The season ending event for the 1955 Grand National Season was a 100 mile/100 lap race at Orange Speedway in Hillsboro (now spelled Hillsborough) NC. The 1955 season had been "one for the books" with Tim Flock roaring his way to the Grand National title. When the Hillsboro race was over, Tim had won 16 of the 45 races that season, leading flag-to-flag in 11 of those races. He had garnered 18 poles along the way and his season winnings were $37,779.60. All of these accomplishments were records at the time. Tim would win the Championship for the second time with his first title coming in the 1952 season.
Tim qualified his Mercury Outboard Chrysler on the pole with a speed of 81.673 mph. Speedy Thompson would start second in a Hudson. Thompson had won two of the late season races. Jimmie Lewallen in that Hellzafire Oldmobile would roll off third, Herb Thomas in his Motoramic Chevy fourth and Donald Thomas in a Herb Thomas Buick fifth.
Listing lap leaders for this race doesn't require many strokes of the keyboard. It was all Tim Flock from the drop of the green to the drop of the checkers. There were 3 caution flags which slowed his average speed to 70.465 for the race. Speedy Thompson, who had seen success in two of the recent races, ruptured a fuel tank in his Hudson and was parked on the 70th lap.
Finishing order:
1. Tim Flock, Mercury Outboard Chrysler, winning $1,100.00
2. Curtis Turner, Schwam Motor Co. Ford, winning $700.00
3. Buck Baker, DePaolo Engineering Ford, winning $475.00
4. Herb Thomas, Motoramic Chevrolet, winning $365.00
5. Dave Terrell, Terrell Oldsmobile, winning $310.00
6. Joe Weatherly
TOP SIX FINISHERS ON LEAD LAP
7. Dink Widenhouse
8. Gwyn Staley
9. Jimmy Massey
10. Bob Welborn
11. Marvin Panch
12. Fred Harb
13. Ted Cannady
14. Bobby Waddell
15. Jimmie Lewallen
16. Eddie Skinner
17. Bill Gross
18. Ed Cole, Jr.
19. Jim Paschal
20. Ralph Liguori
21. Speedy Thompson
22. Donald Thomas
23. Lee Petty
24. Dick Hallock
25. Woody Arrington
Just wondering if Woody Arrington is related to Buddy Arrington? Also, just for the record, there were seven cars with THREE digit numbers; Tim Flock in 301, Dave Terrell in 198, Dink Widenhouse in B-29, Bill Gross in 121, Ed Cole in 460, Speedy Thompson in 297, and Dick Hallock in 136. I just thought that was interesting and may draw some comments.
PERSONAL NOTE: The widow of Tim Flock, his adored wife Frances, worked tirelessly to keep the memory and legacy of Tim Flock alive and well in the racing world. She did everything she could do to have Tim inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame and this year her efforts have been rewarded. Tim will join the elite list of those in the Hall of Fame, a well deserved honor for Tim and a tremendous compliment to a fine lady who would not allow the racing world to forget her husband who had contributed so much. I can't wait to see the beam from the face of Frances Flock at the induction ceremony.
I have had the good forture to tour the Hall of Fame with Frances and several of our RR members and to see the radiance from her face as she talks about Tim on the floor where all the historic artifacts are displayed, including a mock Chrysler 300 like the one Tim was driving in the featured race today is obvious to anyone. I am so happy for Frances!
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
