Happy 50th Birthday from The Legend!
Current NASCAR
No doubt, the fame of "The Legend" crosses the generation barrier!
Forum Activity for @dave-fulton
Current NASCAR
Happy 50th Birthday from The Legend!
Current NASCAR
I noticed that in all his busy times posting History Minutes and preparing for tonight's Legendtorial on the Racing Through History Goat Rodeo broadcast, our Legend forgot to send birthday wishes.
On this date, 50 years ago, Jaws, Jr. came into this world!
updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:04:08PM
Racing History Minute - April 30, 1961
Stock Car Racing History
That's it, Chase! Thanks to you & Chris.
Racing History Minute - April 30, 1961
Stock Car Racing History
By the way.... I saw Junior Johnson win a race at Martinsville in the early 70s. It was on riding lawn mowers and Junior's mower was noticeably faster than the rest, leading to charges of cheating!
Racing History Minute - April 30, 1961
Stock Car Racing History
The headline writer on the Fredericksburg, Va. paper keyed on Richmond's Emanuel Zervakis to top their AP transmission:
Racing History Minute - April 30, 1961
Stock Car Racing History
Ask and ye shall receive.
From the University of Virginia Library collection of Roanoke, Virginia television station WSLS comes film of the race in question (with Miss Firebird leading the parade lap ) along with the sportscaster copy. When Andy, Chase and Tim watch the film the question will be answered of hardtops vs convertibles. The film clearly shows Rex White in a convertible making the Getty Images photo posted by Chase caption correct.
Link to film below :
http://search.lib.virginia.edu/catalog/uva-lib:2244503
And here's the sportscaster copy that accompanied the film:
Racing History Minute - April 30, 1961
Stock Car Racing History
According to the Associated Press report filed the day of qualifying, it was Zervakis in the Monroe Shook Chevy who posted 5th fastest time of the 2nd race. Wish the report mentioned convertibles, but it doesn't. Here's the link:
http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1876&dat=19610429&id=...
That same page from the Spartanburg Herald has a separate story listing David Pearson as one of the drivers seeking victory Saturday night at Greenville-Pickens.
Racing History Minute - April 30, 1961
Stock Car Racing History
My only point, Andy, was that the April 9th event also went into the record books as an official race. I have no answer for the discrepancy in the photos.
Racing History Minute - April 30, 1961
Stock Car Racing History
The April 9th rainout went event went into the books as an official race, even though it was rescheduled for April 30. Here's the finish of the April 9th go from Ultimate Racing History :
NASCAR Grand National race
Martinsville Speedway, Martinsville, VA
April 9, 1961
149 laps on 0.5 mile paved oval; 74.5 miles
Fin St Driver # Owner Car Laps Money Status Laps Led
1 2 Fred Lorenzen 28 Holman Moody 1961 Ford 149 1,150 running 31
2 1 Rex White 4 Rex White 1961 Ford 149 1,275 running 118
3 3 Glen Wood 21 Wood Brothers 1961 Ford 147 500 running 0
4 16 Emanuel Zervakis 85 Monroe Shook 1961 Chevrolet 147 325 running 0
5 5 Ned Jarrett 11 B.G. Holloway 1961 Chevrolet 147 450 running 0
6 6 Junior Johnson 27 Rex Lovette 1961 Pontiac 146 315 running 0
7 23 Johnny Allen 69 B.G. Holloway 1961 Chevrolet 146 245 running 0
8 9 Richard Petty 43 Petty Enterprises 1961 Plymouth 146 175 running 0
9 8 Tim Flock 15 Beau Morgan 1961 Ford 146 215 running 0
10 22 Tommy Irwin 2 Tom Daniels 1960 Chevrolet 146 215 running 0
11 7 Bobby Johns 72 Shorty Johns 1961 Ford 145 150 running 0
12 13 Buck Baker 86 Buck Baker 1961 Chrysler 144 160 running 0
13 21 Cotton Owens 6 Cotton Owens 1960 Pontiac 143 300 running 0
14 12 Buddy Baker 87 Buck Baker 1961 Chrysler 142 120 running 0
15 25 G.C. Spencer 48 G.C. Spencer 1960 Chevrolet 141 95 running 0
16 15 Ernie Gahan 55 John Koszein 1959 Chevrolet 141 60 running 0
17 10 Jimmy Pardue 54 Jimmy Pardue 1959 Chevrolet 140 110 running 0
18 11 Doug Yates 23 Raeford Johnson 1959 Plymouth 139 85 running 0
19 17 Herman Beam 19 Herman Beam 1960 Ford 136 50 running 0
20 20 George Green 35 M.J. Black 1959 Plymouth 136 50 running 0
21 27 Harry Leake 97 Harry Leake 1960 Chevrolet 134 50 running 0
22 4 Reds Kagle 66 Ratus Walters 1960 Ford 117 150 fuel tank 0
23 24 Fred Harb 17 Fred Harb 1959 Ford 113 75 running 0
24 14 Wendell Scott 34 Wendell Scott 1960 Chevrolet 109 50 running 0
25 18 Curtis Crider 62 Curtis Crider 1960 Ford 102 50 running 0
26 19 Roy Tyner 9 Roy Tyner 1960 Ford 77 50 brakes 0
27 26 Bob Barron 71 Bob Barron 1960 Dodge 21 75 engine 0
Notes: The race was originally scheduled as the Virginia 500.
Due to rain, it was declared to be an official 200-lap race and the Virginia 500 was rescheduled for April 30.
Time of race: 01:05:23
Average Speed: 68.366 MPH
Pole Speed: 25.61 seconds
2 cautions