J.D.: The Life and Death of a Forgotten NASCAR Legend

J.D.: The Life and Death of a Forgotten NASCAR Legend
280 Pages
ISBN 978-1641369800

August 11, 1991. Watkins Glen, New York. 52-year-old John Delphus "J.D." McDuffie, Jr. climbs aboard his No. 70 Pontiac, lined up 35th on the grid for NASCAR's Budweiser at the Glen. For the 653rd time, he pinches a cigar between his teeth and fires the engine. Few take notice of No. 70 as it rolls onto the 2.428-mile road course - only a small group of volunteers, fans, and family back home in Sanford, North Carolina. Even they know McDuffie has never won a NASCAR race, and likely never will before the big-money teams squeeze him out of the sport.

But no one knows that just five laps later, McDuffie will be dead, his No. 70 wrecked at the fastest spot on the track.

"J.D.: The Life and Death of a Forgotten NASCAR Legend" tells the true story of J.D. McDuffie, one of stock car racing's most beloved underdogs. Extensively researched with interviews from dozens of fans, friends, and family, the book chronicles McDuffie's rise from dirt track champion to NASCAR mainstay. Included is the most complete account of that tragic weekend at Watkins Glen, the investigation that followed, and the legacy McDuffie has left behind. Top to bottom, "J.D.: The Life and Death of a Forgotten NASCAR Legend" stands as one of the most comprehensive stories of any race car driver, and a tribute to NASCAR's blue-collar past.

Brock Beard

About Brock Beard (Martinez, California Author)

Brock Beard

Brock Beard graduated with honors from the University of California at Irvine with four years on the UCI Men's Crew and completion of the Humanities Honors Program. He holds a Juris Doctor from John F. Kennedy University with a Witkin Award in Constitutional Law. A racing enthusiast, Beard founded LASTCAR.info in 2009, a site dedicated to NASCAR's last-place finishers and small teams. His work has been featured on NASCAR.com, SPEED Channel, RaceTalkRadio.com, Manifold Destiny with Mojo Nixon, and the PETM Podcast. Beard resides in Antioch, California.