“The only thing you really need to know about Junie Donlavey is that he was probably the most well-liked person ever in the sport of NASCAR. He was a good friend of the Wood Brothers … one of our very best friends in the sport. I can tell you I would call him on the phone, and even before I could get a word or two out, he knew who it was that was calling.
“The thing I will always remember about Junie is that he was never mad or upset. He took everything in stride. He just enjoyed being around the sport and being around people. You’d see him in the garage, and he’d always be talking with someone, and I used to love seeing him doubled-up laughing over some story.
“As far as I know, his team was never fully-funded, like you would see with most teams. But he always wanted to run well every time he was out there. I know he had some real good cars in the modified and sportsman days, even before NASCAR started. He had cars that ran well all the time, so he was a competitive person..
“But he always helped out everyone, no matter who you were. He helped out so many drivers and crew members who just wanted to get into the sport. He always had time for people like that.”
Junie was a friend over a good number of years. From younger years around the shop till doing a photo at Jr. Keen’s car show in Smithfield or at the Virginia Creepers Hot Rod Club July 4th meetings at Willie Glass’s place, Junie always had a smile and “glad to see ya” greeting. It was a real pleasure to sit and talk around a relaxed back yard type of get together. Junie had many tales of he and Willie Glass sharing car parts for Ford’s famous flathead V8’s which they both loved. We’ve all lost a part of racing history and someone with a great sense of character and integrity. There’s no telling how many youngsters he helped along the way with parts and his knowledge. God speed, Junie and rest easy !
Bill Carr-motorsports photo news service