11 years after I first heard of this race, and I still chuckle every time I think about it. That race happened 59 years ago. On this anniversary, it is worth noting that Glen Wood, Billy Rafter, Tom Pistone, and Mel Larson are still around to tell their versions of what happened.
It is well known what Wood, Pistone, and Larson do nowadays, but does anyone know what Billy Rafter is doing?
What a birthday for Bobby Keck! Blew an engine on lap 29 and finished dead last!
Can't help but notice that Jim's head is turned to watch Rex wreck.
Bumping this.
BB, that was a fantastic story. Sounds like Jim was a REALLY nice guy.
I can't confirm, but Gary Potter and his wife told me back in February that Paul was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's, but I cannot say if this is true or not.
Thanks! Nice write up. I can't look at this without noting the terrible misspelling of "Paschal." That poor guy had his name spelled wrong so many times.
Surely you or Tim have one of these wonderful articles for July 18, 1959? That is the glorious day where Richard Petty took home his first NASCAR win, driving a Convertible to victory at Columbia Speedway. It's also appropriate because the third place finisher in that race, Glen Wood, is 90 years old today!
It's one of those "West Coast" deals where a race counted for both Grand National and Pacific Coast Grand National points.
Dang there's a lot of unfulfilled talent (for various reasons) in that top-10, but what an all-star cast!
And then there's poor Larry Frank... dead last on his birthday.
