Sonny Easley
Encyclopedia
Lynwood Lacey "Sonny" Easley (June 5, 1939 - January 15, 1978) was an American
racecar driver who is best known for competing in the NASCAR
Winston West Series and a handful of Winston Cup Series events.
Easley tallied nine Winston West victories over his career, including a victory in the first stock car race ever held at the Laguna Seca Raceway
road course. He finished 2nd in Winston West points on two different occasions, in 1973 and 1975.
In 19 career Cup starts, Easley had a best finish of 5th place at the January 16, 1977 Winston Western 500
at Riverside International Raceway
.
During practice for a NASCAR modified sportsman race at Riverside on January 15, 1978, Easley was killed when his 1968 Camaro slid across the track into a trailer and pickup truck near pit road. A pit crew member for Tiny Keith, Douglas Grunst, was also killed in the incident.
Easley was a 2003 inductee into the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
racecar driver who is best known for competing in 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...
Winston West Series and a handful of Winston Cup Series events.
Easley tallied nine Winston West victories over his career, including a victory in the first stock car race ever held at the Laguna Seca Raceway
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is a paved road racing track used for both auto racing and motorcycle racing, originally constructed in 1957 near both Salinas and Monterey, California, USA....
road course. He finished 2nd in Winston West points on two different occasions, in 1973 and 1975.
In 19 career Cup starts, Easley had a best finish of 5th place at the January 16, 1977 Winston Western 500
Winston Western 500
The Winston Western 500 was an annual NASCAR Winston Cup race held at Riverside International Raceway in Riverside, California, USA, in January, and then in later years, November. From 1963 to 1981, the race was held in January and was the season opening race...
at Riverside International Raceway
Riverside 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...
.
During practice for a NASCAR modified sportsman race at Riverside on January 15, 1978, Easley was killed when his 1968 Camaro slid across the track into a trailer and pickup truck near pit road. A pit crew member for Tiny Keith, Douglas Grunst, was also killed in the incident.
Easley was a 2003 inductee into the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame
West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame
The West Coast Stock Car Hall Of Fame is a Hall of Fame for people associated with late-model stock car racing on the West Coast of the United States. Many NASCAR Grand National Division, West Series champions are inducted in the Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is located at Toyota Speedway at...
.