A Racing History Minute - April 8, 1956
Stock Car Racing History
Many of the younger fans here may not know that, once upon a time, NASCAR had a convertible division. Many of the older fans may have forgotten that, in the 50s, convertibles ran its own circuit. In fact, convertibles ran the spring race at Darlington from 1957 through 1962. I had quite a discussion a few years ago with an individual who did NOT believe Richard Petty drove his first race in a convertible (1958) and won his first race in a convertible (1959), both at The Historic Columbia Speedway. I know, because I was at both those races. So, today fans, we are going convertible racing.
There was, in Fayetteville, NC, a .333 mile track which I'm sure is familiar to Bobby Williamson who does the Ghost Track segment on the Tuesday night radio show, "Racing Through History" right here on RacersReunion. On April 8, 1956, 18 convertibles showed up there for a 50 mile race. That's right, 50 miles. The fact that the race took just over an hour to complete would indicate the fans had time to enjoy watching the topless cars speed around that PAVED track. I was surprised to see that the track was paved in 1956. Unusual for that time period.
Bob Welborn, a very successful driver in the convertible division, started on the pole and led the first 22 laps. Curtis Turner, who had started 8th absolutely sliced through the competition on that small track to take the lead on lap 23. Turner would hold the lead in his Ford until lap 55 when a right front tire blew, sending him into the guard rail and ending his day. Our own Tiger Tom Pistone took over the lead then until his Chevrolet lost the right front tire on lap 121, putting him out. In fact, 8 of the 18 starters experienced either tire or wheel problems which eliminated them from the race. That short, paved track, was eating tires and breaking wheels, but remember, this was 1956 and the tires were what you purchased at your local tire dealer or gas station. No "Goodyear Eagles" in those days.
There were six lead changes between four drivers before Bob Welborn flew past Jim Massey with 17 laps to go to take the win. Massey actually drove the last three laps on a flat tire to finish second.
Top five finishers (only 8 cars finished) were:
1. Bob Welborn, Chevrolet, winning $700.00
2. Jimmy Massey, Chevrolet, winning $525.00
3. Darel Dieringer, Buick, winning $375.00
4. Jimmy Thompson, Mercury, winning $285.00
5. Don Oldenberg, Dodge, winning $250.00
Other finishers of interest were Gene Blair in 7th, Larry Frank in 10th, Tiger Tom Pistone 11th, Joe Weatherly 12th, and Curtis Turner 16th.
I, personally, have always loved convertibles, although I have never owned one. I've had T-tops and sunroofs, but never a convertible. I do want to tell you one personal convertible story.
My Uncle Bobby had a 1959 Dodge Convertible, mint green with a white top and mint green and white interior, back in 1962. His wife, my Aunt Mary Ruth who was more like my older sister than an Aunt, Uncle Bobby and I, attended the local Christmas parade in December, 1962. On the way home we talked about all the "celebrities riding on the convertibles with the tops down on that cold day. As often happened with Aunt Mary Ruth and me, one thing led to another and we decided to go back downtown (there were no malls then so downtown was the Christmas shopping place to be in Columbia) the next Saturday and "play parade". So, the next Saturday, which dawned sunny, but about 25 degrees, we headed downtown. We stopped at the beginning of Main Street, put the top down on that Dodge, and I sat on the convertible boot behind the back seat. We proceeded down Main Street as I waved (in my short sleeve shirt) to all the shoppers. That ride was sixteen blocks long and although I remember it was very cold that day, I also remember having a blast! People were falling all over themselves wondering what was going on but Uncle Bobby, Aunt Mary Ruth and yours truly, were laughing so hard we were warm as could be.
One final note on convertibles for today. I always enjoyed the television show "The Beverly Hill Billies". One thing I truly enjoyed about that show was those always beautiful Mopar convertibles Miss Jane drove. Never saw he with the top up!
Hope you folks don't mind me throwing in my personal comments on this History Minutes, but going back into the vaults of memories, these things just come out.
Thanks for reading.
updated by @tim-leeming: 08/08/18 03:35:16PM
