# Red Farmer

Charles "Red" Farmer (born October 15, 1932) is an American professional stock car racing and dirt track racing driver. He currently competes part-time in 602 Crate Dirt Late Models in the No. F97 Ford Mustang for his own team. He is a member of the Alabama Gang.

## Racing career

His first race was at Opa-locka Speedway near Miami, Florida in a 1934 Ford in 1948. He became famous as a member of the Alabama Gang and he considered his hometown to be Hueytown, Alabama. Estimates of Farmer's career victories range from 700 to 900 victories, most occurring in the late 1950s and early 60's. He raced 36 NASCAR Cup Series races from 1953 to 1975. He won numerous championships at local tracks. Before racing in the Grand National series, he raced modified stock cars in the northeast. He was one of the first to transition from the modified series to the early Grand National Series. He was the NASCAR National Late Model Sportsman champion (later Xfinity Series) for three consecutive years from 1969 to 1971. Farmer's best finish in NASCAR's top division was fourth at both the 1972 Talladega 500, and the 1968 Middle Georgia 500 near Macon, Georgia. He entered so few Cup races because he was content to run primarily in the Late Model Sportsman Series. He was named NASCAR's most popular driver four times. Farmer raced in the white and gold number 97 car. In the mid-60's, however, Farmer raced a white, gold, and red Ford Fairlane, number F-97.
He was Davey Allison's crew chief in the Busch Series.
Farmer has retained his skills as a driver in spite of his age. He competed in two Busch Grand National races in 1992, and the season opening ARCA event at Daytona in 1993. In June 2005, at age 72, Farmer turned heads in winning a heat over current NASCAR Sprint Cup stars, and finished 8th in the feature during the Sprint Prelude to the Dream at Eldora Speedway, owned by Tony Stewart.
As of 2022, Farmer still regularly competes in a late model at Talladega Short Track, a 1/3 mile oval dirt track in Eastaboga, Alabama located near the Talladega Superspeedway. His grandson, Lee Burdett, also races there.
Farmer's house, race shop, race hauler, and dirt late model were damaged by a tornado on March 25, 2021.

## Awards

His accolades are numerous, being a member of five halls of fame. Farmer was named one of the 50 Greatest Drivers in NASCAR history in 1998. He was a member of the first Class of Inductees into the Talladega-Texaco Walk Of Fame. When the International Motorsports Hall of Fame inducted Farmer, they had to waive their rule of 5 years of retirement – they figured he never would retire. Red Farmer was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2022.

## Helicopter crash

On July 12, 1993, Farmer was a passenger in a helicopter crash at Talladega Superspeedway that took the life of NASCAR Winston Cup driver Davey Allison, which occurred as Allison was attempting to land the aircraft in a nearby parking lot. The two were en route to the track in order to watch David Bonnett (son of fellow Alabama Gang driver Neil Bonnett) drive in a practice session. Farmer suffered a broken collarbone and fractured ribs in the crash.

## Motorsports career results
### NASCAR

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

#### Grand National Series

NASCAR Grand National Series results :
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | NGNC | Pts |
| 1953 | Sikes Motors | 48 | Hudson | PBS | DAB 45 | HAR | NWS | CLT | RCH | CCS | LAN | CLB | HCY | MAR | PMS | RSP | LOU | FFS | LAN | TCS | WIL | MCF | PIF | MOR | ATL | RVS | LCF | DAV | HBO | AWS | PAS | HCY | DAR | CCS | LAN | BLF | WIL | NWS | MAR | ATL | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 176th | 13 |
| 1956 | J. M. Fitzgibbons | C97 | Chevy | HCY | CLT | WSS | PBS 15 | ASF | DAB 36 | PBS 17 | WIL | ATL | NWS | LAN | RCH | CLB | CON | GPS | HCY | HBO | MAR | LIN | CLT | POR | EUR | NYF | MER | MAS | CLT | MCF | POR | AWS | RSP | PIF | CSF | CHI | CCF | MGY | OKL | ROA | OBS | SAN | NOR | PIF | MYB | POR | DAR | CSH | CLT | LAN | POR | CLB | HBO | NWP | CLT | CCF | MAR | HCY | WIL | 154th | - |
| 1960 | Long-Lewis | 88 | Ford | CLT | CLB | DAY 20 | DAY | DAY 56 | CLT | NWS | PHO | CLB | MAR | HCY | WIL | BGS | GPS | AWS | DAR | PIF | HBO | RCH | HMS | CLT | BGS | DAY | HEI | MAB | MBS | ATL | BIR | NSV | AWS | PIF | CLB | SBO | BGS | DAR | HCY | CSF | GSP | HBO | MAR | NWS | CLT | RCH | ATL | | | | | | | | | | | | | 131st | 120 |
| 1962 | Frank Rhoads | 23 | Ford | CON | AWS | DAY | DAY 11 | DAY 40 | CON | AWS | SVH | HBO | RCH | CLB | NWS | GPS | MBS | MAR | BGS | BRI | RCH | HCY | CON | DAR | PIF | CLT | ATL | BGS | AUG | RCH | SBO | DAY | CLB | ASH | GPS | AUG | SVH | MBS | BRI | CHT | NSV | HUN | AWS | STR | BGS | PIF | VAL | DAR | HCY | RCH | DTS | AUG | MAR | NWS | CLT | ATL | | | | 90th | 360 |
| 1965 | | 26 | Ford | RSD | DAY | DAY | DAY 36 | PIF | AWS | RCH | HBO | ATL | GPS | NWS | MAR | CLB | BRI | DAR | LGY | BGS | HCY | CLT | CCF | ASH | HAR | NSV | BIR | ATL | GPS | MBS | VAL | DAY | ODS | OBS | ISP | GLN | BRI | NSV | CCF | AWS | SMR | PIF | AUG | CLB | DTS | BLV | BGS | DAR | HCY | LIN | ODS | RCH | MAR | NWS | CLT | HBO | CAR | DTS | | 104th | 208 |
| 1967 | Ben Arnold | 76 | Ford | AUG | RSD | DAY | DAY 14 | DAY 42 | AWS | BRI | GPS | BGS | ATL | CLB | HCY | NWS | MAR | SVH | RCH | DAR | BLV | LGY | CLT | ASH | MGR | SMR | BIR | CAR | GPS | MGY | DAY | TRN | OXF | FDA | ISP | BRI | SMR | NSV | ATL | BGS | CLB | SVH | DAR | HCY | RCH | BLV | HBO | MAR | NWS | | | | | | | | | | | 54th | 2546 |
| 1967 | Gray Racing | 97 | Ford | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | CLT 31 | CAR 11 | AWS | | | | | | | | | | 54th | 2546 | |
| 1968 | Long-Lewis | 97 | Ford | MGR 4 | MGY 29 | RSD | DAY 43 | BRI | RCH | ATL 30 | HCY | GPS | CLB | NWS | MAR | AUG | AWS | DAR | BLV | LGY | CLT | ASH | MGR | SMR | BIR | CAR | GPS | DAY | ISP | OXF | FDA | TRN | BRI | SMR | NSV | ATL 34 | CLB | BGS | AWS | SBO | LGY | DAR | HCY | RCH | BLV | HBO | MAR | NWS | AUG | CLT 26 | CAR 31 | JFC | | | | | | | | 50th | 407 |
| 1969 | Donald Brackins | 2 | Chevy | MGR | MGY 20 | RSD | DAY | DAY | DAY | CAR | AUG | BRI | ATL | CLB | HCY | GPS | RCH | NWS | MAR | AWS | DAR | BLV | LGY | CLT | MGR | SMR | MCH | KPT | GPS | NCF | DAY | DOV | TPN | TRN | BLV | BRI | NSV | SMR | ATL | MCH | SBO | BGS | AWS | DAR | HCY | RCH | TAL | CLB | MAR | NWS | CLT | SVH | AUG | CAR | JFC | MGR | TWS | | | 92nd | 31 |
| 1971 | Giachetti Brothers Racing | 44 | Ford | RSD | DAY | DAY 10 | DAY 32 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | NA | - |
| 1971 | Giachetti Brothers Racing | 46 | Ford | | | | | ONT 40 | RCH | CAR | HCY | BRI | ATL | CLB | GPS | SMR | NWS | MAR | DAR | SBO | TAL | ASH | KPT | CLT | DOV | MCH | RSD | HOU | GPS | DAY | BRI | AST | ISP | TRN | NSV | ATL | BGS | ONA | MCH | TAL | CLB | HCY | DAR | MAR | CLT | DOV | CAR | MGR | RCH | NWS | TWS | | | | | | | | | | | | NA | - |

#### Winston Cup Series

NASCAR Winston Cup Series results :
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | NWCC | Pts |
| 1972 | Long-Lewis | 97 | Ford | RSD | DAY 30 | RCH | ONT 41 | CAR | ATL 31 | BRI | DAR | NWS | MAR | TAL 39 | CLT | DOV | MCH | RSD | TWS | DAY | BRI | TRN | ATL | TAL 4 | MCH | NSV | DAR | RCH | DOV | MAR | NWS | CLT | CAR | TWS | 63rd | 749.5 |
| 1973 | Long-Lewis | 97 | Ford | RSD | DAY 32 | RCH | CAR | BRI | ATL | NWS | DAR | MAR | TAL 32 | NSV | CLT | DOV | TWS | RSD | MCH | DAY | BRI | ATL | TAL 32 | NSV | DAR | RCH | DOV | NWS | MAR | CLT | CAR | | | | 72nd | - |
| 1974 | Long-Lewis | 97 | Ford | RSD | DAY DNQ | RCH | CAR | BRI | ATL | DAR | NWS | MAR | TAL 27 | NSV | DOV | CLT | RSD | MCH | DAY | BRI | NSV | ATL | POC | TAL 23 | MCH | DAR | RCH | DOV | NWS | MAR | CLT | CAR | ONT | | 76th | 5.22 |
| 1975 | Long-Lewis | 97 | Ford | RSD | DAY QL$^†$ | RCH | CAR | BRI | ATL | NWS | DAR | MAR | TAL 37 | NSV | DOV | CLT | RSD | MCH | DAY | NSV | POC | TAL 44 | MCH | DAR | DOV | NWS | MAR | CLT | RCH | CAR | BRI | ATL | ONT | | 96th | 83 |
| $^†$ – Qualified for Bob Burcham ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

##### Daytona 500

| Year | Team | Manufacturer | Start | Finish |
| 1960 | Long-Lewis | Ford | 39 | 56 |
| 1962 | Frank Rhoads | Ford | 23 | 40 |
| 1965 | | Ford | 42 | 36 |
| 1967 | Ben Arnold | Ford | 28 | 42 |
| 1968 | Long-Lewis | Ford | 30 | 43 |
| 1971 | Giachetti Brothers Racing | Ford | 22 | 32 |
| 1972 | Long-Lewis | Ford | 18 | 30 |
| 1973 | Long-Lewis | Ford | 23 | 32 |
| 1974 | Long-Lewis | Ford | DNQ | DNQ |
| 1975 | Long-Lewis | Ford | QL | QL |

#### Busch Series

NASCAR Busch Series results :
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | NBSC | Pts | Ref |
| 1992 | Allison Racing | 28 | Ford | DAY | CAR | RCH | ATL | MAR | DAR | BRI | HCY | LAN | DUB | NZH | CLT DNQ | DOV | ROU | MYB | GLN | VOL | NHA | TAL 22 | IRP 17 | ROU | MCH | NHA | BRI | DAR | RCH | DOV | CLT | MAR | CAR | HCY | 72nd | 209 | |

### ARCA Re/Max Series

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)
ARCA Re/Max Series results :
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | ARMC | Pts | Ref |
| 1985 | Corvin Racing | 97 | Chevy | ATL | DAY 3 | ATL | TAL 3 | ATL | SSP | IRP | CSP | FRS | IRP | OEF | ISF | DSF | TOL | | | | | | | | | 59th | - | |
| 1986 | White Racing | 97 | Buick | ATL | DAY | ATL | TAL 24 | SIR | SSP | FRS | KIL | CSP | TAL 23 | BLN | ISF | DSF | TOL | MCS | ATL | | | | | | | 59th | - | |
| 1987 | White Racing | 99 | Buick | DAY 37 | ATL | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 49th | - | |
| 1987 | White Racing | 97 | Buick | | | TAL 3 | DEL | ACS | TOL | ROC | POC | FRS | KIL | TAL 10 | FRS | ISF | INF | DSF | SLM | ATL | | | | | | | | | | 49th | - |
| 1988 | White Racing | 97 | Buick | DAY 2 | ATL | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 54th | - | |
| 1988 | Allison Racing | 28 | Buick | | | TAL 1* | FRS | PCS | ROC | POC | WIN | KIL | ACS | SLM | POC | TAL 27 | DEL | FRS | ISF | DSF | SLM | ATL | | | | | | 54th | - | |
| 1989 | Allison Racing | 28 | Buick | DAY 8 | ATL | KIL | TAL 25 | FRS | POC | KIL | HAG | POC | TAL 30 | DEL | FRS | ISF | TOL | DSF | SLM | ATL | | | | | | 52nd | - | |
| 1990 | Ragan Racing | 97 | Ford | DAY 7 | ATL | KIL | TAL DNQ | FRS | POC | KIL | TOL | HAG | POC | | | | | | | | | | | | | 69th | - | |
| 1990 | Ragan Racing | 74 | Ford | | | | | | | | | | | TAL 4 | MCH | ISF | TOL | DSF | WIN | DEL | ATL | | | | | | | | 69th | - | |
| 1991 | Compton Racing | 74 | Ford | DAY 42 | ATL | KIL | TAL | TOL | FRS | POC | MCH | KIL | FRS | DEL | POC | TAL | HPT | MCH | ISF | TOL | DSF | TWS | ATL | | | 117th | - | |
| 1992 | Compton Racing | 69 | Ford | DAY | FIF | TWS | TAL 6 | TOL | KIL | POC | MCH | FRS | KIL | NSH | DEL | POC | HPT | FRS | ISF | TOL | DSF | TWS | SLM | ATL | | 125th | - | |
| 1993 | Allison Racing | 97 | Ford | DAY 28 | FIF | TWS | TAL | KIL | CMS | FRS | TOL | POC | MCH | FRS | POC | KIL | ISF | DSF | TOL | SLM | WIN | ATL | | | | 113th | - | |
| 2002 | ML Motorsports | 97 | Pontiac | DAY | ATL | NSH | SLM | KEN | CLT | KAN | POC | MCH | TOL 34 | | | | | | | | | | | | | 52nd | 540 | |
| 2002 | ML Motorsports | 75 | Pontiac | | | | | | | | | | | SBO 23 | KEN | BLN 32 | POC | NSH | ISF 32 | WIN | DSF 4 | CHI | SLM | TAL | CLT | 52nd | 540 | |
| 2004 | ML Motorsports | 97 | Chevy | DAY | NSH | SLM | KEN | TOL | CLT | KAN | POC | MCH | SBO | BLN | KEN | GTW | POC | LER | NSH | ISF 5 | TOL | DSF 10 | CHI | SLM | TAL | 68th | 400 | |