Bill_Wimble

Bill Wimble

Bill Wimble

American racing driver


William (Bill) Wimble (January 11, 1932 – April 24, 2016) was an American stock car racing driver and two time champion of the NASCAR Sportsman Division (predecessor of currently Xfinity Series).

Quick Facts Born, Died ...

Racing career

Bill Wimble was champion of the 1960 NASCAR Sportsman Division (predecessor of the Xfinity Series) and along with Dick Nephew was 1961 co-champion. Folklore has it the 1961 “tie” was a fabrication designed to cover-up a mistake by NASCAR officials.[3]

From 1958 to 1962, Wimble made four appearances in the NASCAR Grand National Series.[1] He otherwise spent the majority of his career racing in the Sportsman and Modified classes at the renowned tracks of the northeast including Airborne Park Speedway NY, Albany-Saratoga Speedway NY, Fonda Speedway NY, and Utica-Rome Speedway NY.[4]

Wimble won 14 track championships. He was inducted into the Eastern Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame, the New York State Stock Car Association Hall of Fame and the Northeast Dirt Modified Hall of Fame.[5]

Carnegie Hero

Wimble along with four others rescued Marvin Panch from a burning race car at the Daytona International Speedway on February 14, 1963, and each received the prestigious Carnegie Medal for their heroism.[6]

That same year, Wimble was pulled from a burning wreck during a race in Syracuse, New York by fellow racer Ernie Gahan, who was also one of those responsible for saving Marvin Punch.[7]

Motorsports career results

NASCAR

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Grand National Series

More information NASCAR Grand National Series results, Year ...
Daytona 500
More information Year, Team ...

References

  1. "Bill Wimble-NASCAR Cup Series". Racing-Reference. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  2. "Wimble a true legend at Fonda". The Daily Gazette. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  3. "NASCAR tie honored at Dick Nephew night". Press Republican. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
  4. "Bill Wimble Career Results". The Third Turn. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  5. "EMPA Hall of Fame-Bill Wimble". Eastern Motorsports Press Association. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  6. "William R. Wimble". Carnegie Hero Fund Commission. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  7. Whaley, Mike (December 3, 2009). "Gahan was a NASCAR pioneer". Foster's Daily Democrat. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  8. "Bill Wimble – 1958 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved July 9, 2023.
  9. "Bill Wimble – 1962 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved July 9, 2023.

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