Russell Arthur McDaniel

Our beloved Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Uncle, brother in law and best friend, Russell Arthur McDaniel, has passed away peacefully, at his home, on October 10, 2013 at age 79. Russell has now been joyfully reunited with his beloved wife of 56 years, Sharon May Layton McDaniel, never to be apart from her again.

He is survived by his most precious gifts of his life, his family. Daughters: Debra McDaniel Perini Wright, Teresa McDaniel Carmichael Field, and Tami McDaniel Dobbs. Grandchildren: Russell Perini and Rebecca Perini Bretthauer, Jeramy and Todd Carmichael, Eric and Candice Dobbs. Great Grandchildren: Jim and Jacob Bretthauer, Nick and Alex Perini, Kaylyn and Chelsea Rose Carmichael, Melaina Dobbs, Langley Kate and Layton Crane Carmichael. Sisters: Nellie McDaniel Bell, Carol McDaniel Martin, Linda Curl Malone. Brothers: Rod Curl, Gene Curl and his wonderful and always talked about brothers and sister in laws, many nieces, nephews and so many close beloved friends, business associates and racing alumni. He is preceded in death by his Father: Arthur McDaniel. Mother: Lala Stacy McDaniel Curl. Son: Ronald McDaniel. Wife: Sharon May Layton McDaniel. Sisters: Esther McDaniel Russell, Annette McDaniel Russell. Brothers: Ronald McDaniel and Gary Curl.

Russell was born October 28, 1933 in Redding, California. He was the eldest son of 10 children. As a young child, Russell’s home was Copper City, CA, a copper mining town which is a part of the “lost” cities under Shasta Lake. During that time living in Copper City, his “son” jobs were abundant, at his very young age, he began to help his mother and sisters hunt and fish to sustain their family through the winter. The mountains and rivers in that area were his playground. When Russell was just 7 years old, his father, Arthur McDaniel was discovered murdered. This devastated his family. He no longer had a father and his mother Lala, was left alone to tend to all the children and herself. The family was forced to move out of Copper City in 1941, Shasta Lake was being constructed and the city would soon be covered in water. The family had to re-locate during the war when gas and groceries were rationed. There was no help for re-location of all the families who were living in the cities which were being filled by water. Lala and her family fled Copper City with only the clothing they had and a few household items, and headed to Redding. They settled in a home on Shasta Street in Redding, Russell flourished in Redding, he went to school, and his main goal was always to figure out how to make money.

He began his first paper route, at age 10 and at age 12 he became a mechanic’s apprentice in a local machine shop. Russell did whatever he could to help his mother sustain their family, and during his young years was when he discovered his passion for cars.

As was his father before him, Russell studied auto mechanics beginning at the age of 12 and at the age 16 he became a fully employed auto mechanic. His driving career began at the age of 13, when his mother, who was a brilliant lady with a business mind, decided to build and establish a dance hall / card room business named the Rainbow Club, on Oasis road in Redding, now lovingly known as the “Rainbow Flat” area. That part of Redding was still basically uninhabited and Russell at his young age, used an old truck to clear the land, and drove to Jones Valley daily, loading the old truck with old wood and rock, which had been remaining from their old homestead in that lake area, to which was to be their home and the Rainbow Club.

Meanwhile, Russell’s passion for cars was always there. Russell’s first set of wheels was his little red wagon (which he threw a fit in the store for, so that his mother would buy for him). As a young child he also told us that there were race cars that would come through Copper City and Redding, and right then he knew he had to drive one of those. At the age of 15 he did just that. He drove his first race car #4 at Anderson/Shasta Speedway in a race called the Business Man’s Bounce. The track was a 3/8 mile dirt track at that time. Russell WON that race and everyone figured out right then, he had the talent and the drive to be a great race car driver.

Racing was his goal, day and night, and he lived to be the best and win. Second was never good enough, in his mind it had to be first place or don’t even try. During his career at Shasta Speedway, Russell drove #4, #5, #13, #333, #X, and the bad fast #2 and #321 cars, which Russell and his sponsors built from the ground up in 1955. Russell and his #321 car shattered all fast time track records, took 5 clean sweeps that year, plus most consecutive wins record. Russell still holds these Shasta Speedway records to this day; those records will live on in the history of the old dirt speedway forever. Russ was a hero in Shasta county, and the word spread fast about this young talented, go for broke driver out of Redding Cal, named Russ McDaniel. In 1958, Russ received a call from southern California, he was offered a chance to test drive an Indy Car. The owners of this Indy car were so impressed with his talent; they offered him full sponsorship and backing if he would drive their car in the Indianapolis 500 that next year. This was IT, he had made it to the big time. However in that same year, his daughter, Debbie, 2 years old had contacted scarlet fever. Russ was called home and came back to Redding quickly, because they didn’t give his little girl much more time to live, and his wife Sharon needed him. Russ came home, and was given the miracle of his baby daughter Deb surviving. He tried to get back to the folks who offered him his dream later; unfortunately they had already found another driver.

Later on in his life, he felt his baby daughter actually saved him, because there were so many drivers who died in those Indy cars in those days, he was certain that he would’ve not been here to tell us these stories. Russ was such a go for broke driver, nothing scared him, he drove on the ragged edge always, and those open wheel cars were so fast with the lack of safety for the drivers, he was certain this opportunity would’ve been his end. He lost quite a few friends just that way, and was grateful that his life didn’t end that way. Funny how things work out, he’d say. In 2011, Russell was inaugurated into the Northern California Racing Hall of Fame. He was so honored to be part of such a great racing community of friends and hero’s of his. Always telling his stories and thanking his family and sponsors for getting him there.

During Russell’s life, his family was always first and foremost in his mind. He married the true love of his life, Sharon Layton on September 17,1952, after what was so lovingly said by her.. you’re dad chased me for months until I finally gave in..he was always chasing me. They were married 56 years, until her passing on June 17, 2006.

Throughout Russ’s life he always worked non-stop and owned several businesses. He did well driving and owning semi trucks, he was a lead mechanic and Doctor of Motors, and manager of tire and mechanic shops in Alturas, CA Reno, NV, Moses Lake, WA, and Redding. In his later years he came home to Redding to settle, and began his own business. Russ and Sharon owned Russ McDaniel Trucking and later became the owners of Ashby Auto Wrecking-Used Cars and Towing until 2002. He then began Reliable Trucking and was the owner/operator of construction dump trucks until he retired in 2006.

During Russ and Sharon’s time back in Redding, their passion for racing never waned, and thus began their new generation of racers.. Their daughter, Teresa and their grandsons, Jeramy, Todd and Eric. They helped Teresa race at Shasta Speedway with great success, and had huge success racing their grandsons in the Mini World of Outlaws series all over the west coast.

Russ was never without something to do, and never ever without a story. His stories were fantastic and true. He was a great man, who taught us all what love and family meant. He greeted you with the hugest smile and had love in his eyes for all who were so dear to him always. He led quite a great life, and told everyone so, and tried to do his best by helping anyone who needed it. He left this world feeling very grateful for everything he had. After his wife Sharon’s, passing in 2006, he never recovered from the loss of her. We believe in our hearts he is with her now, as was his wish and they are happy and looking down upon us with pride. If you need him, just close your eyes and remember, he is still here always and forever in our hearts and memories.

At Russell’s request the family will hold a memorial service for him on Saturday, July 5, 2014. Time and place to be announced.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, Russell requested that donations be made on his behalf at this time, to the McDaniel Family Burial Ground Association Fund to help complete the access road and for cemetery maintenance. Please send donations to McDaniel Family Burial Ground Association, 5148 Front Street, Shasta Lake, CA 96019 to Att: Teresa Field, Secretary. For more donation information, please call 530-275-4715.