Forum Activity for @tim-leeming

Racing History Minute - July 19, 1958

Stock Car Racing History

Ok, fans, think! What is the shortest Grand National (Cup)race you can think of? Our History Minute has covered one I think as a 50 miler on a quarter-mile track. Today, however, we are going to talk about 19 cars and drivers that showed up at a quarter-mile paved track in Buffalo, NY, on this date in 1958 for a 25 mile race. Yep, that's right. 100 laps/25 miles. The boys had just raced in Toronto Canada the day before so it wasn't a really big deal to stop by Buffalo on the way back South.

If you read TMC Chase's posting yesterday, you already know that the race the day before in Toronto was the first Grand National start for Richard Petty. He would start this race in Buffalo in 13th position in car number 42A. Just a piece of trivia you may want to store away in case you ever get that question on Jeopardy.

Rex White would start on the pole in car number 44. Second place starter was Johnny Mackison in a Mercury. Jim Reed would start third in a Ford, Cotton Owens fourth in a Pontiac and Lee Petty fifth in an Oldsmobile.

Two things were noted about this race as "historic" at the time. First, it was the shortest race, in distance, in NASCAR history to that point. I haven't researched the fact, but I am thinking there has never been a race shorter than that so the record is probably still intact. Secondly, Rex White won the pole with a speed of 38.593 mph which was (and I'm sure still is) the slowest pole speed in NASCAR history. Not much to write home about, but it put him on the pole. So Rex was the fastest with the slowest of the rest. The pole speed was determined by a stop watch in the hands of an "official". No electronic scoring back then. The odd bit of information is that the average speed for the 100 laps was 46.972 mph, more than 8 mph faster than the pole run.

Rex would lead the first 45 laps before Jim Reed would slide his Ford into first place, not to be passed in the remaining 55 laps.

A crowd of over 7,700 fans watched the 32 minute race and it is my supposition that with the top three cars finishing on the same lap, it was a close race. Only two of the nineteen cars failed to finished. Dick Walters fell out on lap four with ignition problems and Neil Haight fell out on lap 63 with overheating issues.

Top five finishers were:

1. Jim Reed, Reed Ford, winning $605.00 (not bad for 25 miles)

2. Cotton Owens, Stephens Pontiac, winning $450.00

3. Johnny Mackison, Ken Corman Mercury, winning $320.00

4. Shorty Rollins, Rollins Ford, winning $275.00

5. Rex White, Max Welborn Chevrolet, winning $250.00

Sixth through tenth were Lee Petty, Bob Duell, Tiny Benson, Billy Rafter,and Howard Phillippi. Richard Petty would finish 11th, 4 laps down. L. D. Austin was 12th, Ted Chamberlain15th and Peck Peckham 16th.

Wonder what the ticket prices were for that 30 minute event?

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

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

Unexpected Petty trivia of the day

Stock Car Racing History

Extremely interesting Chase. I recall a time when Petty Enterprises was involved in building a motel (possibly two) in and around Charlotte, but all that died out completely and I never heard anything else about it. But it is interesting to read those articles. Thanks.

THERE IS A NEW OWNER ON THE HORIZION FOR AN OLD TEAM

Current NASCAR

Jeff Gilder is the owner and Johnny Mallonee the driver. My best to both.

July 18, 1958: The King's era begins

Stock Car Racing History

Great posts Chase! I knew you would rock the site with your Petty history. I do have a question for you though. I have the full collection, plus some extras, of those Petty Pepsi drinks. Do they get better with age like wine does? Just a thought.

Racing History Minute - July 18, 1965

Stock Car Racing History

Great video Sandeep. Thanks for adding that.

Racing History Minute - July 18, 1965

Stock Car Racing History

Everyone who knows me is probably expecting me to talk about a race on this date in 1960 in Toronto, Canada, where Richard Petty made his first GRAND NATIONAL start with his Dad actually winning that race. If not that, surely someone will say, what about Richard Petty winning his FIRST RACE in a convertible event at The Historic Columbia Speedway on this date in 1959. Well, folks, my good friend TMC Chase, who is a major contributor to this series of History Minutes is much more talented than I in presenting such historic facts about anything Petty so you can look for his postings today and be well entertained. Thanks, Chase, for all you do for this site.

Today, I am going to Watkins Glen for a 151.8 mile race held there on this date in 1965. Long time fans of the sport will remember 1965 as the year the Chrysler drivers (Dodge and Plymouth) boycotted NASCAR events because NASCAR had "outlawed" the powerful "Hemi" engines which the other manufacturers could not seem to catch. Perhaps it was for that reason that only 19 cars showed up to compete and one of those 19 never made the starting grid. E.J.Trivette is shown as starting in 11th position but the run down indicates he never completed even the first lap.

Dick Hutcherson would start his Holman-Moody Ford on the pole. Ned Jarrett would start second, Marvin Panch third, Neil Castles fourth, and Buddy Baker fifth. For the record, Buddy was in a year old Dodge owned by his father, Buck.

Ned Jarrett parlayed his outside front row spot to the lead on lap one. Junior Johnson took the lead on lap two and was pulling away on the twisting 2.3 mile road course when the engine in his Ford blew on lap 14. Marvin Panch took over the point at that time and was never headed. He finished nearly one lap ahead of second place Ned Jarrett.

It should be noted that Doug Cooper had flipped his car six times in a practice session the day before the race and suffered a concussion along with back and arm injuries.

Panch finished the race at an average speed of 98.182 mph. There is no qualifying speed with which to compare the average as it is stated in the record that there were no time trials. Not sure why, and I can't determine what method was used to determine starting position unless it was by the "draw" as we used to do at the short tracks for the heat races. This was the second time Marvin had won on a road course, the first time being November of 1956, at Lancaster, California.

Top five finishers were:.

1. Marvin Panch, Wood Brothers Ford, winning $1,425.00

2. Ned Jarrett, Bondy Long (BoWaNi) Ford, winning $650.00

3. Buddy Baker, Buck Baker Dodge, winning $490.00

4. Cale Yarborough, Kenny Myler Ford, winning $415.00

5. Tiny Lund, Lyle Stelter Ford, winning $385.00

Sixth through tenth were Walt Hansgen, Elmo Langley, Al White, Neil Castles and Bob Derrington. Remainder of the nineteen car field finished as follows:

11. Jimmy Helms

12. Dick Hutcherson

13. Tom Pistone

14. Wendell Scott

15. Junior Johnson

16. Bob Grossman

17. J.T. Putney

18. Gene Hobby

19. E. J. Trivette

While we are on the subject of Marvin Panch "Pancho" winning races, it is not too early to start planning for an event in Hillsborough, North Carolina, coming up on Saturday, September 28th. The Celebration of the Automobile is a full day event at the site of the one-mile historic dirt track located there. Marvin Panch will be the featured driver this year. In addition, we can expect Gene Hobby to be there as he is a integral part in the event production each year. The Historic Speedway Group is responsible for this event each year and what they have done at The Occonneechee Speedway is amazing. You really have to see it to believe it.

In addition to Marvin and Gene, many other drivers who built the sport will be in attendance. You can check the website for The Historic Speedway Group as well as stay abreast of what is planned for September 28th right here on RacersReunion. I will tell you that, from attending that event the past four years, you will not be disappointed if you attend. You will have an oppotunity to talk with many of the heroes of the past and hear, first hand, the stories from Occonneechee and/or any other track where these iconic figures raced. Put it on your calendar now.

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

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

RacersReunion OFFICIAL visit to NASCAR Hall of Fame scheduled. Let us know if you can go.

Administrative

Well, thanks Randy. Any discount is a good discount these days.

RacersReunion OFFICIAL visit to NASCAR Hall of Fame scheduled. Let us know if you can go.

Administrative

Ok folks. Jeff has approved this venture as an "Official RacersReunion" event. Please e-mail me your e-mail addresses used to contact you and I'll e-mail you back with my cell phone number so I can keep you up-to-date should there be any changes. Please e-mail me at: legendtim83@yahoo.com. Bopper is NOT allowed to e-mail me at that address however. For all others, I look forward to hearing from you.

RacersReunion OFFICIAL visit to NASCAR Hall of Fame scheduled. Let us know if you can go.

Administrative

This is, NOW AN OFFICIALLY RACERSREUNION APPROVED AND SANCTIONED TRIP.Several of us are interested in going to theHall of Fame and Randy Myers and I have been working on a good date. At this time, Thursday, August 22nd is the open date for the trip.

Anyone and everyone interested in meeting at the Hall of Fame on that date, comment here and let us know and we'll work out all the details as to meeting time at the Hall. I have had the pleasure of visiting the Hall on on occassion, as a matter of fact, in the company of several RacersReunion members, and it was quite a day. There is a Wild Wings Restaurant right there on site where we ate last time and the food was good but not nearly as great as the conversation at that table! I do hope many of you can join us on this trip.

Tim

updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:02:57PM

Racing History Minute - July 17, 1960

Stock Car Racing History

Wow guys, you really outdid yourselves with the additions to this post. Dave, that is some great video you added. I do recall seeing that the last time you posted it, I just didn't recall it was that specific race. Thanks for reposting.