As often has happened during the six months this series has run, we enter a period of a week or so where almost every race comes up at the same venue because NASCAR always scheduled the races at a certain track at a certain time. Such is the situation today as we return to North Wilkesboro, that now idle track which held so many exciting events from the beginning of NASCAR. Today we travel back to 1966.
Thirty-five cars and drivers qualified for the 250 mile race on the .675 mile paved tracck in the Bushy Mountains of North Carolina. Junior Johnson, for the 37th time in his career, qualified for the pole on a short track, a NASCAR record at the time, which I assume may still stand. Richard Petty in his blue Plymouth would start second, Fred Lorenzen in the Holman-Moody Ford third, Dick Hutcherson, better known as a dirt track star from the mid-west, would start fourth in his Holman-Moody Ford. Fifth place starter was Darel Dieringer in a Bud Moore Mercury.
Junior Johnson led the first 76 laps before Flying Freddie Lorenzen moved out front. Junior went back in front on lap 112 and was leading when the engine blew in his Ford on lap 128 thereby parking the Rapid Racer from Rhonda. Junior's departure left the lead to Fred Lorenzen who was running out front when HIS engine blew on lap 307 putting his White and Blue Ford behind the wall. It was then, with 93 laps to go, that Hutcherson assumed the lead, holding a comfortable 2 lap lead on second place David Pearson. David had his hands full fighting off a constant challenge from PAUL LEWIS in a Plymouth when, with 12 laps to go, Hutcherson slowed dramatically. His Ford was overheating severly and he was very obviously trying to hold out until the end. David and Paul made up one lap with 8 to go. Made up another with 6 to go. On the white flag lap, David and Paul could see the tail light covers of the number 29 Hutcherson car but the checker flag fell with David 12 seconds short of the win with PAUL LEWIS literally pushing Pearson's Dodge. It was a thrilling finish witnessed by 15,000 fans.
The caution flag flew 5 times for 52 laps which slowed the winning speed to 89.012 from the 103.69 mph with which Junior earned the pole. It was the 12th career win in NASCAR's top division for the Keokuk, Iowa driver.
Top five finishers were:
1. Dick Hutcherson, Holman-Moody Ford, winning $4,325.00
2. David Pearson, Cotton Owens Dodge, winning $2,225.00 (12 seconds back)
3. PAUL LEWIS, Lewis Plymouth, winning $1,325.00 (12 seconds back)
4. Jim Paschal, Friedkin Enterprises Plymouth, winning $800.00 (3 laps down)
Paschal had started 35th and steadily worked his way up
5. James Hylton, Bud Hartje Dodge, winning $625.00 (5 laps down)
Sixth through tenth were Curtis Turner, Roy Mayne, John Sears, Friday Hassler and Buddy Baker. Wendell Scott would finish 11th, Tiger Tom Pistone 12th, Henley Gray 13th, Neil Castles 14th, and Buddy Arrington 15th. Sixteenth place would be claimed by Clyde Lynn with Earl Brooks 17th. Cale Yarborough was 18th, Ernest Eury 20th, Larry Manning 21st, Fred Lorenzen 23rd, Darel Dieringer 24th, Jabe Thomas 25th, and Richard Petty 26th. Junior Johnson was 28th, Elmo Langley 29th, Bobby Allison 30th, Buck Baker 31st and J.T. Putney 32nd. G.C. Spencer would finish 34th and Wayne Smith, who completed only 29 laps before drive shaft issues forced him out, got paid for 35th and last place.
To any of you who may question why I list PAUL LEWIS is all upper case letters, it is because with Paul this site would not exist. He was the force behind Jeff Gilder which helped make Jeff a racing start and also inspired Jeff to work so hard to build the racersreunion.com website. I have had the good fortune to spend many an hour with Paul and his wife, Linda, over the past five or six years as I attend the events supported by RacersReunion. Paul and Linda are two of the most gracious and sincere folks you will ever meet. When I write a post containing Paul's name, it want his name to stand out in the print just as Paul stands out in his peer group. If you've met him before, you already know. If you haven't, make it you priority at the next opportunity because you will be blessed by the encounter.
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
