Original race report from The Dispatch on the day after the race reporting Buck Baker as the winner.
And NASCAR officials had their hands full dealing with disputed finishes and protests. Just a few days before the Lakewood GN race, a modified race at Harris Speedway resulted in a Cotton Owens' victory protested by Banks Simpson. From March 20, 1954 Spartanburg Herald
Walter is still around and well. Had lived in Nashville for decades. About a year ago, he moved to Washington state. Before leaving, Russ Thompson rallied a bunch of middle Tennessee racing folks to have a send off lunch for Walter. I was fortunate to be able to go.
Walter - Pic by David Mudd
Walter listening to Ronnie Robbins - Pic by Steve Cavanah
Absent from the field was Richard Petty. He missed his second of two races as he recovered from torn ligaments in one of the fingers of his left hand. The 43 Petty team raced at Bristol, however, with Jim Paschal behind the wheel. - from TMC collection
Race program from Motor Racing Programme Covers
The starting line-up with Pearson and Hutcherson on the front row, Paul Goldsmith on the inside of row 2, Marvin Panch on the inside of row 3, and Sam McQuagg on the inside of row 4. From Tales of BMS .
Race preview from Spartanburg Herald with the Tennessee governor declaring Junior Johnson Day for the North Carolinian.
Grainy photo of Bobby Isaac laying down a smokescreen down the frontstretch and through turn 1. From Times-News of Hendersonville NC.
Race report from Spartanburg Herald .
Almost 2 years ago, Dennis Garrett [ posted this photo sequence ] of how the King's day ended early.
On 4th lap Joe Edd Neubert #86 blew an engine and spun as Richard Petty narrowly missed him. But just 2 laps later, Petty crashed anyway. Possibly the result of a cut tire from the near-miss with Neubert and/or brush with guardrail?
Famed Baltimore Colts QB Johnny Unitas was the grand marshal for the race.
Preview report from News & Courie r of Charleston.
Race report from News & Courie r.
Also on March 16, 1956, Curtis Turner won the 100-mile convertible race at the old 3/4 mile Charlotte Speedway.
Front row of Paul Goldsmith and Turner. As crew chief, Smokey won the GN race at Wilson. As owner, he won the pole at Charlotte.
Larry Frank
Race action with L to R: Darel Dieringer, Larry Odo, Bill Brown, Jimmy Thompson and Tiger Tom Pistone.
There were arguably more big names in the convertible race than in the GN event at Wilson.
| Fin | Driver | Car |
| 1 | Curtis Turner | '56 Ford |
| 2 | Fireball Roberts | '56 Ford |
| 3 | Darel Dieringer | '55 Buick |
| 4 | Bob Welborn | '56 Chevrolet |
| 5 | Paul Goldsmith | '56 Chevrolet |
| 6 | Don Oldenberg | '56 Dodge |
| 7 | Gene Blair | '56 Mercury |
| 8 | Ken Wheeler | '56 Ford |
| 9 | Art Binkley | '56 Plymouth |
| 10 | Larry Odo | '56 Chevrolet |
| 11 | Bob Pronger | '55 Buick |
| 12 | Bill Cornwall | '56 Ford |
| 13 | Dick Joslin | '56 Dodge |
| 14 | Tom Pistone | '56 Chevrolet |
| 15 | Jimmy Thompson | '56 Mercury |
| 16 | Bill Brown | '56 Mercury |
| 17 | Marvin Panch | '56 Dodge |
| 18 | Larry Frank | '55 Oldsmobile |
| 19 | Joe Weatherly | '56 Ford |
| 20 | Bill Lutz | '56 Ford |
| 21 | Curly Martin | '56 Dodge |
| 22 | Dave Hirschfield | '55 Chevrolet |
Succinct race report
Herb and Smokey in victory lane.
Thanks for posting. Heard about it yesterday & saw your tweet several minutes ago. But I didn't see the interview as it took place. Certainly an odd exchange. Menard is clearly an introverted guy - and I guess he doesn't want anyone getting into his off track business. As you say, though, Byrnes' question was a softball, general interest one.
The "thought you were gonna get one didn't ya?" line was all sorts of weird too. Maybe he was referencing the driver sub plan question vs. the one about his wife. But no big mystery, right? Its not as if he is trying to keep sponsor pressures at bay or keep Vegas betters guessing.
OK, that makes sense. You still see those shamrocks (and other shapes) in stores where you can donate to some cause. Didn't put 2 and 2 together with the 83 Martinsville race and MDA. Still - kind of odd timing and location. Seems Southland would have wanted him to run it in the Southern 500 or an August race leading up to the telethon.
And Earle Canavan's Dodge Magnum was sponsored by Irish Spring soap in the 1979 Texas 400 at Texas World Speedway. If only we could land a pic.
