) Riverside Raceway on his headstone.
in 1998. He was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America
in 2009.
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...
championship driver. Weatherly was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America
Motorsports Hall of Fame of America
The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America is a Hall of Fame and museum for American motorsports legends. It was originally located in Novi, Michigan and it moved to the Detroit Science Center in 2009.-Museum:...
in 2009 after winning NASCAR's Grand National (now Sprint Cup Series) championships in 1962 and 1963, three A.M.A. Grand National Championship
A.M.A. Grand National Championship
The AMA Grand National Championship is an American motorcycle racing series. The race series, founded and sanctioned by the American Motorcyclist Association in 1954, originally encompassed five distinct forms of competitions including; mile dirt track races, half-mile, short-track, TT...
s, and two NASCAR Modified championships.
Personality
Weatherly enjoyed behaving outrageously. He once took practice laps wearing a Peter Pan suit. Moreover, he frequently stayed out partying until the early hours, usually with fellow driver and good time buddy Curtis TurnerCurtis Turner
Curtis Turner was an early NASCAR driver. In addition to his success in racing, he made a fortune, lost it, and remade it buying and selling timberlands. Throughout his life he developed a reputation for drinking and partying...
http://www.yourfunshop.com/home/archive3/index3.html. This behavior earned him the nickname "The Clown Prince of Racing". In 1956 at Raleigh
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
, while racing in the convertible series, Weatherly's engine blew. With the help of Ralph Liguori
Ralph Liguori
Ralph Liguori is a former American racing driver from New York City.-Indycar career:He competed in the USAC Championship Car series from 1957 to 1971 making 61 starts. His best finish was 2nd place at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Speedway in 1970. 1966 was his most active year, when he made 7...
pushing from behind, he displayed showmanship to the fullest extent by crossing the finish line while standing in a 'chariot of fire'.
Motorcycle career
He won three American Motorcycle Association (AMA) nationals between 1946 and 1950, including the prestigious Laconia Classic 100 Mile road raceRoad racing
Road racing is a general term for most forms of motor racing held on paved, purpose-built race tracks , as opposed to oval tracks and off-road racing...
in 1948. In 1998 he was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame
Motorcycle Hall of Fame
The Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum is an offshoot of the American Motorcyclist Association that recognizes individuals who have contributed to motorcycle sport, motorcycle construction and motorcycling in general. It displays motorcycles and riding gear and memoribilia. The museum is located in...
.
NASCAR career
Weatherly began racing cars in 1950. "Little Joe" won the first modifiedModified racing
Modified stock car racing, also known as Modified racing or simply Modified, is one of the oldest types of racing in the United States, dating back to the days of the post-World War II coupes. The name for modified racing cars come from the fact that they are not stock but, rather, modified...
event that he entered. He won 49 of the 83 car races that he entered that season. In 1952 he won the NASCAR
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...
Modified
Whelen Modified Tour
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is a stock car racing series owned and operated by NASCAR in the Modified division. The Modified division is NASCAR's oldest division, and its one of two open-wheeled divisions...
National crown, and he again won 49 of 83 car races that he entered. Weatherly won 52 more races in 1953, and won the Modified National crown again.
Weatherly had partial interest in what would later be called Richmond International Raceway
Richmond International Raceway
Richmond International Raceway is a 3/4-mile , D-shaped, asphalt race track located just outside Richmond, Virginia in Henrico County. It hosts the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series...
from 1955 to 1956.
In 1956 he moved into the NASCAR Grand National series (now Sprint Cup.) He drove a factory-sponsored Ford car for Pete DePaolo
Pete DePaolo
Pete DePaolo was an American race car driver. He won the 1925 Indianapolis 500.-Racing career:...
Engineering.
In 1957 and 1958 he drove for Holman-Moody.
Weatherly won NASCAR's Most Popular Driver Award
NASCAR's Most Popular Driver Award
NASCAR's Most Popular Driver Award is awarded to the fans' favorite NASCAR driver in the Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series, and Camping World Truck Series every year since 1956. It started as a poll of the drivers and then all NASCAR Sprint Cup Series competitors...
in 1961.
He won two consecutive championships in 1962 and 1963 for Bud Moore Engineering
Bud Moore Engineering
Bud Moore Engineering was a championship-winning NASCAR team. It was owned and operated by mechanic Bud Moore and ran out of Spartanburg, South Carolina. While the team was a dominant force in the 60s and 80s, the final years were tumultuous due to lack of sponorship and uncompetitive race cars.-...
. Moore did not have enough resources to run the full season, so Weatherly frequently "bummed a ride".
Death
Weatherly died on January 19, 1964 from head injuries sustained in a racing accident at the fifth race of the 1964 season at Riverside International RacewayRiverside International Raceway
Riverside International Raceway was a race track or road course in Riverside, California. The track was in operation from September 22, 1957, to July 2, 1989...
. His head went outside the car and struck a retaining wall, killing him instantly. Weatherly was not wearing a shoulder harness, and did not have a window net installed on his vehicle, because he was afraid of being trapped in a burning car.
He is one of two reigning champions of what is now known as the Sprint Cup to die during a season as the defending champion (1992 Winston Cup champion Alan Kulwicki
Alan Kulwicki
Alan Dennis Kulwicki , nicknamed "Special K" and the "Polish Prince", was an American NASCAR Winston Cup Series racecar driver. He started racing at local short tracks in Wisconsin before moving up to regional stock car touring series...
, who died in a plane crash during the 1993 season, is the other) and the only one of the two to die during a race.
This tragedy eventually led NASCAR to mandate the window net, seven years later in 1971. Window nets are used in most stockcar racing series to this day.
He is buried in Norfolk, and has (as a final joke) Riverside Raceway on his headstone.
Awards
He was named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest DriversNASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers
NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers is a list of NASCAR drivers.In 1998, as part of its 50th anniversary celebration, NASCAR gathered a panel to select "The 50 Greatest NASCAR Drivers of All Time." It was inspired in part by the NBA's decision to select the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History on its 50th...
in 1998. He was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America
Motorsports Hall of Fame of America
The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America is a Hall of Fame and museum for American motorsports legends. It was originally located in Novi, Michigan and it moved to the Detroit Science Center in 2009.-Museum:...
in 2009.