Just a little less than a year would past after this race at The Charlotte Fairgrounds Speedway before the mile and a half track would host the first annual World 600. But, for today, we return to the Charlotte Fairgrounds Speedway, a half-mile dirt track for a 200 lap/100 mile contest.
Thirty-five cars/drivers started this event and 21 of those were running at the finish. Buck Baker would qualify his Chevrolet on the pole with a speed of 63.07 mph. Glen Wood would start second, Ralph Moody third, Lee Petty fourth and Jack Smith fifth. We all know Glen and Ralph would go on to build racing dynasties in the Ford ranks. In fact, Ralph must have made a last minute decision to drive John Dodd's Ford. He gave it a pretty good run, finishing seventh.
Although I dont' have information as to lap leaders for the race, it is noted in the records that Jack Smith led most of the way to win for the third time in the 1959 season. The real "mover" of the race had to be Bob Welborn who started 33rd but finished second. Twenty-two laps were run under caution and while that could have worked to Welborn's advantage, it was surely an inspiring run to move up like that on the half-mile dirt track. The top five finishers were all on the lead lap.
Joe Weatherly and Gene White crashed out of the event. Lee Petty, points lead, broke a right front wheel on the 193rd lap which relegated him to a 10th place finish. Lee did leave the track with a 388 point advantage over second place in the season standings, Cotton Owens.Other contenders with victory potential, Junior Johnson, Tommy Irwin, Richard Petty and Banjo Matthews all failed to finish with one problem or another.
The average speed for the 100 miles was 49.553, the result of 9 cautions for 22 laps.
Top five finishers were:
1. Jack Smith, Bud Moore Chevrolet, winning $900.00 (3rd win of the year for Smith)
2. Bob Welborn, Welborn Chevrolet, winning $525.00
3. Buck Baker, Baker Chevrolet, winning $350.00
4. Cotton Owen, W.H. Watson Pontiac, winning $250.00
5. Larry Frank, Carolina Plating Chevrolet, winning $225.00
Sixth through tenth were Ralph Moody, Roy Tyner, Buddy Baker, Glen Wood and Lee Petty.
Tiny Lund finished 11th, Richard Petty 12th, Herman Beam 16th, Neil Castles 17th, Speedy Thompson 24th and Banjo Matthews 25th. Joe Weatherly was credited with 26th, G. C. Spencer 27th and Fred Harb 34th. Junior Johnson finished 35th although he departed the event on the 7th lap when he lost the engine in his Paul Spaulding Ford.
Honor the past, embrace the present, dream for the future.
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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
