Jack Walker
Charlotte Results M-S Oct 16,1965
The first annual Charlotte 250 was a prelude to the 1965 National 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The expected field was to be 50 Late Model Modified and Sportsman cars. For an unknown reason only 18 cars showed up for qualifying for the $15000 race. There were 3 Grand National cars (1963 & 64 models) added to the field on race day. Sonny Hutchins won the pole in a Modified 1961 Ford. The race was uneventful, and ended with Lee Roy Yarbrough being flagged the winner after he led the final 83 laps. Yarbrough was disqualified in the post race inspection for using wheels wider than 8 ½”, and Ralph Earnhardt inherited the win along with a $3000 check. It’s interesting that Charlotte Motor Speedway has no record of Ralph Earnhardt ever winning a race at Charlotte, but he did. ** Updated 9/18 with additional car numbers.
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The late Don Tilley got a top 10 finish. Jack's rundown has him in 7th, but this article has him in 6th. Either way, a good day for the Carolina driver and former Petty Enterprises crewman.
Hutchins was driving Junie Donlavey's Ford Starliner. Should we "assume" that was Preacher Cox's #50 Earnhardt was driving?
Here are a couple of shots from the race. First is a pre-race pic of Ralph with Preacher. The second is of Ralph pulling Bobby Allison. Both credited to Pal Parker. Hopefully RR member Russ Parker is still around and will see these.
Thanks, Chase... some really good stuff.
And... one of my heroes, JT Putney brings out the first caution!!!
Unless he has a brother named Tommy, I believe the 20th place finisher would be our own GT Nolen. http://stockcar.racersreunion.com/profile/GTNolen?xg_source=profiles_memberList The #83 car was surely a former Worth McMillion Grand National Pontiac out of Amelia, Va.
Dave,I just saw this thread, it was me driving Worth's 65 Pontiac. The same car that they drug out of the woods last year and had on display at the Hillsbourgh reunion. I had tried and failed to qualify for the G.N. race and they were short on cars for the modified race so they let me start the race.
G.T. (Tommy) - What was the talk at the track that week as to why the M-S field was so short ? The race was open to 50 entries, but fell way short.
Jack,I have no idea what the talk about the lack of cars was, that was 50 years ago. I just remember being told that I could start the race for last place money but that i should drop out after the race got going. I don't remember if that was a requirement from NASCAR or Worth told me to drop out, probably Worth.