With the annual World 600 (aka Coca Cola 600) coming up Sunday at Charlotte, we take a look back this week at the first event held back in 1960, in which two Georgia Racing Hall of Fame members played prominent roles over at
Georgia Racing History.com .
On Memorial Day, 1960, the Charlotte Motor Speedway opened with a mammoth 600 mile event. With asphalt crumbling and competitors falling out left and right, Roswell, Georgia's Jack Smith found himself with a five lap lead over Chattanooga's Joe Lee Johnson, piloting a Chevy built by Hawkinsville, Georgia's Paul McDuffie.
Smith seemed to have the race in the bag. But fate had something else planned...and you can read all about it over at
Georgia Racing History.com .
Happy Birthday wishes go out this week on May 28 to Ray Fox and Marvin Panch, on May 31 to Jack Baldwin, on June 2 to Kyle Petty and on June 3 in memory of Barney Oldfield (1878-1946).
Thanks everybody, and have a great weekend!
Brandon Reed
Georgia Racing History.com
I was in the infield at that first race in 1960. Hot day for sure. I remember some of the cars with wire cages over the windshields to keep the flying asphalt from breaking windshields. I'll have to look it up to be sure, but I think that race was in late June instead of Memorial Day. Guess they hadn't figured out they could compete with Indy but I also seem to remember it was held that week because they had a hard time getting the track completed. But I do remember my uncle took me to that race and we were up against the fence down in the hole in 3 and 4. Happy Memorial Day.