John David "Jack" Nowling

After a full and eventful life John David "Captain Jack" Nowling went to his heavenly reward surrounded by loving family on Sunday, Oct. 3 at age 81. Jack was an accomplished business entrepreneur and racing team owner who had a significant impact on a number of people along the way.

Jack was born December 15, 1939 in Beech Grove, Indiana, the son of John and Dorothy Nowling. Following graduation from Southport High School, Jack joined the United State Marine Corps where he proudly served his nation from 1957 to 1965.

In the early 1970s Jack relocated to St. Petersburg, Florida, where he owned and operated a bar on St. Petersburg Beach. He became interested in maritime activity, and set about obtaining a Master Captain's license. Over the next 30 years "Captain Jack" served as a charter boat captain, and on May 9, 1980 Jack's craft was one of the first on the scene at the tragic partial collapse of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

In the early 1980s Jack became interested in the concept of using aluminum material to construct boat trailers. After much trial-and-error and development, Jack built Quickload Aluminum Boat Trailers into one of the nation's top consumer-level maritime products.

During his Indiana childhood the spark of auto racing was deeply implanted in Jack, a spark that never left him. In the 1970s he purchased a sprint car and over the next four decades campaigned the car at a number of tracks throughout the Florida region with an array of different drivers behind the wheel. In due course the No. 66 sprint car began winning races, drawing Jack ever-deeper into the sport. In addition to his car owner responsibilities Jack took over the promotional reins at the Florida Fairgrounds Speedway for several seasons throughout the 1980s.

In 1984 Jack and his team began making the annual pilgrimage to Anderson, Indiana each May to compete in the Little 500, one of the most challenging and prestigious sprint car events in the world. His drivers at the Little 500 through the years included David Smith, Red Kuntsbeck, Jim Childers, Rich Leavell, Wayne Hammond, Larry Tyler, Frank Riddle, Wayne Reutimann, David Steele, Brian Tyler, Tony Elliott, and Troy DeCaire. In 1996 Jack's dream of winning the Little 500 came to fruition as young David Steele wheeled the car to victory. In 2006 Jack was honored with induction into the Little 500 Hall of Fame.

Jack's impact on people was substantial, particularly with some of the young drivers he hired to drive his race car. Young racers such as Wayne Hammond and David Steele became especially close with Jack, as he helped instill values such as hard work, following one's passion, and treating others with respect. Shortly before Jack's passing he was thrilled when Wayne Hammond honored Jack with a tribute paint scheme on his current dirt late model that carried the No. 66 and the traditional Quickload Aluminum Boat team colors.

Some of Jack's happiest moments came each year in January and February as he hosted a wide-ranging number of racing teams at his Gibsonton home. Jack beamed with pride as the giant racing rigs wheeled in from U.S. Hwy. 41, parking for weeks at a time and using Jack's place as their racing hub during Florida Speedweeks competition. Jack constructed bunkhouses and facilities that provided racers and crew members a comfortable place to sleep and enjoy a good meal, along with an endless lineup of racing stories and tales from the host. It is Jack's wish that racers continue to make the trek to Gibsonton each year, continuing the tradition of friendship and fellowship and Florida hospitality.

Jack is survived by his wife Kathleen, whom he married in 1998. Daughters Lisa and Dorothy Nowling also survive, along with step-daughters Sheila Christian, Karen Christianson, and April Hubbard. Jack's cherished granddaughters Dalani Bay and Andi Mae Nowling also survive.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Feb. 13, 2022 at 12 p.m. at Jack's home, 8711 Bliss Rd., Gibsonton, FL, 33534. It is fitting that the celebration takes place during Jack's favorite time of year: racing season.