C. William Cagle (March 24, 1938 – February 5, 2025) was an American driver of modified stock cars. He won over 415 feature events and 26 championships at east coast venues stretching from Florida to Canada.[1]
Racing career
Will Cagle began racing in his native Tampa, Florida, in 1953, at the age of 15, and relocated to the Northeast in 1959 for the numerous racing venues and higher purses.[1][2] Some of his more notable races and winning streaks came at the Albany-Saratoga Speedway New York, Canandaigua Speedway New York, Langhorne Speedway Pennsylvania, Nazareth Speedway Pennsylvania, and Orange County Fair Speedway New York.[3][4][5][6]
In 1973 Cagle won 17 of 21 features for his first of six track championships at the Weedsport Speedway, but in 1985 the track became the site of a career ending leg injury when his car's drive shaft broke. The next year, he became general manager at Orange County, and later promoted Florida's East Bay Raceway and USA International Speedway.[6]
Cagle was inducted into the Northeast Dirt Modified, New York State Stock Car Association and Eastern Motorsports Press Association Halls of Fame.[1][7][8]
Personal life
Cagle suffered a head injury after a fall at his home on January 27, 2025, and died from complications on February 5, at the age of 86.[9]
References
- ^ a b c "EMPA Hall of Fame – Will Cagle". Eastern Motorsports Press Association. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
- ^ "Cagle after racing win". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. FL. February 27, 1959. p. 18. Retrieved December 2, 2023 – via Google Books.
- ^ Lee, Rodney (November 1, 1971). "Pit Stops". The Evening News. Newburgh NY. p. 10B. Retrieved December 3, 2023 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Cagle cops seventh win". The Post-Star. Glens Falls NY. July 27, 1977. p. 20. Retrieved December 3, 2023 – via NewspaperArchive.
- ^ "Bunting, Cagle top Nazareth qualifiers". Reading Eagle. PA. October 8, 1983. p. 9. Retrieved December 3, 2023 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b O'Brien, Dick (October 23, 1997). "Legend prepares to pack bags for Florida". Syracuse Herald-Journal. NY. p. 55. Retrieved December 3, 2023 – via NewspaperArchive.
- ^ Skibiniski, Tom (March 18, 1992). "Monroe County Stars included in racing hall". The Democrat and Chronicle. Rochester NY. p. 37. Retrieved May 14, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Three drivers and promoter elected to NYSSCA Hall of Famd". The Saratogian. Saratoga Springs NY. November 17, 2008. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
- ^ Krause, Earl (February 5, 2025). "Modified legend Will Cagle, 86, passes away". Area Auto Racing News. Retrieved February 6, 2025.