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Mid-South racing legend Clarence "Hooker" Hood, a colorful character who was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 1999, died Christmas Eve. He was 86. Known for calling everyone "Cat," Hood won more than 700 races during a 50-year-plus career. In 1954 and '55, he made five starts in NASCAR Grand National [now Sprint Cup] competition. Upon being inducted into the Sprint Car Hall of Fame, Hood, who routinely gave his trophies away to his younger fans, told an interviewer: "I've had a great life and I wouldn't do anything different except to try and run a little faster and that would be hard to do." The funeral is at 11 am Saturday at Bartlett Baptist Church in Memphis. You can see his full obituary on the Memphis Commercial Appeal website.
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Wow... what a crazy week for short track legends. Hooker Hood, Doug Hoffman, Stan Friesen (former racer & owner of Ransomville Speedway), and Milt Johnson (father of Alan/AJ Slideways, & Danny The Doctor Johnson) have all passed in the last 4 days.
Only got to see Hooker run once, at East Bay in the early 80's, but his son Rickey Hood I've seen MANY times. Probably close to 1000 wins between father & son.
What a tragic December this has been, both in the racing world, and the USA in general. 2013 has GOT to be better........
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