Curtis "Crawfish" Crider (October 7, 1930 – December 21, 2012) was an American stock car racing driver, and a pioneer in the early years of NASCAR.[1]

Curtis Crider
Born(1930-10-07)October 7, 1930
Danville, Virginia, United States
DiedDecember 21, 2012(2012-12-21) (aged 82)
Edgewater, Florida, United States
Achievements1972, 1973, 1974 Florida State Stock Car Champion
NASCAR Cup Series career
232 races run over 7 years
Best finish6th (1964)
First race1959 Columbia 200, Columbia
Last race1965 Virginia 500, Martinsville
Wins Top tens Poles
0 70 0
Statistics current as of December 23, 2012.

Career

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Born in Danville, Virginia, he was one of the hardest working and underfinanced racers to ever drive the stock car circuit.[1] Landing in a lake eventually earned him the nickname "Crawfish".[2] Like most early NASCAR racers, Crider was a bootlegger and delivered moonshine to his customers.[1] From 1959 to 1965, this driver has competed in 232 races in his seven-year career and accumulated a grand total of $58740 ($567,923.38 when adjusted for inflation).[3] Crider's average start was in 19th place while his average finish was in 15th place.[3]

Following his retirement from NASCAR competition, Crider competed in late model stock car racing in Florida, competing primarily at Volusia County Speedway and winning the Florida State Championship in 1972, 1973 and 1974. He released a book in 1987, called "The Road to Daytona". He operated an automobile restoration shop near his home in Ormond Beach, Florida before he died on December 21, 2012.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Curtis Crider's NASCAR career information (second reference)". Legends of NASCAR. Archived from the original on 2011-04-27. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
  2. ^ a b Willis, Ken (December 22, 2012). "Former racer Curtis "Crawfish" Crider dies at 82". The Daytona Beach News-Journal. Daytona Beach, FL. Retrieved 2012-12-23.
  3. ^ a b "Curtis Crider's NASCAR career information". Racing Reference. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
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