Junie Donlavey dies (Update)
"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."
06/10/14 Legendary NASCAR owner and Richmond native Junie Donlavey has died at age 90 according to family members. Donlavey suffered from Alzheimer's disease and passed away Monday night in Richmond. Donlavey got his start as an owner in 1950 at Martinsville. He fielded NASCAR teams all the way into the 2000s. Donlavey's famous #90 car fielded rookie of the year drivers three times (1970, 1980, 1985). Donlavey's family told NBC12 that Junie thought it would only be appropriate if he passed away at age 90, the same number famously featured on his stock cars.