5th Annual Tiny Lund Festival - 10-Tenths Motorsport Forum

geneinia · 10 Aug 2001, 04:54

Hey all, if you live close enough and have the time be sure to visit the 5th Annual Tiny Lund Festival in Harlan, IA September 12-15,2001. It is one of the biggest races in Iowa plus lots of activities. Get a chance to meet the widow of Tiny and his son plus we are hoping to have Darrell Waltrip there this year, although it hasn't been official yet but when it is it will be posted on the site listed below. For more information please visit:
http://www.decadesofracing.net/TinyFest.htm

Ray Bell · 10 Aug 2001, 05:59

Tiny Lund, I read recently in another place, was a hero in that he lifted a blazing Maserati off Marvin Panch so that others could remove the trapped driver from the flames.

He took over Panch's drive in a following race and went on to win the event... the Daytona 500!

Joe Fan · 10 Aug 2001, 06:06

It is really good to see that an event has been named after Tiny and that a museum is in the works to honor his memory. Tiny should never be forgotten. There are racing heroes and then there are drivers like Tiny who was a real hero period.

geneinia · 10 Aug 2001, 13:07

Yes Tiny did pull Marvin Panch from a blazing Masarati and on April 10, 1963 at a banquet honoring Tiny in Daytona, Tiny was awarded a life-size bust of himself for winning the 500 plus the Carnegie Medal for Heroism.
In a letter from Panch, who was still in the hospital, during the ceremony he stated:
"Please accept my apologiesa for not being there with you on this night honoring you. As you know I am in the hospital recuperating from the injuries I received in February, however I am with you in spirit. I would like this opportunity to gratefully thank you for the part you played in saving my life at Daytona International Speedway on the 14th of February. Had it not been for the unselfish actions by you and the others I would not be writting this now. Your actions on and off the speedway, are a tribute to NASCAR, automobile racing, your home state of South Carolina, and to yourself". Paunch also lauded him for his 500 win, saying, "I couldn't have been happier if I had won this myself.
Thanks
Geneinia