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Lee Newman
Lee Newman fatal crash.png
Nationality USA.png American
Born April 28, 1925
Thomaston, Connecticut
Died July 12, 1950 (age 25)
New England Deaconess Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
Cause of death Complications from racing accident on April 9, 1950 at Seekonk Speedway
WSCC Career
Entries 2 entries over 1 year(s)
Championships 0
First Entry 1950 Icebreaker Sweepstakes
Last Entry 1950 NSCS Race 02
Wins 0
Podiums 0
Poles 0

Lee Arthur Newman (April 28, 1925 - July 12, 1950) was an American race car driver who competed in the World Stock Car Championship during its inaugural season.

Background[edit | edit source]

Born and raised in Thomaston, Connecticut, Newman was the eldest son of David Newman and Tessa Booker Newman. He began soap box derby racing in his childhood, and moved on to midget cars by his teens. He put his racing career on hold to serve in the Navy; he worked building submarines at the Naval Yard in New London.

Racing Career[edit | edit source]

After the war, Newman and childhood friend Keith Clayton took to racing; they entered midget, sprint car, and stock car races across New England, but focused primarily on Thompson, Seekonk Speedway, and Warwick. Clayton took up the role of the duo's mechanic, and used their winnings to open a repair shop in Thomaston to supplement their income when the two weren't racing. Though they ran in The Icebreaker five times, their best effort was a 9th place finish in 1948.

Newman was present alongside Clayton at the famous meeting held by Elliott Crawford at The Inn at Longshore which lead to the establishment of the National Stock Car Series; the pair would submit their entry for the inaugural season in early 1949 with Clayton listed as the owner and Newman as the driver.

Death[edit | edit source]

During practice for the race at Seekonk Speedway, Newman's Buick Roadmaster was noticeably slow and off the pace. Concerned with being allowed to race, Newman and Clayton made several adjustments to the car's engine and suspension, which allowed it to maintain higher cornering speeds. These adjustments, however, caused significant issues with the car's handling; Newman spun multiple times in practice and nearly crashed into the wall during time trials. Lucky Hornick later recalled urging the duo to either undo the changes or withdraw from the race, and told his driver Emmett Newton to give the #21 Buick a wide berth on the race track.

The race began ominously for Newman, as his car failed to crank three times prior to the field beginning pace laps; on the fourth attempt, the engine roared to life and Newman took his place on the grid. While the car's pace was significantly improved, the adjustments the pair made also caused additional stress on the tires; early in the race, a right rear gave way and forced Newman to limp his car into the pits, costing him four laps and setting him off sequence of the lead cars.

On lap 128, with leader Cameron Yost about to put him a sixth lap behind, Newman's Buick once again broke loose; a later investigation revealed a broken shock to be the culprit. Newman skidded up the race track attempting to save his car and was struck in the rear on the passenger's side by Jimmy Stafford. The impact spun the car around and left him exposed broadside to the field, and he was struck behind the driver's side door by Doug Sanford. The impact knocked Newman unconscious, ruptured the fuel tank, and immediately engulfed the car in flames. Stafford, who had slid to a stop nearby, jumped from his car, ran to Newman's, and managed to free him as the safety crew arrived. Newman regained consciousness minutes later and was taken to Deaconess Hospital in New England with severe burns and internal injuries. He was expected to survive his injuries, and many anticipated him racing again the following year.

However, Newman's condition took a rapid downturn, and he died 94 days after his wreck due to lung failure. A later autopsy revealed that, given the severity of his lung damage, it is unlikely Newman would have been able to race again had he survived.

Newman was survived by his wife Wendy and three-year-old twins Sarah and George.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

During the next four races on the calendar, Keith Clayton hired local drivers to drive the #21 car; he switched from the heavier Buick to a lighter Plymouth, and painted "Get Well Soon, Lee!" on the driver's side door. Upon Newman's death, Clayton - after discussion with Lee's widow - changed the car number from 21 to 428 (Newman's birthdate, April 28th) to honor him and drove the remainder of the season. Clayton would not return to the series in 1951, continuing his work at the service center in Thomaston, where he and Newman grew up.

Newman's son, George, would enter a number of races beginning in 1966.