On this date in 1958, a 150 lap/50 mile race would take place on the .333 mile paved track known as Champion Speedway located in Fayetteville, NC. A field of 26 cars showed up along with 5,200 fans. The fans would be treated to an outstanding race that saw the winner cross the line less than a car length ahead of second place.
We know Lee Petty started his Oldsmobile on the pole with a speed of 62.600 mph and that Rex White would start second in a Max Welborn Chevrolet. Other than those two positions, the source I use has no further qualifying information.
Lee Petty would lead the first lap before Curtis Turner would force his way to the front in a Holman-Moody Ford. Rex White worked his way past Turner on lap 34 and was leading when, four laps later, Rex encountered the car of Harvey Henderson and the two tangled crashing hard.Rex lost laps while repairs were made but would return to finish 6th. Rex had won the first race of the 1958 season, run on November 3, 1957, at this same track so he was doubly disappointed as he felt he had a great chance to win the fourth race of the 1958 season as well. With Rex parked behind the wall it was Turner's race to lose. And lose he almost did as a persistent Gwyn Staley, driving a Julian Petty Chevrolet, ran wheel to wheel and door to door with Turner and almost pulled the upset coming off turn four for the flag. Curtis beat Gwyn to the line by just less than a car length.
One caution flag, for the White-Henderson incident, slowed the average race speed to 56.141 mph. It was the 12th career win in the Grand National Division for Curtis Turner.
Finishing order:
1. Curtis Turner, Holman-Moody Ford, $600.00
2. Gwyn Staley, Julian Petty Chevrolet, $470.00 (less than a car length back)
3. Buck Baker, Baker Chevrolet, $350.00
4. Frankie Schneider, Chevrolet, $275.00
5. Fred Harb, Mercury, $225.00
6. Rex White
7. Bob Walden
8. Bob Welborn
9. Lee Petty
10. Richard Haygood
11. L. D. Austin
12. Bobby Keck
13. Barney Shore
15. Brownie King
16. Shep Langdon
17. Joe Weatherly
18. Voiney Shultz
19. Speedy Thompson
20. Carl Burris
21. Johnny Allen
22. Eddie Pagan
23. Harvey Henderson
24. Blackie Pitt
25. Jack Smith
26. Nance Mattingly
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
