World 600 Qualifying + Waylon Jennings + Beer = Grandstand Riot
Stock Car Racing History
Well, well, events at CMS back in the day that I actually missed. Wonder how that happened?
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Stock Car Racing History
Racing History Minute - November 14, 1965
Stock Car Racing History
Thanks, Bill. I always enjoy hearing that folks read what is posted and what Dave and Chase add with pictures and articles. Thank you.
Racing History Minute - November 14, 1965
Stock Car Racing History
When I made the first post in the Racing History Minutes on April 5th of this year, I had decided that I would not post anything more recent than 1993 for two reasons:
1. My Greg Fielden books ("Forty Years of Stock Car Racing", "Forty Plus Four" and "Rumbling Ragtops") ceased with the 1993 season. Greg has since has an additional book published entitled "The Complete History of NASCAR Racing" which I found in an outlet store for $10.00. That book is loaded with information and also tons of beautiful pictures. Oh, and by the way, we just purchased that book last month so it is still around and I would highly recommend it.
2. My personal feelings are that carrying the History through 1993 is sufficient as the basis of the sport was built and nutured prior to that era. You may have noticed that most of my post focus on the 50s and 60s because I truly believe those were the decades the saw the birth of the sport and the growth of the sport. Without those guys and those cars, there would be no NASCAR. The cars were REAL cars and the drivers were REAL men.
Another point to insert here is that I have a verbal agreement with my good friend, TMC Chase, that he reports ALL the victories by the Pettys or their drivers. Chase is an excellent historian and has the ability I can seem to develop which is finding and posting clippings, photos and personal memories of events.
This date, November 14th, had only TWO Grand National Races between the first season in 1949 and the 1993 season and BOTH were won by Richard Petty. Chase has given me permission to post on one of the Petty victories so I have chosen the one in Augusta, Georgia in 1965 as I was at that race. The other race on this date was in Richmond, Virginia in 1971. Chase has excellent posts of each of these races and he will be linking those reports to this post later today. Additionally, I suspect Dave Fulton may have an addition to the Richmond race.
Before going to the 1965 Augusta race. I'll give you the top five from Richmond in 1971:
1. Richard Petty, Petty Enterprises Plymouth, winning 4,450.00
2. Bobby Allison, Holman-Moody Ford, winning $2,585.00 (1 lap down)
3. Pete Hamilton, Cotton Owens Plymouth (?), winning $1,750.00 (10 laps down)
4.Charlie Glotzbach, Richard Howard Chevy, winning $1,175.00 (13 laps down)
5. Elmo Langley, Langley Ford, winning $965.00 (20 laps down)
Thirty cars started that event with Bill Dennis on the pole in a Junie Donlavey Mercury. Bobby Allison was the fastest qualifier with a speed of 87.584.
Ok, time to go back to 1965 and the half-mile, high banked asphalt track in Augusta, Georgia. The 150 mile event would be the first of the 1966 season, and many of the Mopar fans were excited that the 1966 season would see the full-time return of their favorites, most of whom had boycotted the 1965 season in response to NASCAR outlawing the "Hemi" engine for that season.
It was a bright and sunny afternoon that greeted a grandstand full of fans. Richard Petty had captured the pole with a speed of 82.987 mph. He was followed by Bobby Isaac, making his second start in the Junior Johnson Ford. Ned Jarrett would start third in his Bondy Long Ford, Tiger Tom Pistone fourth in his Glen Sweet Ford, and Elmo Langley fifth in his Ford.
Bobby Isaac hustled his Ford out front at the fall of the green flag and he battled Richard Petty for 11 laps before the yet to be crowned King slipped by to lead laps 12 through 105. On lap 106 it was Tiny Lund storming his way into the lead in an independant Ford owned by Lyle Stelter. Tiny's car arrived at the track to late for practice or qualifying and had to start in 30th position, dead last.
On lap 200 of the scheduled 300, Tiny's distributor gave up and he coasted into the pits where it took numerous laps to replace the distributor and return Tiny to the track. By that time, Richard was out front for good although Isaac gave Richard more than a good "run for the money". Isaac had hit the wall very early in the going and literally drove flat out to make up 3 laps and was dogging the back bumper of the blue Plymouth at the end of the race.
Isaac said after the race "I get the finest job in the word that a race driver could have. I'm in a car that could run off and hide from everybody, and I run into the wall". Isaac dejectedly walked away from the pits and disappeared into the infield to leave the track.
Finishing order:
1. Richard Petty, Petty Enterprises Plymouth, wining $1,700.00
2. Bobby Isaac, Junior Johnson Ford, winning $850.00
3. Ned Jarrett, Bondy Long Ford, winning $820.00
4. Jim Paschal, Gary Weaver Ford, winning $515.00 (3 laps down)
5. Roy Mayne, Tom Hunter Chevrolet, winning $490.00 (4 laps down)
6. David Pearson
7. Bobby Johns
8. Darel Dieringer
9. Cale Yarborough
10. John Sears
11. Neil Castles
12. Frank Warren
13. Wayne Smith
14. Wendell Scott
15. Buddy Baker
16. Doug Cooper
17. Worth McMillion
18. Henley Gray
19. Tiger Tom Pistone
20. Tiny Lund
21. Alan McMillon
22. Bob Derrington
23. Jabe Thomas
24. Gil Hearne
25. Roy Tyner
26. J. T. Putney
27. Buck Baker
28.Larry Hess
29. Don Tilley
30.Elmo Langley
PERSONAL NOTE: My family and I were at this race, sitting in the stand across for the Tiny Lund pits. Not sure why we were in the stands as we were usually in the infield. I remember watching Tiny coast into the pits and I watched through binoculars as they were work on the car. I was at the angle that I could see Tiny in the car even though the hood was up. I can still envision the look of total disappointment in Tiny's face that day. His little independant Ford was the class of the field that day. As stated, he started last, no practice, no qualifying, and he flawlessly worked his way into the lead. Once there, he was pulling away from the field. Without problems, he would have won going away.
Making this even more poignant for Lund was the movie crew there filming for the movie "Tiny Lund, Hard Charger". That was a wonderful documentary style movie that simply disappeared from existance. How wonderful it would be to get ahold of a copy of that movie. Important for the Leeming family was the scene in that movie where my Daddy, carrying the huge "Plymouth 43" flag we had, was filmed as we walked across the infield heading to Victory Lane. The first time we saw the movie, my Daddy, a shy man at that time, was thrilled that he was in a movie! In fact, we all were.
Another memory from that race is one of the pit stops made by Wendell Scott. His pit was not far from Tiny's so I have a good view. He pulled in and the crew was changing the right front tire and were having problems with it. Wendell unbuckled, got out, and helped change the tire. He climbed back in an roared off back onto the track. Looking at the finishing order and noting that he was only 24 laps off the pace on a half mile track makes me recall the dedication Wendell had for the sport. He may have won only one Grand National race, but if effort and desire count for anything, Wendell will soon be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
Be sure to read the posts added here by TMC Chase as he is the most excellent person to chronicle the Petty stories.
Honor the past, embrace the present, dream for the future.
updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM
A Llittle known fact about Nascar Driver (51/59) Ralph Ligorie!
Stock Car Racing History
Great addition to the History Jim. Thanks for adding this to our ever-growing historical record.
Racing History Minute - November 13, 1955
Stock Car Racing History
Right out of the box this morning we start with a sad note. Lewis "Buddy" Shuman, a veteran of 27 Grand National starts in NASCAR, with one win in the series, died in a fire in a hotel room. Shuman had won a 100 mile race in 1952 at Nigara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Shuman's real racing talent was in the NASCAR Modified series where he won more than 100 races in his career. Further deeping the sadness of his death was the fact that he had just been appointed to head up Ford Motor Company's factory racing efforts, a compliment to his personality and abilities. Official investigation into the fire reported the fire started in Shuman's hotel room and the cause of death was smoke inhalation.
But, as it has always been, racing goes on. Today we are attending a 200 lap/80 mile race on the .4 mile dirt track located in Hickory, NC. The race was actually the first race of the 1956 season. Having done a little research into why NASCAR would start a new season in November for several years, it appears that was to capitalize on the introduction of the new models as most manufacturers brought out their new line ups in October of each year. I do remember how I always looked forward to the introduction of the new models.
Tim Flock started on the pole in his gleaming white Kiekhaefer Chrysler on the pole although Jim Paschal in a Bob Welborn 1955 Chevrolet was the fastest qualifier with a speed of 68.965 mph. Lee Petty qualified second in the Petty Engineering Dodge, Curtis Turner in the Schwam Motor Company Ford was third, Dink Widenhouse in his own '56 Ford was fourth and Buck Baker in the Satcher Motor Company Ford would start fifth.
Tim Flock bolted into the lead on the green flag and was waging a battle with Lee Petty for the first 121 laps before spinning his Chrysler on lap 121 in the third turn. No report of whether he was touched by Petty who was known for "moving a competitor out of the way if necessary". It only took Flock 16 laps to recover from the spin and run down Petty to retake the lead without incident. Four caution flags slowed the average speed to 56.962 in the race witnessed by 7,500 fans.
Finishing order:
1. Tim Flock, Kiekhaefer Chrysler, winning $1,150.00
2. Curtis Turner, Schwam Motor Co. Ford, winning $720.00
3. Lee Petty, Petty Engineering Dodge, winning $505.00
4. Dink Widenhouse, Widenhouse Ford, winning $365.00 (1 lap down)
5. Jim Paschal, Bob Welborn Chevrolet, winning $360.00 (1 lap down)
6. Gwyn Staley
7. Buck Baker
8. Fonty Flock
9. Marvin Panch
10. Billy Myers
11. Jimmy Massey
12.Reds Kagle
13. Bob Welborn
14.Ralph Liguori
15. Cotton Owens
16. Herb Thomas
17.Fred Harb
18. Ted Cannady
19.Ed Skinner
20. Johnny Roberts
21. Ned Jarrett
22. Dave Terrell
23. John Dodd, Jr.
24. Jimmie Lewallen
25. Jim Reed
26. Blackie Pitt
27. Bob Flock
28. Joe Weatherly
29, Bobby Waddell
30. Speedy Thompson
31. Tiger Tom Pistone
The 1956 season would come to a close with a 100 mile racing in Wilson, NC, on November 18, 1956. That would be the 56th race of the season that would see Buck Baker win the Championship over Herb Thomas.
PERSONAL NOTE: The 1956 season is one I remember well. My Uncle Bobby and I would listen to all the races that were broadcast then (not many) and I would read everything I could get my hands on about the sport. While press coverage wasn't that great, I could get a little of the "color" from the races by using my imagination and the words made pictures for me. Uncle Bobby took me to a race in Concord, NC that year, one at Greenville-Pickens, on in Charlotte.
Honor the past, embrace the present, dream for the future
updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM
Trevor Bayne diagnosed with Multiple sclerosis
Current NASCAR
Thanks, Dave. I got several updates throughout the day but just couldn't get time to post. I appreciate you filling in the complete story.
Trevor Bayne diagnosed with Multiple sclerosis
Current NASCAR
I just received word that Trevor Bayne has been diagnose with MS. No details available at this time but I will follow the news feed and let you know. Such a fine young man and such an excellent driver. Prayers for Trevor and God bless all his family and friends.
Tim
updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:04:08PM
Racing History Minute - November 12, 1961
Stock Car Racing History
Today we travel back to 1961 and the half-mile paved track known as Asheville-Weaverville Speedway. Actually located in Weaverville, NC, the Asheville was added to the name so folks from places other than the Western North Carolina Mountains could find it. Besides, Asheville and the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountans is a beautiful place to hang out any time of year, even early November when the leaves have turned from beautiful colors to a pile on the ground.
The race we chronicle today was often referred to as "The Rain Check 200" which indicated 200 laps/100 miles of racing. It was thusly dubbed as such because most of the 6,500 fans showing up for the race were holding tickets from the "Western North Carolina 500" which was held on August 13th. That race, scheduled for 500 laps, was halted after 258 laps because the track was coming apart. These days, NASCAR would say 258 laps was an official race so you fans go home and forget about the rest. Such was not the case in 1961.
Joe Weatherly circled the track at a speed of 81.743 mph to capture the pole in his Bud Moore Pontiac. Junior Johnson put the Holly Farms Pontiac in second starting position, followed by Tommy Irwin in the Monroe Shook Chevrolet, Ned Jarrett in the B. G. Holloway Chevy, and Rex White in the White-Clements Chevy rounding out the top five starters.
The first 16 laps belonged to Joe Weatherly with a pack of roaring racers right behind him. Rex White then took over for 17 laps before Jim Paschal took over. Paschal, never more than a few car lengths out front, held on until lap 64 when a hard charging Buck Baker took over. Paschal was driving a Julian Petty Pontiac and Baker was piloting a Chrysler from his own stable. Paschal moved Baker out of the way to retake the lead on lap 70 and was battling a hard charging Rex White until lap 94 when little Rex would put the number 4 out front and hold on the rest of the way, repelling challenges from Paschal, Baker, Joe Weatherly, Jack Smith and Ned Jarrett. Paschal would develope problems in the last laps to fall back to 8th place. White would take the checkers averaging 68.467 mph for the distance. His speed was slowed by 3 caution flags for a total of 14 laps.
When the race was over, Rex had won the 21st race of his career. This was the second race of the 1962 racing season although held in November of 1961. The first race of the 1962 season was a 100 mile event in Concord, NC, which was won by Jack Smith. Leaving Asheville-Weaverville that day, there was a 3 way tie for the lead in the Championship fight. Tied for first were Rex White, Jack Smith, and Joe Weatherly, each with 752 points. The 1962 Season would end on October 28, 1962 after 53 races. The last race was the "Dixie 400" in Atlanta, won by Rex White as well. Joe Weatherly would win his first Championship but Rex could mange no better than a 5th place although he won 8 races out of 37 starts. He didn't compete in all events.
Finishing Order for the Asheville-Weaverville race:
1. Rex White, White-Clements Chevrolet, winning $800.00
2. Buck Baker, Baker Chrysler, winning $525.00
3. Joe Weatherly, Bud Moore Pontiac, winning $375.00
4. Jack Smith, Smith Pontiac, winning $275.00
5. Ned Jarrett, B. G. Holloway Chevrolet, winning $350.00 (1961 Champ)
6. Tommy Irwin, Monroe Shook Chevrolet, winning $215.00
NORMALLY I ONLY INCLUDE THE TOP FIVE WITH WINNINGS AND SUCH AND INDICATE THE LAPS DOWN POSITIONS OF OTHER DRIVERS IN THE TOP FIVE. HOWEVER, THE TOP SIX ARE LISTED HERE BECAUSE, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NASCAR'S HISTORY UP TO THAT DATE, SIX CARS WERE ON THE LEAD LAP IN A 100 MILE GRAND NATIONAL RACE ON A SHORT TRACK. That was amajor event for the sport at that time.
7. Richard Petty
8. Jim Paschall
9. Bill Morton
10. Larry Thomas
11. Tom Cox
12.Herman Beam
13. Jimmy Pardue
14. Curtis Crider
15. Bob Cooper
16. George Green
17. Joe Jones
18. Ed Livingston
19.Bob Welborn
20. Lester Hicks
21. Doug Yates
22. G. C. Spencer
23. Mark Hurley
24. Lee Reitzel
25. Fred Harb
26. Junior Johnson
27. Joe Lee Johnson
Honor the past, embrace the present, dream for the future
updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM
Racing History Minute - November 11, 1951
Stock Car Racing History
Yesterday I was thinking I would start this History Minute with a tribute to Veterans' Day as I think it is very important to recognize Veterans. But after reading the post Dave Fulton re-posted from last year, I decided to let Dave's post speak for itself. In that post he and Paul Sawyer show us what it means to honor a Vet. Read Dave's post. It's in the Forum section.
Ok, with that being said, let us move on to the RACING History Minute. Today we travel in time back to 1951 (the year before I was introduced to the sport) and we are going to the 1 mile dirt track in Atlanta, GA, known as Lakewood Speedway. This was race number 39 of the 1951 season and with really only ONE race remaining on the East Coast for the Championship, it would be a good one for sure.
Frank Mundy qualified a Studebaker on the pole with a speed of 74.013 mph. Herb Thomas in the FABULOUS Hudson Hornet would start second, Bob Flock in the Gray Ghost Olds third, Tim Flock in Ted Chester's Hudson fourth and Jack Smith in a Hudson fifth.
There were 26,000 fans on hand for the 100 mile race and they watched Frank Mundy lead one lap before Bob Flock slammed that Gray Ghost Olds out front. Bob would stay there only 11 laps before his brother, Tim, took over and moved that Hudson out front for keeps. Tim would take the checkers at an average speed of 59.960 mph after caution flags slowed the pace.
One caution came out when apromising young driver from Macon, Ga., Jesse James Taylor, flipped his Hudson in turn one. The roof of the Hudson caved in on Taylor and it took rescue workers more than 15 minutes to cut him from the car. Taylor was transported to Crawford Memorial Hospital in serious condition. Further, Taylor's wife was expecting a baby and the shock of the accident caused her to miscarry and she was transported to the same hospital for treatment.
Another driver Pete Page, lost control of his Oldsmobile in the first turn and the car went into a series of wild flips and twisting turns. Page was knocked unconscious and was transported to the hospital where he was reported in "fair condition".
Finishing order:
1. Tim Flock, Ted Chester Hudson, winning $1,000.00
2. Bob Flock, Gray Ghost Oldsmobile, winning $700.00
3. Jack Smith, Hudson, winning $450.00
4. Frank Mundy, Perry Smith Studebaker, winning $350.00
5. Gober Sosebee, Cherokee Garage Oldsmobile, winning $200.00
6. Ed Samples
7. Lloyd Moore
8. Buddy Shuman
9. Red Duvall
10. Don Oldenburg
11. Jimmie Lewallen
12. Lee Petty
13.Neal Roberts
14. Glen Dunaway
15. Bill Snowden
16. Billy Carden
17. Jimmy Florian
18.Dan Rush
19. Herb Thomas
20. Dick Lindler
21. Cal Fisher
22. Jesse James Taylor
23. Leonard Trippett
24. Roscoe Thompson
25. Bill Blair
26. Pete Page
27. Jim Paschal
28.Buck Baker
29.Bob Ruether
30. Donald Thomas
31. Tommy Moon
Honor the past, embrace the present, dream for the future
updated by @tim-leeming: 11/25/20 04:33:49PM
Never, Ever, doubt the impact of RR on NASCAR or the popularity of TMC Chase
Administrative
Good Lord, Chase, I am truly sorry you had such an awful time in that rattlesnake infested desert. Maybe you learned your lesson and will stay away from such experiences in the future. But Welcome back.