Three-Time Great Race Champion Irene Jason Passes Away

Mar 19

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Irene Jason, a three-time Great Race champion driver, passed away today. The Keller, Texas, school teacher and her husband, Barry won the race three straight years – 2012-14, something that had never been done before. In 2012 and 2013, the couple won the event in a 1935 Ford coupe with a three speed manual transmission. Irene got tired of shifting all of the time, so in 2014 they participated and won in a 1966 Mustang. It is the only time in the nearly 40-year history of the Great Race that a post-war car has won. That year they also accomplished another first in Great Race history, a perfect score. On the first day of the event from Ogunquit, Maine, to Lowell, Mass., Irene and Barry posted a zero on all four legs of that day’s competition, which is called an “Ace.” Irene was very shy and private, but you can tell on this video clip from that day that she was proud of their accomplishment:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Jr9HpCrgaE

. We will post any arrangements as we learn them.