W.T. Mauldin: a Living Legend Gone – But Never Forgotten

W.T. ‘Lightning’ Mauldin  Photo: Urban News

Staff Reports

More than sixty years ago, Lightning or “T” as many of his close friends called him, became notorious throughout the Tri-State areas of Western North Carolina, North Georgia and Tennessee. Whether for navigating the curvy Carolina back roads at night during Prohibition, or speed-shifting his 18-wheeler Big Mack Truck, or circling round and round, slinging mud while dirt-track-racing at Tri-County Speedway, he was well known.

Most people called him “Lightning,” and he was an avid race car fan and one of the first to race at the Tri-County race track in Brasstown, NC. His enthusiasm and knowledge of motor sports and car mechanics were recognized and respected in western North Carolina. Most felt that Lightning was the “go-to” man for most automotive inquiries, whether it was to buy one, fix one, or even race one.

Lightning’s work ethic was incomparable, and he was always willing to
help out his fellow man. The truth of the matter was, very few men ever
told Lightning “No” about anything he wanted to do or try.

On any given Sunday afternoon back in the ’sixties, you could
find Lightning sitting outside the family home in Texana (Murphy)
listening to the NASCAR race on the AM radio of his 1963 Chevy Impala.
He was also an avid follower of major league baseball and professional
wrestling. He accidentally broke many chairs and couches in the family
living room while jumping up and down—because he was mimicking his
favorite wrestler’s moves as he watched them on Saturday afternoon
television.

The legend of Lightning continued to grow even after his retirement from
Champion International in 1990. He held court every weekday morning at
6:30 a.m. for what the family called “the Lightning Breakfast
Club.” This is where all his other hard working buddies and associates
in Murphy would meet up for a bite to eat and an early morning chat,
before taking on the rest of their day.

Here’s how page 214 of the latest NASCAR hardback book, The Weekend
Starts on Wednesday, published in February, describes him: “Anyone
wondering how a man driving a truck gets to be called Lightning is onto
something. “Lightning”—a brilliant electric flash, then it’s gone—this
described the way that the elder Mauldin ran moonshine on Saturday
nights in the winding foothills of the Smokey Mountains; headlights out,
driving by the glow of the moon and the feel of the road. You heard the
car more than you saw it. A flash in the corner of your eye, dominated
by a big rumbling sound. “Just Like Lightning!!”

W.T. “Lightning” Mauldin was a wheelman, a truck driver, race-car
driver, mechanic, negotiator, hustler, helper, hard worker, leader, good
friend, father, husband, and darn good provider. The legend is not a
myth. There’s one name that will be remembered in these hills for years
to come: W. T. “Lightning” Mauldin.