The year, 1955, we a most interesting year in NASCAR Grand National (now Cup) racing, thanks to the Carl Kiekhaefer Chrysler teams and the addition of a serious challenge by Chevrolets in the stock car field. That season had a good share of really good races with larger than the then average field of cars. On this date in 1955, it was Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway playing host to the drivers for a 100 mile event on the half mile dirt track.
Extremely heavy rains totally washed out any attempt to qualify so starting positions were determined by "draw". Twenty-eight cars entered the drawing and the two Kiekhaefer entries, one driven by Fonty Flock, and the other by Tim Flock. Fonty drew 10th position and Tim drew 22nd. Some of the other stars didn't have much luck of the draw as Lee Petty drew 20th and Junior Johnson 25th. Arden Mounts in a Hudson drew the pole.
To say the track was "muddy" when the green flag fell would be a huge understatement of fact. As it were, the cars took the green flag and slowly and cautiously negotiated an ice slick track into turn one. It was at that point that Jim Paschal, who had started fourth, took the chance and passed for the lead. He would lead the first 58 laps before Jim Rathman moved out front. On lap 67 Paschal threw his Oldsmobile into a broadsliding pass on the outside of Rathman to regain the lead. On lap 78, Tim Flock, who had been steadily and cautiously working his way through the field, took the lead he would hold the rest of the way.
In the latter laps, the track was so rutted and choppy that it was an adventure to just complete a lap. Flying mud clogged radiators and fuel lines forcing many drivers to fall out. In fact, only 13 or the 28 starters finished.
Top five finishers were:
1. Tim Flock, Mercury Outboard Chrysler, winning $1,000.00
2. Fonty Flock, Mercury Outboard Chrysler, wining $650.00
3. Lee Petty, Petty Engineering Chrysler, winning $450.00
4. Jim Paschal, Helzafire Oldsmobile, winning $300.00
5. Junior Johnson, B&L Motors Oldsmobile, winning $200.00
Sixth through tenth, in order, were Bob Welborn, Gene Simpson, Elmo Langley, Volney Shultz and George Parrish. Arden Mounts, who had started on the pole, finished 15th. Buck Baker was 17th, Henry Ford was 19th in a Chrysler so we can safely assume this was NOT the Henry Ford now famous for the blue oval racers. Dick Rathman was 24th, Sonny Hutchins 26th and Jimmy Lewallen was 28th after falling out on lap three which was attributed to "mud" in the official records.
Honor the past, embrace the present, dream for the future.
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What a change! It's been awhile since I've checked in and I'm quite surprised. It may take me awhile to figure it our but first look it's really great.
updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM
