Comment

Comment by Patsy Thompkins ~ Keisler on May 15, 2013 at 10:24am

Missed my turn on Legion Road last week, had to turn around. Found myself in the Cemetery right there with you. Mistake? I think, not...I didn't know they had gotten your Marker up. But there it was, staring me right in the face. It is beautiful, Porky..absolutely beautiful! I sure missed hanging out with you in person, but I did hang with you for awhile...right there. I love ya..My Friend....

 

Comment by Patsy Thompkins ~ Keisler on February 13, 2013 at 8:15pm

Two years today, and still hurts as yesterday. I will never forget you, my dear friend. I will do all I can to keep your Racing Memories alive.

I love you.... #48....forever...

Comment by Dave Fulton on January 28, 2013 at 12:40am

Race Win story link:

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=q7dDAAAAIBAJ&sjid=MK8MAAAA...

Comment by Patsy Thompkins ~ Keisler on December 20, 2012 at 2:51pm

MY...dear, friend...it is that time of the year...that you love so much! I think back on all the Christmas' that you made brighter. I miss knowing that I can pick up the phone and call you...but, I love you none the less...and I will continue going on, as I know would make you proud!!

Comment by Patsy Thompkins ~ Keisler on December 8, 2012 at 7:02am

Comment by Dave Fulton on October 24, 2012 at 5:37pm

I'm so glad that I got to see your family and friends race at Wilson, NC in the 70s, Patsy. Best years of my life. Hearts do mend and we're here for each other.

Comment by Patsy Thompkins ~ Keisler on October 24, 2012 at 5:27pm

Dave,

Thank you so much for posting this article. I have it somewhere here at home. However, to be honest I have lost so many dear ones in the past year and a half that....well...I just wonder sometimes if my broken heart will ever mend. The good Lord knows what we need, and when we need it. And, he sure knew I would need you guys....~Hugs~

Comment by Dave Fulton on October 24, 2012 at 5:11pm

Published: 06:50 AM, Mon Feb 14, 2011
Dirt track racer Jimmy Edwards Jr. dies
Jimmy Edwards Jr.

By Thomas Pope
Motorsports editor

Fayetteville Observer

HOPE MILLS - Jimmy Edwards Jr., one of the winningest short-track racers in the Carolinas, died Sunday morning, according to family members. Edwards, known on the local racing scene as "Porky," was 57.

Edwards began racing in 1975 in the lower divisions on dirt and asphalt, then moved to the Late Model ranks the following season. He won more than a dozen track championships, and he collected his 400th victory in July 2007 at Fayetteville Motor Speedway.

Edwards' best seasons were 1979, when he posted 40 wins, and 1983, when he won 24 of 35 starts. He raced against - and usually beat - NASCAR greats such as Bobby Allison, Dale Earnhardt and David Pearson at short tracks across both Carolinas.

Edwards ran a limited NASCAR schedule in 1988, competing in the Busch (now Nationwide) Series. His only start of record was at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway, where he qualified 30th and finished 34th. Former Busch champion Steve Grissom also drove Edwards' Chevrolet in races at South Boston, Va., and at Hickory in July of that season.

Edwards also competed in a Late Model Sportsman race at the 1.5-mile Charlotte Motor Speedway, then won on dirt the same night, in the same car, at Dublin Motor Speedway.

Edwards' toughest rival for much of his career was one of his younger brothers, Hank. Between them, they won 10 consecutive Late Model championships at Fayetteville Motor Speedway. Their on-track relationship was often difficult, and they feuded frequently at Fayetteville and Dublin, and at Lake View, S.C.

Off the track, though, the brothers were able to patch their differences. On Sunday morning, Hank posted on his race team's Facebook page, "As everyone might know by now, I lost my brother Porky. I thank God for him being my brother. He was a great person and his (loss) has hurt us all."

They have two other brothers, Ricky and Curtis. The latter raced extensively at region tracks.

Spring Lake's Ray Mason raced against Edwards Jr. for more than a decade. He recalled that they had a competitive understanding.

"He wanted to win just as bad as I did and would do whatever it took," Mason said. "If he thought you were in his way and he could get to you, he'd move you - and I'd do the same to him. We both understood that, so we got along good."

Fayetteville's David Taylor called Edwards a tough competitor with a big heart.

"He mellowed as he got older," said Taylor, a regular on the Carolina Clash Super Late Model Series. "He was the one to beat back in his day, but he cared about the sport of racing. He helped out sponsoring stuff and he wanted to do things for kids at the track."

That sentiment was echoed by Bert Brewington, who worked on Edwards' race cars for about a decade.

"He was just one of the best. He wanted to win every race," Brewington said. "I lot of people didn't like him because of his attitude at the track, but Porky had a good heart. If there was a man in need, it didn't matter whether he asked for help or not, Porky did what he could do to help out."

Edwards owned several local businesses through the years, including an auto repair shop, nightclubs and, most recently, mobile home transport.

Comment by Patsy Thompkins ~ Keisler on July 26, 2012 at 11:39pm

I am sure that a good portion came through the lens of your camera. Yes, I agree that he was somewhat ahead of others where PR was concerned. His fans also meant a lot to him, and he showed that. I don't think everyone GETS IT today. I feel as if your time with fans is as important as sponsorship and financial backing. It may not be as necessary....but it is every bit as important!! I, too miss him Keith...

Comment by Keith Smith on July 26, 2012 at 9:18pm

probably took more pics of JE jr. than about any racer. always cordial and media savy . learned about P R and sponsors long before other racers figured it out... sure do miss him

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