MOORESVILLE, N.C. – Live Fast Motorsports will honor Joe Weatherly during the upcoming NASCAR throwback weekend at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway.
The No. 78 Ford Mustang will throw back to Weatherly’s last victory at Darlington Raceway in 1963. The paint scheme is a special one for team co-owner Joe Falk, who grew up around Weatherly as a child.
“He’s from my hometown in Norfolk, Va., where my father had race cars and would work on Joe Weatherly’s car quite often,” said Falk. “When I was born, my dad called me Little Joe as a tribute, and when I was small, I would chase him around in my little car. As I grew up, Joe was a part of my life. He was the trophy presenter when I won my heat in the soap-box derby when I was 12 years old.”
Falk said the scheme also has a more personal connection for not just himself, but for his brother.
“The throwback paint scheme also means a lot to me and my brother,” Falk said. “My brother is 10 years older than I; he had a stronger relationship with him (Weatherly). My brother was in his early 20s and went to Darlington to see Joe (Weatherly) race and help. He and his friends drove all night, slept in the car and when they went in the garage, Weatherly could immediately tell they slept in the car and said to them, ‘If your daddy had seen you, he’d get real cross. Take my hotel key and go clean up.”
“Based on our friendship with Joe Falk, we’re happy to see someone important to Joe be recognized during the throwback weekend at Darlington Raceway,” said T.J. Keen of CorvetteParts.net.
The NASCAR Cup Series Goodyear 400 is scheduled for May 9 at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway.