With Darlington running its faux Southern 500 Saturday NIGHT, how about this video of the genuine Southern 500 on Labor Day 1957.
Uniquely but sadly, Bobby Myers is shown as the 2nd place qualifier in a Petty Enterprises Oldsmobile. Starting with a smile on his face and a wave to the camera, the track would make that day his last on this earth.
TMC......THANKS for posting this video. It's awesome! I've searched, unsuccessfully, for years for it........I knew it existed, but could never find it. Thanks again!
From the days when Darlington produced a Southern 500 film for promotional purposes each year. This one is an absolutely amazing film underwritten by Wynn's. Thank you for posting this. As has already been noted, it is AWESOME.
The days of three abreast starts and pith helmets at Darlington.
Great in-car camera shot from the Fonty Flock car.
RC Cola would never be able to afford the big tunnel entrance sign at the rates charged today by ISC.
I loved seeing two old racing friends - Junie Donlavey and Bud Moore.
That's Richmond's Junie Donlavey clearly visible in his Swansboro Motor Co. shirt helping Smokey Yunick get the new radiator in Curtis Turner's Ford to get him back in action. Fellow competitors helping each other back in the day. Junie's 24th starting 1957 Chevy #90 driven by Richmond's Runt Harris had exited on lap 50 with clutch problems.
And I loved Bud Moore's plaid "sporty car" cap!
I about fell on the floor laughing, though, when Bud Moore gave his "supposed" closing comments at the film's conclusion. That most definitely was NOT Bud Moore, but an actor/narrator who had most likely never been south of the Mason-Dixon line judging from the hilarious accent he gave Bud's words! Most likely, judging from that piece, it is doubtful that was Paul Goldsmith talking earlier, either.
What a wonderful find, though. The first of two consecutive wins by a 1957 Chevy in the Southern 500, the first model to win twice in a row on Labor day.
I've learned bits and pieces of the tragic Bobby Myers crash, over the years, but this film added (for me) another new fact: the Fonty Flock car flipped too. There's a lapse in filming of the crash sequence, and the entire sequence may not have been captured. But Myers, Flock, and Goldsmith (end-over-end) were all flipping wildly with 1957 technology and safety standards. It's truly a miracle anybody survived, and Goldy, walked away from the scene!
Lee Petty's (thinking that Goldsmith caused the crash) retaliation towards the Smokey Yunick team is plain as day, as he nudged Turner in the wall repeatedly. Also, never knew Brownie King flipped a '57 chevy late in the going. Again, fantastic film, and thanks for posting.
