Racing History Minute - September 7, 1964
Stock Car Racing History
Thanks Dennis. You are right. Nothing like Darlington.
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Stock Car Racing History
Racing History Minute - September 7, 1964
Stock Car Racing History
Paschal was texting his pits. Was before in car radios and he could text faster than he could read blackboards.
Racing History Minute - September 7, 1964
Stock Car Racing History
With everything the 1964 Southern 500 had going for it, one very important aspect was missing; Fireball Roberts. Fireball had raced in every race run at Darlington, finishing second in the very first Southern 500 and winning the 1958 Southern 500 and winning again in 1963. Fireball had passed away just over two months before the running of the 1964 Southern 500 from complications from the burns he received in the horrific crash on the 7th lap of the 1964 World 600. Somehow, a race at Darlington with Fireball couldn't quite be the same. Nevertheless, the fans gathered and the drivers and crews made ready for 500 miles under a blazing South Carolina Labor Day sun.
Richard Petty, having a great 1964 season, would qualify his Petty Blue Plymouth on the pole at a speed of 138.815 mph. David Pearson, driving a Dodge from the Cotton Owens stable would qualify second, Fred Lorenzen in a Ford third, Jim Paschal ina second Petty Plymouth was fourth and Jimmy Pardue in the number 54 Burton-Robinson Plymouth rolled off from fifth. Starting sixth in a Ray Fox Dodge was wily veteran Buck Baker, who, along with Jim Paschal, had also competed in every Darlington event to date. Baker had won the Southern 500 twice, the last time on three wheels in 1960. To most, on this Labor Day in 1964, Buck was overlooked as a 45 year old grandfather out for a holiday drive, nothing more.
The lead in the race was shared between Richard Petty, Jimmy Pardue, David Pearson, Junior Johnson, Jim Paschal and Paul Goldsmith for the first 301 laps of the 364 laps of the race with Richard Petty leading several times for a total of 252 laps. All these young lions of the sport were keeping the show up front exciting although no one could really tame Petty. That number 43 Plymouth was the class of the field, able to lead at the whim of Petty anytime. On lap 289 Petty dove into the pits and the hood went up. A quick check by "The Chief", Maurice Petty, diagnosed an ignition wire burned through and by the time it was repaired, Richard had lost two laps. He roared back onto the track coming out of pit road and directly into the high speed lane in turn one (a move that wouldn't be allowed these days). He was two laps behind. Petty was absolutely flying around the egg-shaped oval trying to make up his laps when he collided with David Pearson and that resulted in losing another two laps.
On lap 302, with 62 laps remaining, the infield scoreboard began flashing the number 3 of that Ray Fox Dodge leading. The "grand dad" who had been over looked by most, was out front and out front by two full laps. There had been a quote in a newspaper before the race, although I forget who said it, that had to do with so many people getting a laugh out of Baker trying again. The talk was that Baker couldn't be taken as a real threat to win at his age. The writer said something to the effect that "Buck would be a threat if he was pushing a wheelbarrow at Darlington". Kudos to that scribe!
When the checkered flag was waiving, it was Buck Baker winning and Jim Paschal second. Two old pros who had run the very first Southern 500 in 1950. It was a day that the old track seemed to say "today I honor those from the past who helped me gain my reputation as a track". I think, in a way, it was also an testimonial to Ray Fox who proved he still had it as a car builder. Ray's credentials in racing were outstanding and Buck had just helped prove that again.
Top Ten Finishers:
1. Buck Baker, Ray Fox Dodge, winning $21,230.00
2. Jim Paschal, Petty Engineerng Plymouth, winning $8.960.00
3. Richard Petty, Petty Engineering Plymouth, winning $8,170.00
4. Ned Jarrett, Bondy Long Ford, winning $3,575.00
5. Jimmy Pardue, Burton-Robinson Plymouth, winning $2,955.00
6. Billy Wade, Bud Moore Mercury, winning $2,375.00
7. Larry Thomas, Herman Beam Ford, winning $1,775.00
8. Cale Yarborough, Holman-Moody Ford, winning $1,525.00
9. J. T. Putney, Walt Hunter Chevrolet, winning $1,345.00
10.Bob Cooper, Cooper Ford, winning $1,025.00
Finishing 11th was Curtis Crider, 12th David Pearson, 16th Roy Mayne, 17th LeeRoy Yarbrough, 18th G.C.Spencer and 19th Sam McQuagg. Bobby Isaac was 20th, Elmo Langley 21st, Fred Lorenzen 22nd, Junior Johnson 23rd, Darel Dieringer 24th and Lil Bud Moore 25th.
Bobby Johns would claim 27th, Paul Goldsmith 28th, Larry Frank 29th, and Bunkie Blackburn 30th. Buddy Baker was 31st, Tiny Lund 33rd, Neil Castles 35th, Nelson Stacy 39th, Jimmy Helms 42nd, Ed Livingston 43rd and Fran Graham completed only one lap to finish 44th and last.
PERSONAL MEMORIES from this Southern 500.
Our "Richard Petty Fan Club of Columbia" which had been officially recognized on August 8, 1963 when Richard and Lee signed the "Charter" which, incidentally hangs on the wall here in the Lair, had managed to grow to well over 400 members in several states and even a U.S. Marine stationed in Guam. All of that was thanks to Hank Schoolfield and his "Southern Motorsports Journal" who helped promote our little club thanks to so letters to the editor. Hank had added a note to one of those letters something along the lines of our club being the first "International Fan Club" for any race driver. I don't know about that, but I do know we had a good thing.
We had started promoting, just after the Spring race at Darlington, that we would have a meeting of the fan club with all those who could attend, in the third turn infield area on race morning and all were invited. Our group of 20 met at my parents house on Sunday morning with our lead car, Mr. McClary's 1956 Dodge Hemi all decked out with a banner all the way down both sides which proudly proclaimed in two foot high Petty Blue lettering "Richard Petty Fan Club of Columbia". We had two small flags, about 18"X18" inches, both on Petty Blue cloth with one bearing large "43"s and the other with white and gold lettering stating "Richard Petty Fan Club of Columbia". We mounted those flags on the front fenders of the Dodge, much like what you see on the President's Limo these days. Those flags hang over my head here today.
We set out for Darlington very early so we could get in line at the third turn tunnel and claim our place when they opened the gates at 1:00 p.m. The Dodge led the parade of, I think six cars, as we head out US 1, then Highway 34 out of Camden. There was no I-20 then. We hit the track about 9:30 a.m. and were not really that far back in line. Within an hour, we were friends with all the cops and track workers who had come over to look at the white and gold Dodge all bedecked with our Petty attire.
Promptly at 1:00, the gates opened and through some fantastic "miracle" arranged by the cops and track workers we had entertained for over three hours, we were manipulated to near the very front. We were probably within the first ten cars to go through the third turn tunnel. As in the Oklahoma Land Rush, we moved into position and claimed our spot against the fence in turn three. Out came the lawn chairs, the ice chests, the folding card tablesand the big 3'X5' Petty Blue flag which bore "Plymouth 43" on both sides (I side have that flag folded and in plastic in my filing cabinet here). As I looked around our camp site, I could not believe we had managed to stuff so much stuff into the cars we had in our group. But we were at Darlington and Richard Petty was on the pole.
We really did get some sleep in that infield that night, although for the life of me I can't remember how that happened as we were sleeping on the ground between all our cars in sleeping bags. When the sun came up, we were all set up to greet any of the fan club members who would stop by. Having no idea what to expect, it was exciting to anticipate.
By 9:00 a.m. we had a crowd of more people than I could count crowding in to see what was going on with all the "official" look Petty display. We finally put out a notebook and had people start signing up for the fan club. Then members started showing up. I wish I could remember all the names of those members who did show but I do remember a girl named Rosemary who came down from Virginia with her parents as she was already a member of the fan club and wanted to be there. We had an owner of a Chrysler-Plymouth Dealership drive up in a brand new 1964 Plymouth Sport Fury Convertible, Red with white interior and a white top. He was a member from Indiana and he came down to see the race and meet the members of the club. Sammy Bland, who was at that time involved with radio came over and sat with me for 45 minutes or more taping the story of our fan club and the long association I had with the Pettys as a fan. I'm not sure if it was that weekend or not that Sammy was a part of the Darlington Broadcast team. I wish I had that tape to listen to today. But, then again, my memories of that day are really all I need because those memories are just another part of my wonderful life.
To say out group stayed excited most of the race is an understatement. Our man was leading, blowing away the rest of the field, and we were counting the laps until he would come around the winner. Oh, and I should mention that when the cars came around on the pace laps before the race, Richard looked over and saw our Petty encampment and put his arm out the window to wave to all of us which really thrilled the girl named Rosemary. Thrilled some others too because each believe the wave was aimed directly at them.
So, our man lost the race, but we Petty fans had a great day. Our fan club had grown to huge proportions and I remember for the remaining time we had that club letters and cards were always coming in and folks would meet up with us when we attended races where they would be. You know, I wish I could find that list of those members to see where they are today. We had all ages, so I know some have passed away, but there are some still around, some of whom I still hear from today. As my friend Johnny Mallonee is fond of saying "Memories..........:".
OTHER SOUTHERN 500s run on September 7th.
1953:
1. Buck Baker, Oldsmobile
2. Fonty Flock, Hudson
3. Curtis Turner, Oldsmobile
4. Dick Meyer, Dodge
5. Herb Thomas, Hudson
1959:
1. Jim Reed, Chevrolet
2. Bob Burdette, T-Bird
3. Bobby Johns, Chevrolet
4. Richard Petty, Plymouth
5. Tommy Irwin, T-Bird
1970:
1. Buddy Baker, Dodge
2. Bobby Isaac, Dodge
3. Pete Hamilton, Plymouth
4. David Pearson, Ford
5. Richard Petty, Plymouth
1981:
1. Neil Bonnett, Ford
2. Darrell Waltrip, Buick
3. Dave Marcis, Buick
4. Terry Labonte, Buick
5. Buddy Baker, Buick
So, we are leaving Darlington in the rear view mirror after seven days and seven Southern 500 events run on Labor Day. Without Darlington, without Harold Brasington, would NASCAR be what and where it is today? No real answer to that but I like to think it was because of Brasington that NASCAR moved from the small quarter-mile and half-mile dirt tracks to the "big time". The stories of Darlington lore are as numerous as grains of sand on Myrtle Beach. Those include stories of the drivers, mechanics, car owners, sponsors, and fans. I have enough Darlington stories to fill a good size volume which include some of my richest experiences in racing. Those stories are best told around an infield campfire but, alas, those are no longer permitted and, in fact, the infield is so restricted there is little room to even consider the encampment we set up there in 1964.
NASCAR took away the Labor Day tradition after the 1983 race. Eventually they took away the Labor Day weekend tradition when the race was moved from that weekend to Mothers Day weekend and run on a Saturday night. Seeing a night race on that famed venue is a spectacle of beauty for sure but, in the mind of this old man who watched the races from the infield from 1957 until the end of the Labor Day weekend tradition, there is nothing in racing to compare to the parade laps at Darlington when the field was started three abreast. I have my Darlington Memories and as long as I am living, those memories will survive. Unlike the dust raised in turn one on the first lap of that first Southern 500 that settled back to earth and was consumed, my love for the REAL Darlington and the REAL Southern 500 will never disappear. Thank you Harold Brasington!
updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM
Other September 6 Southern 500 winners
Stock Car Racing History
Thanks Chase. Some wonderful memories for me in what you posted. It did seem to me that Richard Petty could find more ways to lose at Darlington than David Pearson found to win there. But it was always some great racing and I miss those Labor Day afternoons in the infield.
A SAYING THAT suits Racers Reunion
Trivia
Johnny, I feel so fortunate to have run my first race on the dirt surface at Columbia Speedway. As we started the Columbia Speedway reunions, I couldn't help but feel the history all around me from all those nights spent there watching races on dirt. The dirt surfaces of Columbia, Savannah, Newberry, Batesburg-Leesville and other tracks I don't even remember now, were all the races I saw until my first trip to Darlington in 1957. Even after Darlington, every where else I went to races were dirt tracks. To be a fan and never have seen a dirt race is a big loss. To be a racer and to never have run dirt leaves much to be desired and sought.
Racing History Minute - September 6, 1965
Stock Car Racing History
Dennis, I like the term, "Gentleman Racer" as well. I did not realized you and your Dad had such a close connection with Reid Shaw. Thanks so much for adding your post here. I really appreciate the personal additions to these History Minutes. For those who read what we write here and look at the picture, articles and videos, they will have a true look at how the sport was built and from whose efforts it was build. Thanks.
Racing History Minute - September 6, 1965
Stock Car Racing History
Dave, your post is a beautiful memory of how life was for us of that generation and being a race fan. I know about putting the radio in the window, a lesson learned from my Uncle Bobby when I was just a little kid and we listened to the 1952, through 1956 Southern 500 on that front porch of Grand Dad's house in the big wooden rocking chairs. Even after that house was torn down and my uncle build his new house in front of where the old house was, he left that front porch there. When I was a kid, the porch was wood. About 1957 they tore off the wooden porch and build a porch of brick and concrete. My Uncle Bobby said he left that porch there as a memory of the old home place.I guess it will be there until the next generation decides it is no longer needed and then one more part of happy memories will be gone.
Thanks for your post, with all the pictures. I am very simply touched by the memories.
Racing History Minute - September 6, 1965
Stock Car Racing History
The 1965 Southern 500 contained tragedy, survivial from an amazing accident, 44 laps of caution flags, and a surprising winner by a long shot.
Junior Johnson recorded a qualifying speed of 137.571 mph to put his number 26 Ford on the pole. Sadly, on the first lap of the race, he is out for the day with ignition problems. No "start and park" there, just a misfortune for the North Carolina hard charger. Fred Lorenzen would start his Ford second, and Marvin Panch would start his Ford third. Earl Balmer in a Mercury would start fourth, and Darel Dieringer in another Mercury would start fifth. All of these cars were factory teams of Ford Motor Company, the only manufacturer activitely involved in the 1965 season as NASCAR had outlawed the Chrysler Corporation Hemi engine except for in the big Plymouth Furys and Dodge Polaras. General Motors was not "actively" involved in the sport in 1965.
Action started early as on the second lap, young driver, Buren Skeen, driving Reid Shaw's independant Ford entry, slid in turn three and was hit broadside by Reb Wickersham. Wickersham's Ford connected with the driver's door of the Skeen vehicle with such force it pushed the driver's seat to the right side of the car. Rescue workers took more than 20 minutes to remove an unconcious Skeen from the wreck. He was transported to the hospital in Florence where he would pass away 9 days later from internal injuries and the basal skull fracture received. Wickersham was badly shaken in the accident and spent the night in the hospital.
On lap 118, Sam McQuagg, in an independant Ford entry was battling Cale Yarborough for the lead as the pair entered turn one with Sam on the outside, Cale attempting the pass on the inside. For several laps prior, Cale had faked outside, then inside, then back to the inside setting up McQuagg for the pass. Part of that issue was the tricky passing at Darlington, and the other part was that McQuagg, in his Ford could outrun Cale in the Factory Banjo Matthews Ford. Cale sideswiped McQuagg, who refused to yeild to Cale merely because Cale was "factory material" and as the result of the sideswipe, Cale's Ford turned toward the guard rail (no concrete walls then) and the number 27 literally became airborne and sailed OVER the rail without ever touching it. Cale rolled and tumbled down the enbankment, coming to rest against a power pole. That accident has made more high reels than can be counted, and was included in the move "Red Line 7000" which was being made at the time.
Curtis Turner had been reinstated by NASCAR, not so much out of graciousness by the sanctioning body, but moreso to inspire the return of fans who were staying home in droves because of the Chrysler Corporation boycott and missing such drivers as Richard Petty and David Pearson. Turner entered the Southern 500 in Sam Fletcher '65 Plymouth Fury. The Fury was not made for racing and although the Hemi was allowed, the match of that engine with that car was not exactly race worthy. Turner would be out of the race by lap 51 with wheel bearing issues. However, another 1965 Fury, driven by three time Southern 500 winner, Buck Baker, would finish second, although 14 laps behind the winner.
Lorenzen led the first 32 laps, then Dieringer for 12 laps, then Balmer, Bobby Johns, Jim Paschal and Cale Yarborough. It was a close contest between those guys until Sam McQuagg took over on lap 88 and he would stay in front, in spite of Cale's best efforts, until Sam served as the launcher for Cale's short flight. The damage done by the encounter with Cale's car put McQuagg out.
The race then became a see-saw battle between Fred Lorenzen in his factory Ford and Darel Dieringer in his factory Mercury. Ned Jarrett stayed close but his factory Ford was experiencing overheating issues and he was nursing it along just to stay in the race. On lap 326 of the 364 lap race, leader Lorenzen headed for the garage with a blown engine. Even as Freddie was parking his Ford, smoke began to follow Dieringer's Mercury, smoke from the rear end as the differential was failing. He had a sizeable lead on then second place Jarrett and tried to limp the remaining laps until the Merc finally gave it up for good with 39 laps to go. That left Ned Jarrett in his Bondy Long Ford, in the lead, with an overheating engine, but with a 14 lap lead over second place.
Ned slowed to try to cool his car. The last 20 laps of the race, Ned was barely managing to average 117 mph per lap and by his own admission he was worried about NASCAR black flagging him for being too slow. Nevertheless, the blue Ford made the distance and it was very happy Ned Jarrett who celebrated with his family in Victory Lane that afternoon. Ned was the ONLY factory driver to finish the race.
Top ten finishers:
1. Ned Jarrett, Bondy Long Ford, winning $21,060.00
2. Buck Baker, Baker Plymouth, winning $9,170.0 (14 laps behind)
3. Darel Dieringer, Bud Moore Mercury, winning $7,200.00(out on lap 345)
4. Roy Mayne, Tom Hunter Chevrolet, winning $3,225.00 (19 laps behind)
5. Buddy Arrington, Arrington Dodge, winning $2,400.00 (20 laps behind)
6. H. B. Bailey, Bailey Pontiac, winning $1,750.00 (24 laps behind)
7. Stick Elliott, Toy Boltin Chevrolet, winning $1,500.00 (28 laps behind)
8. Frank Warren, Harold Rhodes Chevrolet, winning $1,250.00 (30 laps behind)
9. J. T. Putney, Herman Beam Chevrolet, winning $1,000.00 (34 laps behind)
10.Wendell Scott, Clay Esteridge Ford, winning $900.00 (44 laps behind)
Fred Lorenzen was credited with 11th although falling out on lap 319. PAUL LEWIS finished 14th, Wayne Smith 15th, G.C. Spencer 20th, Jim Paschal 22nd, Neil Castles 25th, Elmo Langley 26th, LeeRoy Yarbrough 27th, Buddy Baker 28th, Sam McQuagg 28th, and Cale Yarborough 29th. Marvin Panch was 37th, Tiny Lund 39th, and Lil Bud Moore 40th.
PERSONAL NOTES on this Southern 500:
During the 1965 season I observed the boycott of the races in respect for my affinity for Mopars and because my favorite, Richard Petty was not racing. I didn't even listen to the races on the radio with the exception of the Darlington races because Darlington was very special to me. Also, I did attend the two Grand National races at Columbia Speedway because that was MY track. I used to joke that there was law preventing the green flag from waving at Columbia Speedway unless I was in the infield. Many, many years later, as I became friends with one of our South Carolina Legislators, we joked about that and he offered to introduce a bill in the House to make that a law but Columbia Speedway had long since ceased to operate by then. BUT, the April race at Columbia Speedway played a big part in my pulling for Ned Jarrett in the 1965 Southern 500. Allow me to explain.
When Ned started driving for Bondy Long, his shop and home were in Camden, SC, about a 30 minute jaunt up highway 1 from my house. My cousin, Eddie, who would later help me on my own race car was a big fan of Ned. We often made the drive over to the shop where we were always treated great. Not many, if any fans, stopped race shops in those days. If Ned was there, he would spend all the time with us. We would go watch his sons play little league ball from time to time (although I cannot stand baseball). Ned was always so good to us and it was nice to have him just 30 minutes aways.
So, back to the Columbia Speedway race in April, 1965. We had all gone to the race in my 1965 Plymouth Belvedere (actually my Daddy's but I claimed it). As always, after the race, we hung around until almost the last to leave. We walked back to the car to find BOTH left side tired flat. I had run over something to flatten them. With only one spare and it now close to midnight, I was in trouble. Looking around, there were no cars left in the infield. The Firestone Tire truck was all loaded up and the guy who drove it was standing there talking to Ned. Ned had run second to Tiny Lund that night. When we walked up Ned asked what was wrong and when I told him, he pondered the thought for a minute and then saying his spare, being a Ford, would not fit my Plymouth. He turned to the Firestone guy and talked to him and before I could even think, the Firestone guy was headed to the infield with a jack. In short order, both tires were full of air and back on the car. The Firestone guy said there was "no charge" but I often wondered if Ned had taken care of it. I mentioned that to Ned about a year ago at the RacersReunion Hall of Fame induction where he was inducted and he really does not remember it although I think that is more along the lines of he doesn't want to remember it the way we did.
After the race, my cousin Eddie, who had gone to Darlington, called when he got home about 9:00 p.m. and wanted to know if I wanted to ride over to Camden and welcome Ned home. I declined because I had to go to work early the next day (parts department at the local Dodge dealer waiting on my Naval assignment to start). I have had a thousand regrets for not making that trip because Eddie told me how the reception was in Camden when Ned got there. Wish I could have been a part of that.
One final Ned Jarrett-Tim Leeming story. I was on active duty when Ned retired in 1967 and I wrote him a letter from my ship pretty much saying "thanks for the memories". About three weeks after that, I got a big brown envelope from Ned which included a program from the last Rockingham race he ran and one of the nicest letters I've ever gotten. Ned is quite a guy and was one awesome race driver.
OTHER SOUTHERN 500s run on September 6th.
1954:
1. Herb Thomas, Hudson
2. Curtis Turner, Oldsmobile
3. Marvin Panch, Dodge
4. Johnny Patterson, Mercury
5. Jim Paschal, Oldsmobile
1971:
1. Bobby Allison, Mercury
2. Richard Petty, Plymouth
3. Buddy Baker, Dodge
4. Bobby Isaac, Dodge
5. Dave Marcis, Plymouth
1976:
1. David Pearson, Mercury
2. Richard Petty, Dodge
3. Darrell Waltrip, Chevrolet
4. Dave Marcis, Dodge
5. Lennie Pond, Chevrolet
1982:
1. Cale Yarborough, Buick
2. Richard Petty, Pontiac
3. Dale Earnhardt, Ford
4. Bill Elliott, Ford
5. Buddy Baker, Pontiac
I have only included Southern 500s run on LABOR DAY in this series. The last Labor Day Southern 500 was September 5, 1983. I have my ticket stub under the glass here on my desk in The Lair. The ticket was for Grandstand B on Row 6, and cost $15.00
Honor the past, embrace the present, dream for the future
updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM
Other September 5 Southern 500 winners
Stock Car Racing History
These pictures and videos are incredible! I see so many things that take me back to my youth. Great job, Chase, locating and posting all this.