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Racing History Minute - June 13, 1954

Stock Car Racing History

Race number 18 of the 1954 season was the very first road course race run by NASCAR's Grand National Division (now Cup). The race was staged on a 2 mile asphalt track which consisted of the runways at the Linden Airport in Linden, NJ.

Forty-three cars showed up to compete and 21 of those were "foreign" cars, making only the second time in NASCAR's 7 and a half year existance for Grand National cars that non-American made production cars were allowed. The foreign makes included Jaguar, Austin Healy, MG, Porshe and a Morgan.

Buck Baker put his heavy Oldsmobile 88 on the pole and led the first 10 laps before Herb Thomas in Smokey Yunick's Hudson slipped around to lead the next two circuits. Buck went back in front on lap13, but Herb Thomas bested him again for the lead a lap later. On lap 23, Al Keller, driving a Jaguar, drove the lighter machine into the lead he would hold the rest of the way to give Jaguar a win in the event.

Immediately after the race, Keller announced that he would no longer compete in NASCAR events as he was hoping to join the AAA Championship circuit which he hoped would give him a shot at the Indy 500. Ironically, Al was the third Grand National winner to abandon NASCAR in 1954 as Fonty and Tim Flock had already bolted from the NASCAR ranks.

The average speed for the 100 mile race was 77.569 mph even with four caution flags thrown during the event.

It seems strange now to have Toyota in NASCAR and many believing that is the first non-American manufacturer brand to compete and now find that many foreign makes were in this event in 1954. In fact, Jaguar took the win as well as FOUR of the top six positions. I would suspect the Jags were much better at handling a road course in those days than were the heavier American cars.

Top five finishers were:

1. Al Keller, Paul Whiteman Jaguar, winning $1,000.00

2. Joe Eubanks, Oats Motor Company Hudson, winning $650.00

3. Buck Baker, Ernest Woods Oldsmobile, winning $500.00

4. Bob Grossman, Jaguar, winning $400.00

5. Harry LaVois, Jaguar, winning $275.00

Sixth through tenth were Bill Claren in a Jaguar, Herb Thomas in a Hudson and Dick Rathman in a Hudson, Laird Bruner in an Oldsmobile and Lee Petty in a Dodge. Jack Smith was 23rd, Hershel McGriff 30th in a Jaguar, with Jim Reed 40th. Frankly, the remainder of the field are drivers mostly unknown to me although I do recognize a few of the names. Most of the field, apparently, and this is just my guess, were not destined to become NASCAR regulars.

Regardless of the outcome, it was NASCAR's first foray into road course racing and it appears it was moderately successful. We all know what exciting shows are staged at Sonoma and Watkins Glen with the Cup cars in the present day. Again, we have the pioneers of the sport to thank for all the contributions made to the development of the sport, such as this race on airport runways all those years ago.

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

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

Racing History Minute - June 12, 1958

Stock Car Racing History

Last night I was asked what race I would write about today for the History Minute. The way I do this, with rare exception, is to wait until I'm having my coffee in the morning and I look through all my volumes of "Forty Years of Stock Car Racing" by Greg Fielden to pick a story for the day. I have no real criteria for choosing with the exception that I look for races where certain drivers who have family as members here of RacersReunion competed, and secondly for interesting little happenings that many don't know about and some of us have forgotten. Lastly, if I have a special memory ofa certain race I try to write about that race to add a personal touch.

Today's selection caught my attention because it was the beginning of what would, in later years, become known as "The Northern Tour" where the Grand National (now Cup) drivers would make a swing through some northern states to broaden the appeal of stock car racing. Today we travel to a .333 mile dirt track known as "The New Bradford Speedway" located in Bradford, PA. Twenty-one cars entered the 150 lap/50 mile event. This event marked the Grand Opening of the speedway.

Bob Duell in a Ford took the pole with Speedy Thompson's Chevy in second. Third Place starter was Buck Baker and fourth place was Lee Petty. Action started on the first lap when too many cars scrambled into the turn on the green flag and Jim Reed put his Ford into the wall, hard, bringing out the caution immediately. There are no specific details in my source as to lap leaders or other caution flags but with an average race winning speed of almost 60 mph, it is unlikely there were additional caution flags.

When the checkered flag fell at the end of the event, it was Junior Johnson bringing his Ford home in first place. One interesting note to this was is the ninth place finisher, Al White, noted as a Buffalo Policeman. There is no record of whether or not he had blue lights on his Ford. Or, as I recall, weren't the lights on police cars red back then? There is also no indication that he pulled anyone for speeding.

Another fact that caught my attention in this report was part of the headline indicating "Three Drivers Disqualified". Reading further, it appears that NASCAR decided to crack down on "cheaters" the previous race at Columbia Speedway and found one driver in that event to disqualify. At New Bradford Speedway, three drivers were deemed "illegal" for reasons not specified, but those three were disqualified and received NO money nor any NO points. The three offenders were Dean Layfield in a Chevy, Squirt Jones in a Chevy and Emory Mahan in a Chevy. Although all three cars were Chevys, please remember that Chad Knaus was not even born at that time!

Top five finishers were:

1. Junior Johnson, Paul Spaulding Ford, winning $550.00

2. Lee Petty, Petty Engineering Oldsmobile, winning $450.00

3. Bob Duell, Julian Buesink Ford, winning $325.00

4. Jack Smith, Smith Chevrolet, winning $250.00

5. Billy Rafer, Ford, winning $215.00

Sixth through tenth were Speedy Thompson, Eddie Pagan, Jim Parsley, Al White (the cop), and Ted Chamberlain.

Buck Baker finished 15th, Johnny Allen 17th, Jim Reed 18th although he crashed out on the first lap. This was the Eighth Grand National win in Junior Johnson's career.

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

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

Racing History Minute - June 11, 1972

Stock Car Racing History

Coincidentally, as the NASCAR boys of today head to the Irish Hills of Michigan for this weekend's event, our History Minute today will take us to that 2-mile track as well. Our story today does not include names such as Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch or Jimmie Johnson, but, instead, names like David Pearson, Richard Petty and Bobby Allison.

Forty cars entered, or at least qualified, for the event that Sunday afternoon, with Bobby Isaac in the K&K Dodge snagging the pole. Second place starter was Richard Petty in a Dodge, third was David Pearson in a Mercury and fourth was Bobby Allison in a Chevrolet. Pretty historic first four, huh?

Bobby Isaac would lead the first two laps before David Pearson would slip by. David led until lap 18 when Donnie Allison roared by for the lead. Two laps later, James Hylton would lead. In fact, for the first 55 laps, the lead would change every two or three laps between Isaac, Pearson, the Allison brothers, Hylton, and Petty. Finally, on lap 55, David established a lead he would hold until lap106 when Isaac took over again for one lap. The race then settled between Pearson, Bobby Allison and Petty. On lap 158, David took the lead he would hold, and continue to lengthen, to the end of the race.

In his Victory Lane interview, David said he had the fastest car by far, but even more important to his win was the exceptional pit work by the famed Wood Brothers. David said "I hardly had time to get a drink of water they are so fast".

This was Pearson's third win in 14 races for the 1972 season. Bobby Isaac departed the race on lap 147 when his suspension failed, and Donnie Allison and LeeRoy Yarbrough both fell out of the race with mechanical issues.

There were only two caution flags for a total of 12 laps which allowed Pearson to average 148.639 mph for the event witnessed by 33,000 fans.

Top five finishers were:

1. David Pearson, Wood Brothers Mercury, winning $12,935.00

2. Bobby Allison, Richard Howard Chevrolet, winning $8,980.00

3. Richard Petty, Petty Enterprises Dodge, winning $6,925.00

4. James Hylton, Hylton Engineering Ford, winning $3,360.00

5. Ron Keselowski, Roger Lubinski Dodge, winning $2,150.00

Sixth through tenth were Larry Smith, Dean Arnold, Ben Dalton, Buddy Arrington and Bill Champion. Cecil Gordon was 11th.Walter Ballard 12th and John Sears 13th. J. D. McDuffie finished 16th, Richard Childress 19th, Pete Hamilton 22nd, Jabe Thomas 24th. Benny Parsons took 25th position with Bobby Isaac 26th, Elmo Langley 29th and Dave Marcis 30th. Earl Brooks was 37th and Neil Castles 40th.

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

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

Racing History Minute - June 10, 1961

Stock Car Racing History

It's another rainy, dreary day in Columbia, SC this morning as I prepare to write this History Minute. Same sort of weather was hovering above the quarter-mile paved track known as Bowman-Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, NC, on this date for the race featured in our "Minute" today. . That track still hosts racing every weekend all these many years later,but today we are going to focus on this date in 1961. A total of 22 drivers signed in to compete in the "Myers Brothers Memorial" race which honored two true pioneers of the sport, Billy and Bobby Myers. The Myers name is still well known in the sport with sons Randy Myers and "Chocolate" Myers remaining involved in different aspects of stock car racing. .

Junior Johnson would qualify his Holly Farms Pontiac on the pole with Glen Wood nailing down the second starting position in his Ford. Third starting position went to Jim Reed in a Chevrolet with Rex White putting another Chevrolet on the outside of the second row. Although my records source does not provide lap by lap leaders, I can guess the number on position was contested hotly throughout the event on a tight track like Bowman-Gray. I do know, however, there was only one caution flag for five laps but can only guess that was caused by Maurice Petty's spin which put him 16 laps behind to finish in 13th place.

When the race was over, 12,500 fans who had come out to the track in spite of the threatening skies saw Rex White taking the checkered flag in first place. This would be Rex's fourth win of the season as he sought to defend his 1960 Championship. One note of interest is that Rex became the 11th different winner in 11 consecutive races. That trend of different winners would continue for two more races with Emauel Zervakis winning a week later in Norwood, MA and then Buck Baker on June 23rd in Hartsville, SC. That impresses me for some strange reason.

Top five finishers were:

1. Rex White, White-Clements Chevrolet, winning $900.00

2. Jim Reed, Reed Chevrolet, winning $525.00

3. Junior Johnson, Holly Farms Pontiac, winning $375.00

4. Emauel Zervakis, Monroe Shook Chevrolet, winning $275.00

5. Richard Petty, Petty Engineering Plymouth, winning $250.00

Sixth through tenth were Ned Jarrett, Buck Baker, G.C. Spencer, Jimmy Pardue and Doug Yates. Jim Pashcal would finish 11th, Maurice Petty 13th, Herman Beam 14th, Curtis Crider 15th, Glen Wood 18th, Fred Harb 20th, and Wendell Scott 21st.

I note that Wendell Scott went out on lap 78 due to brakes but Lee Reltzel parked his Ford on lap 36 for the same issue, brakes, and was credited with 22 and last position. One very interesting note I discovered is that Fred Harb had to park his Ford on lap 83 with the official reason showing as "Door". I would love to know the details of that issue.

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

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

Richard Petty To Appear at the 2013 Middle Georgia RacersRenion

Historic Speedways and Ghost Tracks

Mr. Guido, I have no problem being second. My only problem is whether or not I would actually be allowed to sit next to The King to sign autographs. That would, indeed, be a banner day for The Legend. Not too sure how The King would like it, but I haven't aggrevated him since April, 2009, so he is due!!!!

Racing History Minute - June 9, 1966

Stock Car Racing History

For today's History Minute, I chose a return to Smoky Mountain Raceway in Maryville, TN. Twenty-six of the "good old boys" would check in to race 100 miles on the half-mile dirt track on this day. The race, designated as the "East Tennessee 200" and drew 4,500 fans to watch the battle.

Tiger Tom Pistone qualified on the pole with PAUL LEWIS (the man who inspired Jeff Gilder to create this site) started second, James Hylton third, and David Pearson fourth. The green flag waved and Tiger Tom bolted out front where he would stay for 72 laps, never seriously challenged for the lead although three cars waged a war for second place. On lap 70, steam began to pour from the front of Pistone's number 59 Ford and on lap 72 he slid into the pits to cool the engine. After losing a couple laps, Pistone returned to the track, but 20 laps later was back in the pits for good with his Ford finished for the day.

Pearson took over the top spot upon Pistone's departure but holding on to the lead was treacherous as Paul Lewis lurked in second place behind the Cotton Owens Dodge lap after lap until losing first one lap, then a second lap as Pearson would go on to lead all the remaining laps after Pistone parked his Ford. With a hand full of laps remaining, Buck Baker was able to "squeak past" Lewis to move into second place.

For Pearson, who would go on to win a total 105 times in Grand National (now Cup) racing, this was victory 21. It was also David's eighth win in the 24 race old 1966 season. David said, after the race, that "once Pistone went out, there wasn't much competition".

Top five finishers were:

1. David Pearson, Cotton Owens Dodge, winning $1,000.00

2. Buck Baker, Baker Oldsmobile, winning $600.00

3. Paul Lewis, Lewis Plymouth, winning $400.00

4. Elmo Langley, Langley-Woodfield Ford, winning $300.00

5. Doug Cooper, Bob Cooper Plymouth, winning $275.00

Sixth through tenth were Blackie Watt, John Sears, JamesHylton, Buddy Baker and Neil Castles.

Fourteen was Roy Tyner, Wendell Scott 17th, Darel Dieringer 18th, Tiger Tom Pistone 18th, Tiny Lund 20th, and J. D. McDuffie 21st. J.T. Putney finished 25th and Stick Elliott was 26th after completing only 6 laps before experiencing drive shaft issues.

Personally, I think the payday for drivers in those days was really sad. The winner received the perfunctory $1,000.00 which seems to have beenTHE big pay day for the short track races of the era, but the money dropped off quickly after that. For instance, 10th place received $140.00, which still in the ball park for the era was not substantial even in 1966 dollars.Postions 14th through 22nd all received $100.00. The last four positions received nothing, zero dollars. I can't help but contrast that with today's huge pay days even for the "start and park" drivers. To me, this just adds more importance to what the guys who built this sport gave to make it grow. I suppose it is no small wonder that I so deeply admire the drivers of those days and hold them in special esteem.

Oh, and speaking of Paul Lewis, join the Racing History Minute in July for a story of his win in the Cup Series at this same track.

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

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

Torch is Passed - Young Burton & Elliott Both Post Weekend Wins

Current NASCAR

I am proud of both of those young men but, like you Dave, I'm feeling very, very old tonight. It was great to see Ward Burton again after so long and to have his son win. I guess without the Rowdy one there, others had a chance to show what they could do. I missed a lot of the ARCA race but what I saw was pretty good. Way to go Chase. I know you are bouncing around Dawsonville Cody.

Racing History Minute - June 8, 1952

Stock Car Racing History

My choice for the Racing History Minute for today is short on information from my usual source, but I'm sure Chase and/or Dave, and perhaps some others can add to what I post here. I chose this particular race because it was run on the one mile dirt track in Hillsborough, NC known as Occoneecchee Speedway. In addition, two of the top five finishers have sons very active in preserving the honored history of the sport.

It seems that even back in the early days, Hillsborough and surrounding areas were big supporters of stock car racing. Records indicate 12,500 fans showed up for this race where 19 cars were entered. This had to be close to a capacity crowd for the facility. Fonty Flock qualified his Oldsmobile on the pole with Dick Rathman in a Hudson qualifying second. Third went to Herb Thomas in another Hudson and fourth place qualifier was Tim Flock in a Hudson.

There is no information in my source as to lap leaders of hot competition but we can be assured the race was hotly contested as the top three finishers were on the same lap. Three of the top drivers of the day, Herb Thomas, Buddy Shuman and Perk Brown went out early with mechanical issues. However, 14 of the 19 starters finished the event although 14th place was several laps down.

The win was the second consecutive win for Tim Flock (to be inducted into theNASCAR Hall of Fame in January, 2014) and his 11th overall in Grand National (now Cup) racing.

Top five finishers were:

1. Tim Flock, Ted Chester Hudson, winning $1,000.00

2.Fonty Flock, Air Lift Oldsmobile, winning $700.00

3. Dick Rathman, Walt Chapman Hudson, winning $450.00

4. Bill Blair, George Hutchins Oldsmobile, winning $350.00

5. Jimmy Lewallen, Ford, winning $200.00

Bill Blair, Jr. and Gary Lewallen are very active in contributing to the historyof the sport. Both are extremely interesting individuals with whom to talk racing and both are representative of true Southern Gentlemen.

Sixth through tenth were Lee Petty, Joe Eubanks, Ray Duhigg, Clyde Minter, and Donald Thomas.

The remaining finishers, 11th through 19 were Otis Martin, Fred Dove, Coleman Lawrence, Ernie Boost, Bruce Atchley, Herb Thomas, Buddy Shuman, Hank Carruthers and Perk Brown. Two Packards were in the race, 9th place finisher Clyde Minter and 18th place finishers Hank Carruthers. I mention that fact because when I was growing up, a family up the street got a new Packard every year and those were impressive cars or maybe they were the only NEW cars I was actually able to sit in back then.

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

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

NASCAR Themed National Doughnut Day

Current NASCAR

My Bank is right across the street from a Krispy Kreme Bakery. I just go in the bank, get a loan, and then cross the street to the Krispy Kreme. Lemon Filled is my favorite. Last time I checked, I'm really in debt to that bank!!

June 7, 1953 - Louisiana Goes To Lee Petty

Stock Car Racing History

Great post Chase.