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J.D.: : The Life and Death of a Forgotten NASCAR Legend
August 11, 1991. Watkins Glen, New York. 52-year-old John Delphus “J.D.” McDuffie, Jr. climbs aboard his No. 70 Pontiac, lined up 35th on the grid for NASCAR’s Budweiser at the Glen. For the 653rd time, he pinches a cigar between his teeth and fires the engine. Few take notice of No. 70 as it rolls onto the 2.428-mile road course - only a small group of volunteers, fans, and family back home in Sanford, North Carolina. Even they knew McDuffie had never won a NASCAR race, and likely never would before the big-money teams squeezed him out of the sport. But no one knew that just five laps later, McDuffie would be dead, killed in a terrible two-car accident with fellow racer Jimmy Means.
“J.D.: The Life and Death of a Forgotten NASCAR Legend” tells the true story of J.D. McDuffie, one of stock car racing’s most beloved owner-drivers. It’s the tale of a man who honed his skills as a mechanic and built his own team from the ground-up, his No. 70 banging fenders with the likes of Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt. It’s also about the close-knit group of supporters who came together to make sure McDuffie made it to the track in a rapidly-changing sport. And it’s about that tragic weekend at Watkins Glen, the investigation that followed, and the legacy he’s left behind. Top to bottom, it’s one of the most comprehensive stories of any race car driver, and a tribute to NASCAR’s blue-collar past.
“J.D.: The Life and Death of a Forgotten NASCAR Legend” tells the true story of J.D. McDuffie, one of stock car racing’s most beloved owner-drivers. It’s the tale of a man who honed his skills as a mechanic and built his own team from the ground-up, his No. 70 banging fenders with the likes of Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt. It’s also about the close-knit group of supporters who came together to make sure McDuffie made it to the track in a rapidly-changing sport. And it’s about that tragic weekend at Watkins Glen, the investigation that followed, and the legacy he’s left behind. Top to bottom, it’s one of the most comprehensive stories of any race car driver, and a tribute to NASCAR’s blue-collar past.
- GenresRacing
247 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 16, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 24, 2025
J.D. McDuffie was a NASCAR driver/owner who certainly loved what he was doing in the sport. He was a dying breed - a single car team owner who was also the driver. Because of this, he often had less sponsorships, funds for parts and employees and other luxuries that well-financed motorsports teams have (for current teams like that, think Hendrick Motorsports or Joe Gibbs Racing). This book by Brock Beard tells a great story about the man, his love for racing and his tragic death on the road course at Watkins Glen.
Beard, who also narrates the audio version (I listened to this version), had access through interviews with family members, former drivers and crew members and even the small-time sponsors who gave McDuffie at least a little extra money and some decals on his no. 70 blue car. This gave the book some very interesting stories on McDuffie, both as a person and as a determined racer.
While McDuffie never did win a race on NASCAR’s highest level, then called the Winston Cup Series), he nonetheless won much respect from nearly everyone involved in the sport and that comes through in the writing as well. No matter how poorly McDuffie did in qualifying or in a race, one could be assured he’d try again the next week. He did qualify for the pole position once and was running well when he had that crash in Watkins Glen that ended his life.
But that life was fulfilling, doing what he loved to do and with a loving and supporting family. Because of this, it isn’t a stretch to call him a “legend” as the book’s subtitle does, because there are way to be a legend outside of just winning races, and McDuffie showed us how that can be done.
Beard, who also narrates the audio version (I listened to this version), had access through interviews with family members, former drivers and crew members and even the small-time sponsors who gave McDuffie at least a little extra money and some decals on his no. 70 blue car. This gave the book some very interesting stories on McDuffie, both as a person and as a determined racer.
While McDuffie never did win a race on NASCAR’s highest level, then called the Winston Cup Series), he nonetheless won much respect from nearly everyone involved in the sport and that comes through in the writing as well. No matter how poorly McDuffie did in qualifying or in a race, one could be assured he’d try again the next week. He did qualify for the pole position once and was running well when he had that crash in Watkins Glen that ended his life.
But that life was fulfilling, doing what he loved to do and with a loving and supporting family. Because of this, it isn’t a stretch to call him a “legend” as the book’s subtitle does, because there are way to be a legend outside of just winning races, and McDuffie showed us how that can be done.
September 24, 2018
“J.D. The Life and Death of a Forgotten NASCAR Legend by Brock Beard” is a non-fiction book published this year (2018) about the late NASCAR racer John Delphus “J.D.” McDuffie, Jr. who was a dirt track champion but unfortunately didn’t have the high-end equipment as his other competitors. J.D. didn’t let that stop him however, and he raced his #70 machine in over 650 races before tragically being killed in a crash at the Watkins Glen racecourse in New York. Brock Beard dives into J.D.’s story and shows off his life on and off the track through numerous interviews with family, friends, and fans of the #70 car. The book takes place around the country as it follows McDuffie’s career but it also focuses on Watkins Glen, New York where McDuffie was killed in 1991. Beard looks into the story and investigation that was carried out about one of the more forgotten fatal crashes in NASCAR history. Most importantly, Brock Beard does an excellent job of showing the true David vs. Goliath type story that J.D. faced on the track and what legacy he has left behind as a true hard working racer, mechanic, husband, and father.
As a young lifetime NASCAR fan, I personally loved the book. As I was born in 2001, I never really heard about J.D. McDuffie before reading this book, but after reading it over the summer I feel like I have learned so much about him. I am in awe of how much of a racer McDuffie was and how he was able to run his small little team against the much bigger and faster teams on the NASCAR circuit. I also learned more about the tragic crash and the investigations involving it. I have been going to Watkins Glen for NASCAR races the past 5 summers, so to learn about the unfortunate crash that took place there in 1991 was very interesting as you can see the safety improvements that both NASCAR and Watkins Glen has taken in order to make the sport safer for the competitors and the fans. I really enjoyed the interviews with J.D.’s family, friends, and fans as they showed what he was all about. The interviews were a great addition to the story as a whole and made the book very interesting on every page as it was always interesting to see what the people closest to J.D. had to see about him and his life. On a personal side note, I was lucky enough to actually get this book at Watkins Glen this year as Brock was selling them outside of the track. J.D.’s daughter Linda was also there, for the first time since her father’s crash. I was able to meet both Beard and Linda, making the whole reading experience much more interesting.
As a young lifetime NASCAR fan, I personally loved the book. As I was born in 2001, I never really heard about J.D. McDuffie before reading this book, but after reading it over the summer I feel like I have learned so much about him. I am in awe of how much of a racer McDuffie was and how he was able to run his small little team against the much bigger and faster teams on the NASCAR circuit. I also learned more about the tragic crash and the investigations involving it. I have been going to Watkins Glen for NASCAR races the past 5 summers, so to learn about the unfortunate crash that took place there in 1991 was very interesting as you can see the safety improvements that both NASCAR and Watkins Glen has taken in order to make the sport safer for the competitors and the fans. I really enjoyed the interviews with J.D.’s family, friends, and fans as they showed what he was all about. The interviews were a great addition to the story as a whole and made the book very interesting on every page as it was always interesting to see what the people closest to J.D. had to see about him and his life. On a personal side note, I was lucky enough to actually get this book at Watkins Glen this year as Brock was selling them outside of the track. J.D.’s daughter Linda was also there, for the first time since her father’s crash. I was able to meet both Beard and Linda, making the whole reading experience much more interesting.
September 23, 2019
A good book about one of the lessor known NASCAR drivers. His attitude was great, he "never said never." In over 600 Winston Cup races ( the top level of Nascar ) he never won, actually he never finished on the lead lap. Damn. However, like the Energizer Bunny he just kept going and going. Well, until he didn't.
If you're a NASCAR fan I think you'll enjoy this book. Many mentions of other of the old school drivers.
If you're a NASCAR fan I think you'll enjoy this book. Many mentions of other of the old school drivers.
July 19, 2020
I’m a little biased because my mm and dad were friends with JD. They were also co sponsors of his car. My dad was at the track when JD was killed at Watkins Glen. This book brought back many memories. My dad smoked a cigar on his way home from New York to pay tribute to JD. This is a story that needed to be told. The author does an excellent job with telling it.
October 7, 2022
Beard paints a thorough and complete picture of a driver that exemplified the olden era of NASCAR. Highly recommend for any NASCAR fan interested in the telling of a story that you won’t find anywhere else.
November 22, 2019
Read this cover to cover in one shot! I found it to be well written by someone who has extensive first knowledge of J. D. His life, his family, and his circumstances.
Now before I get into the details, I think it wise to share a bit of my own history. I was there at the track the day J. D. Died (I was only 5, but still to this day I believe that was the day my love hate relationship with motorsports began) I also feel it is important to share that I am an active member of the safety team at Watkins Glen International, and have been for over a decade. So I already have a basis of knowledge from a different perspective than some race fans.
I was so very pleased with the quality of content in this book, so much more than what I ever imagined about this tragically lost legend. From day one in J.D.'s career to that final green flag in 1991. The longevity of his career as a "independent" is something we will never ever seen again in Nascar. The inevitable evolution of the sport has made it impossible to be a true "independent". My favorite tale in the book was the glory of J. D. 's final checker flag, it was a heart warming tidbit before the ultimate tragedy would befall him.
Along with the history of J. D., we also got a well painted picture of Jimmy Means. (the other driver involved in the incident). Then on top of that there was a good bit of information about the track itself and many of the other horrific incidents that took place in at turn 5, including the a very recent crash (just weeks prior) when Tommy Kendall was so gravely injured. We got to hear his thoughts about it afterwards, something sadly we did not get from J. D.
Rest in Peace J. D.
Your legacy will never be lost because of this book, and thank you Brock for sharing!
Now before I get into the details, I think it wise to share a bit of my own history. I was there at the track the day J. D. Died (I was only 5, but still to this day I believe that was the day my love hate relationship with motorsports began) I also feel it is important to share that I am an active member of the safety team at Watkins Glen International, and have been for over a decade. So I already have a basis of knowledge from a different perspective than some race fans.
I was so very pleased with the quality of content in this book, so much more than what I ever imagined about this tragically lost legend. From day one in J.D.'s career to that final green flag in 1991. The longevity of his career as a "independent" is something we will never ever seen again in Nascar. The inevitable evolution of the sport has made it impossible to be a true "independent". My favorite tale in the book was the glory of J. D. 's final checker flag, it was a heart warming tidbit before the ultimate tragedy would befall him.
Along with the history of J. D., we also got a well painted picture of Jimmy Means. (the other driver involved in the incident). Then on top of that there was a good bit of information about the track itself and many of the other horrific incidents that took place in at turn 5, including the a very recent crash (just weeks prior) when Tommy Kendall was so gravely injured. We got to hear his thoughts about it afterwards, something sadly we did not get from J. D.
Rest in Peace J. D.
Your legacy will never be lost because of this book, and thank you Brock for sharing!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews