Jimmy Pardue is a former racecar driver. He made his debut in 1955 at Martinsville, where he finished 28th after suffering hub problems in his Chevrolet. He made his first full-time attempt in 1960 where he had eleven top-tens. In 1963, he won his first race at Richmond, followed up by another win the following year at Dog Track Speedway. In 1964, he was doing a tire test for Goodyear at Charlotte Motor Speedway, when he lost control of his car and wrecked. The 33-year-old Pardue did not survive the wreck. Despite his season being cut short, he still finished 5th in points.