Joe Crawford: “The Comeback Kid” Returns After Overcoming Off-Track Injury
Submitted by: Marcie L. Barlow, BRP Modified Tour Media Relations
July 29, 2007
“Jumpin” Joe Crawford’s 2007 racing season should be the subject of a made for TV movie documenting how those with sheer determination and the support of their family and friends can overcome what may appear to be insurmountable obstacles to achieve their ultimate goals. Crawford was able to overcome the obstacles on Sunday, July 22nd, as he captured his first feature victory at the Franklin, PA oval since 2004. The thunderous roar of the crowd proved that Crawford has a huge following of fans that were ecstatic to see him once again capture a feature win.
Crawford’s 2007 racing season began much like any other. The 2006X Bicknell Chassis was reworked and the Crawford Race Team ventured to the Lernerville Speedway on Friday, March 31st for the track’s opening event. Crawford had a solid sixth place finish that evening and was anxiously awaiting the Tri-City Speedway opener on Sunday, April 28th when fate intervened.
BRP/Hoosier Race Tire Modified Tour officials had invited Crawford to a test session at the Lake Erie Speedway to explore the possibility of competing on the asphalt. The Polk driver agreed to participate and began preparing for the mid-week test session. Mounting asphalt tires was one of the necessary tasks and as Crawford was mounting the last tire the unthinkable happened: the weld on the rim broke and the tire exploded. The debris struck Crawford’s left arm causing 13 breaks in one bone, two breaks in another bone and also “blew out” his elbow joint. The Polk driver was transported to an Erie Hospital and it appeared as though Crawford might actually lose the limb. Doctors performed
surgery and inserted a six inch long plate in Crawford’s arm to stabilize the bone. “I need to thank all of the medical personnel for their superior care,” stated Crawford, “they were able to stabilize the bone and I was released to begin my recovery at home. I also need to send out a “Special Thank You” to all of the fans, track personnel and my co-workers and neighbors for all of their get well cards, letters and phone calls. They were and still are greatly appreciated. In fact my son, Kyle, referred to me as a local celebrity as I was always receiving calls and visits from well wishers,” stated a humbled Crawford.
Instead of racing during the months of May and June Crawford was going through strenuous physical therapy sessions several times a week. “I was determined to get back behind the wheel of a race car before the season ended,” stated Crawford. Each time he returned to the doctor’s office Crawford’s prognosis for a full recovery increased. The bones in his left arm continued to heal very well and in early July the veteran Modified driver was given the ok to return to work and to racing. To prevent any additional damage to his left elbow Crawford continues to wear a protective elbow pad when racing. “I still need additional surgery in the fall but the doctor’s are confident I can compete without damaging my left arm,“ continued Crawford.
The “Miracle Season” continued as Crawford turned in a terrific third place finish at the July 15th BRP/Hoosier Race Tire Modified Tour event. A remarkable performance by a very determined competitor who only two months earlier had faced the possibility that he might never work or race again.
Joe Crawford’s “Incredible Journey” was about to reach even greater heights on Sunday, July 22nd. Crawford started the 20 lap feature event in the third position and quickly out battled veteran Kevin Bolland for the second position. It appeared as though Crawford would add another fine finish to his statistics for the 2007 season when leader Del Rougeux Jr. exploded an engine. The “Miracle Season” was complete as “Jumpin” Joe Crawford would lead the final four circuits of the event and capture the victory. The exuberant driver emerged from the cockpit to the thunderous applause of the hometown crowd!! “I felt bad for Del but once he pitted I knew I could win this race. I had that “special feeling” all day that tonight I was going to bring home a win,” stated the gracious winner. It was a very well deserved victory for the ultimate underdog and the entire Tri-City Speedway crowd was behind him!!
The personable veteran from Polk is quick to credit his family for their support.
“Sundays are all about racing,” stated Crawford “My mom (Wanda) and I are the car owners. In addition my son (Kyle) is my crew chief and my wife (Sandy) and our daughters are my crew members. We purchased a camper in the off-season so that we could spend quality family time together. My oldest daughter just graduated from high school and I cannot believe how quickly the time has flown by,” stated Crawford. “Camping provides Sandy and I with the perfect opportunity to enjoy the children before they are all grown.”
Tri-City Speedway Pro Stock drivers, Denny Crawford(Joe’s brother) and A.J. MacQuarrie complete the Crawford Racing Pit Crew. “I work with A.J. and invited him to come to Tri-City and watch the races. He enjoyed it tremendously and began helping us in the pits. Now he has his own Pro Stack but he stills helps get the Modified prepared each Sunday evening,” stated Crawford.
In addition to MacQuarrie’s Pro Stock you will also find the #75 Pro Stock of Joe’s older brother, Denny, parked next the Crawford Racing Modified. “My dad raced in the late 1950’s so you could say that racing “is in our blood.” In the early 1990’s Denny decided he wanted to give racing a try and he put a roll cage in an old Ford Maverick he had and began competing at the Sportsman’s Speedway. He drover the Maverick for two years and then he and my dad purchased a modified,” continued Crawford. Crawford’s father drove the car until he had surgery. Denny then drove for a short period of time but he gave up racing to spend more time with his children and by 1996 Joe Crawford was the new full time driver of the Crawford Racing Modified.
As the 2007 racing season heads into the homestretch Joe Crawford is competing with a renewed determination. “My injury put everything into perspective. I love racing but my family and friends are the most important things in my life. You can repair race cars but you cannot always repair people and I am I thank God every day that I am still here to watch my children grow up,” stated a very humble Crawford. “In addition to my family and crew I want to send out a special “Thank You” to Hine Racing Engines, Big Daddy’s Speed Shop and Precise Racing. Their support is greatly appreciated. I also want to thank Ed Miller of Ed Miller Signs as he has been a marketing partner since 1991,” continued Crawford.
Additional sponsors of the Crawford Race Team include Jolley Industrial Supply, Franklin Service and Supply, Hards Welding and Fabrication, Crawford Chiropractic and Designs by Donnell Hair and Tanning.
With two top five finishes in BRP/Hoosier Race Tire Modified Tour competition in the past three weeks( a third place finish in the Kodiak Memorial at the Tri-City Speedway and a second place finish at the Tyler County Speedway in Middlebourne, WV) Joe Crawford is certainly up to the challenge of winning one of the final two events scheduled in 2007. It would be great to see the #25 Crawford Racing Bicknell in victory lane at either the Eriez or Sharon Speedways thereby making “The Joe Crawford Story” complete!!!
In addition the BRP Modified Tour 07 would like to thank the following series sponsors: Bicknell Racing Products, Hoosier Race Tire, Sunoco Race Fuel, Bilstein Shocks, Ray’s Racing Collectibles, Approved Toilet Rental, Lowry Auto Body, Lake Erie Speed Specialties, Hall’s Safety Equipment, Engles Trucking, Big Daddy’s Speed Center, Precise Racing Products, Finishline Fabrication, Wilkinson Awards, McCool’s Signs and Graphics, Hands on Concepts, Waldo’s Towing, Hooter Chassis and Hobby, Jim’s Supermarket, Pennewell Sandblasting and Painting, Wedge Motorsports and King Brothers.
The Modified Tour Inc. racing series is a non-profit organization established to give the V-8 Modifieds in the Western Pennsylvania area a chance to compete with one another for a higher purse structure and for a point fund for the races that are run. Started in 1998 by Tim Engles, Lon and Pam Baker and Randy Myers the Modified Tour has had great success at bringing the local cars together at the area racetracks.
