The Legend of Joe Leonard

Joe Leonard is the only American racer to win National Championships in both Motorcycles and Cars.
Joe was the first AMA Grand National Champion (1954); he won 27 National races and two more AMA Grand National Championships (56-57), including winning Daytona back to back,(57-58) and he still is the speed record holder for the beach circuit.
Joe is a seven-time Peoria Champion; he set an AMA record by winning 8 Grand Nationals in one year, a record that stood till 1986, before moving on to car racing.
He raced in USAC Dirt SPRINTS winning the Pacific Coast Championship; was NASCAR Rookie of the year in 1963; Third at Indy in 1967; Indianapolis 500 pole position in 1968; USAC Indy Car National Champion back to back 1971-1972. Joe raced in the USAC Championship Indy Car series in the 1964-1974 seasons, with 98 career starts, including the 1965-1973 Indianapolis 500; He finished in the top ten 60 times, and is a Multiple Triple Crown winner. Mr. Joe Leonard is The American Racing Legend.
Credits:
Words and Music by Lorin Guy
Guitar and Vocal by Lorin Guy
Recorded at Magic Sound Studio in Santa Cruz, CA
Images provided by Lorin Guy
Video Production Gil Michael
Song available for download at: loose-gravel.ba...

[@theophilhist6455]

Why did it take me 8 years to find this? Joe was one of the greatest. A friendly and wonderful smile and as good of driver as any. I met him at Trenton Speedway 1965...and of course got his autograph. RIP Joe

[@gtvgtv4004]

Great tribute

[@loringuysingersongwriterfo1917]

with the Indy 500 only a few days away, I'm remembering my friend Joe Leonard.

[@othgmark1]

Saw him race at Ontario Motor Speedway. Years later l got to know him through a mutual friend. The kind of man you hope your heroes turn out to be. It was such an honor to get to know him. He will likely never be equaled in two and four wheeled success.

[@stevenmeyer9674]

A great Joe leonard story.. One year at a Indy car race (1968?) another driver was showing off his new Yamaha DT1 to Joe, not realizing that Joe was a AMA grand national champ. He was showing Joe where the clutch, brakes, throttle, etc were. Told Joe to take it for a ride in the pits, but be careful. Joe got on the bike and pretended he had never ridden before. He proceeded very carefully until he Turned around and came back doing a 50MPH wheelie past the owner of the bike.

[@bradpotter6401]

Great lyrics on an incredible racer! He's the American version of John Surtees who also won championships on bikes and cars.

[@loringuysingersongwriterfo1917]

Wow.. 10,000 views.. thank you to all who have listened and told your friends to listen too. I'll get the news to Joe, he'll be very pleased. I'm very humbled to have been able to pay tribute to my friend and produce this small offering to the legend. I say with NO reserve , Joe Leonard is the Greatest American Racer of our time, the song touches on just a few the incredible feats he accomplished in his career. Again Thank you..

[@charlesharper7292]

Best family sport that ever was.

[@juliojames5986]

Well written and sung, had not heard. 👍🏻

[@racebiketuner]

Great job, Lorin. Thanks so much for putting it together.

[@brumblebuffin11]

Back in the mid 50's, they had a big TT track in Riverside, CA. I was a teenager, and somehow found my way into the pit area. I saw Joe pick up a full rear wheel assembly with one hand and hand it to a mechanic, like the wheel weighed a couple of ounces. The guy was tough, confident and poised. Had a ready smile, too. Impressed the heck out of me.

[@loringuysingersongwriterfo1917]

Joe was was a great guy, friendly and a real Champion.

[@Daboppr]

Joe's an amazing individual and most deserving of a song about his career. Please if you can share this with friends,Thank you

[@loringuysingersongwriterfo1917]

@simple31 J Sure just credit where credit is due.. and add the a credit for my friend Dan Mahony ... I wanna hear it too.. cool

[@joeleonard9965]

@@loringuysingersongwriterfo1917 Wish I could find more about him.

[@loringuysingersongwriterfo1917]

@@joeleonard9965 What do you need to know?

[@joeleonard9965]

@@loringuysingersongwriterfo1917 What is the best book or documentary to learn more about him? There doesn't seem to be too much on him. Are there any places or things I can find in tribute like a statue or musuem? (That is more of a stretch)

[@chrissebert4743]

love vintage flat track we need more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@joestephan1111]

Superb tribute to an era when real men raced real racers!

[@randyphelps3041]

great playing and singing... nice song too... nice to hear a song and a voice nice and clear!

[@johnturner1957]

Joe will always be #1 in my book...

[@Ggordonhorseballs]

Joe's motorcycle racing greatness was slightly before my time but no so much his car greatness. I heard plenty from the old timers about how fast he was on a motorcycle. I saw plenty of his Indy car greatness firsthand. The guy was an AMA champion as well as Indy/champ car champion! Think about that! That may never be matched. Just looking at his riding style (elbows up,attack position) he was light years ahead of everyone else. Occasionally someone still mentions his amazing accomplishment in the media, but in all honesty he may be greatest of all time American motorsports hero.

[@stevematz7354]

R.I.P. JOE (Aug 4,1932 - Apr 27,2017) Even Resweber said you were the Best !

[@BrianNeil]

Sweet, thank you.

[@kevinblack5749]

Makes you wonder why the media never gave him his due. His fellow drivers and car owners always knew he was as good as any.

[@1xmailman]

Good work Lorin. I liked it.

[@albertgunter640]

going left in the pic...I recognize those eyes....that is my dad....

[@richarddominguez3496]

Very nice Lorin!

[@thefrenchowl]

Nice!!!

[@edbehm5961]

GAVE ME GOOSE BUMPS

[@N4OST]

If that is you doing the vocal Lorrin you are a credit to yourself! If not, you're then a credit to yourself and our friend Joe Leonard! - Ed J.

[@blusnuby2]

LEGEND. Had `em ALL beat...THE MAN !

[@joeleonard9965]

Wow, now I find this. I've spent 3 years on my mechanical engineering degree and have a job in the car world. Never gonna be a great race car driver but man do I hope I leave a legacy in the vintage car world.

[@morebarnful]

A special tribute to racing legend Joe Leonard

[@cinderellalifestyle]

hi More Barn...love a great ballad, and here is one! subbed and faved,...Cheers, Laurie

[@hammered0184]

Pffft! Just easier to make a song out of "Leonard" than "Goldsmith".

[@loringuysingersongwriterfo1917]

I was a good friend of Joe, and although I know Goldsmith (who by the way was a good friend of Joe's) I don't know him as well

[@loringuysingersongwriterfo1917]

ok I'll look into it Paul was amazing.. cool guy too.

[@dennisschell5543]

Kill the tune...

[@jimmuskrat2502]

I was 16 yrs. Old in1959, my Triumph was a T-110 and I live at Philly Cancilla 's when one day Joe Leonard, came down on his k model and did a full blown wheelie all the way down 13th st. Infront of Cancilla 's I never forgot it.... Jim Crosby

[@prl.5108]

A great presentation but a dreadfully corny song!

[@loringuysingersongwriterfo1917]

please write one yourself, love to hear it