Fourteen years later, was the day that the racing community had lost a taleneted driver / Grand Champion. John Blewett III, passed on August 16, 2007 during a NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event.
John's talents started at the age of 10, where he competed in the go-karts at the then paved New Egypt Speedway. That track was when his father John Jr. won four Modified Champioinships ('80, '81, '84, '85) and, tied in the all time win list with the late great Richie Evans with 23.
At the age of 18, weeks before the season ending Turkey Derby, he strapped himself in a real race car. The car was a Modified and, it was renumbered 5 that was owned by his Grandfather John Sr.. John Jr. had trained John III on how to get through speed and endurance on the track.
When Turkey Derby came, John III's #5 graced in time trials and, failed to make the top ten fastest. In the heat race, he finished third and made it into the 27 car field for the 150 main event. Started 21st and dropped out after completing 38 laps.
One year later, he competed in his full season by finishing most of the races in the top five and ten. He won a few heat races and, lead several laps on one or two occasions in the main events. John won Rookie of the Year and, finished eighth in the season points. He won a heat race at the season ending Turkey Derby and, finished fifth in the 150 lap event.
1993 was a dark year for Wall Stadium. As a result, the Modifieds had been dropped from the schedule after a disagreement over the purse structure. John's career was at a standstill until, the Modifieds had moved to the now defunct Flemington Speedway in Hunterdon County. The division made eight appearances and, John ended up ninth in points. In a bitter cold November, John won his first career in the Snapple 100 by passing the late Ted Christopher with two laps left.
Two years later, he captured the Race of Champions in the Dick Barney #14 that was originally handled by Tony Siscone who won it a year earlier and, retired in victory lane. It was one of the best events that John, had ever won in the supersized event.
1996 was an incredible year by winning 21 events (17 at Flemington and 4 at New Egypt) along with two track titles. In addition, he won the Northeast Regional Title.
In 2000, he finally won his first Wall Stadium victory in the season ending Turkey Derby. Not only that, he had won the overall title with just one point ahead of two time champion Tom Mauser. He had joined his father, who won that event in 1980 and 1984.
2007 he returned as the defending champion at Wall but, he was becoming disenchanted with the track. During that time, he was competing on the Modified Tour so, he decided to take a vacation from the sport.
Until that terrible night on August 16, he was battling the lead with his young brother Jimmy in several occasions. On that restart, something went terribly wrong, Jimmy blew a tire and John tried to avoid the carnage but, it was too late. The race was past 1/2 way and, it became official after John's fatal accident. Todd Szegedy was declared the winner. John succumed to his injuries that changed his family, friends, fans and the racing community forever. John was 33 years old.
His legacy will be remembered for everyone!!!
1992 Rookie of the Year
1993 Thanksgiving Classic
1995 Race of Champions
1996 Modified Track Champion (Flemington Speedway)
1996 Small Block Modified Champion (New Egypt Speedway)
1996 NASCAR Northeast Regional Champion
1997 Modified Track Champion (Flemington Speedway)
1997 Late Model Track Champion (Flemington Speedway)
2000 Turkey Derby
2001 Turkey Derby
2003 Garden State Classic
2004 Garden State Classic
2004 Turkey Derby
2005 Turkey Derby
2006 Modified Track Champion (Wall Stadium)
2006 Garden State Classic
|
