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NASCAR Car Owner Junie Donlavey, 90, Remembered For Lasting Legacy
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Former NASCAR car owner Junie Donlavey has died at the age of 90.
Richmond International Raceway spokeswoman Aimee Turner said Donlavey died Monday night.
According to the International Motorsports Hall of Fame website, the Richmond, Virginia, native fielded his No. 90 cars for drivers including Joe Weatherly, Tiny Lund and Dick Brooks.
Bill Dennis, Jody Ridley and Ken Schrader won NASCAR Cup series rookie of the year honors for Donlavey. Ridley recorded Donlavey's only Cup win in a 1981 race in Dover, Delaware.
Sixty different drivers drove for Donlavey before he closed his shop in 2005. He had more than 860 starts as a car owner during his 50-plus years in the sport.
According to a statement by NASCAR, "With Junie Donlavey’s passing this week, NASCAR lost a treasure, a man who personified NASCAR’s proud past. With 863 starts as a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car owner, he won over millions of fans through his 50-plus years in our sport.
"The list of men who drove for him during his career is impressive, including two who won NASCAR Sprint Cup Rookie of the Year honors—Ken Schrader and Jody Ridley," It continued. "Others included Dick Brooks, Ricky Rudd, Dick Trickle and Benny Parsons. All contributed to Junie’s lasting legacy in our sport."
Richmond International Raceway spokeswoman Aimee Turner said Donlavey died Monday night.
According to the International Motorsports Hall of Fame website, the Richmond, Virginia, native fielded his No. 90 cars for drivers including Joe Weatherly, Tiny Lund and Dick Brooks.
Bill Dennis, Jody Ridley and Ken Schrader won NASCAR Cup series rookie of the year honors for Donlavey. Ridley recorded Donlavey's only Cup win in a 1981 race in Dover, Delaware.
Sixty different drivers drove for Donlavey before he closed his shop in 2005. He had more than 860 starts as a car owner during his 50-plus years in the sport.
According to a statement by NASCAR, "With Junie Donlavey’s passing this week, NASCAR lost a treasure, a man who personified NASCAR’s proud past. With 863 starts as a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car owner, he won over millions of fans through his 50-plus years in our sport.
"The list of men who drove for him during his career is impressive, including two who won NASCAR Sprint Cup Rookie of the Year honors—Ken Schrader and Jody Ridley," It continued. "Others included Dick Brooks, Ricky Rudd, Dick Trickle and Benny Parsons. All contributed to Junie’s lasting legacy in our sport."
