A Racing History Minute - April 9, 1961
Stock Car Racing History
Today finds us back at that little "paperclip" track called Martinsville. After all, it is that time of year when that historic facility hosts NASCAR events. As we had just covered a Martinsville event a couple of "history minutes" ago, I thought about bypassing this particular event, but it is just too intriguing to let it slip by. Let me tell you about the race and then I'll interject some of my personal thoughts. You knew that was coming, after all, didn't you?
The 1961 event in Martinsville was scheduled for 250 miles, 500 laps on that half-mile asphalt track. No concrete in the turns then, simply asphalt all the way. Rex White started on the pole in what is reported as a "White-Clements '61 Ford". I have my doubts that this was a Ford as that team was runnin Chevys exclusively as far as I recall. Also, as will be explored later, future records indicate it was a Chevrolet.
But, on to the interesting occurance in this race.
Rex White backed up his pole position qualifying run by leading the first 118 laps. Fred Lorenzen, driving his first event for Holman-Moody, slipped by Rex on lap 119. Soon after the pass, a pouring rain inundated the track and the race was red flagged. After a few minutes, Big Bill France, in attendance that day, made the ruling that the 149 laps would make this an "official" 100 mile race regardless of the NASCAR Rule Book's requirement that at least 50% of a race be completed to be considered "official". Big Bill said the race was official, it was over, but the cars would return to Martinsville on April 30th to compete for a full 500 laps. All points and money earned in the race out race would be "official". Big Bill definitely used that Executive Privilege on that day. After the rundown, I'll give you my opinion on why that happened.
Top Five finishers were:
1. Fred Lorenzen, Ford, winning $1,150.00
2. Rex White, Chevrolet, winning $1,275.00 (includes bonus money)
3. Glen Wood, Ford, winning $500.00
4. Emanuel Zervakis, Chevrolet, winning $325.00
5. Ned Jarrett, Chevrolet, winning $450.00 (includes bonus money).
Other notable finishers were Junior Johnson 6th, Johnny Allen 7th, Richard Petty 8th, Tim Flock 9th, Herman Beam 19th, Fred Harb 23rd and Wendell Scott 24th.
I think it goes without further comment necessary to say that Big Bill France was more compentent in using promotional and advantageous situations that even Barnum and Bailey. He could see the "big picture" in every move he made to advance his NASCAR baby. So, why would he rule that race to be "official" although less than 30% of the distance was run?
Think about this: Fred Lorenzen was movie star handsome. He spoke with an accent not reflective of the NC or Tennessee Mountains, nor Southern Virginia or the sandhills of South Carolina. Fred spoke, for the most part, proper English and always knew exactly when to smile, when to speak, and, for the most part, what to say. Add to that the fact that he was a young driver from another part of the country, a very populated part of the country and Big Bill saw an opportunity to expand the fan base (sound familiar) by getting the young Lorenzen an early win. This is not intended to slight Fred at all for we all know of the great career to went on to experience. After all, he had no control over the decisions made by Big Bill. No one did. This is certainly one of those examples of NASCAR using whatever it has to expand a fan base, much like the Danica-mania of today.
Fred went on to become known, among other nicknames, as "the Golden Boy". Part of that was due to his blond hair, but moreover, I think, it was due to Big Bill's recognition that he had a "golden goose" to use to advance his agenda with stock car racing. I was either listening on the radio or actually in attendance at all the races in the 60s and it became a common occurance for the "debris caution" to appear at just the moment Fred needed a pit stop. One year at Darlington, 1964 I think, our little group was actually predicting when the yellow would fly and we weren't off more than a couple laps.
Again, nothing I've said is meant to be disparing as to Fred Lorenzen. He was a great driver and was, indeed, "Fearless Freddie" and "The Elmhurst Express" and most of all "The Golden Boy". He was NASCAR's golden ticket to boosting interest in the sport outside the Confederate States of America.
Be sure to check in here on April 30th to find out what happened in the full 500 lap race a Martinsville. No fair peeking ahead!!!! If you do that, you'll take away my surprise ending and put me out of a job.
Remember the past, embrace the present, and dream for the future!
Tim
updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM
