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Topic: Sad News
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Page 1 of 1 of 4 replies
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January 01, 2008 at
01:20:09 PM
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12/09/2004
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From Jayski's:
James "Penny" Paniagua, who gave NASCAR superstar Jeff Gordon his first taste of speed, died Saturday, a week after suffering a heart attack. "He was at home, surrounded by all his family," said son Jimmy Paniagua of his father's passing. James Paniagua, 89, introduced hundreds of youngsters – including a 4-year-old Gordon – to quarter-midget racing. An innovative designer and mechanic, he custom built more than 100 quarter-midget cars. Among his first models was one bought by John Bickford, Gordon's stepfather, for the racing prodigy. His wife of 65 years, Naomi, also has been in poor health. The couple have four children, all of whom have been active in the local auto racing community. Their grandson, Paul McMahan, is a veteran sprint-car racer in the World of Outlaws. Visitation for Paniagua will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Elk Grove Funeral Chapel, 9101 Elk Grove Blvd., Elk Grove. His memorial service is set for 11 a.m. Saturday at the United Methodist Church, 6th and M streets in Rio Linda
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January 01, 2008 at
01:44:09 PM
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01/28/2005
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This message was edited on
January 01, 2008 at
01:56:02 PM by Grove
Penny was a true icon of motorsports. We were at the 07 Quarter Midget Dirt Grands in Rio Linda
last June when he was inducted into their Hall of Fame.
I also was in Marysville at Jimmy Sills School of Open Wheel Racing on Penny's 80th birthday.
The gift from his family was a session in one of Jimmy's sprint cars. He got out their and gassed it like
a pro! Paul and Bobby are 2nd generation drivers. Penny's daughter Carol; (Paul and Bobby's mom)
also put on one of Jimmy's Weikert livestock
uniforms, with the sleeves and cuffs rolled up, and sat on a sacto yellow pages phone book so she
could see over the hood, then did a great job getting around the little qtr mile track!
Our hearts go out to Carol, Paul, Bobby, and the whole family.
RIP penny!
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January 01, 2008 at
02:04:02 PM
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11/26/2004
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1355
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Prayers and good thoughts going out to the family and friends. RIP
CWM
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January 02, 2008 at
07:10:50 AM
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11/30/2004
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1973
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This message was edited on
January 02, 2008 at
10:10:50 AM by sprinter25
Indeed, very sad news.
I'm well acquainted with the Paniagua and McMahan families and know how much they all loved Penny - and how much that he'll be missed. My deepest sympathies to all who knew and loved Penny. To Naomi, Carol, Janice, Jimmy, Linda, and Bobby, Paul, Cheryl and all of the family and friends - you have my condolences on your loss.
RIP to a great guy.....
Chuck.....
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January 04, 2008 at
11:09:41 AM
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12/01/2004
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A nice write up about Penny: http://www.capitolqma.com/Misc/PennyDay/frame_Penny_History.htm
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