Lloyd Moore, NASCAR's oldest driver, dies at 95

Lloyd Moore, a NASCAR pioneer who ran 49 races between 1949 -- the first year of what is now the Sprint Cup Series -- and 1955, died Sunday. He was 95.

Moore posted 13 top-fives and 23 top-10s with one win, at Winchester, Ind., on Oct. 15, 1950.

Moore, who lived in the Frewsburg, N.Y., house in which he was born on June 8, 1912, also died in the same home.

Lloyd Moore, left, with Bill Rexford in 1950.

A school bus driver in the early 1930s, Moore also worked as a mechanic in a Studebaker garage. He made his NASCAR debut on Oct. 2, 1949, at Heidelberg Raceway in Pittsburgh, Pa., Moore finished sixth behind Lee Petty.

"I was saddened to learn of the passing of Lloyd Moore yesterday," seven-time Cup Series champion Richard Petty said in a statement. "He was a joy to be around. Lloyd was a connection to the origin of NASCAR. Talking to him was like taking a trip down memory lane, for me, because he raced against my dad. I still have memories of those races. He would come by the house after a lot of the races because he and daddy were good friends.

"So I knew Lloyd from the time I was a young kid and I am proud to say that we developed a great friendship over the years. Lloyd was a great driver and a great person. He will truly be missed."

Moore's final start came on Sept. 5, 1955, at Darlington. He finished 24th in the 69-car field that included winner Herb Thomas, Tim Flock, Buck Baker, Everett "Cotton" Owens, Marvin Panch, Lee Petty, Joe Weatherly, Curtis Turner and Glenn "Fireball" Roberts.

In an interview with The Buffalo News last year, he said he enjoyed watching what NASCAR has become but lightheartedly complained there was "too much baloney," with the hourlong pre-race show and sponsorships. In his day, he said, he'd drive overnight to a race, unload the trunk, then roll the same car out on the track.

"We just stuck a number on the side, took 'em down and raced 'em," Moore said. "Today they talk about putting in a half-pound of air. When we raced, we just made sure we had air in the tires. The suits these guys wear, they're spotted with advertisements."

James Bailey, Moore's son-in-law who will preside at his funeral as pastor of Wheeler Hill United Methodist Church in Frewsburg, said Tuesday evening that Moore had been in generally good health up until the day he died.

"He didn't sleep well Saturday night, fell asleep around 5 a.m., and his wife couldn't wake him up Sunday afternoon,'' Bailey said.

Moore is survived by his wife, Virginia; six children; 14 grandchildren; and 32 great-grandchildren.

A wake was held Tuesday evening at Peterson Funeral Home in Frewsburg, and funeral services were planned for 11 a.m. Wednesday at Wheeler Hill United Methodist Church.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

• Moore: "I just drove 'em or wrecked 'em"