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Rodney Orr died in practice for the Daytona 500 on this day 25 years ago.
An unknown figure today, this thread will explain the man. 👇
An unknown figure today, this thread will explain the man. 👇
Orr was a motorcross racer who switched to NASCAR to get away from repeated injuries.
He won the 1993 Goody's Dash chanpionship. Here @DocPunchESPN tells a funny story about Rodney's motocross days during a race broadcast
He won the 1993 Goody's Dash chanpionship. Here @DocPunchESPN tells a funny story about Rodney's motocross days during a race broadcast
Orr was born in the small town of Robbinsville NC in the Smoky Mountains. Citizens created a collection box and donated money to help Rodney buy tires and rebuild his engines before each race. The "Robbinsville Racing Club" was officially the 93 Dash Series Championship car owner
"The kids here don't have a lot of local role models," Mitch Beasley said. "The high school football players, and guys like Rodney are who they look up to."
After Rodney's death, a local scholarship was created and the main street in Robbinsville was renamed "Rodney Orr Bypass"
After Rodney's death, a local scholarship was created and the main street in Robbinsville was renamed "Rodney Orr Bypass"
Before the 1994 season, Orr and his father bought a former Davey Allison car and was 7th fastest in winter testing.
On a Monday morning practice session, Orr's car spun in turn 2 and hit the catchfence with the roof, he died instantly. It was discovered a shock mount had broke
On a Monday morning practice session, Orr's car spun in turn 2 and hit the catchfence with the roof, he died instantly. It was discovered a shock mount had broke
Nonetheless, Rodney Orr's story is one of a small town coming together to support its racing hero. He provided inspiration for people to chase their dreams whether on the track or wherever.
