Today we go back to 1959 and a 100 mile/200 lap race on the half-mile dirt track in Concord, NC. Most fans know that the track now known as Charlotte Motor Speedway now that a major Hardware chain pulled out with naming rights, is located near Concord and is located in Cabarrus County. This race we feature today had a crowd of 11,500 show up on the sunny, 57 degree day, which was a record crowd for any sporting event held in Cabarrus County at that time.
Buck Baker powered his '59 Chevrolet to the pole with a speed of 66.420 mph. Tiger Tom Pistone in a T-Bird would start second, Cotton Owens in a Pontiac third, Curtis Turner in a T-Bird fourth and Bob Welborn in his Chevrolet fifth.
The green flag waved in the air and Buck Baker moved away from the outside starter and began to pull away, if only slightly. However, on lap 15, a huge cloud of smoke erupted from the number 88 Chevrolet as it dropped a valve and Baker headed to the pits to become a spectator. Tiger Tom took over when Buck departed but his lead was short-lived as Curtis Turner was charging hard. On lap 16, the Delta Auto Sales T-Bird sailed by Pistone and it was all Curtis Turner to the end. Curtis pulled away steadily and won the event by 1 lap and 4 seconds over Cotton Owens. Pistone was eliminated in a crash on lap 62. Pistone had a wheel bearing break which caused his T-Bird to flip over in turn two. Pistone was not hurt. Lee Petty would finish third and left the track holding a 328 point lead over Cotton Owens in the standings.
Finishing order:
1. Curtis Turner, Delta Auto Sales T-Bird, $800.00
2. Cotton Owens, W. H. Watson Pontiac, $525.00 (1 lap, 4 seconds down)
3. Lee Petty, Petty Engineering Oldsmobile, $350.00 (2 laps down)
4. Junior Johnson, Paul Spaulding Ford, $250.00 (4 laps down)
5. Speedy Thompson, Steve Pierce Chevrolet, $225.00 (4 laps down)
6. Tommy Irwin
7.Chester Barron
8. Elmo Langley
9. Herman Beam
10. L. D. Austin
11. Bobby Keck
12. Neil Castles
13. Johnny Allen
14. Rex White
15. Harvey Hege
16. Tom Pistone
17. Bob Welborn
18. Buck Baker
19. Bunk Moore
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