Best finish 6th (1964) | Name Curtis Crider | |
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Born October 7, 1930
Abbeville, South Carolina, United States ( 1930-10-07 ) Died December 21, 2012(2012-12-21) (aged 82)
Edgewater, Florida, United States Achievements 1972, 1973, 1974 Florida State Stock Car Champion First race 1959 Columbia 200, Columbia Last race 1965 Virginia 500, Martinsville | ||
Curtis "Crawfish" Crider (October 7, 1930 – December 21, 2012) was an American stock car racing driver, and a pioneer in the early years of NASCAR.
Career
Born in Abbeville, South Carolina, he was one of the hardest working and underfinanced racers to ever drive the stock car circuit. Landing in a lake eventually earned him the nickname "Crawfish". Like most early NASCAR racers, Crider was a bootlegger and delivered moonshine to his customers. From 1959 to 1965, this driver has competed in 232 races in his seven-year career and accumulated a grand total of $58740 ($446,411.59 when adjusted for inflation). Crider's average start was in 19th place while his average finish was in 15th place.
Following his retirement from NASCAR competition, Crider competed in late model stock car racing in Florida, competing primarily at Volusia County Speedway and winning the Florida State Championship in 1972, 1973 and 1974. He operated an automobile restoration shop near his home in Ormond Beach, Florida before dying on December 21, 2012.