NASCAR Team Owner Was Almost Bombed to Death Amid Alleged Dispute With Crew Chief & Driver in a Scary 1970s Incident

On November 8, 1978, Cabarrus County Deputies discovered a homemade bomb in a Caddilac limousine owned by NASCAR Grand National racing team owner Jim Stacy. The incident was classified as an assassination attempt however, no arrests in the case were made.

Stacy, a resident of Scottsdale, Arizona was in Concord to appear in court for a loan-related lawsuit. Reportedly, after the expansion to a second team in 1978, the American entrepreneur went winless, losing a substantial amount of money. As a result, accusations of him not paying the dues were levied by his crew chief Harry Hyde and Cup Series driver Ferrel Harris.

And amidst these accusations, heart-wrenching news surfaced.  Two Cabarrus County Deputies Bobby Canupp and Charlie Howell noticed Stacy’s limousine parked outside the Holiday Inn in Concord. But instead of just passing by, the two officials stopped to admire the vehicle. And just then, one of them noticed a wiring underneath the car.

On looking at the wiring closely, they noticed eight dynamite sticks with some loose wiring on the ground. Canupp said; “It was wired such that when the car moved the wires would come together and it (the bomb) would go off. “

On investigation, the authorities did not find any note with the bomb. Moreover, they evacuated the entire wing of the motel was evacuated. While the authorities took the dynamite bomb to a field near the inn to detonate it.

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After the incident, Jim Stacy said; “I feel fine because it didn’t work.” Furthermore, he revealed that he wasn’t afraid of driving the car after as he was assured that the bomb experts checked it thoroughly.

 JD Stacy as a NASCAR team owner

JD Stacy was an American Entrepreneur and a NASCAR Winston Cup Series owner. In 1977, Stacy purchased a K&K Insurance team from Nord Krauskopf. However, in 1978 the team was dissolved at the beginning of the 1979 season.

Post that, in July 1981 Stacy purchased another NASCAR team named Rod Osterlund. The team was home to another NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt and also fielded Joe Ruttman.

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During his career as a NASCAR team owner, JD Stacy accumulated massive winnings through all his races. Furthermore, even after the end of his career as a NASCAR owner, Stacy purchased several dirt tracks in the Southeastern parts of the United States.