Former NASCAR team co-owner JT Lundy dead at 82

Over the weekend, the news of JT Lundy’s death spread across the NASCAR world. The former Ranier-Lundy Racing team owner was 82. Lundy was someone who had his hands in not just NASCAR, but also horse racing. The Kentucky native had an up-and-down history.

When Ranier-Lundy Racing was operating, it moved from an upstart team into a real contender. Along with co-owner Harry Ranier, a Kentucky coal mining magnate, Lundy and his organization won 22 races and fielded some of the biggest names in the sport.

That classic No. 28 car will always be a favorite for NASCAR fans of the 1980s and 1990s. It all started when Ranier-Lundy Racing started consistently entering races in the 1978 season with Lennie Pond and then, Buddy Baker.

The news of JT Lundy’s passing gave fans a reason to look back on days gone by.

IN MEMORIAM: Former NASCAR team co-owner JT Lundy has died at the age of 82.

Lundy was the co-owner of Ranier-Lundy Racing, which saw it's inception in 1967. Lundy left the team in 1987 after 22 of the team's 24 total NASCAR Cup Series wins.

(1/3)#NASCAR #NCS #inmemoriam #RIP

— Around The Track NASCAR (@arndtrackNASCAR) December 31, 2023

Eventually, Cale Yarborough, who also passed on New Year’s Eve this weekend, started to drive the No. 28 car. He was able to pick up wins in 1983 in the Daytona 500, Coca-Cola 500, and both races at Michigan.

Yarborough would give Ranier-Lundy Racing another Daytona 500 win in 1984 as well. Yarborough’s final career win would come at the Miller High Life 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

In the 1987 season, JT Lundy departed the Ranier Racing team.

JT Lundy, NASCAR and horse racing

Of course, NASCAR wasn’t the only thing this Kentuckian did. He was also involved in horse racing, albeit a little more controversial in that sport. JT Lundy took over historic Calumet Farm in 1990. Soon, the farm would file for bankruptcy and be embattled in legal troubles.

Following years of legal fights, Lundy would eventually be sentenced to four and a half years in prison in the year 2000. Lundy’s attorney Gary Matthews also served prison time on charges of fraud and bribery.

JT Lundy will be buried in Midway, Kentucky. There are funeral plans for January 2, 2024 at Midway Cemetery. A.J. Foyt Jr. is among the honorary pallbearers that are attending the service.