Drag racing, NASCAR legend Raymond Beadle dead at age 70

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NATIONAL DRAGSTER

Raymond Beadle

Lance Murray

Digital Content Producer- Dallas Business Journal

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If you're a gear head or an auto racing fan, you've probably heard of Dallas native Raymond Beadle, who reached fame as one of the nation's top Funny Car drag racing champions in the 1970s and '80s and as a NASCAR team owner.

Beadle, who literally lived his life in racing's fast lane, died Monday in Dallas at age 70.

Hemmings Daily, an affiliated publication of the Dallas Business Journal, reported that Beadle gained fame as the driver of the Blue Max series of Funny Cars. One of his most notable wins came in 1975 when Beadle handed another racing legend, Don Prudhomme, his only loss of the season in the final round at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Beadle eventually bought the Blue Max team from its owner, Harry Schmidt, and won three consecutive NHRA Funny Car championships from 1979-81.

He also established a NASCAR racing team in the 1980s, first with the late champion Tim Richmond as his driver and later with a young Rusty Wallace, now a racing commentator for ESPN. Beadle also owned a Sprint car team that was successful in the World of Outlaws.

Lance Murray edits and writes for the DBJ's website and can be reached at 214-706-7106. Subscribe to our email newsletters.