"NASCAR Pioneer" G.C. Spencer Born - July 9, 1925

July 9, 1925 - September 20, 2007

Grover Clifton Spencer

(Photo;randyayersmodeling.com)

Born in Owensboro, Kentucky, USA.

G. C. Spencer was a dominant short-track racer in the 1940s and 1950s. He competed in 415 NASCAR Grand National/Winston Cup races from 1958 to 1977. Despite never winning a race, he had 55 top-5 finishes and 138 top tens, including 7 second-place finishes.

Spencer drove for his own independent team for most of his career, and was one of the most successful independents of the day. His best season came in 1965, when he finished fourth in points with 14 top-5 finishes and 25 top-10s and his only career pole. Although he drove GM and Chrysler cars for most of his career, he drove Fords in 1965, where he found most of his success.

He sold his team and equipment in 1983 and his #49 became the #4 of Morgan-McClure Motorsports. Spencer acted as the team manager to the team for its first three years.

He died September 20, 2007 in Johnson City, Tennessee at the age of 82.

(Photo;timesnews.net)

G.C. Spencer, shown here in his Jonesborough home in 2007.