TRIBUTE

1943 – 2024

By Greg Burrow

Upon retirement , Turner was able to buy half of Farmington Dragway , along with Jerry Joyce . It was during this part of his life that he founded

the Southern Motorcycle Racing Association . This group for many years was a mainstay at Farmington before moving to Piedmont Dragway , which was to become home of many of Turner ’ s triumphs . One of these was the Top Gun Classic , run during the week of July 4th , paying $ 10,000 to win per day for five days . Partner Bob Harris ran in this event . There were also events for Chevrolets , Fords , and Chryslers , which became very much anticipated and highly attended . It was during this early time in the mid- ‘ 90s that Turner was called back to the school system for a year . This left Bob Harris and Jim ’ s wife , Dora , to run not only Piedmont but Ace Speedway as well .

Did I not mention that there was also a round

track in the mix ? Turner and his brother , Freddie , eventually were able to pave and had several years of success with the track . Also during this time , Turner ’ s close friend , Larry Tomar , was called upon to run the round track , as well as working at Piedmont . Tomar recalled how he and Turner would travel out west for the sprint car season . It was during this time that Turner ’ s appetite for finding the best local dive that had “ chopped steak ” led to many side trips to soak in the local geography .

Just as interesting were their trips to Pennsylvania for sprint car racing and taking in the local area . During one of these trips , the duo ended up in Pottstown , Pennsylvania . Unknown to them , this was also the home of Yuengling Brewery . They became instant fans . Also attractive to the duo were trips to Carlisle , Pennsylvania , for , of all things , ice cream . It was in later years that wife , Cathy , told Larry that he and Jim were “ buddies .”

Harris came in as partner at Piedmont in 2006-2007 and led to a great partnership and friendship that lasted until the end . The Big Dog Shootout came to the forefront and started its recognition , adding events such as the July 4th Power Jam , the Extreme Outlaw Pro Mod Association , and the hugely successful North vs . South Shootout . This , along with the Big Dog Shootout , firmly established Piedmont as “ the DoorSlammer Capital of the World ,” a title still held today .

Present Tech Director and General Manager Ric Moore credits Turner with taking him from a racer to manager with many of the qualities that Turner instilled in him through the years . During his early days , Moore would observe his dad , Jim , and Jim ’ s brother , Fred , work on and build cars that are still talked about today . Such was the ’ 55 Chevy gasser known as “ Mama ’ s Mink ,” built by Fred Turner and owned by Ric ’ s dad .

As a humanitarian , Jim was drawn to the Shriner ’ s Children ’ s Hospital , where he joined the

Shriner Band and developed the charity event that would become the still-running Hot Rod & Drag Expo . This year marked the 21st edition of the event and is growing each year . As if there weren ’ t enough on his plate , Jim and Dora developed the idea that would become the North Carolina Drag Racing Hall of Fame , beginning with its first class inducted in February of 2007 . The event was attended by approximately 100 people and now plays host to several hundred family and friends .

As I am writing this , Jim and wife Dora will be given the Pioneer Award for their contributions to our sport . As many of you know , during the 2023 edition of the Expo , the Turner family was recognized by the Greensboro Coliseum management for their 20-plus-year contribution to the Shriners Hospital , in Greenville , South Carolina . The Hot Rod & Drag Expo is still recognized as the only for-charity event at the famous event hall .

All of this success would not have been possible without family support , and in Turner ’ s case , he had some of the best . With now-wife Cathy , sons Bubba and Jay , sister Lynn , and a recent loss , his mom , the family worked tirelessly to make both these events into the huge successes they currently are . I have personally had the pleasure of working with Jim for many years covering events such as the Big Dog Shootout , the Hot Rod & Drag Expo , and my personal honor , being asked to become a founding member of the NC Drag Racing Hall of Fame .

As an educator , Turner was always teaching , telling racers at a drivers ’ meeting , “ the most important race will always be your next one .” Sister Lynn recalls that one of Jim ’ s famous comments to her during her approximate 15 years of working at the track was the following : “ Do your job and use good judgement and I will always have your back .”

So , in this short space , I have done my best to introduce Jim Turner , a family man , humanitarian , and always an innovator in our sport of drag racing . This said , it is no surprise that at his memorial service , the minister Rev . Kristin Vaughn shared with us stories of Jim as her middle school principal . Rest easy , Jim , knowing you have taught all of us who had the pleasure of knowing you , and that we will do our best to honor the legacy you have established . DI

PHOTOGRAPHS BY GREG BURROW