Swayne Pritchett
Swayne Pritchett
Swayne Pritchett of Baldwin was one of the most popular drivers in the area. According to his sons, Harold and C.L., he began racing sometime after the end of World War II.
“He was always interested in racing,” said Harold. “Grandma said he used to listen to the races on the radio, probably the races up at Indianapolis. He liked to drive fast.”
“He’d do things that nobody else did back then,” said C.L. “I guess he just liked to go fast and drive fast. I guess he was a competitive person too.”
Driving his blue and white number 17 Ford, Pritchett caught the eye of many race fans and promoters around the south. He raced on Daytona Beach in 1947 and 1948, coming home with a fifth place finish in the latter year.
Pritchett and mechanic Jack Edwards prior to a 1947 race.
He also raced on Bill France’s pre-NASCAR circuit in 1947.
When France formed NASCAR, Pritchett was the 23rd driver to obtain a license with the new sanctioning body. His name was mentioned in many of the press releases and news clippings surrounding the sport.
Pritchett, who had turned 26 a month earlier, was sixth in NASCAR points when a freak May snow storm postponed an event he was going to attend in Martinsville, VA.
For whatever reason, instead of traveling to a re-scheduled event in Richmond, Pritchett decided to race on May 16 at the Jackson County Speedway.