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[LenAshburn]

Farewell to a Local Legend


December 23rd, 2009 at 6:08 pm by Mike Thomsen

Some sad news in the world of racing today.

Auto racing historian, writer, thrill seeker, and all-around good guy Crocky Wright has passed away.

Crocky was a true character, I got to spend a few hours with him at a collectibles show earlier this year, and I truly enjoyed it.

He liked to relay the story of being fired from his job as a tour bus driver at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, because he liked to take the buses around the turns a little too fast.

Crocky liked to say he was the only person ever fired for driving too fast at IMS.

He was an author who penned extensive histories of eastern U.S. racing, including a book about former Speedway ace Johnny Thomson and a history of the Nutley Velodrome.

Another book, Fate Guides My Destiny, was very well received.

He drove in thrill shows and performed stunts way past most people’s “retirement” age.

But perhaps he’s best known for his tireless promotion of a driver from Indiana.

From the time he first laid eyes on Tony Stewart, he knew Smoke would be a star, and Crocky let everyone know it.

The two became very close friends, and I know Tony will miss his biggest fan.

RIP Crocky
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Len in Indy