Forum Activity for @dave-fulton

Racing History Minute - July 28, 1966

Stock Car Racing History

In February 1966, the Daytona Beach Morning Journal carried the Associated Press dateline Johnson City, TN news of former driver and owner, Herman "The Turtle" Beam teaming up to turn wrenches for Paul Lewis on the 1965 Plymouth purchased from Lee Petty and once driven by Jim Paschal. Paschal drove the final 3 races of the 55-race 1965 season for the Pettys, finishing 3rd at Hillsboro, 5th at Rockingham and 4th in the final race of 1965 at Moyock Dog Track.

Racing History Minute - July 28, 1966

Stock Car Racing History

Saw this line in a story this week:

"Leading up to the first track time for the trucks at Eldora, Bloomquist tested at Smoky Mountain Speedway in Maryville, Tenn."

Maybe the bloomer boy shoulda hired Paul Lewis for his Smoky Mountain truck test. Bet Paul coulda gotten him out of the wedgie mind set and taught him a thing or two about driving a heavy NASCAR vehicle into a dirt corner!

Racing History Minute - July 28, 1966

Stock Car Racing History

Our RR member, Perry Allen Wood, has the answer to my question about why Paul missed qualifying in an interview with Paul Lewis in Wood's book, DECLARATIONS OF STOCK CAR INDEPENDENTS :

Racing History Minute - July 28, 1966

Stock Car Racing History

We are so fortunate that Jeff Gilder was inspired by Paul Lewis to start the Stock Car RacersReunion site. Do we know why Paul didn't make a qualifying run? Mechanical problem? Late getting to track?

The July 30, 1966 Spartanburg Hearald-Journal carried Associated Press coverage of Paul's Smoky Mountain win.

A NEW TYPE OF RACING AT HICKORY SPEEDWAY---Maybe

General

Sad sight.

Rent Increase at Shelby Led to Side-By-Side Asphalt & Dirt Tracks in Harris, NC

Stock Car Racing History

Tim, one clip I read said the drivers would race first on the asphalt track. Then, they were given a certain amount of time to make the needed "changeovers" and run the SAME car on the dirt track they had just raced on the asphalt. Don't know if Billy Scott actually ran there as the pre-race story advertised, but if he did I'd love to hear from he and Barb how that deal worked.

Rent Increase at Shelby Led to Side-By-Side Asphalt & Dirt Tracks in Harris, NC

Stock Car Racing History

This 1973 preview story tells of plans for an opening day, February 25th Harris Racing Complex DOUBLE HEADER OF CHAMPIONS at both the side-by-side Hillview dirt and Harris Speedway asphalt tracks including such names as Jack Ingram, Morgan Shepherd, Charlie Blanton and our own Billy Scott . It would be interesting to hear from Billy or his wife about how they ran side-by-side racetracks. According to the story, one admission ticket allowed a fan to see both the asphalt and dirt races. A very interesting concept.

http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1876&dat=19730225&id=...

Rent Increase at Shelby Led to Side-By-Side Asphalt & Dirt Tracks in Harris, NC

Stock Car Racing History

Reading today's Tim Leeming History Minute about the 1956 Shelby Grand National race led me to a fascinating Gene Granger story in the 1972 Spartanburg, SC newspaper about how a rent increase at the Shelby track led to a new dirt track, eventually named Hillview Speedway, being built in Harris, NC by Clyde Dedmon of the Hobby Racing Association , right beside the existing asphalt Harris Speedway.

Here's the link to the story, which all you history buffs should enjoy:

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qX8sAAAAIBAJ&sjid=DM0EAAAAIBAJ&pg=7227,4240953&dq=speedy+thompson+shelby&hl=en

And a follow-up two years later about the side-by-side tracks:

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=X0QsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Ls0EAAAAIBAJ&pg=2067,2056013&dq=clyde+dedmon+hobby+racing+association+harris+nc&hl=en

In 2010, poster djSNUFFY added this 1994 aerial photo and description to the Local Race Chat web site showing the unique side-by-side layout of the dual Harris tracks:

Hillview Speedway

This was the original track at Harris Speedway now the parking lot @ Harris
1/2 mile 1947-Late 60s

updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM

Racing History Minute - July 27, 1956

Stock Car Racing History

Thanks, Tim. Your history minute for today led me to discover an interesting story about the side by side tracks at Harris, NC, which I have posted separately.

Racing History Minute - July 26, 1959

Stock Car Racing History

That would be the perfect ticket, Chase. Just schedule another Eldora race quickly!