May 21, 1924 - June 7, 2012
Everett "Cotton" Owens
(Photo; www.motorsportshalloffame.com)
Born in Union, South Carolina, USA.
Owens was known as the "King of the Modifieds" for his successes in modified stock car racing in the 1950s. His career began in the 1950s in what is now known as the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. He earned over 100 feature wins. He was the 1953 and 1954 champion. For five straight years (1957–61), Owens captured at least one Grand National series win.
Seven years after being diagnosed with lung cancer, Owens died on June 7, 2012 at the age of 88, just a few weeks after it was announced he would be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame's 2013 class.
Among his many awards and achievements; Announced as a member of the 2013 Inductee Class at the NASCAR Hall of Fame on May 23, 2012. Inducted into the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009. 2008 inductee in the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. Historic Speedway Group - Occoneechee-Orange Speedway Hall of Fame Inductee in 2008. In 1970 inducted into the National Motorsports Press Association's Hall of Fame at Darlington Speedway. Named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers during NASCAR's 50th Anniversary celebration in 1998. Recipient of the Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian honor awarded by the Governor of South Carolina, created in 1971 to recognize lifetime achievement and service to the State of South Carolina on September 16, 2006. Member Darlington Records Club. Member NASCAR Mechanics Hall of Fame. Member NASCAR Legends. Pioneer of Racing Award, Living Legends of Auto Racing, February 15, 2006. Presented with the Smokey Yunick Award for “Lifetime Achievement in Auto Racing” on May 28, 2000. Honored by the Vance County Tourism Dept., Henderson, NC with the “East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame Motorsports Pioneer Award” on October 16, 2005. Recipient of the “Car Owner’s of the 1960s” award by the Old Timer’s Racing Club, 1996.
Other notable achievements; Won NASCAR's first live televised race. Gave Dodge its last NASCAR victory in a wing car. Earned Pontiac its first NASCAR win, on the old beach course at Daytona in 1957 driving a '57 Pontiac prepared by Ray Nichels.
For more see; "Cotton" Owens - Tribute Page
Born in Union, South Carolina, USA.
Owens was known as the "King of the Modifieds" for his successes in modified stock car racing in the 1950s. His career began in the 1950s in what is now known as the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. He earned over 100 feature wins. He was the 1953 and 1954 champion. For five straight years (1957–61), Owens captured at least one Grand National series win.
Seven years after being diagnosed with lung cancer, Owens died on June 7, 2012 at the age of 88, just a few weeks after it was announced he would be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame's 2013 class.
Among his many awards and achievements; Announced as a member of the 2013 Inductee Class at the NASCAR Hall of Fame on May 23, 2012. Inducted into the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009. 2008 inductee in the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. Historic Speedway Group - Occoneechee-Orange Speedway Hall of Fame Inductee in 2008. In 1970 inducted into the National Motorsports Press Association's Hall of Fame at Darlington Speedway. Named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers during NASCAR's 50th Anniversary celebration in 1998. Recipient of the Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian honor awarded by the Governor of South Carolina, created in 1971 to recognize lifetime achievement and service to the State of South Carolina on September 16, 2006. Member Darlington Records Club. Member NASCAR Mechanics Hall of Fame. Member NASCAR Legends. Pioneer of Racing Award, Living Legends of Auto Racing, February 15, 2006. Presented with the Smokey Yunick Award for “Lifetime Achievement in Auto Racing” on May 28, 2000. Honored by the Vance County Tourism Dept., Henderson, NC with the “East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame Motorsports Pioneer Award” on October 16, 2005. Recipient of the “Car Owner’s of the 1960s” award by the Old Timer’s Racing Club, 1996.
Other notable achievements; Won NASCAR's first live televised race. Gave Dodge its last NASCAR victory in a wing car. Earned Pontiac its first NASCAR win, on the old beach course at Daytona in 1957 driving a '57 Pontiac prepared by Ray Nichels.
For more see; "Cotton" Owens - Tribute Page
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