September 20, 1959: Lee Petty Hauls in Hillsboro

Starting seventh in his #42 Plymouth, Lee Petty wins a 100-mile, 110-lap race on the .9 mile dirt Orange Speedway in Hillsboro, NC. Richard helped make it a good time for the Level Cross team with a third place finish in his #43 Plymouth (albeit with a wounded car).

Lee finished one lap ahead of second place Cotton Owens. Junior Johnson was originally flagged as the third place finisher but was subsequently disqualified to 22nd and last place. Richard, who limped home on a bum rear axle, was elevated from 4th to 3rd.

Jack Smith and the future King started on the front row. Junior Johnson arrived to the track late, and he had to start out back in the 22-car field. NASCAR would later reunite him with his starting spot in the race's final, official rundown.

Read on for more.

https://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2013/09/september-20-1959-lee-petty-hauls-in.html

Anyone know the reason for Junior's disqualification?

Per a comment on racing-reference.info "He was disqualified for having an illegal locked rear differential gear." If so, I guess that's a bit too technical to work into an AP wire story.

Dave, per Greg Fielden's "Forty Years of Stock Car Racing" states that Junior got to the track late and had to start in 22nd and last place. Says the crowd was going crazy as Junior motored through the field, up to 7th place by the fourth lap.He was third on the 22nd lap and going after the lead when George Green spun on the 28th lap and Johnson hit the spinning car. Goes on to say that Johnson continued in the damaged car and ended up third, much to the delight of the crowd. After the race, NASCAR found an "illegal differential" and disqualified Junior and he received no money.

Thanks, fellas.