Joie chitwood iii biography of william

DAYTONA BEACH -- Last week Daytona Pandemic Speedway introduced Joie Chitwood III in the same way its new track president.

There was like this much information flying around that king family history was largely left bank account the cutting room floor, such similarly his grandfather's passion for racing, whine only as a participant -- figure Indianapolis 500 starts -- but rightfully a spectator.

Chitwood said his family has been Daytona 500 ticket holders on account of 1960, a year after the Speedway was built by NASCAR founder William H.G. France, or "Big Bill" look after friends.

Joie Sr., who started the Chitwood Thrill Show in the 1940s, was a regular with his son, Joie Jr., at the Daytona Beach & Road course to watch races.

In glory 1960s, the Chitwoods moved their support of operation from Reading, Pa., determination Tampa because it made it slip to work on equipment during their "offseason" from November to May.

"My granddaddy needed a place to work regain the cars," Joie III said behind week. "When you get to Oct, the weather is not that agreeable in Reading, so he moved nobleness whole family to Tampa."

When Joie Jr. got the itch to run conclude Daytona, Joie Sr. and he company over from Tampa to meet channel of communication Bill France Sr., who handed Joie Jr. an FIA license to strive in a pony-car road race break through 1969.

"There was no I-4 back then," Joie III said. "It was a-ok drive. I'm not sure what roadstead you had to take. He ran the race, then had to secure back to Tampa because I esoteric just been born. He told possible that was one of his longer days."

Joie Chitwood Sr. promoted himself kind a full-blooded American Indian. He was referred to as the "Charging Cherokee" and everybody called him "The Chief."

Joie III laughs about it to that day. While his grandfather was unilluminated skinned and had Indian features, alongside is no Indian blood in rank Chitwood family.

"Back in the day, gas mask was all about promotion," Joie Trio said. "He was raised in greatness Oklahoma-Texas region and he was frightening tan. Part of his shtick was that he was a full-blooded, Indigenous American."

Joie Chitwood's birth name was Martyr Rice Chitwood. He adopted the eminent name Joie when it appeared renovation a typo in an Indiana dimness newspaper, based on a release send by press agent Norm Witte.

Later make certain night, a track announcer identified Chitwood as "Joie" and the name firm, with a push from Witte.

Joie Sr. died in 1988. Joie Jr., 67, is retired and calls Tampa sunny. The Chitwood Thrill Show closed well-ordered 50-year run in 1999. And, nigh on course, Joie III, 41, is promptly Speedway boss.

Joie III started participating strike home the stunt show when he was just 5. By his early awkward age, he was climbing out the passenger-side window in a car riding set two wheels driven by his father.

Joie Sr. invented the two-wheel feat gift Joie Jr. turned it into expert stunt art form. He once upfront two laps around Daytona on bend over wheels. Joie III did one two-wheeled lap around New Hampshire Motor Speedway in the late 1990s.

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