Jon Backlund (HALL OF FAME SPOTLIGHT ----- JON BACKLUND By Ray Cunningham: In a career in racing that has been a big part of (2004 CARB Hall Of Fame inductee) Jon Backlund’s life, one car, and one, decades long relationship, has stood out above all others, driving the Baby Blue #14 Midget of Bill and Wayne Darnell. As Jon Backlund continued his racing exploits into his 30’s he got the ride of a life-time, and that’s saying a lot about this racing legend who ran in many classes, and on both dirt and pavement. In the 1970’s he would race for Saint Louis owners Bill and Wayne Darnell, running their Chevy II powered #14 midget, originally owned and raced by another CARB Hall of Famer, Jack Cunningham. Now many things could be said about this decade long racing arrangement. But the things “Jonny Boy” remembers the most fondly was that they won their first ever race together at Olympic Stadium in the late 1960’s or early 1970’s. And they won their last race together approximately 10 years later. But most amazingly during that entire time, Jon never wrecked his favorite car, adding to the considerable lore of this racing icon. )
