Another legend of racing passed away, Jake Elder, "Suitcase Jake" dead at 73 , another legend of old school racing gone http://www.legendsofnascar.com/Jake_Elder.htm
As good a some of the current NASCAR crew chiefs are I doubt they will have as colorful a resume' as Jake when they pass from this scene. Frank
Coincidence?? I had never heard of "Suitcase Jake" Elder until this morning, when I read a book review of two books on NASCAR in the Washington Post...here is the website: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/26/AR2010022603108.html He sounds like a real NASCAR hero!!
Not many "Characters" left in NASCAR....I think the Robert Duval character in "Days of Blunder"....er I mean "Thunder" was loosely based on Jake.
I had heard about him for years, him telling Earnhart Stick with me, kid, and we’ll have diamonds as big as horse turds, is an all time classic. The reason Nascar is so boring today is all these characters are gone now. Replaced with engineers and specialists. The people made the sport.
Well, at the least he had a colorful and really interesting life that made a huge impact on the racing world. i'll bet he found a way to take that suitcase with him one way or another. R.I.P Jake
Sad day for sure. They don't make em like Jake anymore !! He was resonsible as a crew chief for many of the drivers first wins in Nascar, like a cat named MARIO !! Rest In Peace Mr. Elder >>>>.
He was portrayed in the movie 3 too, looked just like him, I've heard his actual shirt shown in the article was worn by the actor in the movie. here's another great article http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=4948724&name=hinton_ed
I'm sorry to hear about his death. NASCAR, hot rodding and drag racing all were started by do it yourself guys like Suitcase Jack. I think that we all can be inspired by him and guys like him. My condolences to his family and friends.
Was fortunate to see the man at work............for another team at the time...and can say that the stories being told are most likely true. The man knew his shit about making a car work. I just wish that we had hired him for a season with either LeeRoy or Donnie...but he was busy with Richard at that time. Condolences for all of the Elder clan, RIP Jake Mark
With out a doubt jake Elder embodies the roots of Nascar. You just do not see guys like that come down the pike that often. He was a genius. On a side note. Duvall's character in Days of Dunder was loosely based on Harry Hyde, another magician.
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