Earl Grant

By admin February 13, 2014 NEMA, Nostalgia, Seekonk, Stafford, Star, Thompson

“Hey, Poison Pen, get over here.”

Thus began my long friendship with one of the best flagmen ever to grace a starter’s stand. I forget exactly what I wrote to prompt Earl to give me the best nickname I’ve ever had, but I have no doubt that in the subsequent conversation he set me straight.

When Dick Berggren, Lew Boyd and Bruce Cohen put together the first Spring Sizzler at Stafford Motor Speedway they called Earl Grant, who put his distinctive style on what would become one of the greatest annual events in New England Modified racing. It was a good choice. Earl came with a wealth of experience at Thompson, Stafford, Seekonk, and throughout New England. If guys like Bugsy, Richie, Eddie and Freddie respected you, that was as good an endorsement as any that you knew what you were doing.

And he did. Back before race directors, tour directors, yellow lights every thirty feet, the flagman ran the show. Earl laid out what he expected at the driver’s meeting and followed through on the flagstand. His signature move was turning his back on the field if he didn’t like the way they came down to take the green. The front row only got away with it once; you didn’t want Earl to turn his back on you a second time.

Not every call was perfect. How could it be? But any decision is better than no decision, and once made, Earl stuck with his call. It’s easy to second guess a flagman from the comfort of the cockpit, the grandstands, or the press box, but try walking one night in their shoes.

Earl cared very deeply about his drivers. Not many picked up on it but prior to going up on the stand Earl would be noticeably nervous. He didn’t doubt himself, but wanted to do a good job for the drivers and fans, and his number one priority was to keep drivers safe.

There’s no question he loved the Modifieds, but I personally think his heart was with the midgets. For years he’d barnstorm around New England with his partner in crime, Dave Humphrey, following “the little cars.” Just a few weeks ago I talked with Earl, listening to his ideas about how to boost car counts for the midgets. It was fitting that he ended his career with the Northeast Midget Association. He loved them, and they loved him. He wasn’t a flamboyant flagman, but he was consistent, disciplined, and commanded respect. In the years I covered NEMA most nights I got to watch him ply his trade from the announcer’s booth. Let me tell you, it was the best seat in the house.

Earl’s legacy lives on with his son Stephen, every bit as accomplished a flagman as his dad. To Stephen, Earl’s family, and the many friends he made in a lifetime in the sport NEMA extends its deepest sympathies.

And from Poison Pen, Godspeed my friend.

Funeral Information:

The FUNERAL SERVICE will be held on TUESDAY at 10 AM from the HATHAWAY HOME for FUNERALS, 1813 Robeson St., Fall River, MA followed by a Funeral Mass at 11am in the Church of the Holy Spirit, 160 Rock Street, Fall River, MA. Relatives and friends are invited to attend.

Burial will be private at the request of the family.

CALLING HOURS for Earl will be held on MONDAY from 4-8 PM.

 Memorial donations in his memory can be made to either the Church of the Holy Spirit, 160 Rock Street, Fall River, MA 02720 or to The Spalding Foundation for Injured Race Drivers, Inc., 1074 Sulpher Springs Road, Owego, NY 13827-2110.

Sources: Chris Romano/NEMARacing.com