Jimmy Blewett Appreciates Brother’s Legacy Continuing Annually At North-South Shootout

When the racers hit the track for features on Nov. 10 at Caraway Speedway in Sophia, N.C. they will do so under a banner that celebrates a legacy.

Jimmy Blewett (Photo: Kim Tyler/NASCAR)

It’s a banner that NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour regular Jimmy Blewett values.

On Nov. 8-10 Caraway Speedway hosts the 10th Colors Edge John Blewett III North-South Shootout.

“For this race to continue, it just says what type of person he was and what type of impact he had on the racing community,” Jimmy Blewett, John Blewett’s younger brother, said in a release from the track. “It just goes to show you what type of person my brother was. Not everybody got to meet my brother personally, but at the same time a lot of people did. He’s the type of guy, you go to Bristol, Tenn., or Charlotte, N.C., and you see a bumper sticker on a car with his name. No matter where you’re at, you always see some sign of him.

“Besides being such a good, stand-up race car driver, he was a do-it-all guy. He’d set it up and drive it himself, but he was also one of the best people you’d ever cross paths with in this sport and everybody knew it.”

John Blewett III was killed in an accident during a Whelen Modified Tour event at Thompson International Speedway in 2007.

Seven divisions will be in competition on Nov. 10 at Caraway, including with the showcase event being a 125-lap Tour Type Modified feature. There will also be a 50-lap SK Modified feature. The card also features a 125-lap Pro All Stars Series event. Practice and qualifying is scheduled for Nov. 9.

“Everybody who has any connection to Modified racing knows what John Blewett III meant to the sport,” said North-South Shootout promoter Renee Hackett of Caraway Speedway. “We’re just happy that we can continue to honor his spirit and what he stood for in some small way at the North-South Shootout. He was the kind of racer that we hope enters our event and gives their all toward trying to win.”

Said Jimmy Blewett: “He did everything on his own – he scaled the car, he fabricated everything on his car, he drove the truck and trailer to the track, he made the calls from the seat – and he won the biggest races.

“It says a lot for what kind of racer he was, and he gained a lot of respect from a lot of people just on the type of person he was and how he approached everything.”