Jimmy Blewett - 2007

2007

This was the year that changed his family, friends, fans, and Blewett's lives forever.

On August 16, 2007 during a NASCAR Whelen Modified tour event at Thompson, Blewett and his elder brother John III were battling for the lead which started on lap 83. On lap 107, the unthinkable happened; Blewett's car got out of shape, and John III tried to avoid and Blewett's car ended on top of John's car. Immediately, Blewett exited his crippled car unscathed, peeked into John's window and then he frantically summoned to the safety crew and immediately rushed to the scene. The capacity crowd, was silent while looking at the horrific site. At 11:00 pm, Blewett received the grim news, John died - he was 33 years old.

The next day, Blewett held a two-day vigil at his home along with his family, friends, and fans all over.

That Saturday, Wall Township Speedway held a special memorial service for John. Blewett handed out his speech to the somber crowd "He was a brother, friend, and mentor who helped me over the years, and I miss you brother". Prior to that horrific event, Blewett accomplished his second SK title at New Symrna, and 2 wins at Wall. At the NORTH SOUTH SHOOTOUT, in North Carolina Blewett won the SK event in the car that John raced weekly at Thompson, and he stated in his interview, "That was my brother's car". In the tour type event, the car was painted red, white, and blue with #76 in John's honor, and spun in the front stretch while running in the top 5, and finished a disappointing 14th.

TURKEY DERBY XXXIV Blewett finishes second in the tour type modified race after being involved in an early nasty crash, and taking multiple trips to the pit area. In the small block modified event, Blewett drove John's #76 in the race. Blewett was fighting hard to get to the front by pounding repeatedly onto two-time track champion Kevin Flockhart, and it ended up with a spin. Blewett took the top spot while Kevin pitted for a fresher tire. Blewett was holding onto a comfortable lead until Kevin furiously clamped onto Blewett's rear bumper. On lap 74, Kevin hooked onto Blewett's right rear bumper sending them two into the wall, Blewett's accident was violent, a brawl broke out. Blewett was escorted off the property by Wall Officers. After that season, Blewett finished 8th in the tour points with one win.