Almost a century ago, one of NASCAR’s greatest hidden gems was born in Richmond on April 8, 1924. But little did Wesley Christian Donlavey Jr know just how impactful his presence would be in not just NASCAR’s 1976 Le Man’s effort but also to help mould the characters of some of the greatest stock car racers to grace the oval.

While his career as a driver may have failed to leave a lasting mark on the record books, the love and admiration he gained from his peers throughout the year knew no bounds. As we inch closer to the 10-year death anniversary of the man lovingly nicknamed ‘Junie’, let’s take a look at the #90’s legacy through the years and how it impacted some household names forever.

Get up to speed on Junie Donlavey’s bright career

Growing up in Richmond in 1920, Donlavey quickly fell in love with the automotive world while working with his father at Swansboro Motor Co, a car repair shop and used car dealership. This is also when Donlavey would come face to face with local racing as his uncle gave him a job delivering parts and cleaning the shop of the Sprint Car race team. Thus began a journey that would take Donlavey to many esteemed positions, despite victory lane seeming to always be out of touch.

But just as things were lining up for his racing career, the Second World War would have Junie Donlavey see himself transition to an Air Force mechanic until he celebrated the end of the war by purchasing a racecar with close compatriots. It is with that very car that Donlavey would get a taste of winning local dirt track races. Escalating his love of racing into the upper circles, Donlavey soon etched his name into NASCAR’s history books by appearing for the inaugural Southern 500 in 1950, a race graced by the presence of many legends such as Lee Petty and Fireball Roberts.

While Donlavey would not find racing cars himself to be his true calling, being a team owner certainly came close. This is when Donlavey would mentor drivers of tomorrow such as Joe Weatherly, Ken Schrader, Ricky Rudd and Harry Gant to name a few. While Donlavey entered the #90 with a variety of drivers, the three Rookie of the Year awards that would be awarded to Bill Dennis, Jody Ridley and Ken Schrader would be the highlight of his career.

SpeedSport had quoted Donlavey as he reflected on the opportunities he gave to budding ravers. He added, “I’m mighty proud of having three rookies of the year, I’m glad I gave a lot of drivers the chance to try racing. A lot of them found out it wasn’t what they wanted. It was just a dream. They found out it wasn’t as easy as it looked. I feel good about the ones we’ve given a chance to as I look over the garage area today.”

Although the #90’s proud owner was loved by all and was truly a “racer’s racer”, his best moment in NASCAR would be a one-off victory that came after Rookie of the Year Ridley delivered a memorable drive on May 17, 1981, at Dover International Speedway. The racer, grateful to Junie Donlavey, shared, “Winning that race at Dover with Junie was the biggest day of my life. Junie had been trying to win one for so long and of course, I enjoyed winning it as well.”

Kyle Busch’s Sponsor List Continues to Grow as RCR Welcomes Back Global Industrial

Donlavey was also involved in Bill France’s excursion to the 1976 Le Mans race in France, in which the #90 played a vital role in expanding the stock car’s horizons on a global stage. But while winning wasn’t his strongest attribute, an iconic stock car racer who never even drove for the “Gentleman” believed it was divine intervention that made Donlavey succeed without frequent visits to the victory lane.

I believe the good lord had a place for him in racing – Donnie Allison spills the beans on Donlavey’s career

Trending

Exclusive: Michael McDowell Reportedly the “Snitch” Who Got NASCAR Team Kicked Out at Talladega

April 26, 2024 07:44 PM EDT

Struggling Richard Childress Camp Warned of Kyle Busch’s Wrath by HMS Legend

April 27, 2024 06:58 PM EDT

Exclusive: After Kyle Busch & Denny Hamlin’s Criticism of $5 Million NASCAR Decision, Crew Chief Admits to Feeling “Lost” at Talladega

April 27, 2024 09:08 AM EDT

Michael Jordan Forces Denny Hamlin to Go Against His Deeply Ingrained Belief on Modern Athleticism

April 27, 2024 10:08 PM EDT

“Real Erik Died in the Hospital”- NASCAR’s Shady Involvement Sniffed after Injured LMC Star’s Shocking Next Gen Defense

April 27, 2024 07:36 PM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest NASCAR stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

Apart from the singular victory, Donlavey was also graced with awards, such as the STP Richard Petty Achievement Award in 1998 and the Smokey Yunick Award in 1992. He was honored on a global scale by the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2007. Reflecting on the man’s illustrious career, Donnie Allison perfectly summed it up and shared, “I never drove for Junie, but I did talk with him about that and he told me I was too good of a driver to ever get into his car.”

Allison shared that Donlavey’s character was never under questioning from anyone and everyonr who interacted with the polite team owner had nothing but praise. Speaking of Donlavey’s biggest strength, Allison added, “I believe the Good Lord had a place for him in racing and that wasn’t in victory lane, even though he did go there once in a Cup race in 1981. But Junie was OK with that. His place in the sport was so much bigger because everyone loved Junie. He was truly a racer’s racer.”

WATCH THIS STORY: Ingenious Cheats in NASCAR: Edition 3 – The “Smokey” Yunick Story

In quite an ironic fashion, Junie Donlavey would pass away at the age of 90, symbolising the number that has given rise to some of NASCAR’s favourite racers from a forgotten era. What was your favourite moment from the Gentle Giant’s career?