ED YERRINGTON, Vintage Northeast Modified Stock Cars

Ed Yerrington, Driver, Promoter, and Gentleman. Ed is one of the true pioneers of the sport and much of the progress modifieds have made over the years is due to many of the rules and procedures Ed instituted as Promoter of the Stafford Motor Speedway and Waterford Speedbowl in the late 70's and 80's.

Ed Started his racing career in 1952 at the Royale Speedway in Virginia while in the US Navy at Norfolk. About 1960 Ed got the bug and drove a claimer car, then a non Ford at Waterford, from then on Ed knew racing was in his blood.
About 1964 Ed moved up to the modified class at the bowl and had much success winning many features and developing the reputation of a fierce competitor.

Ed decided to run the highly competitive NASCAR modified circuit and in 1970 won the Stafford Motor Speedway Modified Championship against all the best drivers in the history of the sport such as Ed Flemke, Bugs Stevens, Gene Bergin, Fred DeSarro, Leo Cleary, and more. All legends in Modified Racing. Ed compiled 2 wins and finishing in the top 5 in 23 of 28 races.

During the next 4 years Ed competed on almost every track from Maine to Virginia with stops at such notable venues as Trenton, Langhorne, Pocono and Martinsville. During this time Ed owned and maintained many of the cars he drove but also drove for many other car owners.

Ed retired from competition in 1974 but continued as chief steward at Stafford until 1976. At that time he assumed the duties as Promoter, President and General Manager. Under Ed's Guidance Stafford assumed its position as the premiere short track in the country. From 1985 to 1989 Ed also assumed the duties as the Waterford Speedbowl's Promoter and general manager. Ed always kept busy and served as a NASCAR Tech Inspector every February at Daytona International Speedway from 1982-1989.

Ed retired in 1990 and he and his wife Shirley moved to Florida. In 1994 he was approached to promote the Charlotte County Speedway in Punta Gorda, Florida which had suffered with management problems and needed an experienced hand to guide it back to success. Ed excepted the challenge and in 1994 and 1995 guided the track back to good health and once again he retired.

CLICK ON THUMBNAIL FOR LARGER PHOTO

PHOTO CREDITS

Lloyd Burnham
Rene Dugas
Herb Dodge
Shany Lorenzet
R. C. Racing Photos