Junie Donlavey celebrates 77th birthday.

Hills Bros Coffee Racing team owner Junie Donlavey will celebrate his 77th birthday April 8 in his home state of Virginia. The following are birthday messages offered by some of Donlavey' acquaintances throughout his 52-year involvement in motorsports:
Dave Marcis, Real Tree Chevrolet:
"Junie is a super guy. He obviously loves NASCAR racing. He's been there forever - in the good times and bad. He has had a big impact on the sport by giving young drivers a shot in his cars. You'd be hard-pressed to find a better guy than Junie."
Ken Schrader, M & M's Pontiac:
"Junie is probably one of the most respected men in NASCAR. If I hadn't had the opportunity to drive for him, there is a chance I'd never made it here (to Winston Cup) at all. He takes racing seriously, but he also enjoys it.

"I had run five races for Elmo Langley in 1984, and Lee Morse with Ford leaned on Junie to put me in his car. I really think Junie put me in there because Lee wanted him to, but they also had a little vote in the shop. There were about 10 guys that volunteered with Junie and they voted on everybody that was up for the job. I won because I got the one vote that counted ... Junie's."
Robby Gordon, Former Donlavey Driver:
"What a stud! He's one of the good guys, certainly loves his racing. He gave me my first stock-car ride in 1991 via Ford and allowed me to race a few other races for him. That first race was the ARCA race at Atlanta where we won the pole. He was so excited, I thought he was going to pass out! Junie is great, always been a good friend. He's a pleasure to work with and lots of fun to hang out with."
Ricky Rudd, Texaco Havoline Ford:
"Junie is a really great guy. He has given so many of us our starts in NASCAR racing. I really do appreciate the chance he gave me 22 years ago. Our family team was about winding down and Junie hired me in 1979. It was my first ride and we had a really good time.

"Junie has always been from the old school and one race with him really stands out. It was Darlington in 1979. We qualified fourth. The race started and we went right to the lead. I'm out there leading that race and all by myself I hit the wall coming off what was then turn four.

"It must have knocked the car out of alignment, because it drove like a truck after that. I'm on the radio saying, 'Junie, I can't drive this thing. Junie, you're going to have to get a backup driver.' The car was wearing me out. Apparently, Junie got tired of hearing me talking about how bad the car was. Finally, he got on the radio and said, 'Ricky, I have a question for you.' I was quick to respond and he came back with. 'Did the car drive that bad before you ran it into the wall?' He made his point.

"I really enjoyed the time I drove for Junie and have enjoyed his friendship during my entire career."
Tommy Baldwin, Crew Chief Caterpillar Dodge:
"You have to give Junie a lot of credit. He's been very important to this sport and has done a lot with what he has had to work with financially. He has had a lot of good people that have came through that building early in their careers that he has trained."
Dan Davis, Director of Ford Racing Technology:
"Junie is special, there's no question about that. He's one of a very select group of people who have been awarded the Spirit of Ford Award, which is the highest honor we give someone in motorsports. We felt Junie deserved it, not only for his loyalty to Ford all these many years, but also for the opportunities he has provided for so many drivers and crew people throughout his time in the sport.

"This season marks our 100th year of Ford Racing, and we've been taking this year to honor many of the people who have made an impact in our history. Junie is certainly one of them. He's more than a NASCAR treasure or a Ford treasure - he's a motorsports treasure."
Mike Wallace, Nations Rent Ford:
"First of all, I would like to wish Junie Happy Birthday! He's one of the nicest guys in racing, overall. He has one of the best mental outlooks of anybody. He's been great to me and great to a lot of drivers. We hope we can continue to celebrate birthdays year after year with Junie."
Morgan Shepherd, Former Junie Donlavey Driver:
"This sport would not be the same without Junie Donlavey. He has done so much for this sport, and has never given up. He's the oldest guy in the sport - that says a lot for Junie Donlavey and the sacrifices he's given. The people that have worked for him have gone on to bigger and better things, but they remember where they got their start. There is not a time that I've walked into the garage in the morning and he has not given me that Virginian 'Hi.' That means a lot to me. There are so many people in this world that think they get above other people. Junie Donlavey is just down to earth. I have never seen him not to take the time to talk to people. He's a Richard Petty-type person. Sometimes money makes people feel like they're above other people, but not Junie Donlavey. He has been without and he has had. He is my kind of person."
Donnie Allison, Racing Legend:
"Junie has been around forever. I first met him when he was running Modifieds, then Sportman division, and then Winston Cup. He has always been a fine competitor just like right now. He is the old school competitor. You can't find a nicer guy."
Leonard Wood, Senior Manager, Research and Development, Wood Brothers Racing:
"Junie is a great guy. He's always got a nice comment to say to me you know when he sees me and I wish him a very Happy Birthday."
Ken (Ding) Bell, Shop Foreman, Donlavey Racing employee for 31 years:
"He's been the most consistent person I have ever known. We can get down and he never gets down. He stays the same, that's been the thing I have noticed in the 31 years I've been with him. He's a very tough guy and I've enjoyed working with him through the years and hope it will continue for many more."
Mike Smith, Donlavey Racing Truck Driver/Jackman employee for 23 years:
"We've run good and we've run bad. We've raced with a little bit of money and have raced on our winnings only. The one thing that has been evident throughout the years is that we have fun, because if we didn't we wouldn't do it anymore."
Todd Bodine, Kmart Ford:
"To have my first Winston Cup ride with Junie, I consider an honor and a privilege. He is just a great guy and has always been good to me. He's a
pioneer in this sport."
Hut Stricklin, Hills Bros Coffee Ford:
"Junie has given me breaks when no one else would. I have driven for him on a couple of occasions and feel he has be very easy to work with probably easier than anyone else I have worked with. The one thing about Junie is that he is very upfront and you know what to expect from him everyday."
Junie's Army

Drivers who have qualified for a Winston Cup event for Junie Donlavey:

Ed Berrier Harry Gant*
Stanton Barrett Jimmy Hensley
Morgan Shepherd Ed Pettjohn
Dick Trickle Paul Radford
Mike Wallace Maynard Troyer
Bobby Hillin Jr. George Follmer
Pancho Carter Richie Panch
Hut Stricklin Ramo Stott
Charlie Glotzbach Ray Hendrick*
Dorsey Schroeder Yvon DuHamel
Kerry Teague Bud Moore
Robbie Gordon Wayne Andrews
J.T. Hayes Jackie Oliver
Wally Dallenbach Jr. Fred Lorenzen*
Steve Perry LeeRoy Yarbrough*
Ernie Irvan* David Pearson*
Buddy Baker* Max Berrier
Chad Little Butch Hartman
Stan Barrett Ron Hutcherson
Lennie Pond Johnny Rutherford
Benny Parsons* Richard Brown
Jimmy Means Cale Yarborough*
Ken Schrader Sonny Hutchins
Dick Brooks Johnny Roberts
Jody Ridley Buzz Woodward
Ricky Rudd* Larry Frank
Chris Beckers Buddy Shuman
Buck Baker* Runt Harris
Gene Felton Tiny Lund*
Ken Brightbill Speedy Thompson
Dick May Neil Castles
Earl Ross Manny Zervakis
Al Holbert Joe Weatherly*
Bill Dennis Bob Apperson
Bobby Isaac*

* - Denotes drivers who were named to "NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers" list in 1998