In 1982 I stayed at the same Motel as J.D. for the Pocono race. My girl and I were having breakfast the next morn and started a conversation with him. What a nice guy. I remember his old single car flatbed hauler and thinking that the Sat. night dirt trackers had better equipment. At this point he was never going to win a race and he knew it. He just loved racing. Again, a really nice guy.
I was at the Watkins Glen race when he died...that was a sad day. Ironically, the night before, he won a special race at a short track near the Glen, and they talked about it before the start of the Cup race...
I wish he would've had a chance in a real good car... Independents like JD, Dave Marcis, Elmo Langley and Jimmy Means were the backbone of NASCAR, and the sport has lost something with them gone.
This poor guy...some drivers just have the worst luck...first this..then death. Would have loved to seen him race these days with all the safety features of the sport. RIP
J.D McDuffie was one of the last great independents. Heard stories about how Dale Earnhardt once took a collection in the garage for J.D. because Earnhardt remembered being in that position.
I heard that a fan swiped his fireproof gloves during the playing of the 'Star Spangled Banner' while J.D. was facing the flag, away from his race car. I'm surprised at how many people on youtube are aware of J.D. McDuffie.
Yeah he had forgotten his gloves at the start of the race. Figures the one time you forget something like this happens :-(. I don't remember the exact cause of the accident but I believe the oil cooler got knocked off and the oil spray hit the engine, causing the fire.
I'd love to know why there isn't any film from the races either.
"Hey, we have 100k some odd fans that come to this race... lets televise the qualifying race. Even a tape delay...?"
"Nah, I dont think anyone would care..."
blackjack21211 3 months ago
I'd certainly like to get my hands on that SOB who stole JD's gloves the day before this!
TheMKEWERBY 10 months ago
Do you have Bobby Wawak's career ending crash from this race? Why didn't they televise the 125 qualifiers in 88'?
WreckEmUp1 10 months ago
In 1982 I stayed at the same Motel as J.D. for the Pocono race. My girl and I were having breakfast the next morn and started a conversation with him. What a nice guy. I remember his old single car flatbed hauler and thinking that the Sat. night dirt trackers had better equipment. At this point he was never going to win a race and he knew it. He just loved racing. Again, a really nice guy.
R.I.P.
kpny1961 1 year ago
RIP J.D.
Stinkfist423 3 years ago 3
I was at the Watkins Glen race when he died...that was a sad day. Ironically, the night before, he won a special race at a short track near the Glen, and they talked about it before the start of the Cup race...
I wish he would've had a chance in a real good car... Independents like JD, Dave Marcis, Elmo Langley and Jimmy Means were the backbone of NASCAR, and the sport has lost something with them gone.
BSNFabricating 3 years ago 4
This poor guy...some drivers just have the worst luck...first this..then death. Would have loved to seen him race these days with all the safety features of the sport. RIP
NismoFinder 3 years ago 10
that looks scary.
nascarandamdrag 3 years ago
Listening to his voice he sounds like my Grandfather JD's brother.Ralph and JD you are missed.R.I.P grandpa and JD.
PeteMcduffieJR 3 years ago
RIP JD MCD ...if he never died probabley he could have a few wins under his belt
legonascar88fan 4 years ago 10
Poor JD, that was a scary wreck. And then he dies at Watkins Glen 3 years later, without ever having won. RIP JD, we miss you.
m309m 4 years ago 3
Comment removed
MarilynManson122488 4 years ago
J.D McDuffie was one of the last great independents. Heard stories about how Dale Earnhardt once took a collection in the garage for J.D. because Earnhardt remembered being in that position.
Crisgo3d 4 years ago
Men like McDuffie are the real soul of NASCAR. One single man trying to make it work and someday go out there and win a race.
vidEvWill 2 years ago 2
"...not gonna get me down"......Anyone who was a fan of J.D. can tell you that only death itself got J.D. down.
Galbraith4570 4 years ago 7
I heard that a fan swiped his fireproof gloves during the playing of the 'Star Spangled Banner' while J.D. was facing the flag, away from his race car. I'm surprised at how many people on youtube are aware of J.D. McDuffie.
JCS9193 4 years ago
Yeah he had forgotten his gloves at the start of the race. Figures the one time you forget something like this happens :-(. I don't remember the exact cause of the accident but I believe the oil cooler got knocked off and the oil spray hit the engine, causing the fire.
63besgasman 4 years ago 2
Looks like he wasn't wearing nomex gloves either....
zuel660 4 years ago
sad. 3 years he would die in an awful crash at watkins glen. RIP JD MCDUFFIE
familyguy567 4 years ago
how did the wreck itself happen?
JBOreo 4 years ago
A very interesting clip; I haven't heard too many where J.D. actually speaks.
nadeau1064 4 years ago