August 6, 1978: The end of an era and rise of an underdog
Stock Car Racing History
Lennie enjoying his time in the (hot Alabama) sun in victory lane. Getty Images
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Stock Car Racing History
August 6, 1978: The end of an era and rise of an underdog
Stock Car Racing History
The King finishes 7th in his final start in a Dodge. The Magnum fleet becomes hand-me-downs to Kyle and Buddy Arrington following the Talladega 500.
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As the Pettys made the transition to Chevy, a true underdog warmed hearts that day in the sweltering Alabama heat. Lennie Pond got his one and only Cup win and gave Harry Ranier his first one as a car owner.
From Ricky Poole Jr 's collection
From Ray Lamm collection
updated by @tmc-chase: 08/06/17 02:44:51PM
August 6, 1961: Jim Paschal wins Nashville 500
Stock Car Racing History
When I met Rex at Memory Lane Museum last fall, he said he remembered that wreck. He laughed as he said he was accused by others of trying to get a better look at that purty girl on the billboard. Maybe Paschal was smitten as well!
August 6, 1961: Jim Paschal wins Nashville 500
Stock Car Racing History
Today is anniversary of Jim Paschal's win at Fairgrounds Speedway in the rain-plagued Nashville 500. And wouldn't ya know it - raining here today!
August 6, 1961: Jim Paschal wins Nashville 500
Stock Car Racing History
Couple more shots from the race.
Paschal racing Ned Jarrett.
Paschal slipping under Rex White after he punched the fence.
updated by @tmc-chase: 07/18/17 12:21:47PM
August 6, 1961: Jim Paschal wins Nashville 500
Stock Car Racing History
Another awesome contribution by Russ Thompson. Victory lane at Nashville 1961 with Paschal, Linda Vaughn and Julian Petty.
August 6, 1961: Jim Paschal wins Nashville 500
Stock Car Racing History
I waited for Tim to see his choice of race for his Racing Minute today. When he went with Hutch's win at Atlanta in 1967, I figured the deck was clear to post this supplement.
On August 4, Tim and I posted about Jim Paschal's third consecutive win at Nashville in 1963. On August 5, I posted about Paschal's second win in 1962. Today, I'm posting about his first of three wins in the Nashville 500 on August 6, 1961.
Rex White won the pole.
And he was all smiles during the promo photo shoot for the race. (I plan to contact The Tennessean to see if I could get a better version of this photo.)
But I guess some of Rex's smiles faded when he blew a tire and stuck it in the fence.
Richard Petty started on the front row alongside Rex, and he dominated the race leading over 360 laps. But an overheated engine resulted in the 43 having to park it and watch the rest of the race from a different vantage point.
Paschal took over in his Julian Petty-owned Pontiac and led the next 41 laps. Then the rain began to fall, and the race was called after 403 laps. (Click on article to enlarge it for easier reading.)
By 1961, Richard had already built a solid fan following. Many were disappointed to see such a dominant run ended. And of course, most were disappointed when the last 20% of the race was cancelled because of summer showers.
| Fin | Driver | Car |
| 1 | Jim Paschal | '61 Pontiac |
| 2 | Ned Jarrett | '61 Chevrolet |
| 3 | Johnny Allen | '61 Chevrolet |
| 4 | Buck Baker | '61 Chrysler |
| 5 | Emanuel Zervakis | '61 Chevrolet |
| 6 | George Alsobrook | '61 Ford |
| 7 | Jimmy Pardue | '60 Chevrolet |
| 8 | G.C. Spencer | '60 Chevrolet |
| 9 | Paul Lewis | '61 Chevrolet |
| 10 | L.D. Austin | '61 Chevrolet |
| 11 | Herman Beam | '60 Ford |
| 12 | Bob Barron | '60 Dodge |
| 13 | Crash Bond | '60 Ford |
| 14 | Richard Petty | '61 Plymouth |
| 15 | Jack Smith | '61 Pontiac |
| 16 | Curtis Crider | '61 Mercury |
| 17 | Charlie Chapman | '60 Ford |
| 18 | Tommy Wells | '60 Chevrolet |
| 19 | Junior Johnson | '60 Pontiac |
| 20 | Bob Presnell | '59 Chevrolet |
| 21 | Dave Mader | '61 Chevrolet |
| 22 | Buddy Baker | '61 Chrysler |
| 23 | Rex White | '61 Chevrolet |
| 24 | Doug Yates | '61 Plymouth |
updated by @tmc-chase: 07/18/17 12:21:25PM
Racing History Minute - August 6, 1967
Stock Car Racing History
Traffic and weather were the 2 primary reasons I quit going to Atlanta. Last fall's return was my 1st trip back since the mid 90s. I was there for the final race of 1992. We knew from the jump it was going to be bad getting out so we leveraged it to our advantage. My bud and I didn't even try going to the car. We meandered from our backstretch seats to the front grandstands. We could see some victory lane things wrapping up with Elliott. And we could see some of the goings-on up in the press box with The King and Kulwicki. With daylight really becoming dusky, we strolled to the car and didn't have near as big a headache getting out.
Racing History Minute - August 6, 1967
Stock Car Racing History
Race report from The Robesonian
And one from Spartanburg Herald
updated by @tmc-chase: 08/06/18 09:37:54AM