Feb 7, 2014 tulsa fairgrounds speedway granddad ray crawford, black car. Over the next several years, donnie ray would experience what his life might be. A third generation racer of the vaunted crawford racing family, donnie ray began his career in 1997. On raceday, youll see good shots of the 56 desoto pace car, particularly during the parade lap. Enid once ran supers on a weekly basis, but dropped them in the early 70s, but continued with the ncra supermodified race in october. From the stands to the pits, everyone it seems has stepped forward to help. Donnie ray crawford legacy foundation produces unique. Ray crawford october 26, 1915 february 1, 1996 was an american fighter ace, test pilot, racecar driver and businessman. At about 9am on january 14, 2012, 24year old race car driver donnie ray crawford iii was shot and killed by his 74year old grandfather daniel garcia. But did you know that several indy 500 race drivers and officials served their. Signed ray crawford speed merchant andrew layton dick. He also won the track championship at five flags speedway in 1981 and 1984, and won the championship at mobile international speedway in 1981, 1982, and 1984. Return to the home page for a complete index of pages at racing from the past a couple of the greats from tulsa.
Bio the official website for female race car driver. Team profile for ray crawford, including a comprehensive list of race entries for ray crawford. But for most of his driving career, crawford was labeled a dabbling. He was a mere two days old when he attended his first sprint car race in which his father, multichampion donnie crawford, was racing. The foundation will help provide financial assistance to young adults within the racing community, who like donnie ray, have a passion for racing, yet a love for education. Aside from his upset victory in the 1954 carrera panamericanas stock car.
Donald ray donnie ray crawford, iii 19872012 find a. Local racer donnie ray crawford, 24, shown in this 2008 photo after he saved a 12yearold driver from a burning car, was shot to death on saturday, wagoner county police said. The foundation is now hosting a new fishing tournament on ft. The winning lincoln was driven by ray crawford and enrique iglesias, completing the 1,908mile route in 20 hours, 40 minutes and 19 seconds at an average pace of 92. For crawford already a world war ii fighter ace, the win would open doors to a racing career that would include starts in the indy 500 and in formula 1. Ray crawford racing career profile driver database. Donnie ray crawford iii racing career profile driver. Harli white left grew an instant bond with fellow race car driver donnie ray crawford right after he rescued her from burning wreckage when she was just 12. Raymond crawford born july 1936 is an english former international footballer, who played as a striker in a career that saw him score over 300 goals at club level. Max crawford cut his racing teeth in new zealand where he was a noted mechanic, driver, crew chief, engineer and team owner, notably in new zealand open saloon cars and the shellsport championship. Harli white left grew an instant bond with fellow race car driver donnie ray crawford right after he rescued her from burning. Ray crawford october 26, 1915 february 1, 1996 was an american racecar driver crawford was born in roswell, new mexico. Crawford was an up and coming driver when he was shot and killed.
Donnie ray was a racecar driver and college student. On three occasions, he qualified for racings greatest. He rushed to pull 12yearold harli white from her burning mini sprint car at the i44. Donnie ray crawford, a racer from oklahoma, was shot to death by his grandfather daniel garcia. Ray crawford may 5, 2016 ray crawford, a 1950sera indianapolis 500 racer, who also was a combat fighter ace and test pilot and a millionaire business mogul, will be the subject of the may 14 center conversations talk at the international motor racing research center. The passing of donnie ray crawford iii on saturday january 14, 2012 still weights heavy of the hearts of all who knew him, cheered for him, and race against him. The donnie ray crawford legacy foundation has been established in memory of our beloved donnie ray. Donnie ray crawfords first sprint car race duration. Driver closeups and personalities shown include speedway president tony hulman, paul russo, sweikert, ray crawford, johnny thomson, hanks, jimmy bryan, ruttman and freddie agabashian. Ray crawford simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Born in in spartansburg, pennsylvania, he built his first car in 1905 and would race anyone who would challenge him. Click on the site to see ray crawfords career results at that track glossary. Aside from his upset victory in the 1954 carrera panamericanas stock car division, widely considered to be the worlds most dangerous and grueling race, he competed passionately in sports cars, championship dirt cars, midgets and unlimited hydroplanes.
Harli white racing the official website for female race. Crawford began his racing career as a shorttrack racer in the southeastern united states. Back in the day, racecar drivers had a ridealong mechanic, who doubled as a spotter for other cars. Donnie ray crawford was introduced to the sport of racing at a very young age. Brave teen girl race car driver saved from fiery crash by heroic fellow. Ray crawford, who had driven private lincolns in every race to date, was successful in obtaining a lincoln prepared by bill stroppe, and crashed it en route to the race, going off the road at 80 mph and ending in a grove of trees, suspended in a tree 12 feet off the ground. He drove in the american automobile association and united states automobile club championship car series, racing in the 19541959 seasons with starts, including the indianapolis 500 races in 19551956, and 1959.
Marmon to design and build a racing car to be driven by him in the first big event at the new speedway at indianapolis, indiana. Race car driver donnie ray crawford iii pictured was killed saturday morning by his grandfather, daniel garcia, who also died in the shooting at the familys home wagoner county sheriff bob. Working at crawfords and knowing all of the crawford family, w. Ascs sprint cars racing race car driver bios pictures photos for all classes and.
Such such was donnie rays testimony of faith, that he would always attribute such a heroic act to god. Donnie ray iii, son and grandson of race car drivers, was the next. Donnie ray crawford didnt want any credit or attention for saving harli. A family dispute in this house led to the deaths of two men. Tulsa fairgrounds speedway granddad ray crawford, black car.
Ray crawford raced in indianapolis in 1955, 1956 and 1959. But at the inaugural indy 500, a driver named ray harroun decided to fly solo. Chili bowl racer donnie ray crawford iii killed in family. Donnie ray crawford, a local race car driver, was killed in a 2012 shooting. View f1 statistics and a f1 career summary of ray crawford, including career stats, yearly summary, stats per grands prix and circuits, and more. Ray crawled from his car, he looked to see sam hanks standing in the infield slapping his knee and laughing hardily at crawfords abrupt exit from the race. Driver ray crawford 1954 aaa champ car series results. With news of his passing tearing through the community, the outcry of support has been overwhelming.
Then when a god sent angel arrived to pull her from the burning fire, she was freed from the burning car by donnie ray crawford. A former p38 fighter and test pilot, who fought in world war two, crawford was the son of a grocery store owner, who took over from his father and later expanded the business to make it a multimillion dollar franchise of supermarkets across california and mexico. H, will, ronnie, ray, frank valdez, odessa, what a. He won the 1989 running of the prestigious annual short track snowball derby race. Donnie ray crawford is credited with saving a fellow drivers life during a race in oklahoma city in 2008. Ray crawford was one of the most versatile racing drivers of the 1950s maybe ever. Donnie ray crawford was introduced to the sport of racing at a very. As usual, rays driving exploits seem almost as much fun to watch as they. Family of murdered race car driver speaks about memorial race. See more ideas about old race cars, vintage race car and vintage racing.
On three occasions, he qualified for racings greatest spectacle, the indianapolis 500. His first job outside his home country was as a mechanic for dick barbour racing in 80 in imsa. Donald ray donnie crawford iii, 24, passed away saturday, january 14, 2012 in broken arrow, ok. Harli was left with scars over 50% of her body deep third degree burns. As soon as harli was released from the shriners hospital in galveston, tx she wanted to race again. The book covers crawfords career through west coast midget racing which saw great race cars drivers like, hanks, vukovich, ward, parsons. Ayrton senna l mclaren honda formula 1 car, f1 drivers, f1 racing, indy. Donnie ray was born october 8, 1987 to donald ray crawford jr. Crawford family murder 20120114 in broken arrow, ok. Chili bowl racer donnie ray crawford iii killed by his.
Donnie ray crawford donnie ray crawford legacy foundation. Rare sports films vintage baseball video sports auto. The book covers crawfords career through west coast midget racing which saw great race. Aside from his upset victory in the 1954 carrera panamericanas stock car division, widely considered to be the worlds most dangerous and grueling race, he competed passionately in sports cars, championship dirt cars, midgets and unlimited. Race car driver donnie ray crawford iii pictured was killed saturday morning by his grandfather, daniel garcia, who also died in the shooting at the familys. Racing community honors donnie ray crawford youtube. Donnie ray crawford, ok racing hero, shot by grandfather. Family, friends and fellow racers are honoring donnie ray crawford the best way they know how, on the race track.
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