Men Behind the Wrenches - Suitcase Jake Elder

From the old SPEED channel, Jeff Hammond hosts a profile of "Suitcase" Jake Elder. Throughout his storied NASCAR career, Elder worked for many different teams including Petty Enterprises, Holman Moody, L.G. DeWitt, DiGard Racing, Osterlund Racing, Rick Hendrick and Harry Ranier. This penchant for change earned him the nickname "Suitcase Jake".

[@chrishensley6745]

Thanks for sharing...people like him are long gone.

[@HODIUSDUDE]

Sadly true ...Thanks for watching!

[@CC.94]

Makes me think of my grandad. They were the last of a breed.

[@carolinastringband]

Thanks for sharing these, I love the earlier history of this sport!

[@2098elk]

Name out of the past. Glad some one didn't forget about the people that made NASCAR what it was. Real legend.

[@genemartin6962]

Back before computers, engineers and others who have been educated beyond their intelegence there were guys like Jake. Self taught with a memory like an Elephant. I was fortunate enough to drive for a guy very similar to Jake. Guy named Donald Stacks. We ran short dirt and won a lot. Back in the 70's. He could take homebuilt and out run store bought. He told me more than once: " Don't wreck it unless you are up near the front. Unless you are near the front you aint running fast enough to wreck!!" Guys like this are sadly gone.

[@richardfrench2863]

replaced by spreadsheets, accelerometers, strain gages, and analytics.
Makes the cars faster, but eliminates the characters.
Things change.

[@juliedy1574]

Funny when they show the Holman Moody sign but show 66 or 67 Charger in shop being worked on. Probably Cotton Owens shop.

[@tonybuck5252]

Thanks Jeff for sharing this

[@jonathantrauner5731]

My grandpa's next door neighbor.
One of the coolest guy who ever walked ....

[@deantait8326]

Suit Case is a legend !

[@malecscarborough251]

That’s my great grandad!

[@musicstewart9744]

Interesting. Has the desire to tinker with automobiles continued down the generations?

[@terriecotham1567]

Its to bad he is not in High schools around the US telling racing stores and giving kids advice and possible sparking new ideals or dreams.
He is what some call a cook. he knows what works and what to change, love the words he said I have a fell and cooks have that insight. Some are teacher, vets pilots or sports players
What a person.

[@coalbranch]

Are you serious?

[@moosetonguenc109]

Thats a cool thing to be able to say

[@christolbert4628]

Terry Labonte's nickname was the "ice man", for that reason.

[@smilingbob6708]

Hoilman Moody put together some great Ford motors. Like in my dad's 68 Torino GT

[@litefoot900]

Music is to loud can't hear the man speak.

[@EclecticHillbilly]

Jake helped a lot of younger drivers behind the scenes during his career. That's not as well known.

[@cullengunnar7063]

sorry to be so offtopic but does anyone know of a trick to get back into an instagram account..?
I was dumb forgot the password. I love any tricks you can offer me.

[@brentleymatias9368]

@Cullen Gunnar instablaster ;)

[@cullengunnar7063]

@Brentley Matias Thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site thru google and im waiting for the hacking stuff atm.
I see it takes quite some time so I will get back to you later with my results.

[@cullengunnar7063]

@Brentley Matias it worked and I actually got access to my account again. Im so happy!
Thanks so much you saved my account!

[@brentleymatias9368]

@Cullen Gunnar No problem :)

[@hotwheel6663]

Ole' suitcase Jake!

[@shanew.williams]

Ol' DW nailed it. Even if you're exceptionally talented but not a "team player" or great communicator it seems to tempt co-workers to test you. Hence, you pack your "suitcase" & go because, when you have Jake's cred, he knew he could get another job anywhere in the sport.

[@droldsw31]

Why do they let these people talk? It distracts from the music.

[@FordMonsterTruck]

Thanks you for sharing that

[@ahhculdee]

Get him in the Hall of Fame

[@jodyrolandconstruction6577]

Really wish they would kill the music.

[@robgrant9583]

Me too

[@UberLummox]

@alanjrkaminski That's hardly fair. This is from an old Speed Channel broadcast. Not the fault of the person who took the time to upload it to youtube to further your knowledge of racing history.
Not cool.

[@UberLummox]

@alanjrkaminski That's the fault of the this channel?

[@UberLummox]

@alanjrkaminski Oh, I see now. You've been hugely inconvenienced by watching a video you could've stopped 10 seconds in, took the time to complain about it, gave it a dislike, AND like your own comments. I see now your time is a precious commodity. The guy who took the time to post this who had nothing to do w/it's production clearly deserves points off his channel.

[@UberLummox]

@alanjrkaminski ArchieJrTrumpkerski is mad at the World. You can't take it when you're wrong. And you forgot to Like your own comment this time. Just un-dislike it like a gentleman and move on. Or perhaps write The Speed Channel back in time to 2002 and I'm sure they'll correct the sound to your liking.

[@pacman3908]

Jake helped mold dale sr i bet more than we will ever know

[@buddywilliams5650]

Enough about Dale Earnhardt already man.

[@EclecticHillbilly]

Actually, I was on another team during that time and Jake used to complain all the time that Earnhardt wouldn't listen to him.

[@albertmcfry6322]

Liked the Hell out of old Jake!

[@18winsagin]

I actually miss DW being in the booth, he was the last connection to the past in my opinion, love or hate him you have to give him his dues because he was Nascar in his prime!

[@earnhardt3613]

Dale Earnhardt's 1st crew chief at Rod Osterlund's Racing !!!!!

[@brianmcghee3597]

No nonsense guy. I love them types.

[@mrbigw100]

21:39 😂😂😂

[@jamieday6602]

Sure wish I could turn off the music! Dang irritating

[@DaveSweeney-g8q]

Tone the background music down

[@ps-mq7tm]

🚘🏁🙋‍♂️

[@williamfoster4072]

Huh?

[@Kenjh71]

He talks like Mumbles. Bartle doo.

[@tonybuck5252]

Another one gone too soon.

[@edstockford6682]

Dam music to loud barley hear a darn thing