A number of early stock car drivers learned to handle high speeds while carrying a load of white lightning and, hopefully, winning a hotly pursued chase with a federal revenue officer.
Junior Johnson, who was never run down in a chase by a revenuer, is credited with using a special trick when an officer moved close to the rear of his car.
Running 90 mile an hour or more on the winding roads in the mountains, Johnson would exhibit his mojo: Slamming on the brakes and simultaneously turning the steering wheel, Johnson's car would do a rubber-burning 180-degree turn.
In just seconds the two cars, in opposite directions, were a mile or more apart and the chase was over this night.
Ned Jarrett's entry into auto racing was more conventional. Helping his father at a sawmill plant, Ned decided to build a car for Hickory Speedway. Ned said his Dad didn't object so long as he didn't go racing. Ned found a driver who started the car several weeks.
When the driver didn't show up one Saturday night, Ned took the wheel and drove under an assumed name. He finished second in his first race ever.
He became infected that night with an incurable case of racing fever. He continued to drive the car.
Working at the sawmill one day, Ned's father commented, in effect, “Son, if you are going to continue racing, why don't you use your own name?”
That amounted to permission and the beginning of a career that soon began to show promise, running with more experienced drivers in the track's top division. He won his first track championship in 1955.
Seeing the need to communicate with the public, Ned took Dale Carnegie courses in how to win friends and influence people in business, and how to stand up and make a talk.
Ned was one of the first stock car drivers to connect with the public and was in demand as a public speaker in church groups, schools and civic clubs. This background and rarely turning down a public speaking request likely contributed to becoming widely known as Gentleman Ned Jarrett.
Ned was soon on the road around the country to compete in the National Sportsman Division. He won two of the national titles before joining NASCAR's Grand National circuit.
A winner in 50 races, Ned won Grand National championships in 1961 and 1965, but he wasn't through with racing.
Ned signed on in 1967 as promoter of Hickory Speedway, where his career began. I was active at the speedway, doing news releases and publishing “Race-Scene” weekly on the track.
Ned learned a few days before opening his first season that his chief steward left town unannounced. A steward takes over the track during all races, interpreting rules, monitoring safety concerns and levying fines when necessary.
I agreed to accept Ned’s offer to serve as chief steward. The result: great years.
We worked together for nine years at the Hickory track and about four years at Metrolina in Charlotte.
Our association was a great one. Never once did Ned question any of my decisions - not even when I fined his son Glenn $25 for throwing his helmet at another driver.
Gentleman Ned Jarrett lived up to his public perception.
Online @ hickoryrecord.com: Three-part documentary of Jarrett’s life and career
Inside: Before NASCAR, it was just race what you ‘brung’ to the track.
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