John Blewett III
Encyclopedia
John Richard Blewett, III (October 25, 1973 – August 16, 2007) from Howell Township, New Jersey
, was a NASCAR
Whelen Modified Tour
driver.
held a Special Memorial for John. Fans, family, and friends attended the Speedway to pay their final respects. On the final lap of the scheduled 40 lap modified event, 1990 NASCAR Whelen Modified Titlist Jamie Tomaino piloted the famed #76 for a solo lap in John's honor. Three months later, at the season ending Turkey Derby, the Speedway decided to retire the #76. However, his brother
can use the #76 (as he did) in the 2011 Turkey Derby at Wall, winning the Tour Type feature.
The North-South Shootout, a Tour-type Modified race held at Caraway Speedway
(since 2011, previously held at Concord Motorsports Park), was renamed the John Blewett III Memorial North-South Shootout starting with the 2007 edition.
Howell Township, New Jersey
Howell is a Township in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 51,075.Howell Township was incorporated as a township by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 23, 1801, from portions of Shrewsbury Township...
, was a NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Whelen Modified Tour
Whelen Modified Tour
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is a stock car racing series owned and operated by NASCAR in the Modified division. The Modified division is NASCAR's oldest division, and its one of two open-wheeled divisions...
driver.
Career
Blewett started racing go karts at the age of 10. In 1996, at age 22, he won the coveted NASCAR's Northeast Regional Championship, falling only a few points shy of the National Title. During his career he recorded 96 wins between 1993 and 2007, including track championships at Flemington Speedway, Wall Township Speedway, New Egypt, as well as New Hampshire. In 2006, he was honored during the motorsports show in Atlantic City as the northeasts Winningest Pavement Driver, for that year, as tallied by Area Auto Racing News.Death and Memorial
On August 16, 2007 while competing in a Whelen Modified race at Thompson Speedway, Blewett lost his life in a crash where he spun, flipped twice, and was hit in the driver's door.. On August 18, 2007 Wall Township SpeedwayWall Township Speedway
Wall Township Speedway is a race track in Wall Township, New Jersey. The track opened to the public in the spring of 1950 and has operated for at least a part of every year since. The track was an early home to racing stars Ray Evernham and Martin Truex, Jr. Also, it hosted NASCAR Strictly Stock...
held a Special Memorial for John. Fans, family, and friends attended the Speedway to pay their final respects. On the final lap of the scheduled 40 lap modified event, 1990 NASCAR Whelen Modified Titlist Jamie Tomaino piloted the famed #76 for a solo lap in John's honor. Three months later, at the season ending Turkey Derby, the Speedway decided to retire the #76. However, his brother
Jimmy Blewett
James Robert Blewett, known as Jimmy Blewett, is a NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour driver, and the younger brother of the late John Blewett III.- Rising Up :...
can use the #76 (as he did) in the 2011 Turkey Derby at Wall, winning the Tour Type feature.
The North-South Shootout, a Tour-type Modified race held at Caraway Speedway
Caraway Speedway
Caraway Speedway is a short track located near Asheboro, North Carolina, U.S.A.. Caraway Speedway was built in 1966 as a dirt track. The track was paved in 1972 and joined the NASCAR Weekly Series Family as a .455 mile asphalt short track. Caraway Speedway was owned and operated by Russell &...
(since 2011, previously held at Concord Motorsports Park), was renamed the John Blewett III Memorial North-South Shootout starting with the 2007 edition.
Previous rides
- John Blewett, Inc. #5 - 1992-1993
- John Blewett Inc. #76 - 1993-1994
- Lou Vasquez #9/#5 1994-1996
- Dick Barney #14 - 1995-1996, 1998-1999
- John Blewett, Inc. #05 - 1997
- Mario Fiore #44 - 1999
- Curt Chase #77 - 2000-2004
- Timmy Shinn #66 - 2002-2004 (Small Block Modified)
- John Blewett, Inc #76 2005-2007 (Small Block Modified)
- Sheba Racing #8 2004
- John Blewett Inc. #66 2005-2007
Accomplishments
- Rookie of the Year (1992)
- Thanksgiving Classic (1993)
- Race of Champions (1995)
- NASCAR Northeast Regional (1996)
- Challenge of Champions (1996, 1997)
- North-South Shootout (2003, 2005) (after his death, the race became the John Blewett III Memorial North-South Shootout)
- Turkey Derby (2000, 2001, 2004, 2005)
- Garden State Classic (2003,2004,2006)
Track titles
- Flemington SpeedwayFlemington SpeedwayFlemington Speedway was a motor racing circuit in Flemington, New Jersey which operated from 1915 to 2002. The track is most known for hosting four NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series races and its pioneering use of foam blocks used to lessen the impact of crashes, which led to the adoption of the SAFER...
(1996, 1997) - New Hampshire International Speedway (2000, 2002, 2003, 2006)
- New Egypt SpeedwayNew Egypt SpeedwayNew Egypt Speedway as of 2009 was renovated to become a true-oval clay race track in New Egypt, New Jersey.-Current state:New Egypt Speedway currently holds races on Saturday nights from April to October. The speedway draws over 150 race cars on a weekly basis...
(1996) - Wall Township SpeedwayWall Township SpeedwayWall Township Speedway is a race track in Wall Township, New Jersey. The track opened to the public in the spring of 1950 and has operated for at least a part of every year since. The track was an early home to racing stars Ray Evernham and Martin Truex, Jr. Also, it hosted NASCAR Strictly Stock...
(2006)