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Racing History Minute, and more - September 11, 1964

Stock Car Racing History

It's 10:00 a.m. Eastern time Wednesday morning, September 11, 2013. Twelve years ago today, by this time of morning, we, America, were just beginning to realize that we were under attack by those who resent who and what we are. By this time today, September 11, 2013, millions, if not billions of words have been written in newspapers, magazines and on every social media site conceiveable in memory of that day. Images are everywhere of the jets flying into the World Trade Center, the destruction at the Pentagon (for which, incidentally, ground was broken this day in 1941), and the remains of the plane in the Pennsylvania field. There are ceremonies going on right now, and many more to come throughout the day, throughout the country. Terms like "We Remember" and "Never Forget" are on t-shirts, banners, and every other conceiveable merchandise material around.

Everyone reading this post, over the age of 16, I'm sure remembers where they were and what they were doing when the news started to trickle in at first, and then consume the media. It was noon time and lunch hour for me when I saw the first video of the falling towers in New York. I can truthfully say that I could not absorb what was happening. It was like a movie with special effects. Then I saw a picture, still picture of a man and woman who had jumped out of one of the towers from very high up. Being as afraid of heights as I am, that photo was chilling to me and I had nightmares for weeks about that.

The terms "We Remember" and "Never Forget" are certainly spot on. Those of us who lived through that day twelve years ago will certainly always remember and honor the day, now known as Patriots' Day. But let us not forget that there were once "Remember Pearl Harbor", "Remember the Maine", and "Remember the Alamo" slogans out there. As time passed, those phrases became less and less important and today, only the history scholar can recollect those. I hope that the remembrance and observance of September 11, 2001, will always re-ignite the spirit of this Country that made us the greatest Country on earth, ever.

So, as we observe Patriots' Day let us go back to a simpler time in racing history. We'll be remembering the "Buddy Shuman Memorial Race" held on this date in 1964 on a .4 mile dirt track located in Hickory, NC. Twenty-seven cars showed for the event and David Pearson qualified his Cotton Owens Dodge on the pole with a speed of 74.714 mph. Richard Petty started second in a Plymouth, Jimmy Pardue third in another Plymouth, Junior Johnson, driving a Banjo Matthews Ford was fourth and Bobby Isaac, driving a Louie Weathersby Plymouth started fifth.

Eleven thousand fans watched David Pearson lead the first 21 laps until Junior Johnson muscled his way out front where he would remain until lap 64 when his Ford began to overheat. The overheating problem would force the fast man from the Brushy Mountains of NC to park his ride on lap 89. Pearson went back in front when Junior started with his problems and Pearson would remain in front for the rest of the race, winning with a three lap lead over second place.

The second place finisher in this race is a story of its own. Larry Thomas, driving for Herman Beam, the legendary "Turtle" of NASCAR racing, had started dead last and worked his way up to finish second, albeit, three laps in arrears. Quite an accomplishment for the young driver.

Top five finishers were:

1. David Pearson, Cotton Owens Dodge, winning $2,035.00

2. Larry Thomas, Herman Beam Ford, winning $600.00 (3 laps down)

3. Buck Baker, Ray Fox Dodge, winning $400.00 (4 laps down)

4. Jimmy Pardue, Burton-Robinson Plymouth, winning $300.00(4 laps down)

5. Richard Petty, Petty Engineering Plymouth, winning $275.00 (12 laps down)

Sixth through 10th were Curtis Crider, Tiny Lund, Neil Castles, Wendell Scott, and Jimmy Helms. Buddy Arrington was 12th, Roy Tyner 13th, Earl Brooks 20th, Junior Johnson 22nd, and Bobby Isaac 26th.

Appropriately, a "Memorial Race" was run in honor of Buddy Shuman. I wonder who but the most ardent, long time race fan, knows who Buddy Shuman was and what he did? So, on this date when remembering is so important to America, stop, pause,and remember to whom we owe our freedoms. Remember the First Responders 12 years ago. Remember the 3,000 Americans who died that day who were totally innocent of any wrong doing. Remember that we are a country born of Freedom and dedicated to the Preservation of that freedom. God bless America.

Honor the past, embrace the present, dream for the future

updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM

Well, Why Didn't He Just Say So?

Current NASCAR

Well, Dennis, I wouldn't suggest "itching it" but drowning it in Calamine Lotion would work for me.

WHATS THE BEST NEWS YOU EVER HEARD WHILE EATING YOGURT

Stock Car Racing History

Dave, hope you're feeling ok today. Dental work absolutely scares the heck out of me. I'm ok with cottage cheese and yogurt, bit I would rather not have to eat those things because of dental work. Be pain free soon, my friend.

Racersreunion Tour Update

Stock Car Racing History

See you in Occoneechee Jimmy.

Racing History Minute - September 10, 1978

Stock Car Racing History

Yes, I know we just did a race at Richmond for yesterday's minute, but I really thought I should use this one for today for two reasons:

1. Dave Fulton was probably in attendance at this race and can add significant insight to what went on.

2. Two names, Richmond and Waltrip, play big in his"Minute" and as those two names are all the talk today in NASCAR, how much more appropriate!

The "Capital City 400" was run at the then .542 mile paved Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway on this date in 1978. Darrell Waltrip captured the pole in his DiGard Chevrolet with Bobby Allison in a Bud Moore Ford taking second. Third qualifier was Neil Bonnett ina Rod Osterlund Chevrolet, fourth was Dave Dion in his OWN Ford and fifth was Richard Petty in the Petty Enterprises Chevrolet.

D.W. led the first 51 laps before Dave Marcis took over in another Osterlund Chevy. Dave led on lap then Lennie Pond took the lead for one lap before Neil Bonnett moved out front on lap 54 where he would stay until lap 181. It was D.W. on lap 182, Bobby Allison on lap 183, and then D.W. back out front for six laps. Neil Bonnett took over first place again on lap 191 and would stay there until lap 264. Richard Petty led 274 to 285 then Bonnett went back in front until lap 342 when Bobby Allison took over on Bonnett's pit stop. Bobby Allison led laps 343 to 384 before Neil again regained the lead. Bonnett was leading with 6 laps to go when the "Waltrip" move was made to take the lead and win the race.

On lap 392, Bonnett, Waltrip and Bobby Allison were running bumper to bumper when D.W. bumped Bonnett going into turn one. Once was not enough to Waltrip as he continued to slam into the Bonnett machine until D.W. literally forced Neil into the guard rail, ending Neil's chances for the win. But in his haste to dispose of Bonnett, D.W. allowed Bobby Allison to slip under both those cars and into the lead. Waltrip caught Allison and anticipating the likelihood that Allison was more into retaliation for such actions, D.W. passed him without incident to win the race by a 1 second margin.

As the cars pulled into the pits after the checkers, Neil Bonnett headed down pit road and slammed into D.W.'s Chevy. NASCAR official Dick Beaty was forced to jump the guard rail to get out of the way and suffered "minor" injuries.

The microphone was in front of D.W. in Victory Lane when he said "When I passed Neil, I was on the inside and he was on the outside. It think it's pretty poor strategy when he doesn't move up. He actually cut into me". The crowd of some 18,000 seemed to see it differently and booed Waltrip loudly and kept it up for quite sometime completely drowning out the rest of the D.W. Victory Lane interview.

An hour later, the press was interviewing Bonnett and he said, speaking of D.W., "he got into me at the start-finish line and carried me all the way tothe first turn barrier. I don't drive dirty like that. I don't like it when it's done to me". D. W., in typical Waltrip Wisdom responded "I suppose Neil has a right to be upset, I guess I would be too. But I try to win the race any way I can. I don't like to be booted but I'm not going to let it bother me and it won't change the way I drive".

It was apparent that the crowd of 18,000 was peeved (putting it lightly) and D.W. had to have a police escort to the press box for continued post race interviews.

Bill France, Jr. immediately placed both Waltrip and Bonnett of "probation" and stated there was the possibility of fines and/or loss of points and that "strong action" would be taken if anything happened between the drivers in the future.

Top five finishers:

1. Darrell Waltrip, DiGard Chevrolet, winning $13,800.00

2. Bobby Allison, Bud Moore Ford, winning $8,800.00

3. Neil Bonnett,Rod Osterlund Chevrolet, winning $6,575.00

4. Cale Yarborough, Junior Johnson Oldsmobile, winning $6,450.00(1 lap down)

5. Dick Brooks, Junie Donlevey Ford, winning $3,300.00 (3 laps down)

Sixth through tenth were Benny Parsons, Terry Labonte, J.D. McDuffie, Dave Marcis and Roger Hamby. Richard Childress came home 11th, Lennie Pond 12th, Jimmy Means 13th, Ronnie Thomas 14th, Dick May 15th, Buddy Arrington 16th, Cecil Gordon 17th, James Hylton 18th, Joey Arrington 18th and Richard Petty 20th.

Gary Myers finished 21st, Frank Warren 23rd, Dave Dion 26th, and Ed Negre finished 30th and last as only 30 cars started the race.

Honor the past, embrace the present, dream for the future

updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM

AIRPS HOF

Stock Car Racing History

Hold me a ticket Harvey, I'll be there. Dink Widenhouse is one reason my Uncle kept taking me to races as a kid. If it hadn't been for Dink, not sure how involved in the sport I would have ever been. See you Friday.

and the winner for the spinner is Ryan Newman

Current NASCAR

Right you are Dave. To allow Bowyer in the Chase is a travesty. I've already scraped the Legendtorial I had written for tomorrow. I was advised by someone that my thoughts had already been appropriated by someone who snoops our site. So, after Patrick's show tonight, and after what Jeff had to say on that show, tomorrow should be interesting!

and the winner for the spinner is Ryan Newman

Current NASCAR

James, you are exactly right. Under no circumstances should the 15 be allowed in the Chase in any position. If it were up to me, MWR would be banned from NASCAR for life. They did it to Curtis Turner and Tim Flock although they later reinstated them, WHEN THEY NEEDED THEM. As for needing MWR I can't see that ever being a need. Michael Waltrip couldn't walk a straight line on a balance beam.

Racing History Minute - September 9, 1962

Stock Car Racing History

Justa few days before the race we cover today, NASCAR scoring got it wrong and cheated Larry Frank out of the glory of Victory Lane he so richly deserved for winning the Southern 500. That was Frank's only Grand National win and it was recorded for history with his face superimposed over a much heavier Junior Johnson because the ruling was made long after the crowd and the beauty queens had left "the building". Just wait until you read about this debacle in NASCAR scoring a mere six days after the Darlington problems.

Thirty-three cars and drivers made the tow to the Atlantic Rural Fairgrouds Speedway in Richmond, Virginia for the "Capital City 300" on this date in 1962, for a 150 mile race on the half-mile dirt track. Rex White put his Louie Clements Chevrolet on the pole with a speed of 66.127 mph with Joe Weatherly in his Bud Moore Pontiac starting second. G.C.Spencer qualified his Floyd Powell Chevrolet third, Jim Paschal in a Petty Plymouth was fourth and the fifth place qualifier was Emanuel Zervakis in his own Mercury.

Although the lead changed hands nine times between five drivers, it was largely a - Fred Lorenzen-Rex White-Jim Paschal and Richard Petty show, are least as it appeared to the 13,000 fansgathered at the track. Several driverswho did not usually compete on the short tracks, were at Richmond for the event.

There was one caution flag for 9 laps after Jack Smith sailed through the guard rail after his accelerator stuck going down the back stretch. Jack went through the rail, rolled down a 15 foot embankment, but was unhurt. The same could not be said for his Pontiac.

Now comes the most interesting "development" from NASCAR scoring. Someone else was flagged the winner of the race (Jim Paschal I assume) and Joe Weatherly was listed in 11th place, several laps off the pace. The Clown Prince of Racing immediately filed a protest and in his "colorful" language, explained that he had won the race and how he could be scored in such a way was inconceiveable. After a recheck and another recheck and another recheck, NASCAR found the problem. Joe's "official private scorer" failed to record a "number of Joe's laps (two dozen)and that was the reason the winning driver was originally listed outside the top ten. Now, my friends, that is a scoring screw-up that should make the history books!

Top five finishers were:

1. Joe Weatherly, Bud Moore Pontiac, winning $2,000.00

2. Jim Paschal, Petty Engineering Plymouth, winning $1,350.00 (1 lap down)

3. Fred Lorenzen, LaFayette Ford, winning $950.00 (4 laps down)

4. Richard Petty, Petty Engineering Plymouth, winning $675.00 (4 laps down)

5. Rex White, Louis Clements Chevrolet,, winning $510.00 (6 laps down)

Sixth through tenth were Ned Jarrett, Mel Bradley, Bob Welborn, Dick Getty, and Jimmy Pardue. Ray Hendrick, a true NASCAR Legend not only from the Virginia area but throughout the South finished 11th in a Rebel Racing 1961 Pontiac.

Curtis Crider was 12th, G.C. Spencer 14th, Bill Dennis 15th, Fireball Roberts 17th, Fred Harb 19th, Wendell Scott 21st, Emanuel Zervakis 24th, and Jack Smith 29th. Finishing 30th was Buck Baker, 31st Bill Champion, 32nd Elmo Langley and 33rd and last position was Southern 500 winner Larry Frank who fell out of the race on lap two with rear end problems in his Ford.

Honor the past, embrace the present, dream for the future.

updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM

Did He or Didn't He (intentionally bring out the caution to get his teammate in the Chase)? NASCAR Investigating Bowyer Spin

Current NASCAR

Wow! Give 'em hell folks. They deserve it.