Racing History Minute - July 8, 1951

Today we are going back in time to July 8, 1951, and a one mile dirt track known as Bainbridge Fairgrounds in Bainbridge, Ohio. Thirty-four cars would make the trip to run 100 miles/100 laps. Fonty Flock started his Olds 88 on the pole, but my information source does not include any other starting positions. This was the seventh pole position in Flock's career in NASCAR.

Fonty would take the lead at the outset and was never headed, although Dick Rathmann offered a strong challenge early in the race.Going into the race, Fonty was running second in points behind brother Tim but Tim fell out of the Bainbridge race early and earned no points so Fonty cut the lead to 95.5 points.

It was interesting to learn that in 1951, NASCAR allowed drivers to earn points while driving in relief for other drivers, based on a pro-rated share of the driving duties. In this particular race, Herb Thomas pulled out on lap 41 due to fatigue and Marshall Teague took over the chores. Later in the event, after getting some rest, Thomas jumped in the car vacated by Norm McCarthy and finished 8th in that car. So, in effect, drivers got points for the position the car in which they started finished, and then got extra points, pro-rated, based upon where the car in which they relief drove finished. In this instance, Marshall Teague finished 12th in Thomas' Plymouth and that is the position credited to Thomas although he actually finished 8th in the McCarthy Plymouth. McCarthy is credited with 8th. Got that? Good.

Top five finishers were:

1. Fonty Flock, Red Devil Oldsmobile 88, winning $1,000.00

2. Dick Rathmann, Walt Chapman Hudson, winning $700.00

3. Frank Mundy, Perry Smith Studebaker, winning $450.00

4. Jimmy Florian, Euclid Motors Ford, winning $350.00

5. Oda Greene, Hudson Hornet, winning $200.00

Sixth through tenth were Lee Petty, Jim Fleblekorn, Norm McCarthy, Lyle Scott, and Jim Romine.

Tim Flock finished 20th, Marshall Teague 31st and in 34th and last position was Bill Majot.

Honor the past, embrace the present, dream for the future.

Gosh, where has the time gone? Can't you remember when everyone wore those Oda Greene and Jim Fleblekorn t-shirts? ...sigh...

Haha

Thanks, Tim. At the 1975 Mason-Dixon 500 at Dover, Dick May drove in five different cars. Under the 1951 formula, he'd have earned points for each I guess.

The race was originally scheduled for the 4th of July. Rains decided otherwise, and the race was postponed until July 8th. No other races were scheduled between the 2 dates. So I wonder who stuck around town - and who may have left on the 4th and returned a couple of days later.

Race preview from the Youngstown Vindicator :

From July 5th Vindicator

Race report from Pittsburgh Press:

Program supposedly from the event.

Found this news clipping a few weeks before the race. I thought it was pretty neat how other tracks helped Bainbridge prepare for its big event.

You know, its kind of like we see today with ISC tracks helping SMI. Wait. What? Oh. Never mind.

From Painesville Telegraph

Fourth place finisher Jimmy Florian was the first to win a Grand National race in a Ford when he won at the Dayton Speedway on June 25, 1950 in a '50 Ford with Euclid Motors on the side of the car. The car originally belonged to the Chief of Police in Detroit. Wonder if it was the same car?

Truly a "Police Special!"

I still have my Oda Greene t-shirt and a Jim Fleblekorn cap. Really nice items.

Though this photo is one of modifieds racing at Bainbridge vs. GN cars, it gives you a good idea of the view of the frontstretch, grandstands and starter stand.

From Getty Images

From Motor Racing Programme Covers, here's an illustration of that grandstand on this 1946 Midget program from Bainbridge: