Harold Norman Stott, 88, of Columbus, NC, passed away peacefully on June 28, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, family, racing, and community that will be remembered for generations.
Harold was born on May 4, 1938, in the Collinsville area of the Green Creek community to the late Walter and Tessie Stott. One of nine children, he was raised with a strong work ethic and deep-rooted values that shaped every aspect of his life. He was raised in Hickory Grove Baptist Church, where he continued to worship throughout his life.
In April 1981, Harold and his brother, James Stott, purchased Stott’s Ford in Tryon, North Carolina, beginning what would become a proud family legacy in the automotive industry. Harold served as President of Stott’s Ford until 2016, when ownership of the dealership was passed to his son, Robbie Stott, and grandson, Dylan Stott. While the title changed, Harold’s dedication never did. He continued to come to the dealership nearly every day until his passing, where he enjoyed visiting with customers and remained an integral part of the Stott’s Ford family. His genuine care for people, friendly smile, and love for conversation made him a familiar face to generations of customers.
Beyond the dealership, Harold enjoyed an extraordinary career in motorsports. From 1972 until 2002, he competed in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series as a rear tire changer, earning the respect of competitors throughout the sport. His excellence was recognized when he was voted the Skoal/Copenhagen All-Pro Rear Tire Changer four times by his fellow crew members—a record that still stands today. During his NASCAR career, Harold worked alongside some of the sport’s greatest drivers, including Bobby Allison, Buddy Baker, Benny Parsons, Dale Earnhardt, Ricky Rudd, Harry Gant, and Jimmy Spencer.
After retiring from NASCAR, Harold’s passion for racing continued. He joined his son, Robbie, and grandson, Dylan, to form Stott’s Ford Racing, traveling across the country competing on the NHRA tour. Racing remained one of his greatest passions, but sharing those experiences with his family made them even more meaningful.