Forum Activity for @tim-leeming

Bobtail Danica? Nah... but Shawna Robinson Did... watch the video

Stock Car Racing History

I mean, seriously folks, anyone who believes that "fan vote" wasn't as rigged as the Daytona 500 pole position needs a lesson in reality. Now I sit back and await the "Danica Defenders" to unload on my head. Go for it. NASCAR made fools of themselves last night and so did Sprint. It was self-serving and disgusting. But, as I've always said, she is good for NASCAR. Could be, though, that "good" is running out. I compliment Mark Martin for pulling out on the last lap so she wouldn't be the last place car still running. Wonder what Go Daddy paid him?

Hail to the Chief? Will Maurice's Name be Called on Wednesday?

Stock Car Racing History

This same article was in our State Paper as well, McClacthy or however you spell it. For me and my memories, it was always Richard, Dale and Maurice. He was truly a master at what he did and I don't think the Petty team would have had the success they did without Maurice. I should probably tell my personal Maurice story after he started his own Cup team for that brief period but it is actually too embarrassing to put in print.

Racing History Minute - May 19, 1962

Stock Car Racing History

Story and rumors have it that the track now located in Talladega was first considered to be constructed in Spartanburg, SC. I've heard that story in more than one place and from many more than just one person so I have to give some credit to it being true. Moreover, at one time Spartanburg, SC was the home of several top notch teams and was, at the time, the "Charlotte/Mooresville of NASCAR. But, today, we are going back to a half mile dirt track known asa Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds located there in Spartanburg. On this day in 1962, fifteen entries showed up to run 100 miles for the prize.

Hometown favorite Cotton Owens would put his Pontiac on the pole with Ned Jarrett starting his Chevrolet to the outside. Cotton set a new track record for the speedway at 64.423 mph but his swift mount lasted only 20 laps before the engine expired relegating Cotton to a last place (15th) finish. David Pearson, another home town favorite in a Ray Fox Pontiac had started third but on lap 30 his engine exploded putting him out of the race. Of the 15 starters, 11 were running at the finish. My source for information has no record of lap leaders or caution flags but considering the winning average speed was 60.090 mph it is unlikely more than two or three laps were run under caution and there is no indication any of the four cars falling out did so because of an accident, all were mechanical issues.

Ned Jarrett would win for the third time in 22 races in the 1962 season and for his 14th career win in the Grand National (Cup) series.

Top five finishers were:

1. Ned Jarrett, B.G. Holloway Chevrolet, winning $1,200.00

2. Jim Paschal, Cliff Stewart Pontiac, winning $800.00

3. Richard Petty, Petty Engineering Plymouth, winning $400.00

4. G.C. Spencer, Floyd Powell Chevrolet, winning $300.00

5. Joe Weatherly, Bud Moore Pontiac, winning $275.00

Sixth through tenth were Tom Cox, Jack Smith, Herman Beam, George Green and Curtis "Crawfish" Crider. Remaining finishers, in order, were Ed Livingston, PAUL LEWIS (to whom we owe this website) Fred Harb, David Pearson and Cotton Ownes.

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

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

Racing History Minute - May 18, 1963

Stock Car Racing History

Thanks for the kind words, Dave. I'm having a lot of fun doing these "Minutes". What you and Chase add to the posts is what really makes it worth something.

Racing History Minute - May 18, 1963

Stock Car Racing History

Dave, thank you for your addition and correction to this post. My reference source indicates that track was dirt at the time of this race but knowing you have personal memories of the track and events there, I bow to your memories. That is why it is so important to have your participation in these History Minutes. I was hoping to compile an entire year of historic racing memories readily accessible here on RacersReunion and I want it to be as historically correct as possible.

Again, thank you, and please continue to make corrections anytime you find me in error.

Racing History Minute - May 18, 1963

Stock Car Racing History

At the risk of infringing on the excellent recollections of Chase and his Petty history, I'm going to post the history minute from Old Dominion Speedway in Manassas, VA, for this date 50 years ago.

Sixteen cars would enter the 300 lap/112.5 mile race on the .375 mile dirt track. The race would be caution free and from the records available to me, every lap was led by the same driver. But let's look a little closer.

Petty Engineering, between Richard Petty and Jim Pashal, had won six of the seven races leading up to this race, with Jim Paschal actually winning the last short track race prior to this one (Rebel 300 at Darlington between the two races), When practice got underway at Old Dominion, Richard noted that the number 41 Plymouth Jim was driving was negotiating the dirt track better than the number 43 which Richard would normally drive. As Richard was fighting Joe Weatherly for the 1963 Championship, Richard elected to take over the number 41, relegating Jim to the number 43. Paschal was "irked"as he had every right to be, but he was not competing for the Championship and that had to be considered.

Richard put the number 41 on the pole in qualifying and Jim Paschal put the 43 right beside him. An all Petty Engineering front row. On the drop of the green, Richard and 41 were gone. By the end of the event, Richard had a lap lead over second place finisher Ned Jarrettand two laps over Paschal in the second Petty entry.

Top five finishers were:

1. Richard Petty, Petty Engineering Plymouth, winning $1,000.00

2. Ned Jarrett, Burton-Robinson Ford, winning $600.00

3. Jim Paschal, Petty Engineering Plymouth, winning $400.00

4. Larry Thomas, Wade Younts Dodge, winning $300.00

5. Elmo Langley, Woodfield Ford, winning $275.00

Sixth through tenth,in order, were Nace Mattingly, Fred Harb, Curtis Crider, Joe Weatherly and Larry Manning. Roy Mayne was 11th, Worth McMillian 12th,
Wendell Scott 13th, Herman Beam 14th, Jimmy Pardue 15th and Johnny Allen 16th.

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

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

Racing History Minute - May 17, 1959

Stock Car Racing History

There was, once upon a time, a one mile paved track located in Trenton, NJ, where the Grand National (now Cup) cars competed on May 17, 1959, in a 150 lap/150 mile race.As unusual as it seemed to be for the NASCAR boys to compete outside the Southeastern, U.S., there were other things about this particular race that are worth more than a footnote in history.

Bob Burdick, 22 years old and competing in his very first Grand National Race, grabbed the pole in his Dad, Roy's T-Bird that had been previously piloted by Johnny Beauchamp. First time Grand National Starter, Pedro Rodriguez, a famous Mexican Road Racer, was in the thick of the battle for a top five position although he never led. Further, there was a young man from Chicago, starting his 14th Grand National Race who would capture the victory in a Thunderbird!

Cotton Owens started his Pontiac to the outside of rookie Burdick, and when the green flag waved, Cotton put his experience and Pontiac power to work to take the lead immediately. He would lead the first 95 laps with Tiger Tom Pistone right on his rear bumper or trying to pass. Owens made his pit stop on lap 95 and Tiger took the lead in the T-Bird and made fuel mileage pay off going to lap 102 when he had to stop. Jim Reed took over the lead, but once back on the track, Pistone would not be denied. Tiger went back in front on lap 108 and would lead until the end, finishing 11.8 seconds ahead of runner up Cotton Owens.

The only crash of the day was a "wall thump" by Richard Petty on lap 97, which put him out of the race. Only 18 cars started the event with 11 running at the finish, although 11th place was 47 laps behind the winner.

Top five finishers were:

1. Tiger Tom Pistone, Rupert Safely Belts T-Bird, winning $1,450.00

2. Cotton Owens, W. H. Watson Pontiac, winning $750.00

3. Lee Petty, Petty Engineering Plymouth, winning $575.00

4. Jim Reed, Reed Chevrolet, winning $375.00

5. Tommy Irwin, Irwin T-Bird, winning $350.00

Sixth through tenth, in order, were, Pedro Rodriguez, Ben Benz, Dominic Persicketti, Ernie Gesell and Tiny Benson. How many of those names do you recognize?

Remaining finishers, in order, were Junior Johnson, Richard Petty, Charlie Creger, L.D. Austin, Bob Burdick, Reds Kagle, Al White and Elmo Langley.

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

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

UPDATE ON SAM ARD

General

Sam is in my prayers, has been and will be. I surely hope he will return home very soon. God bless.

Mike Harmon Arrested; Charged in Theft of Jennifer Jo Cobb's Hauler

Current NASCAR

Rumors and inuendous ruin many folks. I can't believe Harmon would have done that but then I don't know the guy personally. Guess we have to wait until it all comes out.

Dick Trickle commits suicide

Stock Car Racing History

Yes, may he rest in peace indeed. Dick was a breath of fresh air in NASCAR at a time when we needed the rough and ready "throwback" drivers. He was a competitor of the first class. My thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of this fine man. God bless you all.