Coo Coo Marlin
Clifton "Coo Coo" Marlin (January 3, 1932 – August 14, 2005) was a NASCAR Winston Cup driver who spent 14 years in the series.
Local track history
Marlin earned a name for himself at the short tracks in Tennessee and Alabama, running against Red Farmer, Bobby Allison, and Donnie Allison. He was a four-time track champion at Nashville Speedway USA (now Music City Motorplex).
Coo Coo was a speedway favorite with a lot of kids during the 1960s. He drove a fire-engine red 1964 Chevrolet Impala, #711, and was the first real "hero" to many youngsters. During this time, he and his racing "nemesis," Charlie Binkley #125, continuously thrilled audiences with their often nail-biting finishes. Coo Coo was always available for photos and autographs in the pits after a race. His brother, Jack Marlin, was also a crowd favorite.
Grand National and Winston Cup career
Marlin advanced to part-time rides on the NASCAR Grand National circuit, starting with one race in 1966 and three in 1967. Coo Coo ran more of the schedule as the series changed from Grand National to Winston Cup, but he never competed in more than 23 races in any season. He never won a race in his 165 Winston Cup starts from 1966 to 1980, but he had nine Top 5 and 51 Top 10 finishes, with many of those starts in a car numbered 14. However, in 1973, Marlin won a non points race, with one of the Duel races at Daytona that year.
Podcasts:
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by Janis Joplin
Coo-Coo
by: Janis JoplinOh, the cuckoo, she’s a pretty bird, and she warbles when she flies
But she never hollers cuckoo till the fourth day of July.
Said Jack o’Diamonds, well Jack o’Diamonds, oh I know you of old,
Honey you robbed me of my silver and out of all my gold,
All of my gold, all of my gold.
Well, Jack o’Diamonds, oh Jack o’Diamonds, oh I know you of old,
Honey, you robbed me of my silver and out of all my gold.
Said the cuckoo, she’s a cruel bird, and she warbles when she flies
And every time that she passes, my true love says good-bye,
Well, says good-bye, well says good-bye,