John Thomas “J.T.” Lundy, who was the co-owner of NASCAR Cup Collection staff Ranier-Lundy and controversially oversaw horse racing powerhouse Calumet Farm within the Eighties, died Wednesday on the age of 82. In keeping with his son Robert, he fell in November and hit his head, from which he by no means recovered.
Lundy bought a fifty % stake in Harry Ranier‘s Ranier Racing staff in 1984, two years after he took over Calumet Farm from his in-laws. Calumet Farm, one of the vital profitable Thoroughbred stables in historical past with ten Kentucky Derby victories, sponsored IndyCar legend A.J. Foyt on the 1983 Indianapolis 500 and Foyt’s household additionally owned horses from the farm. Ranier, a coal magnate and fellow Kentucky native who based Ranier Racing in 1967, additionally loved horse racing and ran his personal farm.
“We’ve had an excellent relation for years. J.T. lives simply 4 miles from my dwelling,” Ranier stated in 1984. “Once I requested if he needed to become involved, he confirmed curiosity.”
The newly renamed Ranier-Lundy outfit gained in Lundy’s maiden race as a co-owner on the 1984 Daytona 500 with Cale Yarborough, who additionally claimed the 1983 version. Piloting the #28 Hardee’s automotive with Waddell Wilson as crew chief and supervisor, Yarborough gained 5 occasions below the Ranier-Lundy banner. Davey Allison, a journeyman driver, was tapped to drive the #28 in 1987 and gained twice that yr. Regardless of Allison’s brilliant profession prospects, Lundy left the staff at season’s finish.
Yarborough, Wilson, and Allison have since grow to be NASCAR Corridor of Fame inductees; Yarborough, a three-time Cup champion, handed away on Sunday. Ranier died in 1999, however his son Lorin continued the household’s presence within the sport by operating a Truck Collection staff below the Ranier Racing title in addition to a driver growth programme for Chevrolet.
Whereas Ranier-Lundy loved success, Calumet Farm’s fortunes went in the wrong way. Issues got here to a head in 1990 when their star horse Alydar broke his proper hind leg in 1990 and was subsequently euthanised, sparking an investigation into the character of his harm. Lundy resigned as president in 1991 and the farm was bought. He and the farm’s legal professional Gary Matthews had been convicted on financial institution fraud, bribery, and conspiracy associated to Calumet in 2000 and sentenced to four-and-a-half years in jail; Lundy was launched in January 2005. Calumet stays in operation at this time, successful two extra Kentucky Derbies in 1991 and 2022.
His service will probably be at The Halfway Cemetery in Halfway, Kentucky, on Tuesday. Foyt will probably be among the many honourary pallbearers.
