Replies

Jeeze, I’m getting bummed out catching up on the News here. I’ll get on updates in the AM. Must get some sleep now.
*************************************************

Sad News - Patricia Petty: Patricia Petty, wife of Maurice Petty and sister-in-law to Richard Petty, passed away Sunday, May 11. Richard Petty offered the following statement: “We all love Patricia. She was another cornerstone in the Petty family and was always there for Maurice and allowed us to do what we loved to do. She was just another special part of the family. We’ll miss her and give our love and support to Maurice and his family at this time.”(Richard Petty Motorsport)(5-12-2014)

Sad News - Wilbur Rakestraw: In the early years of stock car racing, Wilbur Rakestraw of Paulding County (GA) was one of the stars of Atlanta-area tracks such as Lakewood Speedway and the Dallas Speed Bowl. He also was well-known on the NASCAR circuit now known as Sprint Cup and on NASCAR’s old Convertible Series. Rakestraw, who died Wednesday at age 85 of congestive heart failure, was among the drivers who made the transition from the old beach course at Daytona to the 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway. He ran the first three Daytona 500s as well as the first race at the track now known at Atlanta Motor Speedway, finishing 11th. Rakestraw ran 30 points-paying races in the Cup Series and 11 in Convertibles. But his best performance came in a non-points event at Daytona International Speedway in 1961 in which he finished second to Junior Johnson and just ahead of Fred Lorenzen (Atlanta Journal Constitution), service info coming at ClarkFuneralHome.comno info on services yet.(5-9-2014)

Sad News - Norman Toshio Koshimizu: Norman Toshio Koshimizu [longtime Robert Yates Racing gasman of the #28/#38 car], 69, of Mooresville, NC., died May 7, 2014 at CMC Main. Arrangements are incomplete.(James Funeral Home), no full obituary or details on services yet.(5-8-2014)