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Racing History Minute - June 7, 1964

Stock Car Racing History

Today we travel to what was then known as Atlanta International Raceway which was, and still is, a mile and a half high banked track. In 1964, the track consisted of quarter mile long straights with sweeping turns consisting of a half mile on each end of the quartermiles. Racing at Atlanta, before the change in configuration, was usually a super competitive event with cars able to run three, sometimes four wide in the broad turns.

On this day in 1964, thirty-five cars would start the 400 mile event with Junior Johnson on the pole in a Banjo Matthews Ford. David Pearson would start second in a Cotton Owens Dodge with Fred Lorenzen third, Paul Goldsmith fourth, and Jim Paschal fifth. Junior led the first lap but gave way to David Pearson in his hemi-powered Dodge. There would be 35 lead changes between 12 drivers.

There were three cautions flags for a total of 63 laps. One flag was for an incident on lap 27 when Bobby Johns slammed his Bud Moore Mercury into the retaining wall. He was unhurt. On lap 44, Doug Cooper blew a tire on his Ford and hit the railing so hard that it splintered thirty of the post holding the rail. It took 47 yellow flag laps to repair the damage.

With less than 30 laps remaining, Rex White, driving his final NASCAR race, was leading when, on a routine pit stop his car stalled and by the time he returned to the track he was a lap in arrears. Ned Jarrett had moved his Ford into the lead. Jarrett had experienced a miserable week in Atlanta, qualifying 17th, because his car wouldn't run and wouldn't handle. In the end, he prevailed. Part of the explanation for the improved performace, said Jarrett, was that Herb Nab and the Fred Lorenzen crew moved over to Ned's pit after Fred departed the race on lap 8 with engine problems in his Ford.

As well as this race being Rex White's last race, Bill Stroupe, the Mercury team icon, left NASCAR racing stating financial reasons. It is also interesting to note that a young driver, LeeRoy Yarbrough, was running second in a Ray Fox Dodge when he blew two tires simultaneously. LeeRoy did an awesome job bringing the car to the pits and ended the race in 11th place. Quite a driver even then.

Top five finishers were:

1. Ned Jarrett, Bondy Long Ford, winning $11,500.00

2. Richard Petty, Petty Engineering Plymouth, winning $5,790.00

3. Paul Goldsmith, Ray Nichels Plymouth, winning $3,530.00

4. Darel Dieringer, Bill Stroupe Mercury, winning $2,425.00

5. Rex White, Bud Moore Mercury, winning $2,025.00

Sixth through tenth were Jim Paschal, Bobby Isaac, Billy Wade, Jimmy Pardue and Larry Thomas. Curtis Crider finished 15th, J.T. Putney 16th, Reb Wickersham 21st, David Pearson 23rd, Larry Frank 24th, Tiny Lund 25th, Junior Johnson 27th, Marvin Panch 29th, Fred Lorenzen 31st.Neil Castles 32nd and G.C. Spencer 35th.

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

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

It Wasn't Always Fun

Stock Car Racing History

I gave up traveling by air after three consecutive attempts by airlines to kill me. All three stories terrify me even today and my last flight was a Delta one back about 1999. Prior to those three attempts, Allegahny Airlines (remember them) slid me through a fence on an ice covered runway in Providence, Rhode Island back in the 60s. Rather take my chances riding with "Crash Patrick" on some race track. At least I wouldn't have far to fall.

Julian Petty - trying to put more pieces of puzzle together

Stock Car Racing History

Chase, you are right on all three points. But Andy has a valid concern with your start of race intonements.

Julian Petty - trying to put more pieces of puzzle together

Stock Car Racing History

Chase, I think it was either Billy Biscoe or Mike Sykes who knows alot about Julie. Also, if I remember correctly, Bill Blair knows a lot about him. I think I met him once or twice but I have no real recollection.

Racing History Minute - June 6, 1965

Stock Car Racing History

Today's Racing History Minute concerns a rain shortened race in Birmingham, AL in 1965. Before we get to that "Minute", let us take a minute to recall a very special June 6th in History. It was on this day, 1944, that Allied Forces stormed the beaches at Normandy which would lead, almosta year later, to Victory in Europe for the Allied Forces. I have heard many first hand experiences from Veterans of that invasion and all the stories have a common theme: "I was just doing my job". Growing up, as I did, in a postwar world where Veterans were as thick as weeds in a neglected garden, I know the stories, but there is no way I could ever know the sacrifice and courage needed from each of the individuals engaged in that war, for the forces of freedom to prevail. Every year, I awake on June 6th thinking of what it must have been like.

If you have seen "Saving Private Ryan" you may have an inkling of what those hours on the beach were like. A movie, however, can never be as realistic as the actual event. I have been fortunate to hear Bud Moore, that kind gentleman from Spartanburg, tell about his first hand experience on this day 69 years ago. Just doing his job.

For our Racing Minute, we are going to a half-mile paved track in Birmingham, AL, where a 200 lap/100 mile race was scheduled. Race day dawned gray and deary, much like the weather in Columbia, SC this morning, but offficials were determined to go forward with the event. Of the sixteen entrants, only a few got to actually qualify as the intermitten rain kept coming. Finally, the pole was awarded to Ned Jarrett as the result of his qualifying run. G.C. Spencer started second, with Bob Derrington third and Junior Spencer fourth. Dick Hutcherson, who was to be the main nemis for Jarrett, started his factory Ford 12th after drawing that position from the proverbial hat as he did not get to qualify.

The first 33 laps of the race were run under caution to allow the track to further dry and become more "raceable". On lap 34, when the green flag was finally waved, Jarrett blasted into the lead followed closely by G.C. Spencer. Slowly, though, Jarrett began to stretch his lead on Spencer, who remained in second place until a very hard charging Hutcherson blew around him on lap 60 to move into take the position.

On lap 108, Jarrett, leading coming out of turn two, slowed drastically as a very heavy rain storm hit the track. Local sportswriter for motorsports and a well known author of more than one racing book, labeled the storm as a "junior typhoon". Having experienced some of those sudden deluges in the South personally, it is no wonder Jarrett slowed that quickly. When the number 11 Ford of Jarrett "swam" its way off turn four, the red flag was in the air although it was difficult to see in the wind-driven raindrops. After waiting an hour, NASCAR declared the race "official" as it was 8 laps past the halfway point of the scheduled distance.

Hometown favorite, Bobby Allison, drove a Ford to a seventh place finish in the event. He was one lap down in this event early in his Grand National (now Cup) career. We all know the great achievements to come for Bobby in racing.

Top five finishers were:

1. Ned Jarrett, Bondy Long Ford, winning $1,000.00

2. Dick Hutcherson, Holman-Moody Ford, winning $600.00

3. G.C. Spencer, Spencer Ford, winning $400.00

4. Tiger Tom Pistone, Ford, winning $300.00

5. Junior Spencer, Jerry Mullins Ford, winning $275.00

Sixth through tenth were Cale Yarborough, Bobby Allison, Buddy Arrington, Raymond Carter, and Bob Derrington.

The remainder of the Sixteen car field finished (11th through 16th, as follows:

Henley Gray, Doug Cooper, J.T. Putney, Wendell Scott, Wayne Smith and Neil Castles. Only 12 cars finished the abbreviated race.

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

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

Racing History Minute - June 5, 1969

Stock Car Racing History

Today we are heading for a half-mile paved track located in Maryville, TN. Practically in the backyard of our leader here, Jeff Gilder, when he lived in Tennessee, I'm sure he can add some color to the history of this particular track when his time permits.

Twenty-three cars arrived to compete for 300 laps/150 miles. When qualifying was over, it was David Pearson and his Holman-Moody Ford on the pole with Richard Petty in another Ford in starting position two. Bobby Isaac, Dodge, Dave Marcis, Dodge, and Friday Hassler in a Chevrolet rounded out the top five qualifiers.

Pearson took the lead on the green, but on lap four, Bobby Isaac litterly flew around Pearson to put the Dodge out front. Isaac would lead all but one of the remaining laps to gain his 8th victory in 23 races of the 1969 season. Bobby had been so dominate on short tracks during 1969, that he had led a total of 2,158 laps in the total 23 races. This was Isaac's 12th overall career win in the Grand National (now Cup) division and with 8 of those wins coming in the 1969 season, his talent in the K&K Dodge was finally recognized as the excellent driver he was.

There was one caution flag for 6 laps when Richard Petty blew a right front tire while running third on lap 60. His Ford hit the wall hard and it is noted that Petty was "slow" exiting the car but appeared to be ok. Dave Marcis was a consistent top five runner when the ignition failed on this Dodge on lap 72 and he had to park his mount behind the wall.

From all accounts concerning previous races at The Smoky Mountain Raceway as it was known, it is no surprise that a capacity crowd of 9,200 fans were in attendance for this event. Although Isaac won the race by six laps over second place, the magic of Maryville seemed to please the fans.

Top five finishers were:

1. Bobby Isaac, K&K Insurance Dodge, winning $1,400.00

2. David Pearson, Holman-Moody Ford, winning $1,250.00

3. James Hylton, Hylton Dodge, winning $825.00

4. Neil Castles, Castles Plymouth, winning $650.00

5. Elmo Langley, Langley Ford, winning $500.00

Sixth through tenth were Friday Hassler, Jabe Thomas, J.D. McDuffie, E. J. Trivette, and Bill Seifert.

Eleventh through Twenty-third, in order, were Ben Arnold, Earl Brooks, G.C. Spencer,Henley Gray, Dub Simpson, Bobby Allison, Paul Dean Holt, Cecil Gordon, Dave Marcis, Richard Petty, Dick Johnson, Wendell Scott, and John Sears although Sears is credited with ZERO laps in the race. I'm not sure I've ever heard of being credited with a finish with zero laps but I suspect NASCAR was giving John credit for showing up as his starting position is also listed as 23rd.

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

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

Racing History Minute - June 4, 1966

Stock Car Racing History

Today we will return to The Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds in Spartanburg, South Carolina, a place we discussed sometime back as being the original "hot bed" of stock car racing. Spartanburg was, in the 50s and 60s, what Mooresville, NC is today for stock car racers. On this date, in 1966., race number 23 of the 1966 season was staged on the half mile dirt track where so many pioneers of the sport had started a career.

Twenty-two cars arrived to qualify for the 100 mile/200 lap race. When qualifying was concluded, David Pearson, a Spartanburg native, driving a Cotton Owens Dodge (another Spartanburg native) was on the pole. Tiny Lund would start second , Tiger Tom Pistone third and J.T. Putney fourth. On the drop of the green, it was all Tiny Lund in his Ford. In fact, Tiny would lead the first 160 laps with little challenge after David Pearson, who was running a close second on lap 62 when his Dodge developed engine problems. Tiger Tom then took up the chase and was in the mix for the win until just past half way when his Ford overheated and he had to park it. J.T. Putney also ran a strong race with the lead pack but wrecked his Chevy on 89 and was out of the event.

For most of the race, the lead "pack" consisted of five to six cars which included Lund, Pearson, Putney, Pistone, Neil Castles, and a 36 year old Elmo Langley driving a 1964 Ford which was originally used in the movie "Red Line 7000" made in 1964. Elmo was right there in second place on lap 160 when Tiny Lund's Ford destroyed the differential and was smoking its way around the track slower and slower until Tiny finally pulled out of the event on lap 170. Elmo now had a four lap lead over second place with 40 laps to go. I can't help but wonder what noises Elmo may have imagined he was hearing as this was his 141st start without a win and with only a couple "close chances" at a win. Elmo didn't visibly slow down, but you can imagine that he was extra careful negotiating the traffic and the track for those last forty laps.

Top five finishers were:

1. Elmo Langley, Langley-Woodfield Ford, winning $1,000.00

2. Neil Castles, Buck Baker Dodge, winning $600.00

3. Doug Cooper, Bob Cooper Plymouth, winning $400.00

4. Joel Davis, Harold Mays Plymouth, winning $300.00

5. J.D. McDuffie, McDuffie Ford, winning $275.00

Sixth through tenth were Blackie Watt, Henley Gray, Tiny Lund (out of the race on lap 170)Sonny Lamphear and Max Ledbetter. Tiger Tom Pistone was 12th, John Sears 13th, and J.T. Putney 14th. Sixteenth went to David Pearson, with Wendell Scott 18th. Buddy Baker was 20th and Clyde Lynn 21st. Only 22 cars started the event with only 8 running at the end. Second place was four laps behind the winner, and 7th place was 18 laps down. Take note of the top finishers here and think of how many names you can truly recognize. Also take note of some of the names missing from this line up and wonder what happened to those guys who didn't show for this race. I thought it was a most interesting run down.

As always, my sincere thanks to Greg Fielden and his "Forty Years of Stock Car Racing" for the backgroun information I use for these History Minutes. All fans should be very appreciative of the hard work Greg did to put together those historic volumes.

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

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

Occoneechee/Orange Historic Speedway

Stock Car Racing History

Randy, what an awesome addition to this post! Wow, Dude, that is a great picture although it does show a defeat, it is a part of the history to be cherished. Thanks for adding.

Occoneechee/Orange Historic Speedway

Stock Car Racing History

Suzie, I only made one race up there when my uncle took me, either 1962 or 1963. I have no pictures but I do remember it as an exciting race.

Now, as to the Celebration of the Automobile event, I have attended that for the past four years. I am here to say that is a premier event in the life of THIS race fan. Each time I've attended has special memories and even last year in the steady rain, the day was awesome. What you all do there each year is so very important to maintaining aconnection to the heritage of the sport of stock car racing. I am looking forward to being there this year! See you then.

Racing History Minute, June 3, 1965

Stock Car Racing History

Dave, I'm glad you chimed in with your comment. I thought I was really losing memory when I read that account of "not racing back to the caution". I remember too many races where the outcome was directly influenced by racing back to the caution, if not at the end of the race, at certainly some point during the race.

Chase, even when you're on the road you contribute greatly to this series. I would never have thought to find out where The King was racing that 'Cuda on that same night. Thank you.