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Cavaliers' Dean Wade: Won't play Friday

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Wade (knee) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the 76ers.

Wade hasn't played since March 8. He was away from the team at first due to personal reasons but suffered a knee injury trying to ramp up for game action following his return. Wade's next chance to suit up will come Sunday in Denver, but he doesn't have an official return timetable.

Cavaliers' Dean Wade: Remains sidelined

Cavaliers' dean wade: won't play monday, cavaliers' dean wade: ruled out for sunday, cavaliers' dean wade: remains out wednesday, cavaliers' dean wade: ruled out, our latest fantasy basketball stories.

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A moonshine still under North Wilkesboro Speedway? What workers uncovered at NC racetrack

In late winter of 1947, Enoch Staley, John Masden and Charlie Combs stood and watched a bulldozer operator push dirt in a circle to form North Wilkesboro Speedway on a vacant tract of land not too many miles from town. What started as a circle on the ground drawn with a stick became a dirt track after hundreds of dollars from their wallets dictated the exact distance the bulldozer driver pushed his heavy steel blade.

After weeks of adding wooden bleachers and wood fencing, North Wilkesboro Speedway opened on May 18, 1947, as a rather crude half-mile dirt track, some 10 months before NASCAR came to fruition.

Staley, Madsen and Combs had their star drivers to help make the tracks successful. Georgia native Bob Flock won the first race there against fellow moonshiners in several heat races and a 30-lap feature event in front of 10,000 fans. NASCAR races began there in October of 1949 at the eighth and final “Strictly Stock” race of the season. Red Byron was crowned series champion that year.

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By the time Leon Sales of nearby Winston-Salem won there on Sept. 24, 1950, Staley had increased the track size from a half-mile to .625 of a mile in length.

From 1947 until September 29, 1996. 38 drivers won there in 93 Strictly Stock, Grand National and Winston Cup races over a period of 47 years.

In the very early years of the track’s existence, most competitors were known moonshiners who had been outrunning state and local law enforcement leading up to each race. Some stayed home for fear they may be jailed for past offenses. Many couldn’t resist the allure of showing their driving talents to fans and becoming local heroes.

Is there a moonshine still under North Wilkesboro Speedway?

Residents of Wilkes County have always felt a moonshine still existed at the track but could never prove it. That is until a possible moonshine still location was found under the forestretch last week that was very well hidden during a routine maintenance check.

A release from Speedway Motorsports, INC., stated in part: “During grandstand cleaning and inspection last week, operations staff discovered cracks in the original concrete in section N toward Turn 1. Crews began removing seats to inspect the extent of the damage and evaluate needs for repair. During the process, an open area of approximately 700-square-feet was discovered underneath the aging concrete.

“When we began renovating and restoring North Wilkesboro Speedway in 2022, we’d often hear stories of how an old moonshine still was operated here on the property under the grandstands,” said Steve Swift, senior vice president of operations and development at Speedway Motorsports. “Well, we haven’t found a still (yet), but we’ve found a small cave and an interior wall that would have been the perfect location to not only make illegal liquor, but to hide from the law as well. We don’t know how people would have gotten in and out, but as we uncover more, there’s no telling what we might find.”

So far, approximately 600 seats have been removed from sections N and O, and Speedway Motorsports staff are evaluating the next steps for foundation repair and concrete replacement in advance of the upcoming May 14-19 NASCAR All-Star Race Week.

“Now we have a race before the race,” Swift commented. “The area that’s been affected by the sinkhole is a frontstretch grandstand area with some of the best views of the track. We’ll have a lot of work to get done before NASCAR All-Star Race Week.”

North Wilkesboro Speedway history of winners

No one is sure when the underground structure was built at the track but it is certainly an interesting find. NASCAR came to North Wilkesboro Speedway beginning in April and October of 1951 when Fonty Flock won both NASCAR Grand National races in those days. Speedy Thompson, Buck Baker and Lee Petty dominated the win column at North Wilkesboro Speedway during the 1950s. Californian Dick Rathmann and Oregonian Hershel McGriff also collected victories there in 1954.

Three-time NASCAR championship Lee Petty enjoyed victories there in 1959 and twice in 1960. His son, Richard Petty, an eventual seven-time Cup Series champion, won 15 races at North Wilkesboro from 1962 to 1981.

“Anytime we went to North Wilkesboro (Speedway), we expected to win,” Petty said. “That’s the way it was with everywhere we went, whether it was Martinsville (Speedway) or Richmond (VA.) Raceway or wherever we were next. We went there and raced and won, then another and then another and so on. We took them one race at a time.”

Wilkes County native Junior Johnson enjoyed four visits to victory lane at North Wilkesboro in 1965 for a total of four wins as a driver. After retiring the following year with 50 career wins, he turned his attention to team management and team ownership. Johnson spent time in an Ohio prison in 1953 for his moonshining exploits. He was pardoned by President Ronald Reagan in 1986.

Cale Yarborough, a driver from 1973 through 1980, won Cup Series championships in 1976, ’77 and ’78 in Johnson’s Chevrolets. Yarborough collected five of his 83-career victories at North Wilkesboro coming in 1974, twice in 1976, 1977 and 1978 in Johnson’s Chevrolets.

Darrell Waltrip won all three of his Cup Series championships with Junior Johnson and Associates in 1981, 1982 and 1985. His 10 victories at North Wilkesboro include five consecutively from October of 1981 through October of 1983.

Terry Labonte won four times at North Wilkesboro, twice for Johnson and twice for Hendrick Motorsports and team owner Rick Hendrick. Labonte is credited with Johnson’s final win there as a team owner on April 17, 1988.

Other winners at the track include five-time winner Dale Earnhardt, three-time winners Rex White and Herb Thomas, two-time winner David Pearson as well as Neil Bonnett, Bobby Isaac, Darel Dieringer, Benny Parsons, Tiny Lund, Mark Martin and Harry Gant, to name only a few.

Four-time Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon won the final points-paying Cup race there for Hendrick Motorsports in October of 1996. Thankfully, Gordon isn’t the last winner there, as another will be crowned at the 2024 All-Star race on May 19th. Kyle Larson won the All-Star race there in May of 2023.  

NASCAR All-Star Race schedule for North Wilkesboro Speedway

• Tuesday, May 14 — zMAX CARS Tour (time TBD)
• Wednesday, May 15 — zMAX CARS Tour (time TBD)
• Friday, May 17 — All-Star Friday: NASCAR Cup, Truck Series practice sessions
• Saturday, May 19 — Truck Series Wright Brand 250 (1:30 p.m., Fox Sports 1)
• Sunday, May 19 — NASCAR All-Star Race (8 p.m., Fox)

From northwilkesborospeedway.com: Additional events are still being scheduled throughout the week leading into the NASCAR All-Star race, including a Warren Zeiders pre-race concert on May 19 and a Neal McCoy concert on May 17. Both are free for ticket holders.

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NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour Driver Wade Cole Killed In Accident

Multiple sources have confirmed that longtime NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour driver Wade Cole was killed in an accident at his home Sunday. 

Cole was 67 years old. 

“Just an absolutely great guy that you always looked forward to seeing pull through the gate,” NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour series director Jimmy Wilson told RaceDayCT. “I’m just absolutely shocked.” 

Cole was also the First Selectman in the town of Hartland, CT

Cole had competed with the Whelen Modified Tour since its first season in 1985. He started at least one race every season with the series besides 1986. 

Overall Cole made 371 Whelen Modified Tour starts since 1985. He had a career best 11th place finish in the series standings in 2017.

Cole started all 16 Whelen Modified Tour events on the schedule in 2019.

Multiple sources indicate that Cole was killed while working on his race car late Sunday.

His familiar No. 33 car was not known for being near the front of the field often, but Cole was revered among those on the Whelen Modified Tour for his dedication to the series and Modified racing.

Cole was a throwback, rolling into the track for each event with his car on a flatbed truck. He typically went to events with a very limited crew.

“My team and I are extremely saddened by the news of Wade’s passing,” six-time and reigning Whelen Modified Tour champion Doug Coby told RaceDayCT. “Wade taught all of us that above everything else, racing is supposed to be fun, and his dedication to our series was unmatched. No matter how his day was going, Wade always had a smile and kind words for everyone in the pit area. The Modified Tour will not be the same without him.”

He was a second generation driver, who grew up working on his father’s cars. He began racing in 1972.

“I used to drive a little crazy on the road and now that I drive the race car I pretty much drive real slow,” Cole told reporter Denise DuPont for the Chrome Horn website in 2010. “My wife tells me ‘Can you go a little faster?’ It’s not a thrill on the road. The thrill is driving on the race track with the people that are here. the fans and the little kids that are here.”

Cole had seven top-10 finishes over his Whelen Modified Tour career. His 371 career starts ranks eighth all-time on the Whelen Modified Tour.

“Wade was a part of the backbone of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour,” Wilson said. “Always had a smile on his face, hard working, had fun and happy to be at the race track. Wade will truly be missed by all. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Wade’s family, friends, race team and fans during this very difficult time.”

Sad news. Such a good guy, well-respected Tour regular with scant resources, but rarely asked for help. I met Wade 1970, Riverside Park. Frank Moulton drove Walt's #33, son Wade was crew, eventually took over driving. Their cars usually made the feature and rarely broke. RIP. — Mike Joy (@mikejoy500) March 16, 2020

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Terrible news for the racing community. Wade was quite possibly the most committed owner and driver in the entire history of the modified Tour if you think about it. Rest In Peace

So sad. Wade was a great guy and will be missed by many.

What the heck is going on. Wade Cole. Say it ain’t so. Besides family Hartland is taking the biggest hit. Small towns elect people the know and trust. Cole was at the back of the field in NWMT races but he’s been the leader in Hartland forever.

Shocking news. So sad. He will be greatly missed.

This is horribly sad news. I used to tell people that Wade Cole was one of the bravest people in racing after he got back into a race car following that awful Riverside Park accident with resulting fire. I used to call him “Mr. Riverside” when I’d see him at the track. The last couple of years at the fall finals I’d tell him “make sure you get next year’s give away photos printed. He’d just laugh and wouldn’t answer me if he was coming back the following season. God Speed Wade. You are going to be greatly missed.

Thoughts and prayers to the Cole family. I always rooted for him to have a good run. In my view he was the consummate “little guy” out there, doing the best he could with what he had. Godspeed Wade!

Sad to hear of this news. As noted Wade was not always near the front and sometimes did not qualify for a race but I was a fan of Wade Cole and always rooted for him to do well. No doubt about it he will run well in Heaven.

Sad day in racing, never met Wade but always respected his never quit attitude, Race in peace my friend, Prayers to his family, God Bless

Wade was truly one of a kind whether you are talking about him as a boss, race car owner and driver, First Selectman of the Town of Hartland, a boss, or a man. He put all of his effort into everything he did. It seemed that he had more energy to fulfill his commitments than The Energizer Bunny. His heart was big and he cared about everyone — their joys or their needs. The vacuum is immense with his passing.

One of the truly good guys always friendly and with a smile. Never too busy to talk to RIP Wade🙏🏁🙏

A true racer does it for the love of the sport, not the wins of races. People like Wade are the heart and soul of racing, and he was the best. Always a smile and a kind word. Gave many younger races a chance to drive a Tour Mod in the 38 car. He will be greatly missed. RIP Wade.

He may not have been the fastest, didn’t have the best equipment, but Wade Cole always had a smile. He had personality, and was never too busy to stop and chat with you. He will be sadly missed. My thought and prayers go out to the Cole family, their friends and Wade’s team.

Wade was just at my house this past Friday, I am numb that he is gone. A man with a big heart that would help anybody, no matter what. The male members of my family have a long history with loud, fast machines starting with my dad running the New England circle tracks in the 50’s as a owner/driver, myself, my son repeatedly winning in autocross & nationals and now my grandson. To all of Wade’s racing family used to winning and losing, this is an incomprehensible loss. I can’t imagine anyone not instantly liking Wade the moment they met him, just had that kind of affect on folks. This is really hard news for the Town of Hartland, Wade wore a lot of hats and will truly be missed by all. Tom Kean Hartland Resident

Sad to lose a fixture of New England racing . Who else was still racing after 50 years? Each year it was nice to know he was still there behind the wheel, making the rest of us who have been around all that time somehow feel younger and that age is just a number, as they say. It’s also a grim reminder that working alone can be a dangerous place to be. Wade will be missed but remembered strongly and fondly.

When you think of passion for racing his name came up first, He did it for the love of the sport and nothing else. He will be missed.

My prayers go out to the Cole family. You will be missed. RIP Wade……

I agree with Bob P, One of the most dedicated drivers, He knew his chances of winning were slim to none. But he made every race and that damn car never broke. He finished just about every race! Always was pleasent to talk too. It sucks. he really loved racing.. He will be missed! Always hoped some how he could pull a rabbit out of the hat and win one. Too Bad It Never Happened! R..I.P. Wade. Godspeed!

I’ve known Wade forever. Friends with his crew, car owners, everyone. The man epitomized the term “Racer” to me and all that knew him. We helped with tire takeoffs and scuffs all along, to keep his costs down. Not one of my owners had a problem with that. I always wished that a major owner would give him a shot in top notch equipment, because Wade would have done well. Wade was respected in every circle, and he helped many get a start in racing. I am totally decimated at his loss, and my deepest condolences to his crew , friends, and family. He was “the old school guy” that all of us looked up to. No better example of dedication or heart could ever be found. R.I.P. m,y friend, thank you for the memories.

I am the daughter of Charley’s Radiator who sponsored Wade starting from 1985 for many years, our garage painted his cars had them lettered he was our friend and we loved him. Wonderful Man! RIP Wade

Miss the smile already !!!!!!!!!

Like Mike Joy, I first met Wade in the pits at The Park in 1970 and have liked him immensely ever since. I was in a state of absolute shock when my son-in-law called me Monday morning at 9:30 saying he had heard the news from Dale Evonsion. It made me sick to hear We had lost Wade. Wade was the NICEST person in racing. He exemplified The Best Racing has to offer, A True Love of the Sport and All Those Involved In It! Race In Peace, my friend, You will be missed for the rest of the race of our lives Stevie

One of biggest questions going into 2020 for me was whether or not Wade was going to haul out to Iowa. Does anyone know what his intentions were regarding Iowa?

I am shocked and very saddened to hear of Wade’s passing. His father, Walt, built some of the old coupes that my dad, Jerry Humiston, drove at the Park in the old days. I remember going to the Coles in the late ’50s with my parents. I am forever grateful that I finally caught up and visited with Wade at New Hampshire International Speedway one summer when he was racing his modified #33 and I was with the media. He will be missed by his family, racing colleagues, his town, the media and his fans. With sincere sympathy, CIndy Humiston Weed

I am shocked and saddened to learn of Wade’s passing. My dad, Jerry Humiston, drove some of his father’s (Walt ) race cars in the good old days at Riverside Park. I still remember going to the Coles in the late 50’s with my family. I am extremely fortunate to have finally caught up with and visited Wade at New Hampshire International Speedway one summer when he was driving the #33 on the modified tour and I was with the media. He will certainly be missed by all who knew him. Most sincerely, Cindy Humiston Weed

I hope there will be a tribute(s) of sorts at the Icebreaker and Sizzlers. A #33 car on display, parade laps, and perhaps act as an honorary pace car.

Agree with you Dareal. There should be some sort of tribute to Wade, at both tracks. Wade was such a nice guy. There’s that old saying ” nice guys always finish last ) well, that may be true, but Wade did it with a smile on his face. Like many others I always rooted for him. He is the ultimate definition of the word RACER. His never quit attitude inspired so many drivers as well as owners, some of which went on to have great success. He will be sadly missed when the command to start engines is given. I hope out of respect to him, NASCAR retires his number from modified competition, after over 50 years in the sport, I think it’s the right thing to do. Just my opinion.

Easily….the nicest guy at the track…. gentleman, and a role model to all… Incredible passion for racing…Rooted for him…he was the ultimate professional….RIP

Wade will always be a legend, and too soon at that. Is there anything we can share to bring some awareness to the accident that caused his death? With the potential of preventing the loss of others?

Very sad to hear of Wade’s passing, always a constant with the tour. IMO, it would be nice to see a owner//driver like a Keith Rocco or Todd Owen drive Wade car for the 2020 season

I’m hoping that Wade is seeing all these postings from heaven and seeing what he meant to everyone who knew him or watched him race. Good speed Wade Cole. You’ll be greatly missed.

I Agree, Wade Deserves Some Kind Of Tribute!! No Doubt!!

Was looking at the modified schedule and saw a Wade Cole memorial race. I was shocked to see that, I live in Texas now and had not heard of his passing. I always rooted Wade on. I was at the Riverside race and amazed when he returned. I met Wade at S.J’s house many years ago. Nice guy! Love the grass roots!

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NASCAR, IndyCar Drivers Watching F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix for Different Reasons

‘Rising tide raises all ships,’ NASCAR Cup driver Ross Chastain says, summing up Cup drivers’ excitement for hyped Las Vegas race.

• NASCAR and IndyCar drivers hope their series will get a bounce from U.S. growth in Formula 1 interest.
• Denny Hamlin attending, on lookout for, among other things, technology he can adapt to NASCAR.
• IndyCar’s Colton Herta, however, sees F1 lure as double-edged sword for his series.

And that’s perfectly fine with NASCAR Cup Series drivers, all of whom say they’re excited that the series and its Las Vegas race in particular likely will bring fresh fans to U.S.-based forms of motorsports.

“It's really good for their sport, motorsports in general. And hopefully we can see a little bit of growth in our own sport because of that,” Cup Series driver Todd Gilliland said. “The more motorsports fans in the world, the better for everyone.”

“I mean, you hope so, right?” NASCAR Cup driver Denny Hamlin said. “Certainly you would think that there's going to be a lot of casual, first-time fans going to a motorsports event, fans going to F1 in Vegas because of how convenient it is, right?

"When I say convenient, I mean it's right here in the States in a heavily populated area. You've got the whole West Coast. And if there's just a handful—10, 12— people that go to that and then say, ‘When the NASCAR race comes to Vegas, I'm going to go to my very first NASCAR race,’ then that's a good thing. I certainly think that there will be some of that that goes on, just because of people experiencing motorsports for the first time.”

And when the F1 nomads move on out of the United States and fans crave their newfound auto racing fix, Hamlin said he thinks NASCAR undoubtedly can fill that void.

“It's a great sport with a lot of access,” Hamlin said of his series. “NASCAR's strongest, biggest asset is the access that fans have, and that's why I always encourage people go to a race, because it's unlike any other sporting event. I've never seen anyone go to [a race] one time and say that they didn't have a great time.”

Ross Chastain said he embraces the F1 craze for the “basking in reflected glory” phenomenon that can benefit NASCAR.

“I love it. I think a rising tide raises all ships,” Chastain said. “I've become a fan. I wasn't a fan 15 years ago, but I was 10 years ago, and I've just slowly kind of just watched from afar. I've never been to anything, been to any events or anything. I'm glad that we've got more events on this side of the pond and love that more people are watching.”

NASCAR Cup driver Austin Cindric said this relatively new fascination with the series that visits Miami, Austin, and now Las Vegas once again “is pretty interesting – I think it'll be interesting to see kind of how it pans out over the next couple of years. Obviously, the Netflix show definitely (showed) the scale of what that sport really is in comparison to maybe what most people would think. Most people would think it is maybe a European sport, but it's very international. So I think that the glitz and glamor of that are very attractive, because I don't think there's any other sport that really hits that untouchable percentage of the world's population.”

If the wine and brie set are drawn to the global glitz and prestige of such venues as the streets of Monaco and perhaps the technology that’s sexy in its own quirky way, Cindric said that’s “the opposite from a NASCAR race.”

“You buy a general admission ticket (at NASCAR), and you can come take a selfie with your favorite driver and get an autograph nine times out of 10,” Cindric said, “whereas if I go to Formula 1 race, I'm never seeing Lewis Hamilton. The only time I see him is when he is whizzing by me on the racetrack and then two minutes later when he comes back by again. So I think that's the biggest difference, and I think some people are drawn to the untouchable and being close to it.

“I think what defines star power is different in those scenarios,” Cindric said. “I think star power in this is—and in NASCAR—is purely just dominance, on-track performance-based. But I think there's an automatic star power when the level that you're at is completely unfathomable by the regular person.”

Maybe that’s the allure IndyCar drivers have, aside from the fact their cars are at least similar to those in F1 in comparison to a stock car. But as soon as a IndyCar drivers have some on-track success, the conversation often turns to his Formula 1 prospects.

However, Cindric said, “They're two very different landscapes. It's just as much of a challenge as if I was to go and go run a CARS Tour Late Model race against guys that have been doing it all year, I wouldn't expect to go out there and kick their butts by any means. I mean, you have to respect the challenge, and I think some of that's a bit lost for those guys, unfortunately, in IndyCar until they go out and try and get their butts kicked by about 20 guys that you'd never think of before. So it's just, yeah, a different world, but I think mutual respect is greater than most.”

He said, “Racing at the top level is never easy,” and Michael McDowell agreed.

“I've always been a Formula 1 fan. I grew up an open-wheel guy, so I was the kid, growing up in Phoenix, waking up at 4 a.m. to watch the races,” McDowell said.

McDowell, however, is not looking at an F1 car and daydreaming about getting into to one of those cars. He used Jimmie Johnson’s rather tough transition from NASCAR to IndyCar as an example.“It’s not a realistic transition. There's just no two ways around it: it'd be a hard transition. I've done both IndyCar and this and been on that path, and the paths are so different that doing what Juan Pablo Montoya did was way easier than doing what Jimmie tried to do.”

Toying with the idea of a jump to Formula 1 following an outstanding season just doesn’t happen in NASCAR, which McDowell said “is kind of cool.”

Chastain said NASCAR has no need for F1 talk in the NASCAR paddock: “We're at the top. This is the top of our sandbox. This is where we want to stay for a long time. Nobody's leaving NASCAR to go over there. A few guys are retiring over there coming this way, but nobody's leaving here. It's a good spot.”

Rising IndyCar star Colton Herta has tested the F1 waters, and he said switching from the NTT IndyCar Series “could hurt and help” America’s premier open-wheel sanction “in different ways.

"I think the way that it could hurt IndyCar is that they could be losing drivers that are good. But then the ways that it could be helping IndyCar is when we go over there and do well, it would show everybody in Europe that IndyCar is actually competitive.”

Las Vegas native Kyle Busch said he received an invitation to attend this weekend’s race: “The city of Vegas actually called me and said, ‘Hey, would you like to come’ and we'll give you some passes and whatnot. So I'm like, ‘Yeah, sure. I'll come.’”

Busch said he’s “skeptical of the circuit a little bit, just how long some of the straightaways are, but I think it's going to be cool. It's going to be fun, so looking forward to seeing it. I enjoy all forms of racing, so to see the F1 guys and what they're doing is always really cool. Hopefully they put on a great show.”

So while Busch is watching the course itself, Hamlin said he’ll observe a variety of aspects of the spectacle: “It will be the first one that I've attended, so I'm looking forward to it. I'm going to have a different set of eyes on it, because I'll look at how teams are branding themselves, some of the equipment, some of the technology that they have that anything that I can bring over here that might be a good idea.”

A.J. Almendinger, who said “I've watched Formula 1 my whole life, so I don't think about whether it's gotten more popular here or not,” said he won’t be attending. “That's going to be a mess. I do not want to be a part of that. First of all, I don't have the dollar amount that it takes to be there in Vegas for what it costs to be there. And I've experienced enough racing this year. I'm going to probably try to avoid that as best I can.”

Susan Wade has lived in the Seattle area for 40 years, but motorsports is in the Indianapolis native’s DNA. She has emerged as one of the leading drag-racing writers with nearly 30 seasons at the racetrack, focusing on the human-interest angle.  She was the first non-NASCAR recipient of the prestigious Russ Catlin Award and has covered the sport for the Chicago Tribune, Newark Star-Ledger, and Seattle Times. She has contributed to Autoweek as a freelance writer since 2016.

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by Tom Jensen July 12, 2021

In a 10-day period In July of 1964, Billy Wade won four consecutive premier series races, all in the Northeast.

For a brief 10 days in July of 1964, Texan Billy Wade blazed like a comet through NASCAR tracks in the Northeast, becoming the first premier series driver to win four straight races.

No one before and no one since won his first NASCAR race and then followed it up with three more consecutive victories, a record unlikely to ever be matched. It was as unexpected a performance as it was a remarkable one.

By way of background, Wade got a late start in NASCAR, running four races in 1962 at the age of 32. Although he wasn’t young when he entered NASCAR competition, Wade was a seasoned veteran racer, having amassed three Modified championships and two more Late Model titles on the hardscrabble short tracks near his Houston home.

Billy Wade won all four of his races in this 1964 Mercury owned and prepared by Bud Moore. Photo courtesy of NASCAR Archives & Research Center via Getty Images

In 1963, Wade joined forces with his first of two Hall of Fame owners from Spartanburg, South Carolina. Driving for Cotton Owens (2013) as a teammate to David Pearson (2011), Wade had four top-five and 14 top-10 finishes in 31 starts, winning premier series rookie of the year honors that season.

A year later, Wade moved over to drive for Bud Moore (2011), another Spartanburg native. In their first 20 races together in 1964, Wade posted six top-five finishes, including three third-place results.

Then the magic happened.

The July 1964 NASCAR schedule opened with A.J. Foyt winning the July 4 th Firecracker 400 at Daytona International Speedway, followed four days later with a short-track race in Manassas, Virginia, won by Ned Jarrett (2011).

From there, the NASCAR circuit headed north and everything changed.

Although his car is not in this photo, Billy Wade’s fourth and final consecutive victory was on the Watkins Glen International road course on July 19, 1964. It was also his last victory. Photo courtesy of NASCAR Archives & Research Center/CQ-Roll Call Group via Getty Images

The first stop on the northern swing was July 10 th at Old Bridge (N.J.) Stadium, a 0.500-mile paved track that played host to the Fireball Roberts 200, a race named for the Hall of Famer who had died just eight days earlier from burns suffered in a crash at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

There, Wade qualified on the pole but backed his pace way down so he could go the distance on a single tank of fuel, while others would have to pit. Roberts himself had used the same strategy a year earlier to win the race. Wade’s gamble paid off as he lapped the field, finishing ahead of Jarrett and Richard Petty (2010).

“I planned to go all the way (on a single tank of gas),” Wade said after the race. “That’s why I let Petty, Pearson and Jarrett go at the start of the race. I knew they couldn’t go the distance on one tank going that hard.”

Driving for Cotton Owens in 1963, Billy Wade won premier series rookie-of-the-year honors. Photo courtesy of NASCAR Archives & Research Center via Getty Images

Two days later, on July 12th, the premier series moved to New York’s Bridgehampton Raceway, a picturesque 2.85-mile road course. Attrition was brutal as only nine of 24 cars that started the race finished it. Pearson was poised to win, but when the engine let go in his Owens-owned Dodge with 12 laps to go, Wade was able to put Moore’s No. 1 Mercury in Victory Lane for a second consecutive race.

Next up on July 15 th was the shortest track on the circuit, the tiny 0.200-mile Islip Speedway on Long Island. There, Wade and Jarrett engaged in a furious battle, trading paint while being the only two drivers to lead the race.

The 300-lap event saw just two lead changes, as Jarrett passed polesitter Wade on Lap 97 and Wade retook the lead for good on Lap 193, holding off Jarrett for the final 108 circuits. “We were both driving to win,” Wade said. “That happens on a short track. Sometimes you have to lean on each other a bit.”

At North Wilkesboro Speedway in 1962, Billy Wade earned his first top-10 driving the No. 24 Pontiac. Photo courtesy of NASCAR Archives & Research Center via Getty Images

The premier series moved to another road course, Watkins Glen International, for the third and final New York race, this one on July 19 th . For the third time in four races, Wade started from the pole. Jarrett again was Wade’s toughest competitor, but an engine failure in his Bondy Long-owned Ford took Jarrett out of contention. Wade led 41 laps, including the final 31 to win for the fourth straight time.

“Winning races changes your outlook,” Wade said after the race. “… My spirits are up right now. I’m looking for ways to win now, rather than expecting something to happen that will make you lose. I’ve got a new attitude.”

For the four-race swing through New Jersey and New York, Wade posted four victories, three poles and an average starting spot of 1.5. During the four races that he won, Wade led 55 percent of the laps run. It truly was a remarkable streak. No one had ever won four consecutive premier series before and to this day, no one has won their first four consecutively.

But that was end of the streak for Wade.

Car owner Moore skipped the next race in New Oxford, Pennsylvania, before the premier series headed back south to Bristol Motor Speedway. There Wade qualified well again, but suffered a race-ending engine failure just 77 laps into the 500-lap race.

After his historic victory at Watkins Glen, Wade competed in 12 more races during the 1964 season, with his best results being a pair of fourth-place finishes at North Wilkesboro Speedway and Augusta Speedway. Wade ended the season fourth in points behind Petty, Pearson and Jarrett.

I’m looking for ways to win now, rather than expecting something to happen that will make you lose. I’ve got a new attitude.

While Wade’s future appeared to be bright, alas, it was not to be.

The Texas racer stayed with Bud Moore for 1965, but Wade’s life tragically ended on January 5, 1965, during a tire test at Daytona International Speedway when a right-front tire failure sent his Moore-owned Mercury into the wall, fatally injuring Wade.

It was a sad ending, as racing deaths always are.

But for a brief moment in time the summer before, Wade made history with his record-setting run.

Plan your visit to the NASCAR Hall of Fame and purchase tickets by visiting nascarhall.com/tickets .

Tom is the Curatorial Affairs Manager at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. For more than 25 years, he has been part of the NASCAR media industry.

NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour

Nascar modified tour regular wade cole dead at 67.

NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour regular Wade Cole died on Sunday night according to multiple media reports. While Cole, 67, was rarely a fixture near the front of the field, he was the closest thing to a guaranteed entrant the open-wheeled division has ever had over three different decades. Cole had raced in all but one […]

• March 16, 2020

NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour regular Wade Cole died on Sunday night according to multiple media reports.

While Cole, 67, was rarely a fixture near the front of the field, he was the closest thing to a guaranteed entrant the open-wheeled division has ever had over three different decades. Cole had raced in all but one season of the modern series era Modified Tour (1985-present) and accumulated 371 starts across 24 season. He started every race in 2019.

Cole was known for his blue collar spirit and an open-faced trailer hauled by a flatbed truck.

According to RacedayCT, reports state that Cole was killed while working on his race car late on Sunday night.

“It is with a very heavy heart that I share with you that Wade Cole has passed away. One of the truly good guys in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour garage area,” Whelen Modified Tour director Jimmy Wilson shared on Facebook Monday morning. “As in this picture, you never saw Wade without a smile on his face. I was always happy to see him roll through the gate. Wade was a racer’s racer. Always there, worked hard and had fun. My thoughts and prayers go out to Wade’s family, race team, friends and fans. Wade, God Bless, you will truly be missed.”

“Heartbroken is an understatement Wade you’ve done so much for me,” Kyle Ellwood, who competed for Cole on the series in select events, said in his own Facebook post.

“Just the mere mention of Wade Cole brings a smile to your face and a warmth to your heart and then the thoughts quickly switch to what an old school, hard working man this truly was,” Bob Finan, longtime announcer at Riverhead Raceway in New York, said on Facebook. “Many say they have worked so hard to race, this driver lived it. All of us at Riverhead Raceway are heartbroken this morning our thoughts and prayers are with Wade’s family and friends.”

“Just heard the news about the passing of Wade Cole, a true racer. Wade always had a smile on his face and would help any time you asked. Wade showed up every week to the track with his iconic #33 on a wrecker with tires hanging above the roof while being surrounded by stacker haulers,” Kevin Stuart Motorsports posted on Facebook. “If there was a WMT race, there was the #33 pulling in to race it. Another racer gone too soon. Our condolences go out to the Cole family.”

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NASCAR AT WATKINS GLEN: AUGUST 21, 2022

$ 125.00

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If you’d like to purchase transportation only please make reservation through the phone or in store – $70

Event times are approximate. 

Please select the date below – If the tour is SOLD OUT online, please contact us as additional tickets may be available. 518-355-4500

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Pickup - Wade Terminal – Schenectady, NY – 6:00 AM

Pickup - Utica - NYS DOT Site on North Genesee Street - Utica, NY - 7:15 AM

Approximate Arrival to Watkins Glen- 10:00 AM

Race begins - 2:30 PM

Return to designated parking area after end of race for departure

Drop off (Approx) - Utica - NYS DOT Site on North Genesee Street - Utica, NY

Drop off (Approx) - Wade Terminal - Schenectady, NY

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SEATING PREFERENCE : If yes, please let us know your preference on the booking page with the specific seat, seat location and if you would like to sit near someone. Check out our seat assignment policy page for our seating chart. If no preference is made, your seat will be assigned by Wade Tours. Check out the seating chart to the left!!

We encourage you to book early to accommodate any special needs and to assure that members of your party will be seated together. We reserve the right to assign seats when necessary.

CERTIFICATES/REWARDS/CREDIT :  If you have a gift card/certificate, travel club reward or on account credit, we ask that reservations are made through the telephone or in store.

CANCELLATIONS : All cancellations must be called-in during regular business hours, Monday – Friday 8:00 am 5:00 pm.  $20 per person fee plus cost for tickets, meals and other non-recoverable expenses. Cancellations within 48 business hours prior to departure are non-refundable. Casino day trips are non-refundable but transferable. Ballgame, Radio City and Ticketed events are non-refundable but are transferable.

Cancellations MUST be made directly with a reservationist. Cancellations made by email or voice mail cannot be accepted. NO REFUNDS FOR CANCELLATIONS WITHIN 48 BUSINESS HOURS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE ON ALL TOURS . Travel Club promos & Reward Certificates are non-refundable. Casino Trips are non-refundable but are transferable.

TRAVEL CLUB : JOIN the Wade Tours Travel Club and start Earning Points on all your Wade Tours Motor Coach Travel! For every $300 you spend you receive a $5 award certificate to redeem toward your next tour. Sign up today.

Wade Tours is not responsible for lost articles or items left on the coach. 

Please remember to include the names of your passengers, your pickup location, preferred seats & meal selections (If needed) on tour booking page.

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Wade Cole Passes Away Following Accident

Longtime NASCAR Whelen Modified driver Wade Cole has passed away following an accident at his home Sunday.

Cole‘s passing was first reported by RaceDayCT.com. He was 67.

From Riverton, Connecticut, Cole made 371 career starts on the tour, running in every season except 1986.

“Just an absolutely great guy that you always looked forward to seeing pull through the gate,” NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour series director Jimmy Wilson told RaceDayCT. “I‘m just absolutely shocked.”

RACING-REFERENCE: Wade Cole Career Statistics

He ran a full schedule in 10 of the last 13 seasons — missing just six starts in that span.

Cole had seven career top 10s and a best points finish of 11th (2017), and his best finish was eighth (twice). However, he was best known for his dogged work ethic and consistent presence in the Whelen Modified Tour garage.

“Wade was a part of the backbone of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour,” said Wilson in a statement. “Always had a smile on his face, hard working, had fun and happy to be at the race track. Wade will truly be missed by all. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Wade‘s family, friends, race team and fans during this very difficult time.”

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