Today is 15 years when the racing community lost a talented driver.
John Blewett III, who passed away on August 16, 2007 during a NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour event at the Thompson (then Motor) Speedway. He was 33.
John, started his talent at the age of 10 in go-karts at the then paved New Egypt Speedway. Through out that time, racing was in his blood when his father John Jr. raced in the 1970's to the mid 90's. At age 18, he strapped himself in a real Modified that was owned by his grandfather, John Sr. John, ran his first race at the season ending Turkey Derby and, he failed to make the top then fastest. In order to make the cut, he was forced to run a 15 heat race and, finished third which was good enough to make the 27 car field. In the feature, he started 21st and completed 38 out of the scheduled 150 lap main event.
The next year, he ran his full season and finished the races in the top ten, fifteen and, twenty. His results were respectable by finishing eighth in the points and, won Rookie of the Year top honors. Initially, John was excited for another season at Wall Stadium to capitalize success. Unfortunately, his career came to a sudden standstill when the Modifieds were dropped from the schedule due to a disagreement over the purse structure. Modified racers found a new home, it was the defunct Flemington Speedway so, John decided to follow suit with the racers such as Eddie Bohn, Tony Siscone, Brian Scisco, Sam Russo, among others.
On a bitter cold night in November, John won his first Modified Main Event which was the Snapple 100. In the 1994 season, he finished fourth in the points and, not only racing a Modified he raced a Late Model there and, won on October 15, 1994 in that division.
In 1996, he won the Winston Northeastern Regional championship.
Through out his career, John has compiled 97 main events along with eight track titles. Important events such as Turkey Derby, Race of Champions, North South Shoot Out name a few.
2006 was his final track title at Wall Stadium. 2007 he was initially well focused but, he became increasingly dissatisfied with the track so, he decided to take a "vacation" from racing there.
Feel free to discuss your stories about this talented driver.
RIP JBIII
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