Just found on the University of Virginia Library web site some raw WSLS, Roanoke, Virginia television sports footage of Richmond's Ray Hendrick winning the Fall 1968 Cardinal 500 NASCAR Modified race at Martinsville, Virginia in the Tant/Mitchell "Flying 11."
This was a very historic event - the first 500-lap modified race at Martinsville Speedway. The prevailing opinion was that the mods couldn't hold up for 500 laps. Many "naysayers" opined it couldn't be done, but "Rapid Ray" Hendrick proved them wrong, as usual! And 17,500 fans, including me, turned out to witness NASCAR Modified Division history.
By the way, Hendrick would win 14 more times at Martinsville before he hung up his helmet, becoming the track's all-time winner with 20 victories, trailed only by "The King" - Richard Petty.
The #21 Ford coupe involved in the big crash in turn 4 was being driven by Middleburg, North Carolina's Eddie Royster for Frank Edwards. This car was originally built by the Wood brothers of Stuart, Virginia for Richmond's Sonny Hutchins and later driven by Donnie Allison before being sold to Frank Edwards.
The silent clip is brief, but it is solid gold. Look at those beautiful coupes! Enjoy!
Below the clip link, I've included the original sports anchor script that accompanied the piece on WSLS-TV
http://search.lib.virginia.edu/catalog/uva-lib:2220029
--
"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"
updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM
