BLOG: Remembering Raymond Beadle

He wasn't on the NASCAR radar for many years, but there's no doubt that Raymond Beadle left his mark on the sport.

The 70-year-old Beadle died Monday at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas.

A three-time NHRA Funny Car champion drag racer, Beadle also owned stock cars under the Blue Max mantle, and was a sprint car owner as well.

He was John Force before John Force, winning three straight NHRA crowns in 1979-81, and won the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis twice.

He hooked up with Tim Richmond before the latter went to Rick Hendrick, and Richmond won two races for Beadle. In 1986, Rusty Wallace came to Blue Max and won the series title in 1989. Wallace drove the No. 27 Kodiak Pontiac to the title that season.

Beadle was a brash guy, very smart and he knew how to put a team together. He will be missed.