Morgan Shepherd NASCAR Bristol Late Model Win 1983 - Original Photo Himes Estate For Sale

An original 7x5" vintage photo (NOT a modern reprint) from the Marty Himes estate. This photo is from a collection of press photos used in the production of a racing publication and is quite possibly a one of a kind image.

Provenance: This photograph comes directly from the Marty Himes Racing Museum Collection, assembled over decades by Marty Himes - racer, restorer, and lifelong archivist of American racing. Every piece he preserved tells part of the story of motorsport’s rise from dirt tracks to the spectacle of the Indy 500. We acquired the majority of his photo collection after his passing. Many of his photos are extremely rare or even one of a kind.

Photo Overview

A wonderful victory lane moment captured at Bristol International Raceway in Bristol, Tennessee on May 21, 1983. NASCAR Late Model Sportsman driver Morgan Shepherd stands proudly in victory lane holding a large trophy after winning the Southeastern 150, flanked by a local queen wearing a 'Miss Bristol' sash on the left and a Miss Winston representative in her official white jumpsuit on the right. A tall, smiling gentleman stands at far right. The Winston Cup Series Bristol banner is prominently visible in the background, placing this firmly at one of NASCAR's most iconic short tracks.

Shepherd's fire suit clearly shows his Budweiser sponsorship, along with patches for Goodyear, Champion, CRC, and STO. The trophy plaque reads 'WINNER - LATE MODEL SPORTSMAN - May 21, 1983.' According to the caption on the back, damp weather and heavy traffic almost kept Shepherd from making the start - he ran across the track and climbed into his car just as the field was firing its engines, then charged to the front to win easily.

Historical Notes

Morgan Shepherd was already a proven short-track ace by the time of this Bristol Late Model Sportsman victory in 1983. He had won the NASCAR Late Model Sportsman Series championship in 1980, and this Bristol win was a continuation of his dominance in that division. Shepherd transitioned full-time to the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, where he competed for over three decades, winning Cup races at Martinsville (1993), Atlanta (1990 Hooters 500 victory), and other tracks. He became known as one of NASCAR's most durable competitors, still racing in his 70s at the Xfinity Series level.

Bristol International Raceway - now known as Bristol Motor Speedway - went on to become one of NASCAR's most revered venues. The half-mile concrete oval has been expanded, covered, and modernized into one of the sport's premier destinations, regularly selling out over 160,000 seats. The Winston Cup Series Late Model Sportsman division that Shepherd competed in eventually evolved into what is now the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

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Text Present

Front of photo:
- Trophy plaque: "WINNER / LATE MODEL SPORTSMAN / May 21, 1983"
- Driver's fire suit: "Morgan Shepherd" (name written on suit)
- Background banner: "Winston Cup Series / BRISTOL"
- Sash on woman at left: "Miss Bristol"
- Woman at right wearing: "MISS WINSTON" sash and uniform
- Sponsor patches on suit: Budweiser, Goodyear, Champion, CRC, STP

Back of photo (typed caption clipping, taped):
"Damp weather and heavy traffic almost kept Morgan Shepherd from making the start of the Southeastern 150 at Bristol International Raceway. Running across the track and climbing into his race car just as the field was starting its engines, Shepherd kept his adrenaline going and charged to the front to win the race easily. Bristol, Tenn, (May 21) -- David Chobat/BIR Photo"

Back of photo (handwritten in red ink):
- Upper left: "Speed"
- Circled: "11F"
- Upper right: "Reduce 52%"
- Lower center: "2col"

Back of photo (handwritten in blue ink):
- Lower right: "11 F"

Print analysis

This is a Type 1 original press photograph, almost certainly printed within days of the event on May 21, 1983. The photo was taken by David Chobat for Bristol International Raceway (BIR Photo). The back shows the hallmarks of a publication-use press photo: a typed caption clipping taped to the back, editorial reduction notes ("Reduce 52%", "2col"), and a file code ("11F"). The surface appears consistent with silver gelatin photographic paper from the early 1980s. This is a Type 1 original photo.

Condition

Please see scans of the image we have provided for the most accurate and complete state of the photo. Many of the photos in this collection are very old and have age related wear, chips, creases, curling, etc. Others are remarkably well maintained.