Forum Activity for @tim-leeming

Racing History Minute - August 16, 1963

Stock Car Racing History

Elvis Presley gave us a beautiful rendition of "Memories" which starts with the verse "Memories, pressed between the pages of my mind. Memories, sweetened through the ages just like wine. Gentle thoughts come floating down and settle softly on the ground like golden leaves around my feet......" Well, you get the drift. We lost Elvis on this date in 1977 but he left us a ton of memories to which I often listen. I do so love to hear "The American Trilogy" and it is one of those songs I often sing when driving alone! But, for all those who are here to read about racing, I've got that for you today.

This series of Racing History Minutes debuted here on April 5, 2013. Since that time of daily additions, I have refreshed some beautiful memories from my own experience, but most heavily rely on Greg Fielden's excellent collection of racing records in his "Forty Years of Stock Car Racing". I am often amazed at the information I garner from Greg's books, and then thrilled with the additions enhancing the posts from members like TMC Chase and Dave Fulton and, at times, others with personal memories and/or pictures. Everyone is encouraged to add to these posts as we try to build not only a history of the racing facts, but also a history of personal memories and experiences.

I have to admit the race for today's minute was a shock to me. Long before 1963, I read everything I could get my hands on about stock car racing and, thanks to my uncle, were at many of the races. I did not know, however, or at least did not personally recall the "International 200" run on this date in 1963 at Bowman-Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, NC. It was called the "International 200" because NASCAR was actually allowing foreign makes, and/or what were called "sports cars" back then. Be that as it may, only two such "international entries" were included in the field of 19 cars. Bill Whitley drove a Corvette which qualified 19th, and finished 19th after crashing on the first lap. Smokey Cook entered a MG which went out on lap 12 with overheating issues. So much for "international" on that day. Regardless, as is almost always the case at Bowman-Gray, the place was packed with 11,500 fans.

Another memory of the 1963 season was that awesome white Chevrolet with the red number 3s and the"Holly Farms" on the quarterpanels. When that car was running, it was usually in front and pulling away, but the problem Junior Johnson had was the engines just seemed to want to explode. Junior had started 22 races in the 1963 season prior to the "International 200" and finished only 8 of those races, with five of those finishes in first place. Fast is good, but endurance is better may have been the watchword for the Johnson team in 1963..

Bowman-Gray is a quarter-mile flat track, as most reading this will know, so the 200 lap event constituted only 50 miles but on that track, 50 miles is an eternity for a driver. However, in this one, Junior Johnson started on the pole and led the entire 200 laps to win by a full lap over second place.He did, in fact, lap the second place car by lap 62.The win was the 32nd career win for Junior.

Top five finishers were:

1. Junior Johnson, Holly Farms Chevrolet, winning $580.00

2. Richard Petty, Petty Engineering Plymouth, winning $500.00

3. Glen Wood, Wood Brothers Ford, winning $370.00

4. David Pearson, Cotton Owens Dodge, winning $275.00

5. Ned Jarrett, Burton-Robinson Ford, winning $200.00

Sixth through tenth were G. C. Spencer, Curtis Crider, Larry Thomas, Joe Weatherly, and Buck Baker. Wendell Scott would finish 11th, J.D. McDuffie 12th, Neil Castles 13th, Bob Keck 14th, and Stick Elliott 15th. Fred Harb took 16th, with MG driver Smokey Cook credited with 17th. Roy Tyner was 18th and Corvette driving Bill Whitely got 19th position out of his one lap one.

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

updated by @tim-leeming: 08/15/18 05:04:56PM

Racing History Minute - August 15, 1965

Stock Car Racing History

Just a month from now, September 14, 2013, the Augusta International Raceway Preservation Society will be holding its annual event to recognize the part the Augusta International Raceway half-mile paved track AND the 3 mile road course where one Grand National race was run in November, 1963, and would become the last win for Fireball Roberts. Check out the AIRPS website for more information

Today we are returning to Augusta for a 100 mile/200 lap event on the half-mile high banked track. That track was built for good competition with the ability to pass about anywhere. It is the track where I ran my second race when I started in 1969 and was able to take the lead on the first lap from my fourth starting position. I only stayed out front 7 laps before my inexperience gave way to a more experienced guy who forced me higher than I wanted to go in turn three, but I did find out you could ride the rail there somewhat like they did at Darlington back in the day.

But our story today does not involve me but rather the 24 drivers who showed to compete in the 40th race of the 1965 season. You may recall that the Chrysler Corporation drivers had boycotted most of the 1965 season when NASCAR outlawed the Hemi. They were allowed to return to the short tracks late in the season and although they were allowed at Augusta, Cotton Owens was the only Mopar Factory Team to enter, with David Pearson as the driver.

Ned Jarrett qualified his Bondy Long Ford on the pole with a speed of 81.118 mph with Dick Hutcherson in another Ford in second. David Pearson qualified the Dodge third, Buck Baker in a Chevrolet fourth, and Tiny Lund in a Ford in fifth.

Ned would lead the first 41 laps before a caution was thrown for oil on the track when the engine blew in Tiny Lund's Ford. All the leaders hit the pits and Dick Hutcherson's crew, headed by Ralph Moody, got him back on track first. Hutch led the rest of the way although David Pearson made a really strong run at the end .Even with 2 caution flags for 12 laps, the average race speed was 71.499 mph. David Pearson finished 2.75 seconds behind Hutch.

Top five finishers were:

1. Dick Hutcherson, Holman-Moody Ford, winning $1,000.00

2. David Pearson, Cotton Owens Dodge winning $600.00

3. Ned Jarrett, Bondy Long Ford, winning $400.00

4. LeeRoy Yarbrough, Gary Weaver Ford, winning $375.00

5. G. C. Spencer, Spencer Ford, winning $375.00

Sixth through tenth were Cale Yarborough, Buddy Baker, Buck Baker, Wendell Scott and Roy Mayne. Buddy Arrington would finish 11th, Neil Castles 12th, Elmo Langly 13th, Henley Gray 16th, and Roy Tyner 18th. Tiny Lund, although out since lap 41 was credited with 19th, J.T. Putney 22nd, Darel Dieringer 23rd and Jimmy Helms 24th.

Attendance at the event was 12,000 which exceed the number of fans in attendance at the spring race at Darlington when no Mopar teams were entered. Augusta International Raceway was a great venue to watch a race and was certainly a fun place to race.

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

updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM

New RacersReunion Home Page

Administrative

Chase, how about handsomely compensating that guy who has DW in the headlock. The Legend should received tons of fan mail for that one. I've already been applauded by Chris Myers. He said he wishes he could get away with that!!!

New RacersReunion Home Page

Administrative

Jeff, I like it! You're right about it being easier to negotiate, although the previous page was not difficult for me. What we have now is a well set-up Home Page and I do hope it will attract more fans to the stock car site. Not that I want to continue to harp of how awful the NASCAR site is, but when it is compared to what we have here at RacersReunion, that NASCAR site is impossible. Thanks for the hard work and the dedication to the history of this great sport.

Racing History Minute - August 14, 1963

Stock Car Racing History

It is always fun for me to add a Minute about a race at The Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds in Spartanburg. One reason for that fun is that I attended more than one race there in the early s17 ixties and enjoyed them all, although I probably got dirtier there than almost any other track. The other reason is because Spartanburg was such a huge contributor to NASCAR history thanks for folks like Bud Moore and Cotton Owens. So, today, we travel back to that venue for a 100 mile race on that half-mile dirt track on an August day in 1963.

Joe Weatherly honored hometown owner Bud Moore by putting the Bud Moore Mercury on the pole with a speed of 64.958 mph. Ned Jarrett would start second, Richard Petty third, David Pearson fourth and Jimmy Pardue fifth.

The Spartanburg fans of Bud Moore were disappointed on lap 33 when the number 8 Mercury had engine problems and forced Joe Weatherly out of the race, relegating him to a last place finish in the 17 car field. David Pearson, a hometown boy driving the Cotton Owens Dodge was next to experience problems and parking the number 6 after 43 laps with an oil line issue. Not such a good start for the Spartanburg locals. Joe had led all 33 laps he was in the race but that was little consolation.

Buck Baker led most of the event before first Richard Petty, then Ned Jarrett swapped around first place. Near the end of the race, Ned was able to grab the lead for good although he had to fight off a hard charging Petty. In the end, it was Jarrett, Petty, and Baker, all on the lead lap. It was the 6th win of the year for Ned Jarrett, hoping to repeat his 1961 Championship run.

One big headline of the event was the return of Cotton Owens to the driver's seat. Owens had been the owner/mechanic/crew chief and head honcho for David Pearson and, at times, Wade Younts while saying that he was "retired" from driving. However, the 39 year old veteran decided his home track was a great place to return to driving. He was competitive but a late race crash put him out, but he is still credited with an 8th place finish. Billy Wade salvaged a fourth place finish for the Cotton Owens team.

Top five finishers were:

1. Ned Jarrett, Burton-Robinson Ford, winning $1,000.00

2. Richard Petty, Petty Engineering Plymouth, winning $600.00

3. Buck Baker, Baker Pontiac, winning $400.00

4. Billy Wade, Cotton Owens Dodge, winning $300.00

5. Cale Yarborough, Herman Beam Ford, winning $275.00

Sixth through tenth were Neil Castles, G.C. Spencer, Cotton Owens, Bobby Keck and Stick Elliott. Eleventh through seventeenth were Jimmy Pardue, Curtis Crider, Roy Mayne, Bobby Isaac, Wendell Scott, David Pearson and Joe Weatherly.

For several years my work would often take me to Spartanburg to meet with Judges at the Spartanburg County Court House and then travel on over to the Sheriff's Department with signed Court Orders. My drive between the two places often took me by the Fairgrounds and more than once my mind would drift back to those days when I made the trip to see a race there. It looked so much different then, but I suppose that's what happen when the magic of racing is gone. Just my opinion.

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

updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM

August 13, 1961: Asheville-Weaverville's Riot and Rumbling

Stock Car Racing History

That is a great addition to the site, Chase. Although I have attended events at Asheville-Weaverville, that was not one of them. Thankfully for me as I am not of the mob ilk. But that's the way the windshield crumbles at times, I suppose. Thanks for the great write up and pictures.

Montoya out after this season

Stock Car Racing History

I'm really not surprised with the way Juan has run of late. Although he shows flashes of brilliance, and has the two wins, he just hasn't come around the way Ganassi wants. Chase, I'm sure you're right on point with the Kyle Larson comment. We shall wait and see.

Racing History Minute - August 13, 1950

Stock Car Racing History

The 1950 season was the second season of Big Bill's experiment with the "Strickly Stock Division. That Division had competed in 8 events in the 1949 season and everyone considered it a resounding success. So, on this date in 1950, the 10th race of the 1950 Strickly Stock season was set for Occoneechee Speedway in Hillsborough, NC. Occoneechee was a 1 mile dirt track with virtually flat turns. There was a "bump" going into turn one which, I understand, was a huge boulder under the dirt that either couldn't be moved, or was too costly to try to move. Drivers who ran there have told me that if you didn't hit that boulder just right, you were sure to lose positions trying to regain control of your car. Let's go back to Occoneechee for the 100 mile race to be contested on this awesome track.

Twenty-seven cars would start the event with Dick Lindler in an Oldsmobile on the pole. Curtis Turner would start second in another Oldsmobile. The only other starting position available in my reference (Greg Fielden's "Forty Years of Stock Car Racing") is postion 15 which went to a 21 year old Fireball Roberts starting his third Grand National (now Cup) event in a Sam Rice Oldsmobile.

Curtis Turner moved into the lead at the drop of the flag and would lead the first 45 laps. The two races previous to this event had been Turner's all the way with him leading start to finish in both events, a 150 miler on Charlotte's 3/4 mile track and a 100 miler on a half-mile dirt track in Rochester, NY. It was a flat tire that cost him the lead at Occoneechee as he headed for the pits on lap 45 of 100. This would end his leading ways at 445 consecutive laps in Grand National racing.

Pee Wee Martin would lead laps 46 through 57 before the young Roberts would move out front, not to be passed again. Curtis Turner was literally melting that dirt track in a bid to recover his lead but time ran out when Fireball took the checkered flag for his first Grand National win.

In qualifying for the race, Lloyd Moore, who was second in points behind Turner, flipped his Mercury three times and was taken to the hospital with a neck injury. During the race, Sterling Long wrecked his Hudson in a spectacular series of flips but climbed from the destroyed car unhurt.

Almost anyone reading this Minute knows the legacy left to the sport by Glenn "Fireball"Roberts. I know most references always put Fireball in quotation marks, but I ceased doing that long ago. It was baseball that earned him the nickname Fireball, but it was his performance on the race tracks that gave the nickname Fireball the special meaning it has for so many. It is so right that he is being inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame this coming January. And the wins started at Occoneechee!

Top five finishers were:

1. Fireball Roberts, Sam Rice Oldsmobile, winning $1,125.00

2. Curtis Turner, Eanes Motor Company Oldsmobile, winning $750.00

3. Dick Linder, Oldsmobile, winning $500.00

4. Bill Rexford, Julian Beusink Oldsmobile, winning $400.00

5. Clyde Minter, Mercury, winning $300.00

Sixth through tenth were Gene Austin, Lee Petty, Herb Thomas, Chuck Mahoney and Johnny Mantz. Marshall Teague would finish 17th, Jimmy Lewallen 21st,Glenn Dunaway 24th and Bill Blair 27th.

I would remind folks that the Annual Celebration of the Automobile will take place at the Occoneechee Speedway on September 28th of this year. Many of the pioneers of NASCAR will be there as will many, many vintage cars. When they put the cars on the track for what are supposed to be "parade laps" it inevitablyleads to a mini-race breaking out. I have attended this event for the past four years and it is one event that makes it on my calendar every year. You can check out the events calendar here on RacersReunion for more information. You owe it to yourself to make the trip to the event!

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

updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM

August 12, 1956: Tim Flock

Stock Car Racing History

This is an awesome record of a great event. Love the pictures. Look how high off the ground those cars rode! No aero push there.

August 12, 1973: Score one for the underdog at Talladega

Stock Car Racing History

That was an event to see! I watched from my vantage point behind the infield fence going into turn one, just a little past the start-finish line. I didn't know until well after the race that Smith died in the wreck. I saw Isaac go behind the wall but didn't know why until we were walking the pits after the race, as we always did. Was very happy to see Dick Brooks with. I always liked that guy from the time he came to NASCAR saying the first NASCAR race he ever saw was the one he drove in. I remember that white Superbird he drove that year.

It had slipped my mind that the win was the last win for Plymouth in the Grand National ranks. Somehow that just doesn't seem right. Never will in my mind, but that is just me.

Thanks for posting Chase. What a wonderful record of history we have on this site!