Charles Trammell, his loving wife Mary Louise and his small racing program unknowingly started a legendary family racing tradition when he came back home from Ohio and started burning up the local dirt and asphalt racetracks all over the SE Kentucky and East Tennessee areas. With the help of Charlie Frank McMillan the number 90 was first placed on the side of the Trammell racecar. McMillan used a 06 number on the side of his racing machine so Trammell flipped the number over to read 90 and the tradition was started.

Charles' first car was a 1955 Chevrolet. He totaled over 60 race wins at area tracks including Tazewell. He also won 2 track championships. He drove several races in the Bomber class and the popular old-style modifieds at Tazewell Speedway and other tracks against drivers like; Johnny Swizegood, Leroy Vann, Sherman Howell and Otis Miley. In one race at Atomic Charles got spun while racing alongside Otis Miley. He waited on the track until Miley came back around then gunned the throttle and pointed his car at Miley's car. At the last second Trammell changed his mind and steered the car away from Miley and smacked the wall ruining his own day. Charles had a lot of help with set-ups and driving from the legendary driver Buddy Rogers. Along the way came his sons Jack and Bob.

Jack's 1st full season came in 1970 in a 1957 Chevrolet running the number 92. He would not put the number 90 on his machine until his father had quit racing. With his brother Bob alongside, Jack began a winning tradition of his own. Tragically Jack lost his brother in 1993 and a big part of the racing program was lost with him. Over the years Jack won 6 Tazewell Speedway Championships, 6 at Atomic and another single one at Smoky Mountain. Others that helped Jack along the way included Carl and Wilford Johnson who sponsored him for many years with the Lamb's Inn, Colonial House markings.

Jack credits his dad and family for a lot of the help with his winning cars. Jack's first racing adventure was at Wartburg in the final race of 1969. Jack finished the race but did not get the win. Jack's dominance at Tazewell helped him grab 100+ wins all in the super class. His biggest rivals included; Jim Arnwine, Buddy Rogers, Bud Sweet, Melvin Corum, Clay Kelly, Louis Epperson and he raced with other great wheelmen including Eddie Carrier, Steve Smith and Bryan Hendrix.

One of Jacks' outstanding race memories occurred in the early 80's in a 100 lap event. Buddy Rogers was leading Clay Kelly with two to go and Jack was in third watching the two. Both of them got sideways nearly crashing and opened the door for Jack the so-called "sneaky snake" to get the win. He accepted his new nickname and even carried the "sneaky snake" logo on his cars for a while.

Jack's worst moment at the Taz occurred in the early 70's. David Pierce and his racecar got together with the right rear of the Trammell car. The resulting broken axle sent Jack up on the fence and then out all while upside down. When Jack was going through the tough times after losing his brother a young man stepped up and helped mend his hurting heart.

Jack's son Jason saw his dad hurting and began to spend more time with his dad around the racecars. Jason was involved in sports, mainly baseball but when the chance was presented to him he took advantage of it and began a racing career that is still going strong today. Jason's first racecar was an old swing-arm Rayburn. Jason was unsure if he really wanted to do this racing thing until he grabbed his first checkered flag on September 16th, 2000. Jason now has 52 total wins with 51 of them at the Taz. The other win came at Smoky Mountain. His best moment at Tazewell was when he battled Dale Husky down to the wire seeking the limited late model championship in which he won by a single point following the final race.

Without doubt his worst moment at the Taz occurred in 1998. He was involved in the "big one" and came out of it with a broken arm. He missed the rest of the season due to the injury.

Jason has several people he would love to thank for helping him; His papaw Charles, father Jack, Keith Chapman, Lynn Garrett, his wonderful kids and loving wife Olivia for letting him race. Charles and Mary Louise Trammell looking back have not only created a legendary racing family but have indeed created a loving family that has been bonded together by the nuts and bolts of racing.

A young Jack Trammell and one of his cars.

Charles Trammell's #90 Chevrolet

Jack, Bob, and Charles Trammell

Jason Trammell celebrates one of his 2008 wins with grandfather Charles

If you know of a local legend you would like to have featured in the Claiborne Progress contact Allen Earl at pitchadude@hotmail.com or call 423-526-3480.