The first lap at the new Alabama International Motor Speedway was taken on Aug. 6th, 1969. It marked the opening of the new super speedway for tire testing.
Who made the first lap in a Grand National stock car?
Hint: it was a Ford Talladega Torino.
The recent prayer requests for Linda Petty have been answered. My neighbor just reported that Linda is doingbetter and has returned to the same condition she was before the stroke.
Praise the LORD!
I can't say for sure if was the 1st GN race because we went to short tracks every week so I might just not remember but I know for sure the 1st big track race was:
National 500 at Charlotte in 1966. The only thing I remember about the race is how big the track seemed and Curtis Turner in Smokey's black and gold #13 Chevelle and how that car sounded different than all of the others. Told dad it sounded like a bumble bee. Also remember he blew an engine. Had to look up the fact that LeeRoy Yarbrough won in a Thorne Dodge leading 301 of the 334 laps followed by Darel Dieringer 2nd, Paul Goldsmith 3rd, Gordon Johncock 4th and Earl Balmer 5th.
42nd was Dick Hutcherson followed by A.J. Foyt in 43rd and Buddy Arrington in 44th after starting 23rd but only running 7 laps before engine failure.
P.S. Remember the infield being a rock hole.
