The 1963 season was the season of Fearless Freddie and the pearl white Ford with the blue number 28 on the doors. It seemed that Fred Lorenzen had the kind of luck in most races that season that others could only dream about. Coming into the "Western North Carolina 500" at Asheville-Weaverville Speedway on this date in 1963, the 41st race of the season, Lorenzen was fourth in the National Points Standings and had only started 19 of the races.
When the public learned Lorenzen would race for 250 on the half-mile paved track, tickets went like hotcakes (wonder where that say originated) and some 14,500 fans showed up to see how Lorenzen would do on the short track. He didn't get the pole, Ned Jarrett did in another Ford. Fred would start second, Tommy Irwin third, G.C. Spencer fourth, and Elmo Langley fifth. The qualifying was actually rained out so the starting lineup was determined by the order in which the cars signed in at the track. The real story of starting the starting line up comes out of the Bud Moore/Joe Weatherly effort.
Seems Bud Moore was the very first to show up and get in line to sign in at the appointed time. There was no NASCAR official available to sign him in. After waiting an appropriate time (whatever that may have been) Bud decided to go get breakfast. When he returned, he was 18th in line which would have put him in 18th starting position in the 27 car field. Bud argued his case that he had been in line first but the official was late, very late, and Bud should not be penalized for NASCAR officials oversleeping. He did, of course, lose the argument, so he turned his tow car around and headed back to Spartanburg. This left points leader, Joe Weatherly, without a ride for the race. Part of Bud's issue was that during all his arguing with NASCAR, Joe hadn't yet made an appearance at the track.
Joe finally did arrive at the track and found his ride gone. He did some quick negotiations with Wade Younts to drive the Dodge Larry Thomas was scheduled to drive. The buzz was going around the track that Weatherly had lost his ride in the Bud Moore car and Bud was not there to confirm or deny that issue. Joe was only concerning with going for his second consecutive championship no matter how he had to accomplish that.
Ned Jarrett took the lead on the green and held it for 13 laps before Fred Lorenzen moved in front for the first time on lap 14. Freddie would stay in front until lap 188 when he brushed the concrete wall and put a fender against the tire. He had to pit to have the fender pulled out and lost the lead to Richard Petty. Petty would stay on the point until lap 223 when Lorezen would pass for the lead and would lead the rest of the way. Fred led 452 of the 500 laps and would win with just over a one lap lead. The Lorenzen fans were ecstatic. After the Victory Lane ceremonies, Fred spent over four hours signing autographs for the fans.
Top five finishers were:
1. Fred Lorenzen, LaFayette Ford, winning $2,550.00**
2, Richard Petty, Petty Engineering Plymouth, winning $1,425.00
3. Jim Paschal, Petty Engineering Plymouth, winning $1,150.00
4. David Pearson, Cotton Owens Dodge, winning $950.00
5. Billy Wade,Cotton Owens Dodge, winning $800.00
** With his victory at Asheville-Weaverville, Lorenzen's race winnings for the year now reached $92,220.00, an all time record for NASCAR drivers at the time.
Sixth through tenth were Jack Smith, Buck Baker, Joe Weatherly, Ned Jarrett and Buddy Baker.
Wendell Scott came home 11th, Reb Wickersham 12th, Worth McMillon 13th, Cale Yarborough 14th, Elmo Langley 15th and Roy Mayne 16th. Major Melton, Bobby Isaac, Tommy Irwin, Curtis Crider and G. C. Spencer would finished 17th through 21st. Junion Johnson was 22nd, Jimmy Pardue 25th and Possum Jones was credited with 27th and last position after parking his Pontiac on lap 8 with a fuel leak.
Honor the past, embrace the present, dream for the future
--
What a change! It's been awhile since I've checked in and I'm quite surprised. It may take me awhile to figure it our but first look it's really great.
updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM
