Donlavey Released from Hospital

Donlavey discharged from hospital RICHMOND, Va. (March 20, 1998) NASCAR Winston Cup Series team owner W.C. "Junie" Donlavey was discharged from Chippenham Medical Center Wednesday after undergoing open-heart surgery to repair a leaky aortic ...

Donlavey discharged from hospital

RICHMOND, Va. (March 20, 1998) NASCAR Winston Cup Series team owner W.C. "Junie" Donlavey was discharged from Chippenham Medical Center Wednesday after undergoing open-heart surgery to repair a leaky aortic alve on March 10.

Donlavey, 73, owns the No. 90 Heilig-Meyers Ford Taurus of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series that is driven by Dick Trickle.

"I am so grateful to the doctors, nurses and staff at Chippenham Medical Center for their good care," Donlavey said Friday morning. "I can't say I'm ready yet to come back to the track, but I am feeling better every day.

"Thank you to everyone who sent cards and flowers. Something like this makes me realize how much friends mean. Friendships are the most important

Donlavey, in his 48th year as a NASCAR car owner, is known for giving young drivers a shot at racing in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. Donlavey has hired 65 drivers, and many of them have excelled behind the wheel and as car owners. NASCAR legends such as Tiny Lund, Fred Lorenzen, Joe Weatherly, David Pearson and Cale Yarborough have worked for Donlavey in the past 48 years.

Donlavey's Ford will be at Darlington Raceway this weekend for Sunday's TranSouth Financial 400. Trickle, who qualified fourth for the event, stands tied for 19th in points, his career best with Heilig-Meyers Racing.