Nascar Charger Racer Sam McQuagg

[Magnumcharger]

Sam McQuagg

COLUMBUS, Ga. (AP) — Sam McQuagg, the 1965 NASCAR Rookie of the Year, has died. He was 73.

McQuagg died at St. Francis Hospital, his son Sam McQuagg Jr. told The Associated Press.

Preliminary medical reports show McQuagg died from cancer.

McQuagg began racing in the 1950s and entered his first NASCAR race in 1962.

In 1966, McQuagg claimed his only NASCAR victory, winning the Firecracker 400 at Daytona International Speedway.

In the 1965 Southern 500, McQuagg was involved in a spectacular wreck that sent Cale Yarborough tumbling over a guardrail. Footage of the crash was later used to illustrate the agony of defeat on "ABC's Wide World of Sports."

McQuagg drove in his last NASCAR race in 1974 and worked as a corporate pilot until retiring in 1997, McQuagg Jr. said.

After retiring, McQuagg traveled the country with his wife, Joy, in a motor home. The couple celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary while he was in the hospital on New Year's Eve.

http://www.legendsofnascar.com/Sam_McQuagg.htm

[Aero426]

When they got to Daytona with the '66 Charger before they came up with the rear deck spoiler,  Sam described the cars big time "loose" tendency in a thick accent as, "The car handles kinda quaaarr".

[Magnumcharger]

You're absolutely correct...he was the very first NASCAR driver to use a spoiler on his racecar!
And I just found out that the Charger pictured above was actually built from a STREET Charger...by Cotton Owens!
My, how times have changed!

[Ghoste]

RIP Sam.

There is a pic on the site somewhere of Sam Charger getting converted in Ray Nichels shop. 

[Magnumcharger]

RIP Sam.

There is a pic on the site somewhere of Sam Charger getting converted in Ray Nichels shop. 

[WINGR]

Great Pictures, sorry to hear of his passing though.

Thanks