Red Farmer

Last updated
Red Farmer
BornCharles Farmer
(1932-10-15) October 15, 1932 (age 91)
Nashville, Tennessee, United States
Achievements1969, 1970, 1971 NASCAR Late Model Sportsman Division Champion
1956 NASCAR Winston Modified Tour Champion
AwardsNamed one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers (1998)
National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame (2002)
International Motorsports Hall of Fame (2004)
NASCAR Hall of Fame (2022)
Named one of NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers (2023)
NASCAR Cup Series career
36 races run over 13 years
Best finish50th (1968)
First race 1953 untitled race (Daytona Beach)
Last race 1975 Talladega 500 (Talladega)
WinsTop tens Poles
030
NASCAR Xfinity Series career
2 races run over 1 year
Best finish72nd (1992)
First race 1992 Fram Filter 500k (Talladega)
Last race 1992 Kroger 200 (IRP)
WinsTop tens Poles
000
ARCA Menards Series career
34 races run over 21 years
Best finish23rd (1985)
First race 1969 Daytona ARCA 300 (Daytona)
Last race 2004 Southern Illinois 100 (DuQuoin)
First win 1970 Nashville 200 (Nashville)
Last win 1988 ARCA 500K (Talladega)
WinsTop tens Poles
3220
Statistics current as of July 30, 2023.

Charles "Red" Farmer (born October 15, 1932) is an American professional stock car racing and dirt track racing driver. He currently competes part-time in 602 Crate Dirt Late Models in the No. F97 Ford Mustang for his own team. He is a member of the Alabama Gang.

Contents

Racing career

His first race was at Opa-locka Speedway near Miami, Florida in a 1934 Ford in 1948. He became famous as a member of the Alabama Gang and he considered his hometown to be Hueytown, Alabama. Estimates of Farmer's career victories range from 700 to 900 victories, most occurring in the late 1950s and early 60's. He raced 36 NASCAR Cup Series races from 1953 to 1975. He won numerous championships at local tracks. Before racing in the Grand National series, he raced modified stock cars in the northeast. He was one of the first to transition from the modified series to the early Grand National Series. [1] [2] He was the NASCAR National Late Model Sportsman champion (later Xfinity Series) for three consecutive years from 1969 to 1971. Farmer's best finish in NASCAR's top division was fourth at both the 1972 Talladega 500, and the 1968 Middle Georgia 500 near Macon, Georgia. He entered so few Cup races because he was content to run primarily in the Late Model Sportsman Series. He was named NASCAR's most popular driver four times. Farmer raced in the white and gold number 97 car. In the mid-60's, however, Farmer raced a white, gold, and red Ford Fairlane, number F-97.

He was Davey Allison's crew chief in the Busch Series.

Farmer has retained his skills as a driver in spite of his age. He competed in two Busch Grand National races in 1992, and the season opening ARCA event at Daytona in 1993. In June 2005, at age 72, Farmer turned heads in winning a heat over current NASCAR Sprint Cup stars, and finished 8th in the feature during the Sprint Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway, owned by Tony Stewart.

As of 2022, Farmer still regularly competes in a late model at Talladega Short Track, [3] a 1/3 mile oval dirt track in Eastaboga, Alabama located near the Talladega Superspeedway. [4] [5] His grandson, Lee Burdett, also races there. [5]

Farmer's house, race shop, race hauler, and dirt late model were damaged by a tornado on March 25, 2021. [6]

Awards

His accolades are numerous, being a member of five halls of fame. Farmer was named one of the 50 Greatest Drivers in NASCAR history in 1998. He was a member of the first Class of Inductees into the Talladega-Texaco Walk Of Fame. When the International Motorsports Hall of Fame inducted Farmer, they had to waive their rule of 5 years of retirement – they figured he never would retire. Red Farmer was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2022. [7]

Helicopter crash

On July 12, 1993, Farmer was a passenger in a helicopter crash at Talladega Superspeedway that took the life of NASCAR Winston Cup driver Davey Allison, which occurred as Allison was attempting to land the aircraft in a nearby parking lot. The two were en route to the track in order to watch David Bonnett (son of fellow Alabama Gang driver Neil Bonnett) drive in a practice session. [8] Farmer suffered a broken collarbone and fractured ribs in the crash. [9]

Motorsports career results

NASCAR

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Grand National Series

NASCAR Grand National Series results
YearTeamNo.Make1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435363738394041424344454647484950515253545556NGNCPtsRef
1953 Sikes Motors 48 Hudson PBS DAB
45		 HAR NWS CLT RCH CCS LAN CLB HCY MAR PMS RSP LOU FFS LAN TCS WIL MCF PIF MOR ATL RVS LCF DAV HBO AWS PAS HCY DAR CCS LAN BLF WIL NWS MAR ATL 176th13 [10]
1956 J. M. Fitzgibbons C97 Chevy HCY CLT WSS PBS
15		 ASF DAB
36		 PBS
17		 WIL ATL NWS LAN RCH CLB CON GPS HCY HBO MAR LIN CLT POR EUR NYF MER MAS CLT MCF POR AWS RSP PIF CSF CHI CCF MGY OKL ROA OBS SAN NOR PIF MYB POR DAR CSH CLT LAN POR CLB HBO NWP CLT CCF MAR HCY WIL 154th- [11]
1960 Long-Lewis 88 Ford CLT CLB DAY
20		 DAY DAY
56		 CLT NWS PHO CLB MAR HCY WIL BGS GPS AWS DAR PIF HBO RCH HMS CLT BGS DAY HEI MAB MBS ATL BIR NSV AWS PIF CLB SBO BGS DAR HCY CSF GSP HBO MAR NWS CLT RCH ATL 131st120 [12]
1962 Frank Rhoads 23 Ford CON AWS DAY DAY
11		 DAY
40		 CON AWS SVH HBO RCH CLB NWS GPS MBS MAR BGS BRI RCH HCY CON DAR PIF CLT ATL BGS AUG RCH SBO DAY CLB ASH GPS AUG SVH MBS BRI CHT NSV HUN AWS STR BGS PIF VAL DAR HCY RCH DTS AUG MAR NWS CLT ATL 90th360 [13]
1965 26 Ford RSD DAY DAY DAY
36		 PIF AWS RCH HBO ATL GPS NWS MAR CLB BRI DAR LGY BGS HCY CLT CCF ASH HAR NSV BIR ATL GPS MBS VAL DAY ODS OBS ISP GLN BRI NSV CCF AWS SMR PIF AUG CLB DTS BLV BGS DAR HCY LIN ODS RCH MAR NWS CLT HBO CAR DTS 104th208 [14]
1967 Ben Arnold 76 Ford AUG RSD DAY DAY
14		 DAY
42		 AWS BRI GPS BGS ATL CLB HCY NWS MAR SVH RCH DAR BLV LGY CLT ASH MGR SMR BIR CAR GPS MGY DAY TRN OXF FDA ISP BRI SMR NSV ATL BGS CLB SVH DAR HCY RCH BLV HBO MAR NWS 54th2546 [15]
Gray Racing 97 Ford CLT
31		 CAR
11		 AWS
1968 Long-Lewis 97 Ford MGR
4		 MGY
29		 RSD DAY
43		 BRI RCH ATL
30		 HCY GPS CLB NWS MAR AUG AWS DAR BLV LGY CLT ASH MGR SMR BIR CAR GPS DAY ISP OXF FDA TRN BRI SMR NSV ATL
34		 CLB BGS AWS SBO LGY DAR HCY RCH BLV HBO MAR NWS AUG CLT
26		 CAR
31		 JFC 50th407 [16]
1969 Donald Brackins 2 Chevy MGR MGY
20		 RSD DAY DAY DAY CAR AUG BRI ATL CLB HCY GPS RCH NWS MAR AWS DAR BLV LGY CLT MGR SMR MCH KPT GPS NCF DAY DOV TPN TRN BLV BRI NSV SMR ATL MCH SBO BGS AWS DAR HCY RCH TAL CLB MAR NWS CLT SVH AUG CAR JFC MGR TWS 92nd31 [17]
1971 Giachetti Brothers Racing 44 Ford RSD DAY DAY
10		 DAY
32		NA- [18]
46 ONT
40		 RCH CAR HCY BRI ATL CLB GPS SMR NWS MAR DAR SBO TAL ASH KPT CLT DOV MCH RSD HOU GPS DAY BRI AST ISP TRN NSV ATL BGS ONA MCH TAL CLB HCY DAR MAR CLT DOV CAR MGR RCH NWS TWS

Winston Cup Series

NASCAR Winston Cup Series results
YearTeamNo.Make12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031NWCCPtsRef
1972 Long-Lewis 97 Ford RSD DAY
30		 RCH ONT
41		 CAR ATL
31		 BRI DAR NWS MAR TAL
39		 CLT DOV MCH RSD TWS DAY BRI TRN ATL TAL
4		 MCH NSV DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT CAR TWS 63rd749.5 [19]
1973 RSD DAY
32		 RCH CAR BRI ATL NWS DAR MAR TAL
32		 NSV CLT DOV TWS RSD MCH DAY BRI ATL TAL
32		 NSV DAR RCH DOV NWS MAR CLT CAR 72nd- [20]
1974 RSD DAY
DNQ		 RCH CAR BRI ATL DAR NWS MAR TAL
27		 NSV DOV CLT RSD MCH DAY BRI NSV ATL POC TAL
23		 MCH DAR RCH DOV NWS MAR CLT CAR ONT 76th5.22 [21]
1975 RSD DAY
QL†		 RCH CAR BRI ATL NWS DAR MAR TAL
37		 NSV DOV CLT RSD MCH DAY NSV POC TAL
44		 MCH DAR DOV NWS MAR CLT RCH CAR BRI ATL ONT 96th83 [22]
† – Qualified for Bob Burcham
Daytona 500
YearTeamManufacturerStartFinish
1960 Long-Lewis Ford 3956
1962 Frank Rhoads Ford 2340
1965 Ford 4236
1967 Ben Arnold Ford 2842
1968 Long-Lewis Ford 3043
1971 Giachetti Brothers Racing Ford 2232
1972 Long-Lewis Ford 1830
1973 2332
1974 DNQ
1975 QL

Busch Series

NASCAR Busch Series results
YearTeamNo.Make12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031NBSCPtsRef
1992 Allison Racing 28 Ford DAY CAR RCH ATL MAR DAR BRI HCY LAN DUB NZH CLT
DNQ		 DOV ROU MYB GLN VOL NHA TAL
22		 IRP
17		 ROU MCH NHA BRI DAR RCH DOV CLT MAR CAR HCY 72nd209 [23]

ARCA Re/Max Series

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

ARCA Re/Max Series results
YearTeamNo.Make12345678910111213141516171819202122ARMCPtsRef
1985 Corvin Racing97 Chevy ATL DAY
3		 ATL TAL
3		 ATL SSP IRP CSP FRS IRP OEF ISF DSF TOL 59th- [24]
1986 White Racing97 Buick ATL DAY ATL TAL
24		 SIR SSP FRS KIL CSP TAL
23		 BLN ISF DSF TOL MCS ATL 59th- [25]
1987 99 DAY
37		 ATL 49th- [26]
97 TAL
3		 DEL ACS TOL ROC POC FRS KIL TAL
10		 FRS ISF INF DSF SLM ATL
1988 DAY
2		 ATL 54th- [27]
Allison Racing 28 Buick TAL
1*		 FRS PCS ROC POC WIN KIL ACS SLM POC TAL
27		 DEL FRS ISF DSF SLM ATL
1989 DAY
8		 ATL KIL TAL
25		 FRS POC KIL HAG POC TAL
30		 DEL FRS ISF TOL DSF SLM ATL 52nd- [28]
1990 Ragan Racing97 Ford DAY
7		 ATL KIL TAL
DNQ		 FRS POC KIL TOL HAG POC 69th- [29]
74 TAL
4		 MCH ISF TOL DSF WIN DEL ATL
1991 Compton Racing Ford DAY
42		 ATL KIL TAL TOL FRS POC MCH KIL FRS DEL POC TAL HPT MCH ISF TOL DSF TWS ATL 117th- [30]
1992 69 DAY FIF TWS TAL
6		 TOL KIL POC MCH FRS KIL NSH DEL POC HPT FRS ISF TOL DSF TWS SLM ATL 125th- [31]
1993 Allison Racing 97 Ford DAY
28		 FIF TWS TAL KIL CMS FRS TOL POC MCH FRS POC KIL ISF DSF TOL SLM WIN ATL 113th- [32]
2002 ML Motorsports 97 Pontiac DAY ATL NSH SLM KEN CLT KAN POC MCH TOL
34		52nd540 [33]
75 SBO
23		 KEN BLN
32		 POC NSH ISF
32		 WIN DSF
4		 CHI SLM TAL CLT
2004 ML Motorsports 97 Chevy DAY NSH SLM KEN TOL CLT KAN POC MCH SBO BLN KEN GTW POC LER NSH ISF
5		 TOL DSF
10		 CHI SLM TAL 68th400 [34]

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References

  1. ↑ Glory Road Preview: Modified To Cup Racing In NASCAR , retrieved 2020-07-08
  2. ↑ "Early Modified racer of Alabama's Red Farmer | Old race cars, Racing car model, Stock car racing". Pinterest. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
  3. ↑ Demmons, Doug (September 26, 2013). "NASCAR legend Red Farmer has a prescription for what ails short tracks". The Birmingham News. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  4. ↑ "Talladega Short Track - Track Information". Archived from the original on 4 July 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  5. 1 2 "1970 Nashville ARCA 200 winner Red Farmer Still at the Controls". ARCA . Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  6. ↑ Walters, Shane (25 March 2021). "Red Farmer's house, hauler and race car damaged in Alabama tornado (Photos)". RacingNews.co.
  7. ↑ "Red Farmer | NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductee". Nascar Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2021-11-15.
  8. ↑ Siano, Joseph (July 14, 1993). "Davey Allison, Stock-Car Driver, Dies at 32 After Helicopter Crash". The New York Times. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  9. ↑ Hinton, Ed (July 26, 1993). "Requiem For A Racing Man". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on April 5, 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  10. ↑ "Red Farmer – 1953 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  11. ↑ "Red Farmer – 1956 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  12. ↑ "Red Farmer – 1960 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  13. ↑ "Red Farmer – 1962 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  14. ↑ "Red Farmer – 1965 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  15. ↑ "Red Farmer – 1967 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  16. ↑ "Red Farmer – 1968 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  17. ↑ "Red Farmer – 1969 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  18. ↑ "Red Farmer – 1971 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  19. ↑ "Red Farmer – 1972 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  20. ↑ "Red Farmer – 1973 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  21. ↑ "Red Farmer – 1974 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  22. ↑ "Red Farmer – 1975 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  23. ↑ "Red Farmer – 1992 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. USA Today Sports Media Group. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  24. ↑ "Red Farmer – 1985 ARCA Talladega SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  25. ↑ "Red Farmer – 1986 ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  26. ↑ "Red Farmer – 1987 ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  27. ↑ "Red Farmer – 1988 ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  28. ↑ "Red Farmer – 1989 ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  29. ↑ "Red Farmer – 1990 ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  30. ↑ "Red Farmer – 1991 ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  31. ↑ "Red Farmer – 1992 ARCA SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  32. ↑ "Red Farmer – 1993 ARCA Hooters SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  33. ↑ "Red Farmer – 2002 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  34. ↑ "Red Farmer – 2004 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
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