A NEW TYPE OF RACING AT HICKORY SPEEDWAY---Maybe
General
I saw on the news last night that Hickory and Newton are flooded badly. I thought about Ned Jarrett immediately and hope everything is ok with him. News videos were bad.
Forum Activity for @tim-leeming
General
Rent Increase at Shelby Led to Side-By-Side Asphalt & Dirt Tracks in Harris, NC
Stock Car Racing History
That is an absolutely fascinating post Dave. I'm still trying to imagine watching races on two tracks at the same time. Thanks for digging up that nugget. These days, taxes are so high on everything the thought of building a new track would never have happened.
Racing History Minute - July 27, 1956
Stock Car Racing History
A couple of years ago, one of our RacersReunion Members undertook the venture of "restoring" the Cleveland County Fairgrounds Speedway in Shelby, NC. Michael W. Smith got it going and Jeff Gilder, head man here at RacersReunion, worked to get a return of vintage stock cars for a special event on a very sunny Saturday afternoon. It was a beautiful experience, well attended, and enjoyed by all ages there. A boy, probably 7 years old, was standing next to me in the stands and he absolutely went nuts every time the cars came by him. I smiled to myself as I thought how he was going to remember that day as he grew older. I am betting he is begging his dad to take him to the dirt track every weekend.
Today, we travel back to a day in 1956 when the Grand National boys checked in at the track. Seventeen competitors would qualify for a scheduled 200 laps on the half-mile dirt track. The key word in that sentence is "scheduled 200" because the scorers got confused mid-race and lost count of laps, so to be certain the fans weren't cheated out of a lap of racing, the race actually ran 201 laps, or 100.5 miles. Not sure how the drivers felt about that, or if and when they actually discovered the additional half mile added.
Ralph Moody qualified his Pete DePaulo Ford on the pole with a speed of 55.658 mph. Speedy Thompson qualified a Dodge second, Fireball Roberts in another Ford was third, Gwyn Staley's Chevrolet fourth and Herb Thomas rounded out the top five with a Chevrolet.
Speedy Thompson would power his Keikhaefer Dodge to the win with Ralph Moody finishing second on the lead lap and Billy Myers finished one lap down in third. It is mentioned in the record that Harold Kite, winner of the 1950 Daytona Beach Race "came out of a retirement of several years" to compete in that race and he finished 11th. You may want to check out the future career of Harold Kite for information I don't wish to disclose here.
Top five finishers were:
1. Speedy Thompson, Kiekhaefer Outboards Dodge, winning $950.00
2. Ralph Moody, Pete DePaolo Ford, winning $575.00
3. Billy Myers, Guy Wilson Mercury, winning $475.00
4. Fireball Roberts, DePaolo Ford, winning $365.00
5. Buck Baker, Kiekhaefer Dodge, winning $320.00
Sixth through tenth were Rex White, Gwen Staley, Herb Thomas, Lee Petty and Johnny Dodson. Remaining finishers, in order were, Harold Kite, Johnny Allen, Jim Paschal, Bill Champion, Blackie Pitt, Billy Carden and Joe Eubanks. And, for those of you who enjoy keeping up with the unusual sponsor names Jim Paschal attracted, he was running the C.U. Later Alligator Mercury.
BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE HISTORY MINUTE TOMORROW FOR A SPECIAL EVENT IN THE HISTORY OF NASCAR AND THIS WEB SITE.
Honor the past, embrace the present, dream for the future.
updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM
Turning for Home: Today's Junior Johnson
Stock Car Racing History
I have never seen this before today! Awesome article for sure. I have so many vivid memories of Junior and most are as colorful as the article paints him. In 1964 the local Ford dealer, Pulliam Ford, had Junior and his 1964 Ford in the showroom for the day. Back then, fans would trickle in and out so most of the time Junior was just sitting there with the salesmen. I went over to the Ford and leaned over looking at the front bumper and grill and one of the salesmen asked me what I was looking for and I said "the spots where that Petty Plymouth sucked the paint off then he passed this Ford". Junior heard me said "I never got close enough to that Plymouth for him to suck the paint off". We all got a good laugh out of that except the owner of Pulliam Ford who overheard me.
Racing History Minute - July 26, 1959
Stock Car Racing History
Just a little less than a year would past after this race at The Charlotte Fairgrounds Speedway before the mile and a half track would host the first annual World 600. But, for today, we return to the Charlotte Fairgrounds Speedway, a half-mile dirt track for a 200 lap/100 mile contest.
Thirty-five cars/drivers started this event and 21 of those were running at the finish. Buck Baker would qualify his Chevrolet on the pole with a speed of 63.07 mph. Glen Wood would start second, Ralph Moody third, Lee Petty fourth and Jack Smith fifth. We all know Glen and Ralph would go on to build racing dynasties in the Ford ranks. In fact, Ralph must have made a last minute decision to drive John Dodd's Ford. He gave it a pretty good run, finishing seventh.
Although I dont' have information as to lap leaders for the race, it is noted in the records that Jack Smith led most of the way to win for the third time in the 1959 season. The real "mover" of the race had to be Bob Welborn who started 33rd but finished second. Twenty-two laps were run under caution and while that could have worked to Welborn's advantage, it was surely an inspiring run to move up like that on the half-mile dirt track. The top five finishers were all on the lead lap.
Joe Weatherly and Gene White crashed out of the event. Lee Petty, points lead, broke a right front wheel on the 193rd lap which relegated him to a 10th place finish. Lee did leave the track with a 388 point advantage over second place in the season standings, Cotton Owens.Other contenders with victory potential, Junior Johnson, Tommy Irwin, Richard Petty and Banjo Matthews all failed to finish with one problem or another.
The average speed for the 100 miles was 49.553, the result of 9 cautions for 22 laps.
Top five finishers were:
1. Jack Smith, Bud Moore Chevrolet, winning $900.00 (3rd win of the year for Smith)
2. Bob Welborn, Welborn Chevrolet, winning $525.00
3. Buck Baker, Baker Chevrolet, winning $350.00
4. Cotton Owen, W.H. Watson Pontiac, winning $250.00
5. Larry Frank, Carolina Plating Chevrolet, winning $225.00
Sixth through tenth were Ralph Moody, Roy Tyner, Buddy Baker, Glen Wood and Lee Petty.
Tiny Lund finished 11th, Richard Petty 12th, Herman Beam 16th, Neil Castles 17th, Speedy Thompson 24th and Banjo Matthews 25th. Joe Weatherly was credited with 26th, G. C. Spencer 27th and Fred Harb 34th. Junior Johnson finished 35th although he departed the event on the 7th lap when he lost the engine in his Paul Spaulding Ford.
Honor the past, embrace the present, dream for the future.
updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM
HEW SERIES TO TEST AT DARLINGTON
Stock Car Racing History
How can I get more information about this Johnny? Like admission prices, times, etc.? Is this something RR should promote since it's Frank Kimmel? I would like to know more. First time I've heard anything about this.
A Historic Night for NASCAR - July 24, 2013
Current NASCAR
I don't necessarily prefer to be called a "purist" when it comes to being a stock car racing fan. Nor do I prefer "old school" or whatever terminology happens to be out there today. I prefer to simply be known as a race fan. Someone who has spent so much of his life involved in racing in one capacity or another. It's that simple.
I do enjoy hearing folks refer to "throwback", a term often used to described Dale, Sr., or using such euphamisms as "dirt is for racing, asphalt for getting there". Having raced both type surfaces as an owner/driver, I preferred the asphalt as it seemed less expensive at the time than dirt. Having driven for two teams where I was paid to drive, I preferred the dirt because it was simply more fun. It was fun to slide through the turns although I never mastered that skill as did some of my competitors. I like the way the dirt surfaces seemed to be more forgiving in the fender rubbing competition I enjoyed with so many competitors. The few pictures I have remaining of my racing career that include the race car, will always show a "doughnut" somewhere on my car. I like close racing and, as they say, "rubbing is racing" so I can point back proudly that what I did was racing.
I, along with literally thousands, if not millions of race fans, had anticipated the Camping World Truck Series event at Eldora Speedway last night. The crowd was there for sure, standing room only. How long has it been since that has happened at a NASCAR race? I can't remember the last time. As for the television audience, all of the comments I've seen last night and this morning on all the sites I visit, with the exception of two or three, were complimentary. I absolutely left my recliner only once between 7:00 p.m. and 11:40 when the telecast went off and that was during a commercial for the obligatory rest room break a man of my advanced age finds necessary periodically.
The event, in my mind, was spectacular for several reasons, not the least of which was having Ken Shrader on the pole as the oldest pole winner in NASCAR "history". That was an event in itself, and I was proud for Ken. He has been around for a long, long time and in my humble opinion has never received the accolades to which he should be entitled from NASCAR. What he showed at Eldora was that he still has it. Although the race didn't go quite the way he would have liked, he accomplished a great deal. Whether or not AARP will cancel his membership after that display of youthfulness last night is still under consideration.
It was wonderful to see Dave and Ryan Blaney, father and son, racing in the same event. Just something about that adds to the event for me. Oh, there are brothers racing of course (the Dillon boys), and father and grandfathers as car owners, but I think Ryan Blaney is a part of the future of the sport while his father is a part of the past and present of the sport. Ryan Blaney excites me for the future prospects of the sport.
And, as for the excitement for the future of the sport, what about Kyle Larson. Yes, I watched the event at Daytona in February where he wrecked the leader to win and I wasn't too impressed by that, but I have come to respect what that young man has accomplished and continues to accomplish. He will surely play a huge part of the future of NASCAR.
Norm Benning! What can you say about the tenacity of that man. Watching him in that qualifying race to get into the main event only served to reinforce my belief that "if you can dream it,you can do it". Great job Norm. Although the race didn't work out too well for you, it was great to see you in there living the dream.
As to Scott Bloomquist, I had expected, as did many, that he would be a force to be considered. He unfortunately made a bad call not to run a front sway bar, as we were told, and he was never a factor other than being the first truck to be lapped.
Some of the comments I've read on other sites this morning talk about a boring race. I didn't see that. What I saw was, at times, FOUR WIDE ON A DIRT TRACK and I'm not talking about those parade laps. I saw two young men, Dillon and Larson, battle with a veteran racer, Newman, to a very exciting finish. Obviously, with Austin and Ty Dillon, Kyle Larson and Ryan Blaney coming along, we have a great future in NASCAR and that doesn't even consider Chase Elliott who did not compete last night.
I was a little miffed at some of the "history" NASCAR allowed to be presented last night. I won't argue with their "expert historians" as to the first career start for Richard Petty OR the first career win for Richard Petty, both of which they got wrong big time. I know Richard won the last GRAND NATIONAL race on dirt in Raleigh, NC in September, 1970, but I refuse to accept NASCAR's total refusal to acknowledge that there was a Grand American Division that raced on dirt long after that date and that division was a touring division of NASCAR with some really great drivers like Wayne Andrews and Tiny Lund.
So, as for my humble opinion, I'll leave you all with this: I do hope that last night was not a one night fling for NASCAR. I hope the trucks will return to Eldora and perhaps other dirt tracks. I would like to think that Nationwide may also make an attempt at some point in the future. I don't dare dream the Cup cars ever will. I also think that those fans watching on television last night who have never been to a dirt track race will be looking up the closest weekly racing dirt track near them and plan to attend this weekend or in the very near future. If nothing else happened last night, I think Tony Stewart and the fans informed NASCAR, loud and clear, that "grass roots" is more than just an adjective to define from where the sport arose. It is, in essence, the life blood (or life MUD) that brought the sport to the venues like Darlington, Daytona, and Charlotte.
As I think about the relatively dim lighting under which I raced on the dirt tracks back in the day compared to the brightly lighted tracks at Daytona, Charlotte, and Bristol, along with other lighted tracks, I also think of the dust we used to raise as the slammed and banged around those bullrings. Last night, in Eldora, there was dust, there was "rubbing" and there was some slam-bang racing. But. did you notice what was also present? Smiles! Hundreds and hundreds of smiles. Almost every one there was smiling from ear to ear and I was watching all the fans and crews as well so it was more than the drivers. Did you see the entire crowd, more than 20,000 on their feet those last few laps? That, folks, is what racing should be about. I would suppose the dust has settled in Eldora this morning. But I would bet the smiles are still around and I'm betting folks are talking about that event around the world.
updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:04:08PM
Racing History Minute - July 25, 1965
Stock Car Racing History
Thanks, Chase. That is a great addition to this Minute post. There is much more to the story of the Maurice Petty Fury and the article about the possibity of Richard's return in the Firecracker. I was in almost weekly contact with Richard and/or Petty Enterprises folks (I had a confidant there) and from what I was hearing then, I don't think Richard ever seriously considered running the Fury. The Maurice Petty endeavor was a way to try it out without involving Richard.
Racing History Minute - July 25, 1965
Stock Car Racing History
Good point Dave. I don't know but that is to be considered.
Racing History Minute - July 25, 1965
Stock Car Racing History
Those of us who were fans of NASCAR in 1965, if we were MOPAR fans, were very angry that NASCAR had outlawed our Hemi Engines which resulted in folks like Richard Petty and David Pearson, along with the rest of the Chrysler Corporation factory drivers sitting on the sidelines or off racing other circuits. Ford fans were ecstatic because they beloved blue ovals had no competition in NASCAR's Grand National division. General Motors fans didn't care either way as there just weren't any competitve GM teams at the time. But, in July, 1965, suffering from the MOPAR fan's absence from the track, which equated to absence of dollars in NASCAR's piggy bank, Big Bill lifted the Hemi ban just before the Firecracker 400. The caveat was that any track longer than a mile would require the Chrysler teams to use the big Plymouth Furys and Dodge Polaras which Chrysler refused to do. However, the Hemi MOPARS with the Belvedere and Coronet bodies were allowed to race on tracks one mile or less. Thus it was that the Volunteer 500 at Bristol International Speedway, a half-mile paved track, would welcome the return of Richard Petty and David Pearson and the rest of the Chrysler drivers.
Thirty-six cars were entered in the event but only five were Chrysler products. Twenty-six starters were either Fords or Mercurys. The FoMoCo teams were ready while the Chrysler teams were there with a little more than two week's notice from NASCAR that they could return. The return of the Chrysler drivers brought out more than 27,000 fans on a day that promised inclement weather and delivered on that promise.
Fred Lorenzen put his Holman-Moody Ford on the pole with Richard Petty qualifying his one year old Plymouth on the outside front row. Junior Johnson, Ford, was third fastest, Cale Yarborough, Ford, in fourth to start. Marvin Panch would start the Wood Brothers Ford in fifth.
Junior Johnson managed to grab the lead on the green flag and would lead the first 81 laps before yeilding to Ned Jarrett. Jarrett led four circuits before Darel Dieringer took over. Darel led until lap 133 and then it was Johnson back out front. On lap 156, Dieringer would take over the front spot again and stay there until lap 309. Jarrett took over on lap 310 but gave up the lead to Dieringer again on lap 346. On lap 401,it was Jarrett back out front and he would stay there until the end of the 500 laps.
Now that we have the lap leaders listed, let's go back and talk about the EIGHT caution flags and FOUR red flags, for wrecks and rain. The threatening weather delivered rain four different times which resulted in red flags and the race took more than six hours to complete although NASCAR counted only the time on the track, either under green or the 167 caution laps, and did not include the time parked for red flags, which is customary for timing purposes.
Interesting information from the race, at least in my opinion, is the incident between Marvin Panch and David Pearson which resulted in Pearson's encounter with Glen Wood on pit road. Pearson started his Cotton Owens Dodge in 12th, but by lap 8 he was challenging Panch for fifth place when the two cars got "fused together" resulting in both crashing, thus ending their day. As Pearson walked from his wrecked car back to the pits, Glen Wood confronted Pearson in a very antimated "discussion" which resulted in Wood throwing a punch at Pearson. As Pearson drew back his arm to deliver a "haymaker" to Wood, someone grabbed his arm and ended the confrontation. Looking back, and knowing what success David and the Wood Brothers would come to enjoy in the 70s, this is almost comical to imagine.
Richard Petty's return to competition was ended when he parked it for differential problems. Tiny Lund had blown an engine which resulted in five cars, including Richard, being involved in a crash sequence. I remember the back of Richard's Plymouth looked as though it had been hit by a missle. That ended his day and he would be credited with 17th position after parking it on lap 338.
Dick Hutcherson was competing with Jarrett for the win until the waning laps when he just couldn't keep up with Jarrett's Bondy Long Ford. Dick would finish some 20 seconds behind in second place. Jarrett said, after the race, that he almost didn't make the finish as the fumes in his car made him so sick on his stomach. But he did make it, and he left Bristol with a 28 point lead over Dick Hutcherson in the race for the Championship. This was Ford's 32nd consecutive victory in race 34 of the 1965 season.
Top five finishers were:
1. Ned Jarrett, Bondy-Long Ford, winning $4,315.00
2. Dick Hutcherson, Holman-Moody Ford, winning $2,275.00
3. Sam McQuagg, Betty Lilly Ford, winning $1,650.00 (Sam was a rookie)
4. Jim Paschal Friedkin Enterprises Chevrolet, winning $1,125.00
5. Buck Baker, Baker Chevrolet, winning $1,025.00
Sixth through tenth were Junior Spencer, Wendell Scott, Donald Tucker, Bob Derrington and J.T. Putney.
Buddy Arrington would finish 12th, Reb Wickersham 15th, PAUL LEWIS 16th, G.C. Spencer 19th and Fred Lorenzen 20th.
Twenty-first went to Neil Castles, Cale Yarborough 22nd, Junior Johnson 23rd, Tiny Lund 24th and Stick Elliott 25th. Jimmy Helms was 29th Buddy Baker 30th and Jabe Thomas 31st. Bobby Allison was 32nd and Elmo Langley33rd.
Honor the past, embrace the present, dream for the future
updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM