Dick May Passes, A Celebration of a Racers Life Options

[MikePerry]

It was with extreme sadness that I received the following message from Dick's daughter Joni just moments ago. Dick May was the driver of the B29 at Watertown Speedway for many years and a former track champion there before campaigning on the NASCAR circuit from 1971 to 1985. I had the extreme honor of introducing Dick at his induction into the DIRT Hall of Fame two years ago at Weedsport. His life was completely dedicated to this sport and his ability as a driver for those who knew him or were fans of Dick can never be denied. But most of all we will miss his incredible sense of humor and generous nature to the sport and all those in it. He will be very much missed and my thoughts are with the entire May family.

Joni's note:
Dick May Celebration of Life
It is with extreme sadness I must report that my father, Dick May, passed away this afternoon at 3:50PM. As many of you know, he has been quite sick for the past year and his body was just worn out when pneumonia set in. In his own words, “He hit the wall for the final time”. His humor was intact and he was strong until the end. Thank you to all who have given me kind words and strength during this difficult time.



Funeral Arrangements are with the Cavin Cook Funeral Home in Mooresville, NC (date pending) and a memorial service will also be held in NY at a future date in late June or early July.

[brian moore]

anybody got old pictures of his race cars to put on here?

[GasketCase]

My condolences to his family, friends, and fans.

[catfish]

It was with extreme sadness that I received the following message from Dick's daughter Joni just moments ago. Dick May was the driver of the B29 at Watertown Speedway for many years and a former track champion there before campaigning on the NASCAR circuit from 1971 to 1985. I had the extreme honor of introducing Dick at his induction into the DIRT Hall of Fame two years ago at Weedsport. His life was completely dedicated to this sport and his ability as a driver for those who knew him or were fans of Dick can never be denied. But most of all we will miss his incredible sense of humor and generous nature to the sport and all those in it. He will be very much missed and my thoughts are with the entire May family.

Joni's note:
Dick May Celebration of Life
It is with extreme sadness I must report that my father, Dick May, passed away this afternoon at 3:50PM. As many of you know, he has been quite sick for the past year and his body was just worn out when pneumonia set in. In his own words, “He hit the wall for the final time”. His humor was intact and he was strong until the end. Thank you to all who have given me kind words and strength during this difficult time.



Funeral Arrangements are with the Cavin Cook Funeral Home in Mooresville, NC (date pending) and a memorial service will also be held in NY at a future date in late June or early July.

This was a true racer and family man, Dick May in his own words ,He hit the wall for the final time" as their are no walls in racing heaven,God Bless Dick you will be missed.

[dewaltford17]

here are a few photos of Dick May that I have on the www.speedwaynostalgia.com site.

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[dewaltford17]

and a few more.

My condolances to his family....I am too young to remember him, but I certainly know that he was a legend of our sport.

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[MikePerry]

Craig....my thanks to you for posting the photos from Dick's career....he was a helluva racer and even better guy to know! The following was from the DIRT Motorsports Hall of Fame info:

As the Pioneer Committee's selection for 2007, Dick May spent 18 years racing in New York’s north country before moving down south where he spent another 15 seasons following the Grand National (today’s Nextel Cup) circuit. The popular Brownville, NY pilot debuted at the old Edgewood Speedway in Alexandria Bay in 1950 and collected his only track championship trophy at Watertown Speedway in 1962. A trucker by trade, May relocated to North Carolina at the end of the decade while his first NASCAR race was actually recorded in 1967 at the Permatex 300 in Daytona Beach, Florida. He continued in NASCAR's top series until 1986, posting eight career top-10 finishes and his best finish in the point standings was 15th in 1978. Because of the way he could handle the cars he became the top relief driver in Cup history during the '70s and early '80s. May's feat of driving five cars in one race ---the 1975 Mason Dixon 500 at Dover Downs Int’l Speedway--- will probably be in the history books for a long time.

[MikePerry]

photo from induction ceremony into Hall of Fame...Dick is center back row

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[kathyln]

I can't really say I know all that much about car racing, actually nothing at all. What I do remember was as a young girl being taken to the races by Dick and my sister Leone. They shared many years together. I use to love going to their place in Brownville,NY and spending the weekend with them and Dicks kids. He was a big part of our family for many years. When my sister passed in 1998 there was a note with the flowers saying he always loved her. I'm sure it went both ways. So to the Dick May family, our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. The racing photos that have been put on are very special but If I could hear from one of the kids though my email I have some more personal photos I think you may like to have. Again, our thoughts are with you.
kathy
jkneuman@gmail.com

[Bicknell16w]

Our condolences go out to the May family. He raced with my grandfather at Edgewood Speedway and my wife's grandfathers at Watertown Speedway.

[silverfox]

so sorry to hear of Dick's passing, he was a true racer that enjoyed his sport. spend many Sat nights watching him race in Watertown. Remember like it was yesterday seeing him hit tthe light pole in turn one and the bulbs falling on his car.Miss those days at the old race track

[chriss2009]

A great man has passed...just a few pictures to remember him by. A message to tell him that his grandchildren and great grandchildren miss him and love him so much!
Christina Schweitzer

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[LB773]

I did not know the man but it sounds like he had a life well lived. God Speed Sir. My condolences to his family and friends.

[MikePerry]

Dick May Born Nov. 7, 1930 Deceased June 9, 2009



Calling Hours: Monday June 15 at 1PM in the afternoon and in the evening at 7PM



Funeral service will be conducted at Cavin-Cook Funeral Home, Mooresville NC at Tuesday, June 16 at 1PM followed by a processional to the reception facilities of Performance Instruction & Training (PIT), 156 Byers Creek Rd., Mooresville, NC where Family and Friends will continue a “Celebration of Life” for Dick until 5PM.



Cavin-Cook Funeral Home

704-664-3363

[tim the tool man]

I didn't know Dick, but Freddy Gibson and Shorty Robinson certainly spoke highly of him. He was a great representative for the northeastern racing community when he moved south to race. Now Woody, Frank, and Tony have another great competitor to race with on the big track above.