Cause of death Race car crash Last win 1963-32 (Dog Track) Name Jimmy Pardue | Last race 1964-55 (Hillsboro) Role Race car driver First win 1962-18 (Southside) Died September 22, 1964 | |
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Born October 26, 1930
North Wilkesboro, North Carolina ( 1930-10-26 ) Best finish 5th - 1964 Grand National season | ||
First race 1955-42 (Martinsville) | ||
Jimmy Pardue was a race car driver who lived in North Wilkesboro, North America, USA.
Summary
He made his debut in 1955 at Martinsville, where he finished 28th after suffering hub problems in his Chevrolet Bel Air vehicle. He made his first full-time attempt in 1960 where he had eleven top-tens. In 1963, he won his first race at Richmond, followed up by another win the following year at Dog Track Speedway.
Pardue's car number was 54. A part of his career was during the same time that the popular television show, "Car 54, Where Are You" was running on network television. On the door of his car, he added a small "Car" above the number, and "Here I Am" below it.
In 1964, he was doing a tire test for Goodyear at Charlotte Motor Speedway, when a tire blew and caused him to lose control. The car went through the guardrail in Turns 3 and 4 and came to rest outside the track. The 33-year-old Pardue did not survive the wreck. Despite his season being cut short, he still finished 5th in points.
Items from Pardue's career, including a door from his car and Burton & Robinson Racing Team apparel, are on display at the Wilkes Heritage Museum in Wilkesboro.