Lee Shepherd

[none]

We lost Lee 23 years ago today. March 11, 1985

 

[d'kid]

seems like yesterday
I was at the chassis shop when we got the news.

Miss you Lee

d'kid

 

[mw6789]

Sad day it was indeed--seems like yesterday. He was truly one of the great ones. I own the old Maverick that won him his first national event--the 74 Winternationals. I have looked at the tach in the Maverick and though...you know, Lee Shepherd looked at this tach lots of times. I wondered many times how many events he could have won and what the pro stock record book would look like now were he still with us--a lot different I am sure!!!

 

[Bullet]

I still remember my Dad telling me as a kid, that Lee had died in a testing accident.

Even though Lee was the guy that took the title from Bob Glidden and had started to dominate Pro Stock, i was really saddened by his death.

We can only all wonder "what might have been".

 

[Dave]

I too remember being a little kid and my Dad telling me what had happened to Lee. Maybe it was because I was only 7 years old at the time, but it just didn't seem to register with me. I couldn't believe that Lee had been killed. It's just one of those things that seemed like it wasn't possible. Every time I watch one of my old Drag Racing videos (where he is racing) I always wonder how much more Lee Shepherd could have accomplished. I never met him but I always liked him.

Dave

 

[snowbunny]

I once watched Lee Shepard and Bob Glidden trade the national record back and forth 5 times one day at Green Valley in Ft. Worth, TX in the early 80's. Lee was one of the most talented drivers ever, there is no telling what kind of records he would have set had he lived, too bad he died the way he did.

 

[shane]

Heres a cpl pics my dad took at byron IL ..Sorry about quality dad wasnt much of a photog..lol

 

[shane]

 

[Greggo]

I am so glad I got to see this man race. I will never forget this day and my Dad breaking the news to me - very sad indeed. And not only was he a great racer but he was a fantastic machinist as well.

 

[Chuck]

If that Camero was the last one that said "Ranger" on the front bumper it is now located in Hilo, Hawaii owned by a Gary Arita. He ran it and it was painted yellow. The last time they ran the Lee Sheppard camero I think was back in the early 2000 it ran low 7's at the Tommy Thompson drag strip in Hilo. Its in a garage on jacks the last time I saw it. It was undergoing chassis mods when they stopped all progress. I use to sponser 2 or 3 sets of slicks for the car for each race. I since left there and I havn't kept track of the car. Lee will be missed by all.

Chuck
PAE

 

[Triple Nickel II]

We lost Lee 23 years ago today. March 11, 1985

I heard about it while in a speed shop in Amarillo, Texas.

I thought it was a bad joke at first, but with Dale Ham (NHRA Division 4 Director) being based in Amarillo, we were some of the first to hear lots of news in the days before the internet.

 

[Dave]

Those are wonderful photos Shane, thanks for sharing.

Dave

 

[Silly Savage]

Lee was my hero...I still have a 10x14 photo of him launching at the Gatornationals on my wall along with some other pics I have collect....one hell of a racer.

 

[Tim5636sc]

Same here Guys! Lee was and always will be my favorite Pro Stock Driver! When i found out he died, I was crushed, Of course I was just a little kid, but he was a great driver and I miss him tremendously! BTW, If anyone has more Lee Shepherd Photo's...I could use them for my Video Tribute! Please PM me with any you may have! Thx!

Timmah!

 

[shane]

Not sure if the ones i posted will do you any good but your more then welcome to use them......

And speaking of being a kid and a huge fan of his if you look in the first picture i posted the little skinny kid with the red hat on is me ..lol

 

[MM]

And speaking of being a kid and a huge fan of his if you look in the first picture i posted the little skinny kid with the red hat on is me ..lol

nice legs Shane.....lmao

 

[joe fuchita]

I read about this tragic news in the sports section of the LA Times. I could not believe what I was reading.

 

[FABMAN]

A local racer from KC, Les Swearingen who was running AHRA Pro Stock was a personal friend of Lee Shepherd's and one of many times he was at KCIR Les introduce me to him, a moment I'll never forget. Real nice guy and a pleasure to talk too.

 

[shane]

Mike, Of course I had nice legs couldnt have pulled off them shorts if I didnt..lol

 

[----NONE----]

I read about this tragic news in the sports section of the LA Times. I could not believe what I was reading.

I was sitting in Algebra 2 class in high school when I read that article. I think that I still have it saved somewhere.