It was often suggested that Wesley Christian “Junie” Donlavey was the only man in American motorsports about whom nothing bad had ever been said or written. That compliment rings true as much today as it did during the 45 years Mr. Donlavey fielded cars in various NASCAR series.
Donlavey was 90 when he died Monday night at an assisted-living facility in Richmond. That age reference seems perfectly appropriate since 90 was the number he carried on his Modified, Sportsman and Grand National (later Sprint Cup) cars. He was universally beloved by all who knew him, including men, women and children inside of racing and those on the outside. He was an honest, gracious, polite, unsullied, courtly and respectful gentleman in every sense of the word.
On Tuesday, former three-time NASCAR champion Darrell Waltrip described him as “a man of love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
NASCAR called Donlavey “a treasure” and added, “He was a man who personified NASCAR’s proud past.”
Veteran NASCAR-watcher Monte Dutton blogged Tuesday: “I will never think of the number 90 without thinking of the leprechaun … always chuckling, never depressed or angry, everything in its proper perspective.”
Donlavey’s underlying goodness was vividly revealed in May 1981, when journeyman racer Jody Ridley gave the Richmond-based team its only major victory. But it was something of a bittersweet afternoon, as Neil Bonnett in the Wood brothers’ No. 21 car and Cale Yarborough in M.C. Anderson’s No. 27 dropped out in the final laps at Dover, Del. When Ridley took the checkered flag, Donlavey seemed as disappointed for Bonnett and Yarborough as he was happy for himself.
Glen Wood, one of the No. 21’s owners, said, “The only thing you really need to know about Junie Donlavey is that he was probably the most well-liked person ever in NASCAR.”
Before that Sunday, the low-budget, mostly volunteer, Ford-based team had lost 348 Cup races; after that weekend, it lost 514 more. Growing weary of the grind, Donlavey retired after two races in 2004. His career scorecard: two poles, that one victory at Dover, 60 top-five finishes and 218 top-10 finishes. He fielded cars for three Rookies of the Year: Bill Dennis in 1970, Ridley in 1980 and Ken Schrader in 1985.
Perhaps the highlight of Donlavey’s career was representing the United States at the 24 Hours of LeMans in 1976. NASCAR sent two cars to the endurance race, Donlavey’s Ford Torino and a Dodge Charger fielded by owner/driver Hershel McGriff. The Dodge blew up in the opening minutes, but co-drivers Dick Brooks, Dick Hutcherson and Frenchman Marcel Mignot soldiered on until their No. 90 Ford had a terminal transmission-related issue at 3 a.m., after 11 of the scheduled 24 hours.
Undeterred, undaunted and still smiling and full of optimism, Donlavey returned to Richmond to prepare for his team’s next race, a 400-miler near Detroit one week hence. After all, that’s what he did — and that’s how he did it.
Pearce covered motorsports for the Daily Press for 35 years before retiring in 2004.
