Joe Weatherly, 1964, and NASCAR's Not-so-Good “Good Old Days.”

The “Good Old Days” were not really that good. Even those of us who lived through those days must admit, upon further reflection, that the Good Days are today.

I’d like to take this opportunity to give some history, as well as a bit of personal perspective about 1964, the year Joe Weatherly died and beyond.

[Opening photo:  (left to right) The '61 USAC Stock Car Champion Paul Goldsmith,  a teenage Linda Vaughn as Miss Pontiac and Joe Weatherly [who went on to win the '62 NASCAR Championship] are shown during a promotional tour for the record-setting Nichels Engineering prepared Pontiacs. This photo shows the red Catalina hardtop and appears to be taken at Daytona, note the high banks and the distance to the banking.]

Not too long after the death of Joe Weatherly, I was riding with my father when he told me he wanted to stop at a place where I might see something interesting.

We pulled to a stop at a monument company! Displayed in front of the building were examples of the company’s main product: headstones.

When we got inside, Dad asked the man to show me a proposal drawing for a headstone.

The proposed headstone was for Joe Weatherly. While the actual finished design of the marker differs from my memory of the drawing, the designs’ distinctive features are intact.

The marker is in the shape of Riverside International Raceway, as it was used for the NASCAR races.

(The cars followed the track going through the “esses,” then taking the right-hand Turn Seven then going straight to the right-hand Turn Twelve, for a 2.62-mile, nine-turn lap.)

The point where Weatherly’s car impacted the wall (Turn Five) being marked on the headstone by crossed checkered flags.

Perhaps such an unusual headstone is appropriate for a man who was called “The Clown Prince of Racing.”

During the Grand National race on January 19, 1964 at Riverside Speedway in California, Joe Weatherly was involved in a horrific accident. He died as a result of injuries suffered in the accident. He was Grand National Champion for the years 1962 and 1963 and was leading the points for 1964 when the accident occurred. Burial: Forest Lawn Cemetery, Norfolk Virginia, USA.

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