nascartributes2

Not many new fans have ever heard the name J.D. McDuffie. The fact is that J.D. McDuffie was never a very popular driver. Many people do not realize the success he had in his career. In the 70's J.D. consistantly finishing in the top ten of points. He was one of the top independents of his day. Unfortunately, J.D.'s budget could not keep up with the growing sport. By the late 80s, he was making races and running just for the last place money. J.D. kept it up because he loved racing. J.D.'s silent career ended tragically on August 11, 1991 when he was killed in an accident at Watkins Glen, NY..

Kenny Irwin was another one of the sport's rising stars. He drove in the Truck series in 1997 as a rookie and won several races. Robert Yates gave Kenny the opportunity to drive Winston Cup in 1998. Kenny had a decent rookie year, winning a pole and walking away with the Rookie of the Year title. After a disappointing 1999 season, Kenny and Yates parted ways. Kenny signed to drive with Felix Sabates in 2000. He drove with limited success throught the first half of the year. Unfortunately, Kenny lost his life while practicing at Loudon. This happened just a few months after the loss of Adam Petty at the same part of the track.

The story about Chris Trickle is a sad one. The Trickle family is famous around the world of short track racing. Chris, nephew of racing legend Dick Trickle, was a rising star in the late model ranks. Chris is shown in victory lane in the picture to the left. His future looked very promising. However, Chris's life took a dramatic turn one day as he was driving on the freeway. Chris was shot by an uniknown assailant. He remained in a coma for thirteen months before he passed away in March of 1998.

Clifford Allison is the least known of the "Alabama Gang". The younger brother of Davey and son of Bobby Allison, Clifford was making a name for himself in the NASCAR Busch Series. Driving a Buick bearing the number 12, the same as his father, Clifford drove to several top tens in 1991. Clifford's career and life was tragically cut short while practicing for a Busch Series race at Michigan in 1992. His brother, Davey, lost his life just a year later.

North Carolina's Rodney Orr was headed for NASCAR stardom. He was a hometown favorite, regularly receiving donations from his local fans to help him keep his racing team alive. He and his fans were able to celebrate in 1993, as Rodney won the Goody's Dash Series Championship. Rodney made a deal to run the 1994 Daytona 500. Running on the new Hoosier tires, Rodney showed up for practice. No one could have guessed what would happen. On Valentine's Day, Rodney lost control of his Ford and slammed the outside wall roof first. His death came just three days after Neil Bonnett's fatal accident.

Tony Roper was a rising NASCAR star. He made a break into the sport when he was given the opportunity to drive on the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for Tom Gloy Motorsports. Tony enjoyed limtied success in the series during his time with the team. Tony moved to the Busch Series in 1999 driving the #61 IWX Trucking car and later moving to Washington Erving Racing and the #50 Dr. Pepper cars, which he is pictured in to the left. The team fell apart due to lack of success so Tony returned to the Truck Series. While racing at Texas, Tony was killed when his truck slammed the wall head on in the tri-oval.