NASCAR pioneer G.C. Spencer won so many short track races in the 1940s and ’50s he literally caused some Midwest racetracks to close down because fellow competitors would stop showing up. But the Jonesborough resident fell short of reaching victory lane in his 20-year NASCAR career, which included 415 starts in what is now known as the Nextel Cup. Spencer, 82, died Thursday morning at the NHC Healthcare Center in Johnson City following a long battle with emphysema. He’d lived in Jonesborough since 1962 when he married his wife, Faye, a Johnson City native. Spencer competed in NASCAR’s top division from 1958-77. Throughout that time he never acquired the coveted factory deal with a manufacturer, which was a necessity for any consistent winner in NASCAR. He was offered a deal with Ford prior to the 1965 season, his only full-time run for a championship. When Ford’s chief rival Chrysler dropped out of NASCAR prior to the first race, however, Ford backed out on the deal with Spencer, telling him they didn’t need him anymore. That year he placed fourth in the championship point standings and finished second in three races each time behind eventual champion Ned Jarrett. I believe if Ford had stuck with me in ’65 I could have won the championship, Spencer said. Spencer had seven second-place Cup finishes in his career but never won a race. Spencer hung up his helmet in 1977 at the age of 51 and continued fielding cars as an owner until 1983. In 1983 Larry McClure purchased Spencer’s equipment and formed the Abingdon, Va.-based Morgan-McClure Motorsports. Spencer hired on as Morgan-McClure’s team manager for three seasons before retiring from racing. After racing he and Faye operated an antique business. I saw G.C. a couple of weeks ago, and he certainly still had his wit and was as active as he could be, McClure said Thursday. He was a tough customer a tough guy that the racing community is going to miss. I know I’m going to miss him sorely. He’s the reason I’m in racing and have been in racing the last 25 years. He was a good guy and a good friend. Spencer told the Times-News he probably stayed in NASCAR too long and spent money as a car owner that he should have saved. At the end of his life he and Faye were living mainly on Social Security and his Veterans Administration health benefits in a small house in Jonesborough.(See full article at the Kingsport Times-News) SERVICES: A graveside service for Mr. G. C. Spencer will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, September 22, 2007 at Monte Vista Memorial Park, Johnson City, with Rev. Mack Houston and Rev. Michelle Buckles officiating. Active pallbearers will be Tim Henley, Steve Ragan, Bud Rambo, James Collins, Ricky Pace and Bob Douglas. The family will receive friends Saturday from 12:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. in the East Chapel of Appalachian Funeral Home and travel in procession to the cemetery.(9-21-2007)
