Dennis, I think you're right because somewhere in my memory bank is a conversation with Thomas Cox at one point when he told me he had a couple of Petty cars. I would always talk to any driver any where and any time and back in those days they would all talk to me. As The King says, I had to be the most aggrevating fan in racing.
Well, well, Bobby, Uncle Bobby brought me back for that race too. He loved to go to Rambi Raceway. Not sure why though because he was NOT a beach person.
Thanks, Charles. I'm happy you enjoyed the post. I intend to keep this up as long as there is some interest because I am learning so much when others respond with posts that have more information. We are really building a racing history base here and I like that. Keep reading and keep commenting and I'll keep writing.
You know, Dave, I almost mentioned Frank in the run down but then I thought there would be very few, outside of me, who had ever heard the name. Thank you so much for adding your input to this post because Frank was one of those pioneers who earned his position on the list. I am sorry I did not list him.
Today we are going to travel back to 1962 and take a "beach trip". The current Myrtle Beach Speedway is located on the same piece of real estate where the Rambi Raceway of 1962 sat back in the day, but the track was quite different then. In 1962 the track was a half mile dirt track with slightly banked turns and no outside guardrails on the turns. No need for SAFER barriers, you just ran off the track and into the swamp. Had to be careful of the alligators, but otherwise chances of personal injury were slim. Damage to the car was another story but usually, once the swamp water drained, the car was useable again.
Ned Jarrett put his B.G. Holloway 1962 Chevy on the pole for this 100 mile/200 lap race. Joe Weatherly in the Bud Moore '61 Pontiac would start second. Nineteen cars started the race.
The references I use for this series does not record lap leaders or many specifics at all about this race, but my Uncle Bobby and I were in attendance. I do remember a bad crash in the race by Buck Baker driving his Chrysler and that is mentioned in Greg Fielden's record, but my recollection of any other details seem to slipped into oblivion.
Jack Smith took the checkered flag for his third win of the season out of fourteen races thus far run. Second place was two laps down and third place five laps down. It is worth reporting that Wendell Scott, in only his second season in the Grand National (now Cup) Division ran in the top five, after qualifying sixth, until an A-frame broke on lap 176 and relegated him to a 9th place finish.
Top five finishers were:
1. Jack Smith, Pontiac, winning $1,000.00
2. Richard Petty, Plymouth, winning $600.00
3. Ned Jarrett, Chevrolet, winning $600.00
4. Tom Cox, Plymouth, winning $300.00 (Tom was a rookie at the time)
5.Curtis Crider, Mercury, winning $275.00
Sixth through tenth went to Fred Harb, George Green, Frank Graham, Wendell Scott, and Neil Castles. Other finishers of note were Herman Beam 11th, Joe Weatherly 13th, Buck Baker 16th, G.C. Spencer 17th and Jim Paschal 18th.
Every time I do one of these History Minutes from back in the 50s and 60s, I am always amazed at the low prize money. While I realize the value of a dollar was much higher in those days, it is still hard for me to believe $200.00 for 7th and payouts like $85.00 for 15th and going down fromthere, even paid the tire bill. Giving some thought to that, and the fact that most of these drivers were involved in towing cars to the track, working on the cars at the track, then towing them to the next race, it leaves little doubt that the total dedication of those individuals is part of what is missing in the sport today.
I've heard, first hand, the stories of sleeping in the race cars, of towing all night, racing 100 miles on a rough track then towing all night to the next one. I've heard the stories of four, five, or six drivers sharing a motel room to save money. I've heard the story of four drivers pooling what they had in their pocket to buy ONE hot dog at the track to split four ways while sharing the ONE coke they had. Today is race day (Sunday). While we watch today's race and see those million dollar hauler rigs and those multi-million dollar motor coaches, let's remember from where those came. Also think about when the race is over, the drivers helicopter to the air port where their private jet will carry them home. It is because of what folks like Jack, Ned, Richard, Wendell, Buck, and so many others did that has made that possible. Let us never forget that.
Honor the past, embrace the present, dream for the future.
Now THAT is a Racing History Minute.
As for Perry Como, when I was talked into entering a talent show at my school in the fifth grade, I chose to sing Perry's song "Round and Round". Thinking back that really fit me with the "round and round" sometimes used to describe racing on ovals. Also, the song starts out "Find a wheel, and it goes round, round, round, as it skims along on the ground, ground, ground". Lol, simple huh? I did not win the talent contest because a girl in the sixth grade did a ballet in an American Flag tutu. I finished second to her. That was the night I knew I would NEVER like ballet.
So, what did Delaware? A Brand New Jersey? If you don't know, Alaska?
Thanks, Dave. Good stuff.
Yep, we could. I had many a conversation with Mr. Beatty, just passing time, while I was working press. Never anything "official", just general pleasant conversations. He was, in my opinion, a gentleman's gentlman.
Chase, thanks for the addition to the History Minute. It was then, as it is now, the BAD news gets the big headlines.
Dave, I hadn't even thought about the top three finishers by make no longer around. I miss my Plymouths. I always thank my Uncle Bobby that he got me in the sport early enough to see those Hudson Hornets race. You know, I can still close my eyes and watch those Hornets just "float" around those dirt tracks. Oh, how I loved those days.
I am really enjoying going through my Greg Fielden books picking out daily events to post here in a Racing History Minute. Even more, I am enjoying reading the comments to each posted by such knowledgeable folks and the personal memories of those same folks to many of the "Minutes". When going through possible contributions for today's date, this race just slapped me right in the face because;
1. It was run at Lakewood in Atlanta, one of our Cody Dinsmore's favorite Georgia Racing History subjects;
and
2. It was won by the father of someone, Bill Blair, Jr., who has become a good friend of mine and someone for whom I have a deep respect.
So, race fans, lets go to Lakewood Speedway on April 20, 1952.
Tim Flock put his Oldsmobile on the pole for the 100 lap/100 mile race on the one mile dirt track with Herb Thomas in the FABULOUS Hudson Hornet taking the outside pole position. When the green flag was waved before a crowd in excess of 29,000 folks, Tim Flock put his foot down hard and his Olds rocketed into the lead he would hold for the first 60 laps. Flock had broken an axle in the Olds.
Roscoe Thompson, driving another Oldsmobile took over on lap 61 and would lead until lap 71, when Gober Sosebee would fight his way by Roscoe to take the point. Roscoe was driving an Oldsmobile as well.
Sosebee was turning some hot laps, with Bill Blair, Sr., dogging him in each turn. Gober was hoping to give Cadillac its first win in NASCAR competition and it did appear his "luxury" mount had the upper hand over Blair's Oldsmobile. The flagman was counting down the laps on his fingers; 10, 9, 8, 7....... It was with seven laps to go that the Cadillac broke a spindle and it was over for Gober. Bill Blair went into the lead and would hold on to win the event.
A side note to the race was that Fonty Flock, who was injured, had decided to sit out the race so car owner for Flock, Frank Christain, obtained the services of Roscoe Thompson to drive the Flock car. At the very last minute, Flock decided to run, or attempt to, and took over the second (back up) Christain car to help him in the points. Fonty held out for several laps before giving up the wheel to Jack Smith whose Studebaker had fallen out of the event on lap 20.
Top Five finishers were:
1. Bill Blair, Oldsmobile, winning $1,000.00
2. Ed Samples, Oldsmobile, winning $700.00
3. Lee Petty, Plymouth, winning $450.00
4. Buck Baker, Hudson Hornet, winning $350.00
5. Ed Samples, Hudson Hornet, winning $200.00
Filling out the top ten were Charles Cattalia 6th, Fonty Flock (with relief from Jack Smith) 7th, Herb Thomas 8th, Gober Sosebee 9th, and Jimmy Florian 10th. Other finishers of note were Curtis Turner 13th, Tim Flock 15th, Dick Rathman 16th, Jim Paschal 17th, Jack Smith 19th (after parking his Studebaker) and Perk Brown in 21st.
Honor the past, embrace the present and dream for the future
Leon!!! Mallonee would do something like that in a heartbeat. He and I never got along. Still don't. lol
