The Daytona Tragedy of Friday Hassler
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- Опубликовано: 1 июн 2024
- The Daytona International Speedway has claimed many lives over the years, one of them being Friday Hassler. In this video, we look back at not only the tragedy but the career of Hassler and why he should be remembered as one of the greatest independent drivers ever!
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Race Footage Credits:
NASCAR
ABC Sports
SMIFF TV
Calhoun98
Thumbnail Image Credits:
Getty Images 
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This shows the dangerous side of superspeedways. You can experience the highest of highs, but the lowest of lows can be incredibly tragic. RIP Friday Hassler
Never that scenario has been more demonstrated than the events of 23 years ago
@S.K.R.E.Inc. Amen! I watched that race on TV and saw the crash, but didn't hear about the outcome until a few hours later. 😢
@@S.K.R.E.Inc. R.I.P Big E
He will be missed
There was a haunting story I remember Kyle Petty telling about that day. Of course he was a young kid back then, and was playing in the infield, with kids of other drivers, while the racing went on out on the track. At some point somebody came and got Friday Hassler's kids...and Kyle never saw them again. He learned later on that their father had passed.
That is absolutely heart breaking
Fun fact, I don't think Kyle did it maliciously or that what he talked about isn't a very real feeling for him. But my dad and his brothers were NOT at the race that day. Only my grandma! They did often play with Kyle though!
Source: my dad is the youngest son of Friday's mentioned in the video. I'm hoping to get him set up on his own youtube channel to talk about this stuff. But until then this is one of those comments I always try to clarify when I see. (along with this story some other mistakes in the existing written history.)
Raymond "Friday" Hassler
Dewayne "Tiny" Lund
Harold Kite
Buren Skeen
The reason why driver side structures were improved very vastly, was because of these 4 crashes.
Raymond Hassler's crash was one of the most brutal impacts in racing history. The image of the bloody door is one of the most disturbing visuals in any sporting event.
Don't Forget Dale & J.D.
@@LarryVarner-zq5zd Dale and JD was the crashes that led to the HANS device. Driver side was already improved by that point
that shot of the blood-covered driver's side door has always disturbed me
never knew how much talent and integrity friday had. RIP
I had never seen this very disturbing image....not sure if I should have.....
@@roberthevern6169 Me neither and I've seen tons of Nascar history. Good grief 😞
@@roberthevern6169should have seen the inside of Earnhardt's car. You can't imagine how hard his open faced helmet hit the steering wheel...RIP
Also being from Chattanooga, I appreciate the "See Rock City" art on his cars. I am surprised that Chattanooga doesn't have something in a Museum about Friday Hassler, a native son. RIP Friday Hassler. I really like those 60s Chevelle body styles. I used to watch NASCAR races on TV back then.
For some reason, racing was cruel to Chattanooga drivers: Friday, Grand Adcox, Harold Fryar.
I was just thinking the same exact thing about being surprised there isn't some sort of museum here.
Can you imagine getting out of your car to help somebody just to come face to face with their lifeless body. Must be a really awful experience. I would be absolutely traumatized.
Ken Schrader went through that in 2001, and the pictures post-extraction are awful to look at
Likely similar to what Kenny Schrader saw on 2/18/2001.....
Ken Schrader.
@@S.K.R.E.Inc. G C Spencer went through it with Hassler, Jimmy Means went through it with J D McDuffie and there have been others.
@@roberthevern6169 Kenny was in position for a top 5 finish and was collected in Dale's accident.
Friday Hassler was an underrated driver. He was a stock car racing hero.
At that time, I was 18 and an avid Chevy fan and he had been the most successful of the "Journeyman" Chevy drivers. As I was a Freshman Geology student and had visited Rock City several times, I thought the NASCAR sponsorship was cool, too. I have to admit, I cried when I found out about it.
Another story was about him was him leading a good part of a race at Maryville, TN (maybe 1970, 1971?). I think ABC Wide World of Sports was taping the race and former driver Dr. Don Tarr was one of the trackside announcers.
After Friday's battery shorted out and he left the race, Don Tarr was eager to interview him on camera, but apparently someone in the ABC crew said "No", as Friday was not a "big name driver". Raw deal for a nice guy.
I never fully realized how bad this wreck was, can’t imagine the feeling of seeing the aftermath in person
RIP Friday Hassler
Legacy Of Friday Hassler Journeyman NASCAR Winston Cup Series From The 70s Thanks For Uploading
Well done Darian, Friday is definitely a driver who flies under the radar when it comes to the glory days of the sport and definitely deserves this kind of recognition!
1970s was the DARKEST decade of racing! The safety is IMPORTANT, but the victims of the famous drivers and riders are like a horror movie. Thank you, BFM for this video and it's still a "Gone Too Soon" after that.
Safety is boring, these old time drivers spit in the face of death, that's what made them legends.....
@@pulsarlights2825shut up mate
Barely remember this guy. Was cool to see a pic from Texas World Speedway in College Station. It's a shame we lost that track & Friday Hassler. Thanks for helping to build the Sport we love, it wouldn't be the same without your efforts. RIP Raymond Lee🏁🏁
Thanks Darian
Just when I thought Dale Earnhardt Sr’s fatal crash was devastating, this one literally took my breath away.
If you want disturbing watch Daniel McTavishs wreck at daytona
@@needsmetalvery brutal
@@needsmetal I saw the video... once. I have never had another auto racing video haunt me like that one. In fact, I struggle to recall another video of any kind that had such a visceral effect on me. I couldn't imagine what Don's family went through, knowing that's how he passed away.
Actually, Russell Phillips's was on that level for me as well.
@@needsmetal Don McTavish 1969?
@@needsmetal Don McTavish
My father-in-law was the points champion at Smoky Mountain Speedway in 1970. He raced against Friday many times there and at other east Tennessee tracks. They developed a friendship and Friday had his engine builder build the engine that he ran in his championship season. I've heard a lot of good stories about Friday. I can't wait to share this video with my father-in-law. Thank you for the content.
A sad tale, but an important one. Any true fan of the sport needs to know it's history, both the good and the bad. Those who have gone before, deserve to be remembered...
RIP, Raymond Lee "Friday" Hassler.
How the wreck played out reminded me of the crash on Lap 2 of the 2019 F2 Spa Feature race, which took the life of Frenchman Anthoine Hubert. RIP to him and Friday Hassler 😢
THE 1972 DAYTONA TWIN 125 RACES WERE THE INAUGURAL NONE QUALIFYING POINTS RACES
omg
this video almost made me cry
After I watch this video towards the end I for what were the spectators watching in the fence that they froze it was that in a moment where were the time just Frozen however I don't know but I think it did rip
This was my first Daytona race I was part of a pit crew for a Chicago drive trying to make the race with his USAC car. The car came to the garage area on a roll back truck covered with a tarp and placed in a fenced in area it had rained the ground was saturated
It was very quiet the rest of the day in the Grand National garage area.
That Bristol race he won subbing for Glotzbach, was a caution free race. The only caution free race ever at Bristol.
Imagine how insane that would be on you and your body.
Cale Yarborough won a race at Bristol, when it was asphalt and ran in the heat of the day, leading all 500 laps.
Shows the leader takes control of the race. Calm cool and collected leader will make for a calm cool and collected field. They gotta chase ya if you aren't out there slowing yourself down wrecking people.
Same token you can win many race by wrecking people.....
Can’t imagine being one of the first person to see that gruesome scene….
Someone please make his car in nr2003 he deserves so much more recognition r.i.p Raymond “Friday” Hassler
I remember this happening like it was yesterday. I was fresh out of 4 years in the Navy and was re-kindling my life long interest in racing. The cars of today put on pretty much of a shit show as far as the racing aspect but are miles ahead in safety compared to 1972. Too bad Friday had to be a victim of the limited technology of the time. Sad for his family.
I remember hearing about how these types of tracks were compared fancy-shaped graveyards (at least that’s what my grandparents said) but I had never heard about Hassler or his death. But now that I’ve seen this video, holy shit…
Driving a car 200 miles an hour is not supposed to be safe, that's part of the attraction to the sport. If you are scared of death and/or serious injure find another hobby or way to make a living....
I was in the grandstands at this race. There was a lot of smoke, and multiple cars piling up. Lucky there was not more carnage
Friday Hassler is one of those drivers who I really think should have won at least one race just based on his stats alone. Just look at them on racing-reference! Had he lived, I think he would have won someday.
Hiya! My dad Jay is the youngest son mentioned in this video! I'm sending him this because I know it will mean a lot to see all the comments because he never got to know his dad. Thank you for sharing and approaching the subject with respect and reverence. If you want an interview or just to chat with him about it, it would probably make his year. He appears in the movie "Its in the blood: the origins of chattanooga racing" talking about it and this type of stuff really means a lot to him cause he never knew his dad. Hi dad if you are reading this!
I love these types of videos. I hope you do one on Talmadge Prince.
Friday's son, Bobby, just passed away a few months ago Oct 29, 2023.
Is that who you were speaking of or was it Jay?
Jay
@@BlackFlagsMatter thank you. I don't know Jay that well.
Yikes, quite a coincidence since that was on my birthday, may Bobby Hassler rest peacefully, now reunited with his father.
Hassler's crash was definitely brutal because you can see how unbelievably pancaked the right side of his car was. G.C. Spencer though instantly became Ken Schrader in that situation after checking on Hassler
I've watched your channel a good bit, but this episode made me subscribe. Very cool what you're doing and hope to see more similar quality about history.
Truly a Heartbreaking Story!
Seeing the blood on the door numbers is probably why they tarp off the cars
Died on my birthday way before I was born… what a shame…
What a great story. Thanks
Crazy how safety is driven by the deaths of drivers!!!
This is one of the crashes I am not shocked no one covered but sure needed to be thanks BFM
BFM*
@miscellaneoussarnian5282 sorry my phone auto corrected for some reason thanks for catching it
@@XxWolfman5584xX hakuna matata
Man that's sad.
I've never heard anything about him or his story.
RIP Driver.
Cool story. I never heard of him before
Friday Hassler was *THE* Chevy driver of his time.
Thank you once again for another good video. It's always sad hearing these stories, but it's also so important to tell these stories so these names can be remembered.
Darrel Waltrip is from Owensboro Ky.
I quit watching racing for many years after Eddie Sachs and Dave McDonald were killed at Indy. Back in those days guys would burn up in a crash on a regular basis and it seemed like safety was an afterthought.
Thanks for posting. Racing will always be a dangerous sport but it's something racers and fans alike love to watch and do and therefore accept what reality lies behind the result of tragedy.
wow great video i had never heard of him really good video about him and the maryville track he took the pole at is still in operation its just below my shop smoky mountain speedway really nice track
I was a firefighter for 20 years and would get to see mangled bodies in auto accidents 2-3 times each year, but for my sanity I choose to remember the ones we helped,
Birthday buddy 60 years on the dot. Damn
Great video. I’ve followed racing a long time and learned about someone new today.
This video is known as Gone Too Soon: Raymond Hassler.
Changing some things up with different titles and thumbnails but at heart yes ♥️
I think I remenber this tragedy by the thumbnail of the wrecked car
I was watching that race on t v that day. It looked really bad on t v. Can't imagine how bad it was on the scene there.
Yeah I find death kinda scary too, but the older I get the more I realize how natural it is and how finite our time is, but I find it fascinating how we all act like we all live forever daily, but in reality we’re staring death in its face in every second of everyday and don’t seem bothered by it or it’s not in our awareness… I think the more you think about “existing and not existing” it definitely helps you become more aware of our mortality and will handle other peoples deaths better without trauma, and for me personally I tend to be more thoughtful in every area of my life
The aftermath of this crash is one that will live in my head forever.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ for the video
RIP Friday Hassler 🙏
Also, I wonder if that impact was so strong. Is that how his neck twisted?
Pretty much. Back then the seat were not like they were today. If you search up NASCAR driving seats, a notable feature is a sideways U shape wear the drivers head is. They obviously didn't have that back in the 1970's, so when the car hit Hasslers car, there was nothing stopping his neck from being twisted.
Jimmy Crawford plowed into him at full speed. Back then they raced back to the caution, and Crawford, a part time independent driver without much success in the sport, no doubt saw everyone slowing down for the crash and thought it was his one opportunity to pass a bunch of cars and make the race.
While there's a lot to criticize about modern NASCAR, we should all be thankful they don't race back to the caution anymore.
@@turgid_member8717 More than likely, Crawford couldn't see anything of the smoke, dust and debris. Most any driver will tell you they go into a crash like that just hoping they don't hit what they can't see.
Commenting for algorithm
We love racing but it has always been a gruesome sport. Extremely fun and exciting but dangerous.
Jesus...that was brutal.
4 sons...😢
RIP.
How about the boat cruising in Lake Lloyd during the race😅
We were there that day and watched it happen. He and my step-dad raced together a few times at Boyd Speedway in Chattanooga. I remember at Talladega, (1971 I think) when he got a couple laps down, he turned the wick up on his car and regained his two laps and settled back into his position before he lost the laps. They said he was clocked at 199 mph for three laps and then slowed back down once he got caught up.
He was actually a very good driver...my dad remembered him racing at the old Jacksonville speedway years ago.
A race hero. When men raced against the track. RIP.
Darrel waltrip is from Kentucky, not Tennessee. Drivers back then died from poor safety/equipment/car rules
I worked with 2 of Friday's Sons in the 80's. Bobby and Tommy. Sadly,they both have passed. Bobby told me a few years ago that Jay was running some asphalt races. All good Men.
I’m from Chattanooga too. Was not aware of this guy’s story. Tragic.
Hello again BFM.
You need to do a video on neil bonnett
The damage to the car.... Christ....
Rip, now the boomers who say nascar should go back to the 70s and 90s dont know how unsafe them cars are.
I seen a video when they drug him outta the car his wkete uniform was drenched in blood. they put him face down on gurney and loaded into ambulance station wagon. there was blood all down his number on the car. ruo
You showed Nashville, track which Friday ran well at and had a few wins i believe
While talking about the Bristol race, the footage is actually Nashville.
Thats got to be one of the hardest t bone crashes Ive ever seen😢
Where can I find that original shot of Daytona in the intro?
ruclips.net/video/SCjQ0E6BeWI/видео.htmlsi=Gfrs94qR2GpaySqG
@@BlackFlagsMatter thank you!
Great Driver He raced at Huntsville speedway some The 18 month old son mentioned ( Jay)) also raced with us at Huntsville. Great guy. RIP Friday
Gentlemen driver unlike some others in Nascar past and present
Video idea: Championship seasons - Terry Labonte
RIP Friday Hassler
As a kid in birmingham i watched him at dixie and bir always a great racer
Man, that's awful. Mercifully instant for him, but never-ending for his poor family. RIP. 😞
Darrell and Michael waltrip are from kentucky
I really love the Goon Too Soon videos so can you please do the ones I send to you in the last video?
Watched Friday Hassler run a race at Ona Speedway in Ona Wv. in May of 71. If memory serves me right he finished in the top ten that day. I was watching the Daytona race on TV when he was killed.
Excellent story of an independent young driver who passed doing what he loved!
Bring back Texas World Speedway. That track was nutty
Is Jonathan Hassler related to Friday Hassler?
Wondering this myself
Darrell Waltrip and Michael Waltrip both came from Owensboro Ky, not Tennessee.
My dad took me to this race. It was the first and last race I ever went to.
Bro, Waltrip is from Owensboro, KY
Saw him drive lots in TN. Was definetly a wheelman
30 years later Dale Earnhardt would hit that same retaining wall that's eerie
put the speed at 1.25 for a normal sound
Interesting story !
So sad😢 rip🙏🙏and he should be inducted into the auto racing hall of fame
Darrell Waltrip is from Kentucky
Darell Waltrip is from KY
D Waltrip was from Kentucky nor Tenn.
I REMEMBER WHEN FRIDAY DIED.SAD.
I got to see Friday take 2nd at smokey mt behind petty .
get your facts right, his win in 1971 was NOT the first Chevy win since 1967........Bobby Allison won at Islip in a Chevy in 1968.