September 30, 1956: A-W ends in most improbable fashion

On September 30, 1956, NASCAR's purchased convertible series raced at Asheville-Weaverville Speedway in NC. While the race included some hot shoes that also raced frequently in the Grand National series, the field didn't include all the drivers who often dabbled in both. The Grand National cars were racing the same day at Orange Speedway in Hillsboro NC - better known to many as Occoneechee. Yet, the promoter did manage to field 24 cars at A-W which was a good car count.

Curtis Turner won the pole for the 200-lap, 100-mile race. Though the race was slated for 200 laps - the officials declared it over with 19 laps to go. Yet rain had nothing to do with it. Nor potholes, exploding jet dryers, a funeral procession, a deer crossing the track, etc. that has caused pauses to other races.

As the field completed the 181st lap, Jimmy Massey in Hubert Westmoreland's Chevy broke a wheel hub going down the backstretch. Massey's car veered into Bob Welborn's car that had Possum Jones behind the wheel as a relief driver.

The two cars seemingly became one - until they hit a dirt embankment. The cars then separated, flipped and landed on their sides. I did mention this was a CONVERTIBLE race, right?

Because of heavy dust, other drivers couldn't tell what had happened and barreled into turn 3. Art Binkley got there and BOOM. And then in piled Joe Weatherly ... and Gwyn Staley... and Larry Frank... and then another and another. Every car on the track ran into the entanglement - except for one.

Turner had been ahead of Massey and Jones. He circled the track again, navigated his way through the slog, and found himself as the ONLY CAR remaining on the track.

NASCAR officials apparently scratched their heads, shrugged their shoulders and realized they didn't have much choice. With Curtis as the only remaining car on the track, they declared the race complete and Pops as its winner.

Between the final wreck that involved 14 cars and earlier accidents, 16 of the 24 starters were wiped out in wrecks.

Massey was transported to the hospital with some cuts and bruises, and Glen Wood suffered a broken nose. Otherwise, everyone fortunately escaped serious injury.

I've been unable to find a news clipping for the race. Most of the info here was excerpted from Greg Fielden's book, Rumbling Ragtops, and racing-reference.info. I'd love to read how it was reported. Perhaps someone has a news clipping, National Speed Sport News article, etc. they could add.

WOW.... Now that's a finish to a race.....lol Great one Chase. thank you.

Loved it! Thanks for such an exciting memory Chase.

All I can say is "Those were the days".

A quite unbelievable finish.

Thanks Chase.

That's a real funny looking result sheet. Crash, crash, crash, crash..

what an unbeleivable finish to a race thanks for sharing this

11 years after I first heard of this race, and I still chuckle every time I think about it. That race happened 59 years ago. On this anniversary, it is worth noting that Glen Wood, Billy Rafter, Tom Pistone, and Mel Larson are still around to tell their versions of what happened.

It is well known what Wood, Pistone, and Larson do nowadays, but does anyone know what Billy Rafter is doing?

As far I know Bill is still with us but his health started to decline a couple years ago. A mutual friend told me he has moved back to Sanborn, N.Y. which is a bit north of Buffalo. He was living in Daytona when he was in Florida and we attended a couple of reunion's put on by Ford Easton, one of our R/R members. It would be a blast to hear his side of the crash fest wouldn't it.....

I'll try and get in touch with his son Bill Jr. and see if we can get him to tell us the story of all the crashes that night at A-W....

Thanks Bill!