Parade of Champions III

[ricklou]

He survived Polio as a young boy during the Great Depression and started driving before the age of 10. Rex White conquered his fears and with a withered leg drove to the Grand National Championship in 1960.



White was one of Chevrolet's original team of factory drivers and he gave the Bowtie Brigade something to cheer about. From 1959 to 1963 Rex White won 28 times, more than anyother driver.



The Gentleman Ned Jarrett's warm personality was endearing to fans and drivers alike.



Ned's competition was not thinking about how nice he was, but rather why they were getting beat by him. Jarrett rolled to the Nascar Championship in 1961 and 1965 and also has the largest margin of victory in a Grand National race winning the 1965 Southern 500 by 14 laps.



The Clown Prince of Racing, Little Joe Weatherly was no clown behind the wheel winning the Grand National Title in 1962 and 1963.



With a suspicious and unknown past this Bad Boy found a home with Nascar's family. Amazingly Joe Weatherly drove five different makes of automobile during his championship run in 1963.

[twiss43]

I just love the driver suits....LOL

[songsmith1950]

This is great! I think the history threads are one of my very favorite parts of this board.

[ricklou]

You know what is up with me. This series came to mind because of the upcoming Hall of Fame announcements.

I have thought about what was better, then or now. Do I like the old stuff because of my age ? Do the younger fans think todays deal is cool ?

I asked my wife recently if she thinks that the newer music is as good as the older stuff. She said that the older music is better. I agree in that the freedom of expression allowed by record companies years ago resulted in some great recordings. There is no comparision no matter your age.

It is the same with racing, nothing against with what is happening now but there is no comparison. There are no rivalries to speak of, there is no romance of the sport. The cars are all alike. It aint happenin.

There is no way that what is going on right now compares to years ago. Something is missing and that is the freedom of expression. The restrictions and expectatations of today's Nascar has sapped all of the excitement away.

[revilo]

Rick, you speak for all, or most, of us on this forum. Racing used to have a personality that appealed to the "common people". It was a bunch of good old boys racing cars that people could identify with. The racing was by the seat of your pants, providing excitement. Those drivers who rose to the top had personalities. They knew where their bread was buttered, and treated their fans with respect. I miss all of that. There are very few who "get it" today.

[songsmith1950]

It is like racing has become generic and the strengths of the individuals is lost to the common rigid blending that is dictated.
I agree with all of those premises.
Someday, after they have learned that yes we want the races earlier and that it is us and those like us that built the sport perhaps they will listen even more and give us more of our "stock" cars back instead of the sheetmetal and decals of the current mix.

[maj45]

Love the history! Thanks for the research.