G. C. Spencer

G. C. Spencer (born Grover Clifton Spencer)[1] July 9, 1925 in Owensboro, Kentucky[2] – September 20, 2007 in Johnson City, Tennessee (lived in Jonesborough, Tennessee) was a NASCAR driver who competed in 415 Grand National/Winston Cup (now Sprint Cup Series) races from 1958 to 1977. Despite never winning a race, he had 55 top-5 finishes and 138 top tens, including 7 second-place finishes.

Born in Owensboro, Kentucky,[3] he was a dominant short-track racer in the 1940s and 1950s. He served in World War II with the U.S. Navy.[3]

Spencer drove for his own independent team for most of his career, and was one of the most successful independents of the day. His best season came in 1965, when he finished fourth in points with 14 top-5 finishes and 25 top-10s and his only career pole. Although he drove GM and Chrysler cars for most of his career, he drove Fords in 1965, where he found most of his success.

He sold his team and equipment in 1983,[4] and his #49 became the #4 of Morgan-McClure Motorsports.[3] Spencer acted as the team manager to the team for its first three years.[3]

He died in 2007 at the age of 82.[3]

References

  1. ↑ G.C. Spencer, 20-year NASCAR veteran, dies at 82 - USATODAY.com
  2. ↑ GC Spencer obituary. http://www.heartfeltconnections.net/memberEulogy.cfm?memberid=14734&sqry_rownum=1&CFTOKEN=39227896 .
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Bobo, Jeff. Kingsport Times News. "NASCAR pioneer G.C. Spencer dead at 82". 20 September 2007. http://www.timesnews.net/article.php?id=9003095
  4. ↑ Birchfield, Jeff. Johnson City Press. "Early NASCAR racer, who started 415 Cup events, Spencer dies". http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/Detail.php?Cat=SPORTS&ID=60267

External links


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