New Thread - The Independents

[ancrdave]

This board has REALLY gotten DULL!!! So how about we try something new...
Who are some of your favorite old "independent" drivers from NASCAR? The guys who filled up the fields back in the 50s-80s with very little, if any, chance of winning a race... A top 10 was like heaven to them...

I'll start with one of my all-time favorites: H. B. Bailey of Houston, TX... This guy ran for 27 years in NASCAR Cup racing yet only made 85 starts, no more than 7 in any given year, and only had 5 top ten finishes... He ran Pontiacs back when nobody else did... Also ran some NASCAR Grand American races in a Firebird...

This shot is at Daytona in 1969 with a really cool GTO...

[sprinter15jr]

One that many may not remember..............Dr. Ed Hessert out of Trenton, N.J. ran in the late 60's. My father actually worked on the road with him in 68 and 69. The last name might be familiar due to the USAC midget, sprint car and now ARCA drive Tom Hessert III. Tom is the nephew of Dr. Hessert. As a side note... Dr. Hessert's number was 15, my father used the number 15 as a tribute to him and I now use 15jr in a tribute to both.

[mr south 59]

Dave. Do you have any pics of Jimmy Lee Capps. His sons Lee and Mike build some of the top karting engines in the country and they are stil doing business out of Jacksonville. Would love to see a picture. Thanks

[Gary J]

Dave Marcis. You could walk right in the shop front door as I did in fall 1999. His wife Helen was sitting behind the desk. Talked with Dave and they'd let you look around the small shop at the cars. Back in the 80s though he ran up front quite often, almost always in a car he owned.

[Bigbuck]

One of the last

Dave Marcis. You could walk right in the shop front door as I did in fall 1999. His wife Helen was sitting behind the desk. Talked with Dave and they'd let you look around the small shop at the cars.

I believe Dave Marcus was probably one of the nicest men alive. Theres another one, will someone please help me? Cant remember his name, I don't think he ever made the 500 but tried yr after yr. He said he didn't really care as long as he and his 2-3 man crew could drink some beer and have some fun. He tried until I'd say 4-5 yrs ago. Name is on the tip of my tongue, please help!!

[ModelCarMan]

I've always liked Coo Coo Marlin when I was a kid

[TG03]

Tuna, I believe you are thinking of Delma Cowart. I've heard he said "We never won a race, but we never lost a party."

[Bigbuck]

Right!!

TG you are right!! Thank you. I had forgot that quote! He was a character, never met him but always liked reading about him and crew when they were in Daytona. We need more people in racing like him, its all to "serious", "important" today. JMO Also these old pics, I love em guys. I never knew Daytona EVER was so small. The grandstands, obviously the track is the same.

[BVS40FL]

Alka-seltzer #52

Always rooted for Jimmy Means.
He got a shot at driving a Hendricks car for a one shot deal when Tim Richmond was sick. qualified well and was running in the top 10 til a wreck took him out.

[ancrdave]

A couple of Jimmy Capps

[ancrdave]

Delma Cowart: 1982 and 1997

[ancrdave]

This guy had maybe the shortest-ever NASCAR Cup career.... Art Bennett of Battle Creek, MI brought this 1968 Ford to Daytona to try and qualify for the Daytona 500 in 1970... In his qualifying race he broke a driveshaft on lap one and finished dead last... He never attempted to race NASCAR again... A whole ONE LAP CAREER!!! Nice looking car though!

[jacko241]

I used to do a good bit of business with Jimmy Capps here in Saint Augustine. He drove a car in the late '70s owned by David Sellers, who I know well, from here in Saint Augustine. I think their best finish was 10th at Talledega.

[BigBlock98]

Jimmy is also the step-father of one of the best dirt late model drivers in the country, Earl Pearson Jr.

[mr south 59]

Big Block, You can attest that his sons Mike and Lee are some of the nicest and politest gentlemen in Motorsports. They are great guys.

Dave. Thanks for the GREAT shot of Jimmy. How about another one of my local boys from down here in south florida. Buddy Arrington!!!!!