Dick May

Richard Shelton May (November 7, 1930 – June 9, 2009) was an American NASCAR driver who competed in 185 races in the NASCAR Grand National/Winston Cup Series between 1967 and 1985.

May began his racing career at the St. Lawrence Valley Speedway in Canton, New York. He spent much of his early career racing at the Watertown Speedway, New York, where he was 1962 Track Champion.

Known as NASCAR’s pinch hitter, May was a coveted as a relief driver and hailed for his ability to qualify cars and avoid crashing, and some estimates put his total NASCAR appearances at over 500. In the 1975 running of the Mason-Dixon 500, May drove five different cars but did not finish the race.

After retiring as a driver, May worked as a NASCAR inspector until 2003. He was inducted into the Northeast Dirt Modified Hall of Fame in 2007.

On June 9, 2009, May died following a long illness.

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)