Good point. Had to check his stats. Ran handful in 83. Ran all but 1 race in 1984 w/family team. But Sacks was back to a part-time deal in 1985 (probably because of money) until...
Funny how a victory and the departure of NASCAR HOF championship driver can suddenly open doors to a full-time ride - at least for the rest of a season. In 1986 and beyond, he was back to part time.
With Brian Vickers win today at Loudon, a friend and I got to wondering how long it had been since a part-time driver won a race. He mentioned 2 that were definite surprises by part-time drivers.
Both of these were definitely part-timers but they were also unique situations. Jamie was called in as the sub for Sterling Marlin, and Brad just didn't a handful for Finch as well as mixed bag of starts for Hendrick and Penske.
I'm thinking of "regular" part-time drivers if that makes sense - such as Vickers (although the 55 car is a full-time team).
Cale Yarborough still won in 1981-1984 time frame racing for M.C. Anderson and Harry Ranier. And of Pearson won regularly with the Wood Brothers in the 1970s. But has there been a regular part-timer win since Cale?
Oh - before I post - I thought of one: Trevor Bayne in the Daytona 500 with the Wood Brothers.
Others?
Link: Robesonian Part 6
Background to series and link to: Robesonian Part 1
Link: Robesonian Part 2
Link: Robesonian Part 3
Link: Robesonian Part 4
Link: Robesonian Part 5
Well how 'bout this? Found a couple of photos from Lehi in the Memphis Commercial Appeal . The first one was in today's edition of the on-line paper. Its from the 1957 race. The 92 car in the background by the Pure fuel trailer is Herb Thomas' car driven to the victory by Panch.
This next one is supposedly from the 1954 race vs. 1957. But it gives a good view of the lonnnnng dirt front stretch.
Well, about as quickly as I thought I understood how events unfolded in June and July 1957, I've now found another nugget. I thought the 2 rainouts that led to the rescheduling of the race for July 14th were June 22nd and 23rd. Turns out the race was first scheduled for June 9. Only way I learned this was from this program cover.
Source: Motor Racing Programme Covers
That date actually makes sense as the previous year's race was held on June 10, 1956. A couple of interesting points from the program though. It refers to the "fourth annual" 250-mile race. Yet the event was the 5th and final GN race at the track. But, the GN cars raced twice in 1955 with the second one being a 300-miler. So maybe this WAS the 4th 250 mile race. But wait - note what Tim posted. The race turned out to be 134-lap, 200-mile event! So was the race shortened because of the twice-rescheduled event? Condensed to 200 miles after the programs were printed? The dust? The known dangers of racing on the 1.5 mile, dirt surface? I suppose the research can continue.
Regardless, the race was rained out and rescheduled for the weekend of June 22-23. That event too was rained out, and that led to July 14th. Whew.
Source: The Dispatch
Remnants of the old track are still visible. Its only about 15 minutes west of West Memphis, Arkansas.
And its about a half-hour from The King's house - no, not Level Cross NC. The OTHER King - Elvis - Graceland to the track, about 30 minutes.
Nice topside view from Virtual Globetrotting
The two driver killed in 1956 were Clint McHugh (killed while qualifying) and Cotton Priddy (during the race). Following their deaths, NASCAR began looking into new safety advances.
Times News of Hendersonville NC
Without detracting from the tragic deaths of the 2 drivers in 1956 - or from Tim's focus on the 1957 race - I find it interesting the Times News article says Paschal was declared as the "official winner" of the 1956 race over Ralph Moody. Greg Fielden's book says NASCAR reversed its decision again and declared Moody as the winner - several hours after the end of the race and presumably after the filing deadline for the race report.
As mentioned, the teams originally intended to race at Lehi in 1957 in June. I found this article in the Spartanburg Herald Journal that mentioned Bud Moore's teams preparing to go - AFTER a frightening encounter with exhaust fumes by Buck Baker at Newport TN. But Buck saddled up again, and he, Bud and teammate Speedy Thompson headed for West Memphis, Arkansas.
Race report from Daytona Beach Morning Journal with a headline emphasizing the local angle of Fireball finishing 3rd vs. noting Panch as the winner.
