Racing History Minute - December 11, 1955

The factories officially "entered" the NASCAR Grand National scene for the 1956 season. Although there had been some "under the table" factory participation, limited though it was prior to 1956, the factories openly endorsed NASCAR's Grand National Division. It was truly the time of "win on Sunday, sell on Monday" and the factories wanted to capitalize on that. Having truly stock cars racing before the public would greatly enhance the appeal of what was sitting on the show room floor. The 4th race of the 1956 season, actually contested on December 11, 1995, gave the manufacturers the assurance that NASCAR intended to fully support the "stock" car. But I digress. Let's go on with the Minute.

Twenty-three cars would arrive to qualify at the half-mile asphalt track in West Palm Beach, Florida. Fonty Flock qualified a Kiekhaefer Chrysler on the pole with a speed of 78.912 mph. Joe Weatherly would qualify the Schwam Ford second, Herb Thomas in the Smokey Yunick Chevrolet third, Al Keller in a Chevy fourth and Jim Reed in another Chevrolet fifth.

A crowd of 4,500 gathered to watch the drivers compete for 199 laps constituting 99.5 miles. The duel between Weatherly in the Ford and Reed in the Chevrolet went on throughout the race, thrilling fans watching the brand new 1956 models of those makes racing flat out for the win. The checkered flag fell on Joe Weatherly, giving him his first Grand National win after a successful career in motorcycle racing. Jim Reed finished second, close on the bumper of Weatherly's Ford. So, Ford had bragging rights for the first win in full, out front factory participation while Chevy had to settle for second. But, hold on here! NASCAR inspectors were are work to ensure the term "stock" completely related to the competing crs.

TWO DAYS AFTER the race, NASCAR disqualifed Weatherly's Ford. Then, NASCAR disqualified Reed's Chevy. Weatherly's Ford was found to have a camshaft that did not meet "stock" from the factory requirements and there was evidence of grinding and polishing of the intake manifold. Reed's Chevy was disqualified because the post-race inspection found the valves were "light".

With Weatherly and Reed being disqualified, Herb Thomas was moved to the win in a Smokey Yunick Chevrolet. That is almost ironic that Yunick, well known in later years to be one of the most flagrant of rules violators, was found to have a legal car! Nevertheless, Herb Thomas won and would be engaged in a season long battle with Buck Baker for the championship. One of the History Minutes has dealt with the details of the outcome of that battle.

After the disqualifications of Weatherly and Reed, NASCAR President, Big Bill France, announced that any future violations of the "stock" rules, would result not only in the driver losing the finishing position and any money he may have won, but would also be stripped of ALL points earned up to that point of the season. A penalty that severe would keep the competitors in line, certainly.

Finishing order (after disqualification of first and second place finishers):

1. Herb Thomas, Smokey Yunick Chevrolet, winning $1,100.00

2. Al Keller, Keller Chevrolet, winning $700.00 ( 1 lap down)

3. Billy Myers, Hugh Babb Chevrolet, winning $475.00 (2 laps down)

4. Buck Baker, Satcher Motors Ford, winning $365.00 (4 laps down)

5. Lee Petty, Petty Engineering Dodge, winning $310.00 (6 laps down)

6. Bob Welborn

7. Johnny Patterson

8. Blackie Pitt

9. Jack Chocquette

10. Bob Myers

11. Bill Thurber

12. Johnny Roberts

13. Marvin Panch

14. Dick Burns

15. Red Farmer

16. Curtis Turner

17. Al Watkins

18. Eddie Skinner

19.Curtis Turner

20. John McVitty

21. David Terrell

22. Joe Weatherly (disqualified)

23. Jim Reed (disqualified)

Honor the past, embrace the present, dream for the future

The race was well covered by the Palm Beach Post. The track did have to run an ad in the paper to help promote the race and sell tickets.

The original order of finish earned a lengthy race report in the paper - a rarity for that era.

The paper also included a story about the subsequent disqualifications and awarding of the win to Herb Thomas.

Pace car for the race  from the PBP.

This article from the Daytona Beach Morning Journal did a nice job explaining the timing of the engine inspection for Jim Reed's car. Apparently he drove the same car and engine in a short-track race the day before. Though the article doesn't say so, the inference is the Hollywood Speedway race was a NASCAR-sanctioned event though not a GN race. (Based on [ this website ], the race may have been part of the NASCAR's short-lived Short Track Late Model series.)

Reed was stripped of that win in addition to losing his 2nd place finish at Southland.

Wonderful addition to the Minute, Chase. Thanks. Awesome work.