December 7, 1947 - Red Byron wins Buck Mathis Memorial

On the day six years following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, World War II veteran Red Byron won a 25-lap feature at Jacksonville Speedway in Florida. The pre-NASCAR race was sanctioned by Bill France as part of his National Championship Stock Car Circuit. Following the race, Fonty Flock was recognized by France as the 1947 season champion.

Glenn Dunaway finished second in the race- the same driver who would be disqualified about 18 months later after winning NASCAR's first Strictly Stock race in Charlotte in June 1949. Johnny Rogers finished third. Ed Samples and Louie Taylor rounded out the top 5. - Daytona Beach Morning Journal

Byron's win earned him the Buck Mathis Memorial trophy from the speedway. Mathis, a Jacksonville driver, was tragically killed in a racing accident in Orlando on October 26, 1947, about six weeks before the Jax race. - Daytona Beach Morning Journal

Mathis won the 100-mile Daytona Beach and Road Course race on Labor Day, September, 1940. In his memory, the August 1948 modified race - sanctioned under the new NASCAR organization - at the Beach and Road course was named the Buck Mathis Memorial.

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Schaefer: It's not just for racing anymore.
updated by @tmc-chase: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM

Nice find! I wasn't aware of the Buck Mathis Memorial trophy.

I love the really old stuff. Thanks for posting these.

Chase, Very fitting you posted a win by a veteran on the anniversary of Pearl Harbor. I went with dad to the Pancake Breakfast to Honor Veterans this past Saturday at the NC Aviation Museum Hall of Famein Asheboro. Helping serve guest were local Boy Scouts. The scout leader was introducing some of the scouts to a group of WWII veterans and I was very grateful to see the honor and respect those young boys showed those elderly gentlemen. The heart of America is still beating in fly over country.

This is awesome

. Buck Mathis was my grandfather. I sure wish i would have known him. My dad was only seven years old when he passed in that race.

Bump on this day we again remember those who were lost at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.


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Schaefer: It's not just for racing anymore.