NEAR Hall of Famer Red Foote Passes at 85
FOOTE, Melvin “Red,” 85, of Chesterfield, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, February 3, 2013. Red is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Loretta Foote; his stepdaughter, Linda Strasburg; stepgrandson, Michael (TiAnna) Talley; stepgranddaughter, Michelle (Richard) King; sisters-in-law, Rev. Beverly J. Samford and Julianna Duke.
Red enjoyed racing stockcars for 35 years, is formerly known as one of the “Eastern Bandits” and was inducted into the New England Hall of Fame for racecar drivers in 1999. After retirement he spent much time at Newpoint Campground on his boat fishing. Red was devoted to his cats and his good friends at Dutchgap. Red will be remembered for his quick wit, humor and willingness to help others and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 7 at Morrissett Funeral and Cremation Service, 6500 Iron Bridge Rd (Rte 10). His graveside service will be February 8, 2013 at 2 p.m. at Bethel UMC Cemetery in Alberta, Va., with the Rev. Beverly J. Samford officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Richmond SPCA at 2519 Hermitage Road, Richmond, Va. 23220.
“Red put New England modified racing on the map,” NEAR member Bruce Cohen said. “His exploits in the Henry Smith Ford powered J-2 are legendary with feature wins up and down the Eastern Seaboard. To a young kid (yours truly) in the early sixities with racing wonderlust, Red always had time to answer the many questions I asked. RIP my friend.” He continued, “Red was a childhood hero of mine in to watch him in the 312″ Ford #J-2 was incredible.”
Red Foote of Southington, CT was a part of the Eastern Bandits, along with fellow NEAR Hall of Famers Rene Charland, Ed Flemke Sr. and Denny Zimmerman. This group of New England drivers traveled South in pursuit of victories in Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina and Virginia.
“Red and Ed Flemke were the first real Eastern Bandits,” Cohen said. “Although they did not travel together, they went to a lot of the same races.” The Eastern Bandits were a force to be reckoned with. In July 1962 at Marlboro (MD) Raceway, Flemke and Zimmerman finished 1-2 while Foote was 4th. Many of the tracks that the Bandits raced at were NASCAR-sanctioned, allowing them to accumulate points from racing 3-4 times a week. Foote finished 5th in NASCAR national Modified points in 1961 and 1963.
He also made 10 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (then NASCAR Grand National) starts between 1962 and 1965, including 3 of the most prestigious races-1962 World 600, 1962 Southern 500, 1963 Daytona 500.
Foote recorded at least 60 career wins. He won at Empire, Plainville, Martinsville, Moyock, Norwood, Old Bridge, Pine Bowl, Riverside Park, Southside, Stafford, Wall, Waterford, and Westboro. A sample of the tracks he raced at included Asheville-Weaverville, Atlanta, Alatamont Fairgrounds, Beltsville, Bowman-Gray, Candlelite, Eastern States Exposition, Harmony, Kingston, Langley, Lonsdale, New Egypt, Old Dominion, Richmond, Tar Heel, Thompson and Trenton. Foote was a 2-time champion at Waterford Speedbowl with 39 career victories.
Foote was inducted into the New England Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1999.
Sources: Richmond Times-Dispatch, Racing-Reference.info, Sids-Vault.com, TheThirdTurn.com; NEAR photo