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  • Hot 20 – The Fathers who have produced NASCAR’s greatest sons (and daughter…and monkey)

    Hot 20 – The Fathers who have produced NASCAR’s greatest sons (and daughter…and monkey)

    Father’s Day is one NASCAR takes off to allow the boys to spend time with their families, their children and with their own fathers. We hear a lot about the racers, but for many of them, it all began with a father supporting a son or daughter get started in a sport that has its risks and produces many thrills and spills.

    Some produce champions, winners, and some produce more than one who has competed at NASCAR’s highest levels. Here, then, is our Hot 20 look at some of those who have produced many of the names who have ran the race tracks over the years for our entertainment.

    1. LEE ARNOLD PETTY, Father of Maurice and Richard Petty
    The father of the best and his engine building brother is himself one of the best. His boys combined for 1,210 starts that resulted in 200 wins and seven championships. Don’t forget those 733 Top Tens, with Maurice picking up 16 of them in his 26 starts. All three are Hall of Famers.

    2. LEROY WALTRIP, Father of Darrell and Michael Waltrip
    Only the Labonte boys have put in more time on the track, with 1,503 races. While Darrell’s three championships and 84 victories helped put Owensboro, Kentucky on the map, Leroy’s little big son’s two Daytona 500 victories (to Darrell’s one) certainly contributed.

    3. WILLIAM GRINNELL GORDON and JOHN BICKFORD, Fathers of Jeff Gordon
    A man with two dads. Jeff was just six months old when his parents divorced, as it was his step-father who raised him. Four NASCAR championships and 93 victories later the son already has his ticket in hand for the Hall of Fame.

    4. BOB LABONTE, Father of Bobby and Terry Labonte
    A team owner, Bob helped give his younger son his start on both the senior and junior circuits. His boys combined for 1,619 races, winning 43 of them, three championships and 564 Top Tens. The Texas lads combined for three Southern 500 wins. One is in the Hall of Fame, one will be.

    5. TOM BUSCH, Father of Kurt and Kyle Busch
    One son has had a terrific career, the other an even better one. Tom’s boys each have their own NASCAR championship, combined for 76 wins, and 518 Top Tens. Dad has got to celebrate at Daytona, Darlington, Charlotte, Indianapolis and, twice, he will celebrate at the Hall of Fame.

    6. EDMUND ALLISON, Father of Bobby and Donnie Allison
    No Edmund, no Alabama Gang. Without him, Cale Yarborough would have had nobody to fight with after the 1979 Daytona 500 and history might have been different. Bobby is a true legend of the sport while Donnie’s 10 wins include a Firecracker 400 triumph. Edmund did good.

    7. RALPH LEE EARNHARDT, Father of Dale Earnhardt
    The father of the Intimidator ran 51 Cup races himself running part-time in the 1950s and 60s. Ralph set the foundation for a son who won seven championships, with 76 victories and established a legacy that burned bright right through to last season with his grandson.

    8. LENNIE H. PEARSON, Father of David Pearson
    If Lennie only had taught his boy to stick to one thing and one thing only, they might have been on top of this list. David only ran four full NASCAR seasons, winning the title in three of them. In just 574 events, Lennie’s lad was the winner on 105 occasions.

    9. GARY ERNEST JOHNSON, Father of Jimmie Johnson
    Gary’s son was racing motorcycles when he was four, and is known for riding bicycles today. Okay, he is probably best known for his seven NASCAR championships, with five coming in a row. Among his 83 career victories, a dozen have been of the iconic variety.

    10. RUSSELL WALLACE SR., Father of Kenny, Mike, and Rusty Wallace
    One son won the title and all 55 of the races, but the younger brothers contributed 541 Cup races of their own to the legacy. About a dozen years ago Arnold, Missouri brought the boys, Russ, and mom June, in for the unveiling of the salutary billboard on the massive campus of Fox High.

    11. JULIAN YARBOROUGH, Father of Cale and J.C. Yarborough
    My favorite driver as a kid, but sadly Julian’s early passing denied him the joy of watching his son claim three championships and 83 races. Younger brother J.C. raced twice in 1969. Cale could have used his assistance when he met up with those Allison boys on the Daytona infield.

    12. JUDSON ELLSWORTH PETTY, Father of Lee Petty
    What Judson started, NASCAR fans have been blessed with ever since. The father of a legend himself, Lee won three championships and 54 events. Judson passed away in 1948, a year before his then 35-year-old son began racing. For late bloomers, you could say the Petty boys did alright.

    13. JULIAN MARTIN, Father of Mark Martin
    Not all have to win a championship to be recognized for their greatness. By the time Julian passed away in 1998, his son was already well on his way to an eventual berth in the Hall of Fame. Forty wins in 882 competitions is a mighty high bar for all who come after.

    14. EZLIE BAKER SR., Father of Buck Baker
    The son of Ezlie was a back-to-back champion in the 1950’s, en route to a 46 win career. In fact, between 1955 and 1958, he was either best or second best. The bloodlines run deep, as even Ezlie’s grandson Buddy raced 700 times and is considered one of the sport’s very best.

    15. JOHN BURTON, Father of Jeff and Ward Burton
    Thanks to John, race fans know there is a place called South Boston, Virginia. His boys competed in a combined 1,070 events, claiming 26 of them. Even their sons are active in the sport. The English born John was a racer himself and an owner on NASCAR’s junior loop.

    16. NELSON STEWART, Father of Tony Stewart
    Three championships, 49 wins in 618 races explains how Tony helped his dad make this list. If you remember how Nelson reacted as Tony fought for his final career win at Sonoma two years ago, you already know all you need to know what the son means to the father.

    17. ELI “JUNIE” BODINE JR., Father of Brett, Geoffrey, and Todd Bodine
    Chemung Speedrome in New York was put together by Junie and his dad back in 1951. That is where his three sons got their start in what has become a 1,296 race long Cup odyssey. That is a lot of dedication to the sport, and Geoffrey’s 1986 Daytona 500 win is just the icing on the cake.

    18. CARL LEE FLOCK, Father of Bob, Ethel, Fonty, and Tim Flock
    Carl Lee passed in 1928, but his is the story of a man and his sons, a daughter, and a monkey. Ethel raced twice in 1949 and Jocko Flocko was the only ape in a winning car in 1953. His antics cost Tim, a two time NASCAR champion, a win two weeks later. So ended the monkey’s career.

    19. ERVING “GEORGE” ELLIOTT JR. – Father of Bill Elliott
    You get the feeling that George could be joined by Bill on some far future edition of this list. Awesome Bill, as you know, was from Dawsonville, Georgia. The soft spoken NASCAR champion won 44 times on the track, and 16 years with the fans as their Most Popular Driver.

    20. HOMER KEITH JARRETT – Father of Ned Jarrett
    Homer begat a two-time NASCAR champion, who begat his own little champ in Dale. Homer put Ned behind the wheel when he was nine on drives to church. When he was 21 he was beginning what became a 50-win, 352 race Cup career. He retired just after his 34th birthday.

    HONORABLE MENTION

    RONALD KENNETH THORNTON- Father of Glen Ronald Thornton
    The only thing close to racing his son ever did was to hit 100 miles per hour on a hilly section between Biggar and Rosetown, Saskatchewan in the 1970s. According to my uncles, the father did a hell of a lot more racing than the son ever did.

    Happy Father’s Day Dad…and to all Dads. Being a husband and a father tops everything we could ever hope to do or have greater meaning. I hope you agree. Enjoy the day off!

  • Scott Lagasse Honored by Boy Scout Partnership

    Scott Lagasse Honored by Boy Scout Partnership

    Photo Credit: TeamSLR Photo
    Photo Credit: TeamSLR Photo

    Scott Lagasse has honed his skills from ARCA racing to the NASCAR Nationwide Series. But he is most proud of his new relationship with the Boy Scouts of America as sponsor and partner.

    “The relationship with them is pretty unique,” Lagasse said. “It started when I did a pine wood derby race and thought that was pretty cool.”

    “We started talking and it ended up at national,” Lagasse continued. “What a great organization.”

    “The Scouts do so many great things for kids, instilling morals and values,” Lagasse said. “It was a strange and unplanned relationship, but really a great one.”

    Lagasse, a Boy Scout himself, has been most enthused about the impact of the partnership that he has experienced first-hand through a variety of Scouting events.

    “We’ve already seen the excitement with the kids,” Lagasse said. “We went to an event at Fort Knox, Kentucky and there were 8,000 kids there that absolutely went crazy and loved the race car.”

    “It’s fun for me because we drove a Scout to school this morning,” Lagasse continued. “We’ve done that a couple times now.”

    “We went through Orlando with a police escort, spinning the rear tires and pulling up to the front of the school with all the kids out front,” Lagasse said. “It was great.”

    “I don’t know if I had more fun, he had more fun or his parents had more fun.”

    Lagasse is not the first driver to have a sponsor partnership with a charitable organization, proudly following in the steps of one of his racing idols, Jeff Gordon, whose sponsor is the AARP Foundation’s Drive to End Hunger.

    So, it may not be coincidence that Gordon’s step-father John Bickford has also been a friend, mentor and advisor to Lagasse throughout the years.

    “Without a doubt you always look up to a driver like Jeff Gordon,” Lagasse said. “Obviously for Mr. Bickford to spend the time with me that he has, I guess I would consider myself a charity case.”

    “I don’t know that it was his idea about the charitable partnership, but he definitely has molded the way that I think and approach the sport,” Lagasse continued. “There’s no doubt that he is the leading person pushing me to do a business plan that makes sense.”

    “In that regard, Mr. Bickford has been a huge ally and asset,” Lagasse said. “You definitely have to respect what he has done for the sport.”

    Lagasse, mirroring the values of the Boy Scouts, also credits his family, particularly his father Scott Lagasse Sr., a racer in his own right, with supporting him in his racing journey.

    “I couldn’t ask for my parents to do anything more for me,” Lagasse said. “They both realize the commitment and how much it takes to be successful.”

    “They were always there to support me and that to me means a lot.”

    In addition to the support of his family, Lagasse is also grateful for the camaraderie, commitment and support of his team. This too mirrors the values of Scouting in creating teamwork and a shared community.

    “I’m really excited about the group of guys that we have, especially my crew chief Brad Parrott,” Lagasse said. “Brad came and crew chiefed an ARCA race for me.”

    “He was a huge help and we led a lot of laps until we ran out of gas,” Lagasse continued. “It was not his doing but I still give him a hard time about it.”

    “That’s obviously a good way to have started the relationship,” Lagasse said. “Since then we have worked together quite a few times.”

    “That’s what motivates me, knowing that we’re all going to battle together,” Lagasse continued. “The most fun will be on race day when we strap in with that group of guys around me and the support of the Scouts.”

    Lagasse is also looking forward to race day right at his home track, having grown up in St. Augustine, Florida and racing as a youngster in the shadows of Daytona International Speedway. And the 31 year old driver, now with his own team, cannot wait to take the track for the DRIVE4COPD 300 Nationwide race behind the wheel of his No. 8 HybridLight/Boy Scouts of America Chevrolet.

    “This is for sure home and I’ve always had dreams of racing here,” Lagasse said. “Our goals are probably in stages.”

    “Number one is to get out of here in one piece,” Lagasse said. “That one, we will accomplish.”

    “Beyond that, we need to have a good partner to have a shot at the win,” Lagasse continued. “That’s how I’m going to approach it.”

    “We’ll do what we need to do early to be there late,” Lagasse said. “We’re a small team and we know we’re up against the big boys.”

    “But we have good people so I don’t see why we can’t run up front.”

    Most of all for Lagasse, the Daytona race is all about being honored to represent the Boy Scouts and get the youth leadership of today interested in racing for the rest of their lives.

    “I would say for me it’s a huge responsibility to partner with the Boy Scouts,” Lagasse said. “That’s how I look at it.”

    “It’s a huge honor that also comes with a huge responsibility,” Lagasse continued. “Our relationship is very young but we’re both committed to the long term.”

    “I’m excited about helping young kids develop on and off the track,” Lagasse said. “For us, it’s a shared responsibility and an honor to be that rallying point for them.”

    “To me, that’s the best part about the Scouts because time and time again, they do the right thing.”

  • Jeff Gordon’s Mother Approaches Darlington Race With Pride

    Jeff Gordon’s Mother Approaches Darlington Race With Pride

    This weekend, prior to the Showtime Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, the time-honored tradition of giving the command to start engines will once again be afforded to the NASCAR moms in honor of Mother’s Day.

    [media-credit name=”sp.ask.com” align=”alignright” width=”106″][/media-credit]Amongst the group again this year will be Carol Bickford, four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon’s mother. And there is just one word that she has to sum up her feelings about her son this Mother’s Day, proud.

    “We always go to Darlington and we do the little Mother’s Day ‘Sons start your engines’ thing,” Bickford said. “Then we get introduced with our sons.”

    “And I get to see some of the other mothers that I’ve met over the years,” Bickford continued. “That’s always nice to catch up. We do it once a year and it’s really fun, as well as a proud moment.”

    For Carol Bickford, being the mother of one of NASCAR’s brightest stars has most certainly had it joys, as well as challenges. But it has been a journey that Bickford will always treasure.

    “It’s been fun,” Bickford said. “It’s been interesting. It’s been filled with a lot of pride and some great moments. Some not so great moments sometimes, but that’s all part of life.”

    “I think that every parent is faced with some big challenges in raising children, period,” Bickford continued philosophically. “It’s one of the greatest challenges that I think a parent can have is raising their children. Your biggest joy is to know that they turn out happy, successful in any direction that they go, and that they turn out to be good people.”

    Bickford and her husband John, who will celebrate their 38th wedding anniversary after Mother’s Day, knew early on that their son Jeff Gordon would have a career in racing.

    “Very early on, we knew that Jeff would be interested in racing,” Bickford said. “John, his step-father, has been a very big part of our lives for a good many years. He saw something in Jeff, the hand eye coordination type thing.”

    “Jeff would play Atari video games and he was riding a two-wheel bike without training wheels at three years old,” Bickford continued. “That takes a lot of coordination.”

    “Then he was racing BMX bikes when he was four years old and then we got into the quarter midget racing when he was four and a half,” Bickford said. “Jeff started going to the driving school at that time too. So, we knew pretty early on.”

    While Bickford and her family did not have a racing connection when she was growing up, Bickford caught the racing bug herself in an unusual way.

    “When I was growing up, my family wasn’t involved in racing but my father used to work for Continental Baking Company and he used to deliver hot dog and hamburger buns to Vallejo Speedway,” Bickford said. “Every Saturday night if they ran out of hot dog and hamburger buns, they always called him and I always wanted to go out there with him. I don’t know what the fascination was but I was probably ten or twelve years old at the time.”

    While Bickford has always loved racing, she never quite felt the urge to get behind the wheel herself.

    “The only thing I’ve ever done is drive a quarter midget with Jeff when we were teaching him how to set up and pass,” Bickford said. “I have no desire to drive but it’s fascinating to watch.”

    Bickford still gets to the track as often as she can and, if she is not there in person, she is glued to her television set watching her son compete.

    “These days, I don’t get to the track nearly as much as I used to a few years ago,” Bickford said. “There are still two race tracks that I’ve never been to, Fontana and Chicago.”

    “But I’ve been to every other race track on the circuit many, many times,” Bickford continued. “I’m able to pick and choose the races and Jeff is understanding about that fact.”

    Gordon’s mom did not miss watching the Crown Royal presents the Matthew and Daniel Hansen 400 this past weekend at Richmond either. Unfortunately, she had to see her son’s good run ruined by a wickedly hard crash into a non-safer barrier wall.

    “He was having a very good night when unfortunately that happened,” Bickford said. “He got out of the car right away and I knew he was OK.”

    “It just comes along with any sport,” Bickford continued. “If you focus on everything that can go wrong, you’ll drive yourself crazy.”

    While she did not get to experience it this weekend, one of her biggest thrills as a mother is being in Victory Lane with her son.

    “It’s wonderful!” Bickford said. “It’s the best feeling there is.”

    “They are very proud moments and very happy moments when you’re fortunate enough to be standing in that position,” Bickford continued. “It’s a great feeling.”

    But there is no better feeling, according to Bickford, than getting that phone call on Mother’s Day from her children.

    “I won’t go into anything else they give me, but the phone call from all my children is the thing that makes me happiest,” Bickford said.

    How will Carol Bickford feel this Mother’s Day when she not only gets those phone calls from her children but also gives the command for her son to start the engine on the No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet?  She sums it up in one word.

    “Proud,” Bickford said simply. “I’m proud not just for what Jeff’s done on the race track or with his career but for what he’s done with his life.”

    “Watching Jeff with his wife and his family and how he’s grown and matured,” Bickford continued. “There is just a very big sense of pride.”