Forum Activity for @tmc-chase

Racing History Minute - June 29, 1952

Stock Car Racing History

Qualifying and race reports from Detroit Free Press

Wednesday, June 25

There were fewer than 1,500 fans in the stands, and the prize fund was only $400 but the stock car pilots at the Fairgrounds put on a million-dollar show Tuesday afternoon. The action occurred during the special 10-lap sprint races after the qualifying trials for next Sunday's 250-mile stock car classic.

Featured in the racing drama were five of the top stars in the NASCAR circuit. Tim Flock and Dick Rathman staged a brilliant wheel-to-wheel battle in the first event with Flock taking the $200 top prize.

The two pilots staged a duel that had the small but appreciative audience screaming and on their feet for the entire distance. In the other half of the bargain bill twin feature, Herb Thomas, Fonty Flock and Joe Eubanks battled for 10 laps with never more than a half-dozen car lengths separating the three drivers.

Thomas won this one after driving through the turns at high speed wheel for wheel with Flock. If the "warmups" are any indication, Sunday's race should be a thriller.

In the qualifying Tuesday, 30 drivers earned places in the race. Five of the 30 qualifiers broke the track record established by Frank Mundy last year. Mundy's record was 69.61 miles per hour for two one-mile laps.

Rathman, Thomas, Fonty Flock, Tim Flock, and Eubanks bettered Mundy's mark. Thomas posted the best time but failed to win the pole position. Thomas' speed was 71.42 mph while Rathman, the first to break the mark, was only a fraction behind with 70.28.

Only drivers who were on hand for Saturday's postponed trials were eligible for the battle for the pole position. Rathman won that coveted spot. Tommy Thompson, who won last year's inaugural 250, was clocked at 68.17 mph. He will start at approximately the 25th spot in the 50-car field next Sunday. Eubanks will get the 21st spot, despite his 70.03 mph average. Lee Petty, NASCAR point leader on the Grand National circuit, drove his Chrysler to 26th place at 67.66 mph.

The time trials will continue Wednesday and Thursday.

Monday, June 30

Tim Flock, the youngest of the racing family, had a $7,000 payday at the Fairgrounds Sunday. The slim Hapeville (Ga.) pilot drove a masterful race to beat 46 other stock car drivers in the second annual Motor City 250-mile race.

He came down the stretch to get the checkered flag nearly a half-lap ahead of Buddy Shuman of Charlotte, N. C. as well to set a record for the race. He toured the distance in four hours 10 minutes and 23 seconds. The time bettered that posted by last year’s winner by 10 minutes and five seconds.

An estimated crowd of 23,000 witnessed the race. Although there were no serious accidents, the caution flag was out on four occasions because of cars hitting the wall or spinning across the track. The race was slowed for about 10 minutes about midway in the event when a thundershower made the track slippery.

Dick Rathman, who sat on the pole at the start of the classic, led the first 44 laps. He developed engine trouble, however. Four pit stops put his car deep in the field, and he pulled his car out of the race.

Lee Petty grabbed the lead then and held it until after the 80-mile mark. Petty was two laps In front of the field when he lost a left front wheel in the northwest turn and was forced to retire. Flock took over on the 97th lap and held first place the rest of the way.

Most of the way there was only 10 to 30 seconds difference between the first three cars. Flock's performance in holding the lead is even more spectacular when you consider that he had to stop three times in the pits.

Fonty Flock, Tim's older brother and a bitter rival on the track, was forced out after only 13 laps and then assumed command as Tim's pit crew chief. He did a thorough job and was credited by Tim with helping him win the race.

Flock, in addition to grabbing off 7,000 in cash, won the Nash Ambassador pace car, making it his biggest payday. Flock's victory boosted him into first place in the NASCAR ratings for the year. Petty went into the race in front. The first three cars to finish were all Hudson Hornets; then came an Oldsmobile and a Chrysler.

Racing History Minute - June 29, 1952

Stock Car Racing History

Race preview from June 22, 1952 Detroit Free Press

NASCAR is a title which sounds like it was lifted off a bottle of tonic, maybe spelled backwards. That its president is William France makes it appear to be a foreign import. It isn’t. But as official tagline for the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing it still has been a powerful shot in the arm for the gas-burning sport of chasing somebody around a track in an automobile.

The slow-talking, quick moving France is riding the biggest sports boom of the postwar era. “It’s growing so fast that a fellow really has to fly to keep up with it,” he drawled.

And that is just what France has to do. He’ll skip around the nation in his own plane more than 100,000 miles this season with his immediate stop being the Detroit Fair Grounds where the Motor City 250-Mile race is to be held June 29.

France, a hunk of man with a Walt Dropo build and & Southern drawl, helped found NASCAR in 1947. A former driver himself, he had been promoting stock car races since 1937. With a hand in a half-dozen tracks in the South and Southeast, he discovered that no one kept records on the leading drivers each season.

“I wanted some kind of a national batting average for cars and drivers,” he explained. “So I met with drivers, owners and promoters to set up an official organization. They made me president.”

 The growth of stock car racing under his direction has been the most phenomenal of any activity attached to a spectator sport. In 1949, NASCAR held 87 races. In 1950, it sponsored 396. Last year, the number jumped to 585. This year, NASCAR sanction will be hung on 1,100 events from coast to coast.

The drawing power of an automobile race is so great that it even stumps its president. “Take last Labor Day,” he explained. “We held a race in Darlington, S. C. That’s a little town down in the hills with a population of only 3,000 people. The largest town within 50 miles in any direction is Florence with 10,000.  Yet, we had an official paid attendance of 26,000 fans to see our race. You explain it. I can’t.”

Where ever France goes, he always bumps into people with their own idea of what makes auto racing customers. “They try to tell me that it’s because the people come out expecting to see some driver roll over in a big wreck and maybe get killed,” he stated. “They claim we draw fans because of morbid curiosity. I won’t buy that, and here’s why.”

“We have statistics which prove that NASCAR drivers raced 275,050 miles last season. We had just one accident in which a driver was fatally injured. If morbid fans are the only kind we have, then why should they keep coming by the thousands when our fatality rate is so low?”

France has his own idea why stock car racing packs a public appeal. “Take the race we’re putting on here next Sunday,” he declared. “There will be 50 cars taking the green flag. They are the same kind of cars that will be rolling along Woodward outside the Fair Grounds taking Detroit families on Sunday afternoon rides.”

“We’ll have all makes, all types. Only difference is that the cars in the race will have reinforced wheels for added safety. Otherwise they are exactly the same cars that roll off assembly lines in automotive plants.”

“In my book,” France insisted, “that’s the real secret of stock car racing appeal. The fans come out to see how their make of family car stacks up against somebody else’s in a hard, rough grind.”

Racing History Minute - June 29, 1952

Stock Car Racing History

From Motor Racing Programme Covers

http://progcovers.com/motor/michigansf.html

Richmond Grand American 200 May 13, 1970

Stock Car Racing History

@dave-fulton Do you know who is leaning against car with Tiny in the first photo that looks to a pre-race shot?

Racing History Minute - June 29, 1952 - Shreveport

Stock Car Racing History

As best I can tell, NASCAR has sanctioned only one national touring series races in the state of Louisiana. Lee Petty won that race at the state fairgrounds in Shreveport in 1953.

http://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2013/06/june-7-1953-lee-petty-wins-in-shreveport.html

The 1/2 mile dirt track hosted other racing events, however, with many of them sanctioned by IMCA - the International Motor Contest Association.

One such race was a 200-lap, 100-mile race on Sunday, June 29, 1952. I was able to find a couple of articles from the Shreveport newspaper previewing the race and recapping it on Monday.

Race preview

Track officials have been busy conditioning the Fair Grounds oval for the final auto race of the spring and summer season. Perfect weather conditions have been promised, and after the many hours spent on track conditioning, a perfect afternoon of racing thrills is assured for the many race fans in the Shreveport area.

The use of a modern multi-wheeled packer, after chemical applications, will assure the drivers us well as the spectators of a track as dust-free as humanly and mechanically possible to attain.

Frank R. Winkley, manager of the International Motor Contest association event, praised fair and city officials for the splendid cooperation received, particularly the city water department in furnishing help and equipment for the conditioning work.

All things point to a red hot battle Sunday afternoon in the 100-mile speed jamboree as many local pilots ready their late model cars for the fight with many state and regional champions from all sections of the country.

Jim Wainwright, well known local speedster, has profited from past experience and claims to have his 1951 model ready to go. Jim, who holds the I.M.C.A. world's record for the 100-mile dash, had the misfortune of losing three wheels during the last race held here on June 15.

With several years of experience in both big cars and modified stocks, Wainwright is a threat to any and all drivers who might be eyeing the checkered flag. Jimmie Clark of Fort Worth broke the 100 lap record in his last appearance here on June 15. This record had been held by Wainwright and was established on the Shreveport oval almost a year ago. Both these pilots will see action in the 200-lap event which is scheduled for 2:30. Time trials will start at 1:30.

Race report

Snuffy Smith, local late model stock ear driver took a roaring first place in the 100-mile feature race at the Fair Grounds yesterday. Smith edged another Shreveport racer, Roxy Dancey, who came in second.

Glen Larson, Aurora, Ill., grabbed third in the 200-lap spotlighter.

Of equal importance, three International Motor Contest association records were broken by Ralph Dyer, an ex-Shreveport policeman. In the time trials, Dyer and Larson both posted 32 seconds for the half-mile run. The 50-lap record was also downed by Dyer who did it in 26.01. Dyer, who made a clean sweep of almost every record in the book but was put out of the race by a broken spindlebolt in the 155 lap, also broke the 100-lap record with a 55.81.

----------

I have to admit this race caught my attention because of the winner's name: Snuffy Smith. It's been years since I've seen that name in the color section of our Sunday paper. But I still remember Snuffy and his compadre as part of the multi-page comics in The Tennessean. Wonder if race driver Snuffy got his nickname from the comic strip. And I wonder if he had a mechanic named Barney Google!

I also believe I found an obituary for Elzie Drew "Snuffy" Smith who passed away in 2007 at the age of 86. 

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/shreveporttimes/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=95592977

BIENVILLE PARISH, LA - Graveside services for Elzie Drew "Snuffy" Smith, 86, will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, October 5, 2007, at Woodard Cemetery in Taylor, LA, with the Rev. Jimmy Eppinette officiating. 

Mr. Smith died October 2, 2007, at his home in Taylor, LA. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Julia Reno Smith, and his son, Michael Ray Smith.

Snuffy was an avid dirt track racer for over 31 years, maintaining a top 3 position for 24 of those years. He raced at tracks located throughout Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas.

Survivors include his sons, Gene Smith and wife Becky of Taylor, LA, David Smith of Shreveport, LA and Donnie Smith of Sibley, LA; step-son, Jack Martin of Minden, LA; daughters, Cathy Cardwell and Liz Herndon both of Shreveport, LA and Julie Blackshear of Waskom, TX; ten grand children, twelve great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

updated by @tmc-chase: 06/28/17 10:49:15PM

Richmond Grand American 200 May 13, 1970

Stock Car Racing History

A few photos I found today that seem to be from Tiny's victory lane celebration at Richmond in 1970.

updated by @tmc-chase: 01/18/20 05:20:38AM

Racing History Minute - June 28, 1975

Stock Car Racing History

Racing History Minute - June 28, 1975

Stock Car Racing History

One of Waltrip's crewmen was left to defend the driver's decision to ignore the black flag or otherwise explain why he didn't acknowledge it. From June 30 The Tennessean:

Race driver Darrell Waltrip didn’t think the black flag that suddenly appeared on the 31st lap of the 200-lap Spirit of 76 race Saturday night at Nashville Speedway could possibly be intended for his car, so he didn’t stop.

It took race director Don Donoho 27 laps of furious flagging to finally convince the 28-year-old Franklin, Tenn., driver that it was indeed his car being ordered to pit. Waltrip then came in, only to discover to his dismay that his car had not been scored from the 35th lap, and that he was consequently 23 laps behind the rest of the field.

Although he had been running seventh at the time, he was for all practical purposes out of the race. Donoho said after the race that he didn’t believe Waltrip could have failed to see the black flag and that he apparently merely ignored it.

“I don’t understand how a Grand National driver could fail to see the black flag and tell that it was for him,” said Donoho. “I have been flagging for 14 years and never had a driver fail to heed a black flag before.” Donoho said that after the fourth lap run under the black flag he instructed Waltrip’s scorer to credit him with no more laps.

Waltrip, who will race in Friday’s Firecracker 400 in Daytona Beach, Fla., was not available for comment last night. Pit crew member Lonnie Hazlewood said though that Waltrip was not ignoring the black flag. “He honestly didn’t know it was for him,” he said. “As soon as he realized it, he immediately pitted. And you should have heard what he had to say when he was told that his laps hadn’t been counting.” Hazlewood said he wouldn’t repeat Waltrip’s response, “because you couldn’t use it in the paper anyhow.”

The trouble began when Waltrip made a routine pit stop on the 31st lap to get wedges put in the car according to Hazlewood. While he was pitted, one member of the pit crew began to fill the gas tank. Waltrip, not realizing he was being re-fueled, pulled away from the pits as soon as the wedging was finished. He also pulled away from his gas cap. “The man putting the gas in was left holding the cap in his hand,” said Hazlewood.  “And Darrell was back on the track without realizing that the cap had even been taken off.”

Inspector Wendell Warf, learning of the absent gas cap, instructed Donoho to black flag Waltrip indicating an automotive deficiency requiring a pit stop.

“Darrell said he saw the flag but thought it was meant for L.D. Ottinger, who was running right beside him,” said Hazlewood. “His car was running so good that he didn’t see how the black flag could be for him.” Waltrip declined to reenter the race after he learned he was behind 23 laps. "There really wasn't any use to," said Hazlewood. “There was no way he could finish even halfway in the field. There was no use in running just to be running or something.”

“The car was running really good,” said Hazlewood. “I think we had a good chance to win if it hadn’t been for the flag foul-up.”

Racing History Minute - June 28, 1975

Stock Car Racing History

Today's post again take us to Nashville Speedway at the fairgrounds for the June 28, 1975 Spirit of 76 200.

Race preview extracted from the June 28 edition of The Tennessean:

L.D. Ottinger has this uneasy feeling he’s being followed. Throughout the racing season, every time the Newport, Tenn. driver glanced in his rear-view mirror, somebody has been on his bumper.

Ottinger, as leader of the national Late Model Sportsman point race, just seems to naturally attract a crowd. And tonight’s Spirit of 76 200-lapper at Nashville Speedway likely won’t be any different.

A collection of the country’s top LMS drivers will be chasing the scrappy little toehead around every turn of the challenging five-eighths-mile oval. The Late Model Sportsman national point race will get underway at 8 p.m., preceded by a 50-Iap Tennessee Speed Sport limited sportsman race at 7.

The 200-lap race has attracted the finest LMS drivers around, in and out of the point race. Ottinger leads with a total of 4,301, followed by Tiny Lund (4,083), Morgan Shepard (3,766), Butch Lindley (3,410), Harry Gant (2,206), Jack Ingram (1,944), Joe Thurman (1,814), and Ray Hendrix (1,696). (TMC: Yes "Hendrix" per the paper vs. Hendrick or even Hendricks.)

Neil Bonnett, Huntsville, Ala. driver who has set and re-set the five-eighths-mile track record in recent weeks, remains uncertain as a driver in the race. The 28-year-old Bonnett, whose identical 20.40 laps in last Saturday’s qualifying stand as the current record, drives a Bobby Allison-prepared Chevrolet. Allison is racing the car tonight in Maryland, and Bonnett said he was not sure whether he would be able to return it to Nashville in time for the race. An alternative may be a second car, identical to the one driven by Allison, which was being prepared this week.

Yesterday Bonnett expressed hope that he would get to drive here but remained uncertain. Another top driver is Alton Jones of Pleasant Grove, Ala. He won the last 200-lapper here, the May 31 Falls City 200. Jones’ win was protested by Ottinger, who charged that his wheels were too large under NASCAR specifications for his model car. NASCAR officials settled the protest in Jones’ favor.

Waltrip, another 28-year-old who has made his mark on the Grand National Circuit in the past three years, will be attempting to bring a run of ill luck to a halt. In last week’s two 100-lap races, Waltrip blew an engine in qualifying which took him out of one race, then encountered car trouble while leading the second at the halfway point and was forced to drop out.

In the Falls City 200, Waltrip had qualified and was running a practice lap when he lost control on the fourth turn and struck the wall, wrecking the back end of his car and taking himself out of the race.

The winner of tonight’s race will pocket $2,250, second place $1,150 and third $1,000, in addition to the national points.

Race report from June 29 edition of The Tennessean:

Harry Gant of Taylorsville, N.C., outran an impressive field of big-name Late Model Sportsman drivers last night at Nashville Speedway to capture the Spirit of 76 200 lap feature race.

Only one driver, Butch Lindley of Greenville, S.C., finished in the same lap as Gant, and he almost one-half lap behind. Finishing third, one lap down, was defending national point champion Jack Ingram of Asheville, N.C., with track-record holder Neil Bonnett of Hueytown, Ala., fourth.

Gant, starting in the number three pole position with a qualifying time of 20.53 outran other top-name drivers such as Darrell Waltrip, L.D. Ottinger, and Alton Jones. Pole sitter Lindley, who had led all qualifiers with a 20.43, just .03 seconds off Bonnett’s track record set last week, had led the race until the 84th lap when Ingram took over.

Lindley presented with his trophy for winning the pole.

The race settled down to a three-car affair between Ingram, Gant and Lindley, in that order, until the 130th lap. It was at that point that Gant nudged in front for the first time, then suddenly exploded ahead to open up almost a half-lap lead.

Gant lost the big lead when a caution flag on the 165th lap allowed Ingram and Lindley to tailgate again. When the green flag fell again, however, Gant quickly sped back out to a comfortable lead which he held to the finish.

Waltrip, 28-year-old Grand National driver from Franklin, Tenn., continued to encounter the bad luck that has plagued him here in recent weeks. Waltrip, winningest driver on the five-eighths-mile track with 50 victories, failed to finish his fourth straight race.

Waltrip’s troubles began when he came out of a pit stop on the 31st lap, having gone in in seventh place. As he made his exit, however, a pit crew member failed to get his gas tank cap back on. Waltrip was black flagged by director Bill Donoho for the next several laps but refused to come in. The Waltrip car consequently was not scored from laps 44-58. When Waltrip finally did stop and discovered he was 14 laps down, he declined to re-enter the race.

An estimated crowd of 11,000 turned out for the national championship point race.

1	Harry Gant
2	Butch Lindley
3	Jack Ingram
4	Neil Bonnett
5	L.D.Ottinger
6	Flookie Buford
7	Alton Jones
8	Tiny Lund
9	Morgan Shepherd
10	Doris Vaughn
11	A.C York
12	Bill King
13	Jim Berry
14	James Climer
15	Jerry Sisco
16	Wayne Cower
17	Gary Myers
18	P.B.Crowell III
19	Ray Skillman
20	John Brown
21	Don Guignard
22	Bob Burcham
23	Darrell Waltrip
24	Clarence Kissinger
25	Mark Crofford
26	Jimmy Means
27	Don Anthony
28	Chet Williams

updated by @tmc-chase: 01/18/20 05:20:38AM

Racing History Minute - June 26, 1976

Stock Car Racing History

Waltrip's "working things out" with Mario Rossi in late June devolved into Rossi's firing on August 17, 1976.