Aww, Lord, boys. Didn’t think I’d ever see it. So damned happy I’m ‘bout ta get misty.
Norfolk's Joe Weatherly voted into NASCAR Hall
The Virginian-Pilot
© May 21, 2014
Norfolk native Joe Weatherly, who won two championships and a most-popular driver award during his racing career, was among the five members elected today to the next class of NASCAR’s Hall of Fame.
Weatherly, who attended James Madison and Maury high schools, died in a crash at Riverside (Calif.) Speedway in 1964 at age 41.
His first NASCAR win came in 1958, and he won three times in 1960 and nine in 1961, when he finished fourth place in the points championship. His reputation as a practical joker earned him the title of “Clown Prince of Racing.”
He won the Grand National championship – the highest level at the time – in 1962 and 1963, and was leading the championship at the time of his death.
Joining Weatherly in this class for the Hall of Fame were Bill Elliott, Wendell Scott, Rex White and Fred Lorenzen.