Racing History Minute - October 21, 1973
Stock Car Racing History
Thanks, Dennis. It is great to know the background on this car. What a tribute to Benny and all the guys who worked so hard that Sunday afternoon.
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Stock Car Racing History
Racing History Minute - October 21, 1973
Stock Car Racing History
As we wind down the 2013 season with the "silly chase" scenario, we are going back in time today to 1973 when the title was decided by the dedicated effort of not just ONE team, but several. It was a time when the spirit of the sport was more apparent than the selfishness of the sport. It was also a time when NASCAR was running on the wonderful track in Rockingham, NC. So, come with me now as we travel back 40 years to a sunny Sunday afternoon at North Carolina Motor Speedway for the "American 500".
Richard Petty qualified his STP Dodge on the pole with a speed of 135.748 mph. David Pearson in the Wood Brothers Purolater Mercury would start second, Donnie Allison in the DiGard Chevy third, Bobby Allison in a Chevy fourth and Benny Parsons in the L.G. DeWitt Chevy fifth.
The American 500 was the 28th and final race of the 1973 season. Benny Parsons started the race with a 194.35 point lead over Richard Petty. Petty was a heavy favorite even before winning the pole because he ran the track well and he had either won or finished second in the previous three races leading up to Rockingham. Parsons, while a great driver and very popular, just didn't seem to have the car to win the championship, although leading the points.
David Pearson blasted into the lead when the green flag waved and led the first 20 laps before Coo Coo Marlin led a lap in his Chevy. Laps 22-28 belonged to David Sisco. 48,000 fans watched Pearson, Sisco, Dick Brooks, Cale Yarborough, and Bobby Allison trade the lead back and forth. Fans were also witnessing a miracle in progress with the Benny Parsons car.
On lap 13 of the 492 lap race, Benny and Johnny Barnes tangled which literally destroyed the Parson car. When the number 72 of Parsons was towed into the pits and dropped from the wrecker, the entire right side of the car was gone. The wheels were torn off, the axles broken and, in short, there wasn't enough left to make a good haul to a junk yard. Now, witness the miracle. The miracle that WAS racing in those days.
When the wrecked unhooked, Parsons, crew went to work. Within seconds, members of other crews were there helping. Still in the garage was a car that had failed to qualified. Immediately that car was being stripped for parts necessary to get Parsons back into the race. Benny, sure his day was over and the championship hopes gone, watched, perhaps in awe, perhaps in disbelief, as the car was being put back together. Suddenly, after losing 136 laps, Benny Parsons roared back onto the track to the roar of the crowd. Underdog Parsons could still pull off this championship as the second place in the standings, Petty, had fallen out of the race several laps earlier with broken cam shaft. Benny would motor on to a 28th place finish and clinch his first and only Winston Cup Championship.
1. David Pearson, Wood Brothers Mercury, winning $16,795.00
2. Buddy Baker, K&K Insurance Dodge, winning $11,050.00 (1 lap down)
3. Cale Yarborough, Richard Howard Chevrolet, winning $7,925.00 (1 lap down)
4. Bobby Allison, Allison Chevrolet, winning $6,525.00 ((4 laps down)
5. Dave Marcis, Roger Penske Matador, winning $4,175.00 (4 laps down)
6. Donnie Allison
7. Richard Brooks
8. Charlie Glotzbach
9. Lennie Pond
10. Coo Coo Marlin
11. Cecil Gordon
12. Elmo Langley
13. Johnny Rutherford
14. Richard Childress
15.David Sisco
16. Tony Bettenhausen
17. Henley Gray
18. Jabe Thomas
19. James Hylton
20. J. D. McDuffie
21. Ed Negre
22. Walter Ballard
23. Dean Dalton
24. Buddy Arrington
25. Gordon Johncock
26. PeeWee Wentz
27. Darrell Waltrip
28. Benny Parsons
29. Eddie Bond
30. Bill Champion
31. Jody Ridley
32. Jim Vandiver
33. John Sears
34. Charlie Roberts
35. Richard Petty
36. Richie Panch
37. Paul Tyler
38. Neil Castles
39. Richared Bown
40. Joe Frasson
41. G. G. Spencer
42. Johnny Barnes
43. Frank Warren
PERSONAL NOTE: This was the year before my parents got their first motorhome so we were sitting next to the fence midway between turns one and two. We always listened to the races through our radio headsets. We saw the Parson's car when it wrecked and although we were sad for Parsons, we figured (being Petty fans) this was the chance Richard needed to win the championship.
After a bit, the announcers said there were crews swarming all over the Parsons wreck so I walked over to the fence behind the garage to see what was going on. I saw the car and all the guys working on it but dismissed any chances of returning to the race as sheer folly. From time to time the announcers would say something about the work progressing but I never believed the car would be back on track.
The lap came when the red and blue number 43 did not come by when it was supposed to and the radio informed us Richard was behind the wall. In a couple minutes it was confirmed that he was out of the race. I remember sitting down in the lawn chair, ready to watch the rest of the race but no one really to cheer for.
Suddenly, tentatively and slowly on the apron, came the number 72 of Benny Parsons. The crowd was going crazy and I watched the car pass in front of me. You could see completely through the car on the right side. Only the roll bars remained in place on the right side. I found myself standing and cheering widly as Benny went by. I watched the rest of the race pulling for Benny Parsons, almost in disbelief that he was even out there. At that point, the championship for Richard didn't matter half as much to me as the spirit of "never give up" something I strongly believe in. Every lap that Parsons went by was another lap in the book of the "little engine that could". "I think I can, I think I can, I KNOW I CAN". And Benny did it that day.
As we always did, we went to the pits after the race. After talking to Richard and gettting our autographs (by then I must have had 10,000 of his) we tried to find Benny Parsons. I never did get to talk to him that day but I did talk to him at Daytona in February. He was everything you would want a champion to be and even more importantly, he and those pit crews proved that you should always keep on getting after it. Adversity gives you reason to try harder.
So, thank you Benny Parsons, and all those crew members, who taught some, and reminded others, that all things are possible when you don't give up.
Honor the past, embrace the present, dream for the future
updated by @tim-leeming: 08/06/18 09:39:47AM
Racing History Minute - October 20, 1957
Stock Car Racing History
Once more, today, we return to North Wilkesboro track that was, by now, a paved .625 mile track, pretty much the same as it is today, although now is such a state of disrepair as to be disgraceful to the wonderful memories from there. Wonderful memories as we will share today, although there is a very sad memory attached to this particular race.
Twenty-six starters would take the FIRST green flag with Fireball Roberts on the pole in a Ford. Second place starter was Banjo Matthews in another Ford while Marvin Panch would start a Ford in third. Jack Smith, in a Chevrolet, broke up the Ford dominance by starting fourth. Jimmy Massey would start a Ford in fifth.
Before the green flag waved, there was a five car crash which resulted in a complete restart. Max Berrier, George Parrish and Roy Tyner were eliminated in the crash without completing a lap. R.L. Combs fell out on the first "official lap" of the race with transmission problems with his Ford.
This race marked the return of hometown favorite, Junior Johnson , who would start his Brushy Mountains Motors Pontiac in 11th place only to be parked on lap 102 when the engine blew in the mount. Junior had been away for 12 months serving time in a Federal Prison in Chillicotte, OH for his involvment in the manufacture of "moonshine". It is my understanding that he was NOT caught while running a load of "shine" but rather at the still when the "revenuers" came acallin. If memory serves me correctly, the Feds could never catch Junior when he was on a "run".
The race was marred with tragedy as the left rear axle broke on the Pontiac driven by Tiny Lund. The freed tire and wheel bounced over the fence into the crowd where in fatally injured spectator W. R. Thomason of Mt. Holly, NC. That event occurred on lap 118 of the 160 lap race but it appears only those fans sitting right in the area had any idea of the severity of the injuries to Mr. Thomason. The race ran its full distance.
Fireball led the first 61 laps before crashing through the rail and ending up on his roof far outside the speedway. Roberts was "shaken" but not injured. Jack Smith took over at that point for 31 laps. Banjo Matthews pushed into the lead on lap 94 and would stay there until lap 111 before Jack Smith slid around him for one lap and then it was Matthews again. With ten laps to go, Jack Smith forced his way into the lead, bringing Lee Petty along with him as they went by Banjo. I'm guessing Banjo has worn his tires with the rapid pace he had been setting while leading the race.
When the checkered flag waved, Smith had a 4 second lead over second place Petty. Banjo had faded to third. The average speed for the race was 69.902 mph , slowed by two caution flags and the complete restart of the race.
Finishing order:
1. Jack Smith, Smith Chevrolet, winning $900.00
2. Lee Petty, Petty Engineering Oldsmobile, winning $575.00
3. Banjo Matthews, Ford, winning 375.00
4. Speedy Thompson, Thompson Chevrolet, winning $280.00
5. Cotton Owens, Stephens Pontiac, winning $245.00
6. Buck Baker
7. Marvin Panch
FIRST SEVEN FINISHERS ALL ON LEAD LAP
8. Rex White
9. Bill Morton
10. Jimmy Massey
11. Brownie King
12. Dick Beatty
13. Johnny Allen
14. L. D. Austin
15. Bobby Keck
16. Jack Marsh
17. Jim Russell
18. Bill Massey
19.Tiny Lund
20. Junior Johnson
21. Fireball Roberts
22. Johnny Dodson
23. R. L. Combs
24. Max Berrier
25. George Parrish
26. Roy Tyner
Honor the past, embrace the present, dream for the future.
updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM
talladega is it cursed or is it just a ghost story
Vintage Oval and Road Course Racing
As soon as I saw that awful face, that D.W. monster, I stopped the video. The place is cursed alright. It has a Waltrip around. I can't think of a worse curse.
SHE IS ALL SMILES NOW
Stock Car Racing History
Maybe the extra money from the new associate sponsor will allow the vixen to afford some clothes.
Sad news indeed, A great friend and fellow RR member has passed.
Stock Car Racing History
I was very surprised to see this post pop up again almost a year after the original notice of Mr. Kaserman's death. When I saw it, I immediately recalled having responded last October. Strange.
Sad news indeed, A great friend and fellow RR member has passed.
Stock Car Racing History
My thoughts and prayers to the family and to you, Bill, for the loss of so close a friend. God bless.
Racing History Minute - October 19, 1952
Stock Car Racing History
I am very much enjoying writing these Minutes from way back in the day because it gives me an opportunity to refresh my memory of all the good things about Herb Thomas. Herb was truly a racer. Not sure he really knew anything else, or wanted to know anything else, he was that good. I remember meeting him once at Columbia Speedway when he was very, very dirty. He spoke to me, but I don't remember what he said but he was nice to me. I don't think he was so very sociable, just friendly enough to acknowledge a kid who tried to speak to anyone who drove a race car.
Sixty-one years ago this very day 29 of the good ole boys came to the half-mile dirt track in Martinsville, VA to race for 200 laps/100 miles. Perk Brown made a lap of 55.333 mph in a Hudson to capture the pole.Perk was an outstanding modified driver who had more than his share of mechanical issues in Grand National Competition. Herb Thomas, in his FABULOUS Hudson Hornet qualified second, Joe Eubanks in another Hudson third, and Fonty Flock broke up the Hudson sweep by qualifying his Oldsmobile fourth. Tim Flock put his Hudson in fifth.
Fonty Flock led the first three laps before Thomas went around him to lead for 3 laps. Then it was Flock for 5 laps and then Thomas again through Lap 37. Flock went back out front on lap 38 and was leading a close race when, on lap 72, Dick Rathmann put his Hudson out front. Rathman broke an axle on lap 173, after virtually being assured of victory, and it was Herb Thomas once again out front with Fonty Flock filling his mirror. The checkers dropped on Herb Thomas on lap 200 with Fonty Flock the only other car on the lead lap. It was Herb's 14th career victory and the 6th win in the 1952 season out of the 31 races run to date in 1952. Average speed for the race was 47.556 mph.
Two drivers suffered injuriesin separate incidents. Gene Comstock, six laps behind the leader at the time, rolled hisHudson twice on lap 152 andhe was transported to the local hospital with minor injuries. On the 12th lap, Jack Holloway broke an axle in his Plymouth and suffered a broken ankle in a severe crash.
Finishing Order:
1. Herb Thomas,FABULOUS Hudson Hornet, winning $1,000.00
2. Fonty Flock, Air Lift Olds 88, winning $700.00
3. Lee Petty, Petty Engineering Plymouth, winning $450.00 (1 lap down)
4. Tim Flock, Ted Chester Hudson, winning $350.00 (5 laps down)
5. Johnny Patterson, Lou Tanner Hudson, winning $200.00 (6 laps down)
6. Bill Blair
7. Julian Petty
8. Clyde Minter
9. Cotton Owens
10. Ralph Liguori
11. Ted Chamberlain
12. Ewell Weddle
13. Jim Paschal
14. C.L.Grant
15. Coleman Lawrence
16.DickRathmann
17. Clyde Pittinger
18. Donald Thomas
19. Gene Comstock
20. Bob Welborn
21. Bub King
22. Perk Brown
23. Fred Dove
24. Joe Eubanks
25. Jimmie Lewallen
26. Elton Hildreth
27. Buddy Shuman
28. LuckySawyer
29. Jack Holloway
Honor the past, embrace the present, dream for the future.
updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM
Racing History Minute - October 18, 1964
Stock Car Racing History
The fall race at Charlotte Motor Speedway was race number 59 of the 1964 season. As we all know, the 1964 season was filled with tragic losses both in NASCAR and Indy car, two of those tragic losses coming at the facility which would host this"National 400".
Richard Petty put his Petty Engineering Plymouth on the pole with a speed of 150.711 mph. Paul Goldsmith, driving a Plymouth for Ray Nichels would start second, Fred Lorenzen in his Holman-Moody Ford third, Bobby Isaac in a Ray Nichels Dodge fourth and Jim Paschal in another Petty Plymouth fifth.
The 1964 season had also had its share of very competitive races, several of which were between Petty and Fred Lorenzen. It would turn out that this day in October 1964, would be another of those events. Paul Goldsmith led lap one but then Petty took over for 26 laps before Goldsmith once more moved out front. On lap 69, Lorenzen took the lead but only for three laps before Petty went back out front. On lap 199, Petty's teammate, Jim Paschal took over. Petty went back out front where he would stay until lap 266 of the 267 laps. Richard would lead 188 laps of the 267.
For the last 65 laps of that race, Fred Lorenzen would run right on Richard's back bumper and make move after move to take the lead but could not get that Ford past the rapid Plymouth. Lap after lap in those last 65 laps, Fred would try high,low, and even try to move Richard aside going into three but he could simply not get past.
As the two cars entered turn three, looking for the white flag coming off four that time, the blue Plymouth darted to the right and slammed into the guard rail with tremendous force. The impact threw the 43 high into the air but it came down on all fours and coasted to the inside of the track. Lorenzen darted to the inside and came off four to take the white and caution flag together.
When the Plymouth came to rest, Richard was lying down in the seat having been jerked out of the shoulder harness by the force of the impact. It was a scary moment for the fans because just a month before, Jimmy Pardue had hit the rail in the same place while testing tires and went through the rail and was killed. Richard said, in an interview after the race, "When it blew (the tire), it seemed like it took two hours to get to that fence. I went the same route Pardue did. I was just lucky enough to stay inside the track".
Lorenzen, from Victory Lane, said "I was lucky to win this one, but have you ever seen a winner who wasn't lucky?" Fred and Richard seemed to enjoy a friendly rivalry and with one in a Ford and the other in a Plymouth, the fan followings were huge. 62,400 fans had filled the Charlotte Motor Speedway and no one was sitting down those last 40 laps.
Jimmy Pardue was testing tires when he was killed at Charlotte. Richard lost the race because of tire wear. Both Cale Yarborough and Wendell Scott had their cars destroyed when tires blew and put them in the wall. Of course it had rained two for two days before the race so the reasoning was there wasn't enough rubber in the track which was causing the tire wear.
Finishing Order:
1. Fred Lorenzen, Holman-Moody Ford, winning $11,185.00
2. Jim Paschal, Petty Engineering Plymouth, winning $5,725.00 (1 lap down)
3. Richard Petty, Petty Engineering Plymouth, winning $4,245.00 (2 laps down)
4. Ned Jarrett, Bondy Long Ford, winning $2.375.00 (2 laps down)
5. LeeRoy Yarbrough, Ray Fox Dodge, winning $1,650.00 (3 laps down)
6. Darel Dieringer
7. David Pearson
8. Buck Baker
9. Earl Balmer
10. Bunkie Blackburn
11. Elmo Langley
12. Pete Stewart
13. Bobby Johns
14.Curtis Crider
15.Bob Derrington
16.Roy Tyner
17. Worth McMillion
18. Paul Goldsmith
19. Cale Yarborough
20. Larry Thomas
21. J.T. Putney
22. Wendell Scott
23. Larry Frank
24.A. J. Foyt
25. Jack Anderson
26. Sam McQuagg
27. Bobby Isaac
28. Buddy Baker
29. G. C. Spencer
30. Doug Cooper
31. Marvin Panch
32. Bill McMahan
33. Doug Moore
34. Junior Johnson
35. Don Hume
36. Neil Castles
37. Billy Wade
38. H. B. Bailey
39. Possum Jones
40. Jimmy Helms
41. Bob Cooper
42. Frank Weathers
43. Stick Elliott
44. Roy Mayne
PERSONAL NOTE: My friends and I were parked against the fence midway between turns three and four. We absolutely yelled ourselves hoarse with that battle between Richard and Freddie. Richard's tire blew almost in front of where were were standing and we watched the car hit the wall and thought for a minute it would be going over in the same place Jimmy Pardue was killed. Charlotte Motor Speedway said they had reinforced the rail there and that may have been the difference that saved Petty from going over.
When the car slid to a stop, we were running in that direction and it was very scary not to see Richard sitting up in the car but he almost immediately popped up. We didn't know he had come out of his shoulder harness at the time. We headed for the pits, happy Richard was ok, but really upset because Freddie won that race. At that time, we rated Fords along with garbage trucks as our least favorite vehicles.
As soon as they opened the pit gate, which they did after the races back then, we headed for the Petty truck. We waited awhile before Richard came over, nursing what appeared to be a very sore arm. I remember being so glad to see that he was "ok". All of us started talking at once and Richard smiled and waived his hand tellling us one at a time. He explained to us that everything was ok and "we" would get 'em next time. And yes, he did use "we". That was the way we talked back then. We (all of us who followed him from race to race) were unoffically a part of the Petty team.
Honor the past, embrace the present, dream for the future.
updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM