Joseph Herbert Weatherly, also known as “Little Joe,” was one of NASCAR’s first stars. His career spanned from 1952 to 1964 and during that time he drove in 230 events. He scored 19 poles and 25 wins. However, Weatherly’s interest in racing did not start with stock cars. As early as high school, he developed an interest in motorcycles, and then went on to win three American Motorcycle Association championships.

In 1950, Weatherly began racing stock cars and won the first modified event in which it participated. Little Joe had served for some time in the United States armed forces in World War II and was injured when a German sniper’s bullet struck him in the face, leaving him with some mean-looking scars and the loss of two teeth. But Little Joe always had a fun-loving sense of good humor. He didn’t let her appearance get him down. He became known as “The Clown Prince of Auto Racing”.

Weatherly loved being mischievous and was known for his outrageous behavior. He was a joker on and off the track. She loved to wear wild clothes and party late into the night. He once drove his practice laps in a Peter Pan suit. Little Joe may be remembered as a fun-loving prankster and clown, but he was a force to be reckoned with on the race track.

In 1962 and 1963, he won consecutive championships for Bud Moore Engineering. In ’63, the Bud Moore team didn’t have the resources to finish the season, so Little Joe “screwed up” trips in other teams’ cars. He found a way to hold onto the championship. The 1961 Firecracker 250 is a great example of Little Joe’s inventiveness. During the race, his Pontiac began to slow down. He refused to enter the garage and lose his place in the race. Instead, he spun around in his seat, keeping the gearshift in gear with his right leg and using his left foot to operate the gas and brake pedals. He finished sixth that day. Joe Weatherly was definitely the driver to beat in the 1960s.

He died on January 19, 1964 when his car hit a retaining wall. It was the fifth race of the season at Riverside International Raceway and, as a final joke, it has “Riverside Raceway” on its gravestone.

Author born: May 29, 1922

Place of birth: Norfolk, Virginia

Death: January 19, 1964 (age 41)

Cause of death: race accident

Awards: Named one of NASCAR’s Top 50 Drivers

1961 NASCAR Most Popular Driver Award

192 Grand National Champion

Grand National Champion 1963

1952 and 1953 NASCAR Modified National Champion

3 American Motorcycle Association championships

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Statistics

230 races contested in 12 years.

Best cup position: 1st – 1962, 1963 (Grand National)

First race: 1952 Southern 500 (Darlington)

Last race: 1964 Motor Trend 500 (Riverside)

First win: 1958 Nashville 200

Last win: 1963 Hillsboro