John Livingston Retires
 

John ask me to inform all his friends and racing buddies, that as of yesterday, even tho he was having a good race, it was his final. He started at Bowling Green 50 years ago, and thought it fitting that he called it quits at that race. He also informed me to tell eveyone to come and join us at Silver Dollar Raceway in October for my official last race, John says he will be buying the beer. lol

Re: John Livingston Retires
 

I ran John yesterday 3rd round and he put a ..006 package on me. Is he sure he's ready to retire, lol? I talked to John in the lanes and after our race, very nice guy and lots of racing in his past including pro stock. Happy retirement John!

Dennis Breeden

Re: John Livingston Retires
 

Here are some of his more recent Tennessee Thunder race cars.
http://static.dragracecentral.com/st...ston%20JSA.jpg
http://www.dragracecentral.com/stori...odrs2-3_15.jpg
http://www.dragracecentral.com/stori...ere/memp07.jpg

Re: John Livingston Retires
 

Thanks Woodro
I stoped by to see John at his car lot several weeks ago and he said he would probably be retiring this year but I thought I had him talked into waiting a while.

I just want to say publicly just incase some of these young guy's don't know you, that you two guys have left a mark in the history book of class racing that will never be equaled. You two along with Bobby are pioneers that molded and shaped the classes. If there is a such thing as the Richard Petty of Sportsman class racing you three would have to arm wrestle for the crown.
I want to say THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH for your contribution to the sport we all love.
I look very forward seeing you guys at Reynolds and talking about the good old days.
I am so very proud I know you guys and I am so blessed to call you my freind.

Mike Crutchfield

Re: John Livingston Retires
 

John: It has been a long time since Green Hills Gulf, Union Hill Dragway in Nashville ,Tn and all of the good times from 1960 to 1963 while I was a student at Lipscomb .You helped me prepare my 59 348 Chevy for C Gas class...you, Pappy and Gerald left great memories..,..I wish you the Peace that Passeth Understanding during your retirement....

Ebern Watson

Re: John Livingston Retires
 

Very well said Mike !!!!

Re: John Livingston Retires
 

Getting to stand on starting line for over 40 years it has been a wonderfull time.
getting to meet and race many of our great racers means a lot to me.
Hope john has a great retirement . jim

Re: John Livingston Retires
 

John and Woodro,

I am honored to have had the pleasure of meeting and racing with you both (frequently on the losing side) over the past few years. You have provided more inspiration to aspiring racers than you may ever realize. Most of us can only dream of achieving a fraction of the successes you have racked up in your racing careers. You should be extremely proud of the significant impact you have made on our sport. Mike said it best; THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.

Let me know if you ever want to jump behind the wheel of an orange Camaro stocker...you've got open invitations my friends.

Kevin

Re: John Livingston Retires
 

Great post!

Re: John Livingston Retires
 

"I just want to say publicly just incase some of these young guy's don't know you, that you two guys have left a mark in the history book of class racing that will never be equaled. You two along with Bobby are pioneers that molded and shaped the classes. If there is a such thing as the Richard Petty of Sportsman class racing you three would have to arm wrestle for the crown.
I want to say THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH for your contribution to the sport we all love.
I look very forward seeing you guys at Reynolds and talking about the good old days.
I am so very proud I know you guys and I am so blessed to call you my freind."

Mike Crutchfield


I couldn't agree more!!!! See you guys at Reynolds! Jim


.

Re: John Livingston Retires
 

On behalf of John Livingson and myself, thanks guys for the kind words and especially you Mike as we have know each other in this division for a number of years. Believe me it is a sad time, but we both feel like the time has come, Thanks to all, and good luck with your racing!

Re: John Livingston Retires
 

All I have to say is I only wished I could have run with both JL and Woody. Now that you guys have called it a career, make sure you stay healthy enough to when I ever make it back there and I can buy the beer. I'm sure you guys could still put me on an early trailer even in bench racing.:rolleyes:

Congrats on a great racing history!!!!

Re: John Livingston Retires
 

Well damn..... Now John. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to get to know you both, and enjoy the stories Ive been told. I get to keep those !

See ya at Reynolds !

Re: John Livingston Retires
 

These two retirements are hitting me pretty hard. While I never got the honor of being able to pull to the line against either of these gents, I did enjoy watching many passes and writing about how good these guys really were (and are!).

I don't think I can add very much to Mr. Crutchfield's excellent message, but I am very, very sad to realize that I'm that much older and some wonderful times are long gone.

To both Woodro and John, I'm hoping that you'll still keep involved. I'm going to take a hard look at the old wallet to see if I can swing a trip to Reynolds.

And John, whenever Ed Dykes insisted on calling your cars the Tennessee Blunder I'd always take up for you.;)

Re: John Livingston Retires
 

john raced a 57 chevy in early 60's , then in mid 60's he switched to chryslers, with a few chevy A/FX's and the dart A/FX he and herb ran for a while (john crashed it at union hill unhurt till someone released his belts while he was upside down ).
Then john and brother gerald race many chrysler SS cars when asked about is 283 from his 57 chevy , john would grin and say he used it as a starter motor for the hemi.
When Pro Stock came round chrysler told him to stay in SS this being in the south and match racing was huge, john built a camaro for pro stock, followed by a Demon he drove for Freeman Crowder (sp) SR, & Jr they also bought the first motown missile car that john drove for a while.
Then i think his first retirement from racing came till late 1980's he bought Kenny Schindler's SS/G camaro followed buy a built camaro from ground up. Both cars were record holders in SS/F and SS/FA
A few years later came the corvette's driven by kenny and john for a number of years.
Both vette's being sold John got the 91 Camaro for Stock , he ran this car till just a few weeks ago at Bowling Green.
I still think John would bleed Hemi Orange if cut.
It has been such a thrill to be able to go with john to so many races and meet so many people , guess all i can say is Thanks John it has been a thrill of a life time .
Jim

ps soon as i can scan a few pic's i will post them in the pic section for John

Re: John Livingston Retires
 

Now who are we going to get to buy the hot dogs at Bristol? Had many a good moment with John and Jim and consider them both very good friends. Hope to see you both sometime soon.

Re: John Livingston Retires
 

Are you guys going to leave the rest of us out here? We need help that only experience can provide. Yall are true friends for a long time.

Re: John Livingston Retires
 

Jeff, with John and Woodro retiring this year, and Arnold Greene last year, that means you and Jimmy Bridges will have to stick around another decade or so.

Re: John Livingston Retires
 

John Livingston - Always a gentleman, great contributor to the sport and a snappy dresser too!

Hope to see you at Reynolds next month.

Re: John Livingston Retires
 

My friend, Doug Potter, took this photo of Livingston at Bristol, Tennessee around 1970.

http://i276.photobucket.com/albums/k...ON-BRISTOL.jpg

Re: John Livingston Retires
 

Just a reminder for everyone to come by john's & woodro's pits to say hi at there retirement party jim

Re: John Livingston Retires
 

Tina and I plan to attend the retirement party even though we will not be competing at the race. Hope this is on Saturday!! Anyone know the festivities agenda? Thanks Daran

Re: John Livingston Retires
 

I swear if you and Bridges throw in the towel it will make me and a few others the new official "old timers". :rolleyes: What will it take to keep you guys active?? I know you guys can also still strap a whippin' on us too.

Re: John Livingston Retires
 

daran it starts when we ge there thur ends well when they throw us out of the track.


ok maybe not to those extreams but close jim

Re: John Livingston Retires
 

Bridges, you can't be as old as Bridges.....Nobody else is that OLD.

Re: John Livingston Retires
 

I dont know how I missed this thread, but I would like everyone to ask John a question when they see him.


John did you really pee off a one lane bridge one night when Herb McCandless came over the hill towing a car and a trailer, now in the 60s towing with a trailer was a big deal.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I was lucky enough for my dad and John to be friends since the 60's and the stories are endless with those two. Its a miracle they made it to see the 70's.

Herb Jr

Re: John Livingston Retires
 

Herb
I was intoduced to John by Robbie Shaw at Bristol in 2008.
He told us the story about him peeing off the 1 lane bridge..so funny I think I peed my self.
Also he said he is the only guy to call Herb. Sr..... Mr 3 Speed! Something about shifting..

Re: John Livingston Retires
 

Is John Livingston still around? If so...can anyone provide contact info...tell me how to reach him? I'd like to talk to him about one of his former SS cars. Thx in advance.

Re: John Livingston Retires
 

Have one of his 69 Camaro ,but it wouldnt up load.

Best of luck in what you now do John .