March 14, 2009
By Brenda Benedict
I have been learning so much about NASCAR history from those of you who sent in ideas for the NASCAR Hall of Fame nominations. As a modern day fan, I can see that I missed years of racing with some amazing people. I will be featuring some of these people who had a great impact on NASCAR in upcoming weeks. But this week I wanted to highlight an event that is coming up this Saturday, March 14 in Mooresville, North Carolina.
Legends Helping Legends is being held at Memory Lane Motorsports and Automotive Museum in Mooresville, North Carolina on Saturday, March 14 from 10 AM to 4 PM. If any of you are in the area, it would be worth your time to visit.
This fundraiser is in its third year. The purpose is to raise money for those NASCAR pioneers who are struggling with medical expenses because they are without retirement or benefits from NASCAR. However, it is also a great way for today’s fans to connect with heroes from days past.
This year’s honoree is Jake Elder who is now bed ridden at the Autumn Care Assisted Living Center in Statesville, N.C.
"Suitcase" Jake Elder, a legendary crew chief during the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s, worked with some of the sport's greatest teams and drivers. His teams earned three championships in his career, two with David Pearson and his final with Dale Earnhardt in 1980, Elder set the bar high for his fellow competitors and those that followed in his footsteps.
Jake Elder epitomizes the early years of NASCAR when individuals wore many different hats and also offered their expertise to many within the NASCAR family. The nickname “Suitcase” came because Elder never stayed with one team very long.
Elder’s talent is legendary in the NASCAR community. Steve Waid from SceneDaily.com stated, “Perhaps there was not a more truly gifted shade tree mechanic in stock-car racing, one who succeeded without formal education.”
Rusty Wallace remembered his work with Elder early in Wallace’s career. “Jake was old-old school. He worked for so many teams. But he was the guy you would call when you needed some help. If your old car wasn't running right, and you were confused, you'd want to call Jake and say, ‘Hey, can you come bail me out?' And he could help you fix it. I called him once, when my car wasn't running right, and asked, ‘Jake, can you come over and crew chief this car for me?' And he said, ‘All right, just one race.' And he came over with his tool box -- which was filled with so much doggone prehistoric stuff that it was unreal. He had the string out, and the levels, and said, ‘You do this and this.…' And I took it to Charlotte and had my best run ever."
Legends Helping Legends costs $10 and all proceeds go to Elder. The admission will include a Tour of the Museum which houses well over 150 vintage vehicles including all forms of race cars and a chance to visit with dozens of drivers, crew chiefs, and mechanics from racing’s past and present who will be participating. Events such 50/50 Raffle, drawings for door prizes, a vintage car show (Weather permitting) and will take place throughout the day.
Jayski.com lists the following personalities who are scheduled to appear at the Legends Helping Legends event. Many of these names have also appeared on your lists of nominations for the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Those appearing include Bobby Allison, Mike Beam, Tim Brewer, Richard Brickhouse, Travis Carter, Neil "Soapy" Castles, Frances Flock (Tim Flock's wife), Joe Frasson, Jeff Hammond, Jimmy Hensley, Gene Hobby, Harry Lee Hyde, Ned Jarrett, Brownie King, Lou Laruso, Paul Lewis, Boscoe Lowe, Butch Mock, Mitzie Moody (Ralph Moody's wife), Lil' Bud Moore, Jerry Nadeau, L.D. Ottinger, Charles "Slick" Owens, "Tiger" Tom Pistone, Gary Potter, Baxter Price, Dub Simpson, Ken Ragen, Dr. Don Tarr, Jabe Thomas, Ronnie Thomas, Hank Thurman, "Peanut" Thurman, Don Tilley, Travis Tiller, Bunny Turner (Curtis Turner's Wife), Jim Vandiver, "Balckie" Wagerin, Rex White, Dink Widenhouse,
For more information and directions check out Memory Lane’s web site. ...memorylaneautomuseum.com.
If any of you had experience with some of the early pioneers of NASCAR, I would love to hear from you. I wasn’t around NASCAR in the early years, and I love what I am reading about the early days. Who was a great influence in the 50’s and 60’s? The ‘youngsters’ of the sport need to hear about the men and women who went before them and paved the way for what NASCAR is today.
The thoughts and ideas expressed by this writer or any other writer on Insider Racing News, are not necessarily the views of the staff and/or management of IRN.
