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Racing History Minute - March 31, 1957

Stock Car Racing History

The eighth race of the 1957 season was to be contested on the half-mile dirt track known as Asheville-Weaverville Speedway. Eighteen cars showed up that day with 6,000 spectators to witness the 100 mile/200 lap event.

Marvin Panch, the current points leader at the time, qualified the DePaolo Ford (one of four DePaolo entries) on the pole with a speed of 73.649 mph.It was Marvin's second pole in 8 races. Fireball Roberts in another DePaolo Ford qualified second, Buck Baker in a Hugh Babb Chevy third, Jim Paschal in a Bill Stroppe Mercury fourth and Paul Goldsmith in yet another DePaolo Ford would roll off fifth.

The DePaolo Fords looked to be the class of the field as Panch roared off into the lead on the green and held that lead for the first 54 laps before yielding to DePaolo teammate, Fireball Roberts. Fireball stayed out front from lap 55 to 104 when a sour engine forced him out of the race. Buck Baker took his Hugh Babb Chevy to the lead when Fireball parked and Buck would lead the rest of the way.

The DePaolo Fords, so strong at first, were all out of the race with Fireball's departure. Ralph Moody, driving the number 12 Ford was out on lap 17 with engine failure. Marvin Panch in the number 99 was out on lap 54 with rear end failure. Paul Goldsmith's Ford also experienced rear end failure and was parked on lap 64. Fireball's demise was caused by a piston failure on lap 104.

Ralph Earnhardt was tapped to drive for Lee Petty Engineering in an Oldsmobile and completed 71 laps before overheating problems forced him out of the race. He had started 9th and had run a consistent race until the over heating situation ended his day.

March, 1957, was a good month for Buck Baker. He had placed second in races at Concord, NC on March 5th, and at Wilson Speedway in NC on March 17th. He won he race at Hillsboro, NC on March 24th and won again on March 31st at Asheville-Weaverville. Even so, after the Asheville-Weaverville race Baker was 216 points behind point leader Marvin Panch. Baker would go on to claim the 1957 Grand National Championship at the end of 53 race season.

Average speed for the race was 65.693 mph.

Finishing order:

1. Buck Baker, Hugh Babb Chevrolet, $850.00

2. Speedy Thompson, Hugh Babb Chevrolet, $625.00 (1 lap down)

3. Jim Paschal, Bill Stroppe Mercury, $350.00 (2 laps down)

4. Jack Smith no further info on Jack in this race. Overlooked in rundown

5. Dick Beaty, Beaty Ford, $310.00 (12 laps down)

6. Johnny Allen

7. Bill Morton

8. Billy Myers

9. L. D. Austin

10. Lee Petty

11. Brownie King

12. Clarence DeZalia

13. Fireball Roberts

14. Ralph Earnhardt

15. Paul Goldsmith

16. Marvin Panch

17. Ralph Moody

18. George Green

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

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

LOOKING LIKE THE OLD DAYS --and the racing too ! !

Current NASCAR

I only got to listen on the radio (which was pretty wonderful being Waltripless) but doing it that way only made it more like the old days. Seeing it on a television screen is one thing, but seeing it through the eye of your mind really makes it memorable. Was a great race.

Racing History Minute - March 30, 1952

Stock Car Racing History

Once more, today, we are going back, way back, into the history of the sport to a track loved by many drivers and fans, which today sits as a lonely, desolate reminder of the origins of the sport. The race we cover today was a 200 lap/125 mile event on a .625 mile dirt track in the Brushy Mountains of North Carolina. Yes, North Wilkesboro. This race was event number 4 for the 1952 season.

As with many of the events from the early days, my source (Greg Fielden's "Forty Years of Stock Car Racing") does not include much of the information so readily available for races in later seasons. But, as often repeated here, the purpose of these Minutes is to showcase the early days as well and great races in later years, although we haven't gone much past 1984.

Herb Thomas, one of eight Hudson drivers entered in this event, qualified for the pole with a speed of 75.075 mph. Buck Baker would start another Hudson in second place. Beyond those two, qualifying positions are no available to me. As for lap leaders, that is simple; Herb Thomas led the entire 200 laps and actually finished one lap, plus a little distance, over second place Fonty Flock driving an Oldsmobile. Of the eight Hudson entries, Herb was the ONLY Hudson running at the finish. In fact, there were only 7 of the 24 starters running at the end of the race and one of those, Otis Martin driving a Buick was 63 laps off the pace and finished 10th. The 7th, 8th, and 9th place cars ahead of Martin were out of the race.

There were 10,000 fans there for the race, all of whom were on their feet when the current points second place driver, Frankie Schneider, flipped his Oldsmobile on lap 40 and slid back down thetrack directly into the path of Perk Brown. Brown crashed hard into thealready mangled Rocket 88Oldsmobile of Schneider. Neither driver was injured.

Finishing order:

1. Herb Thomas, FABULOUS Hudson Hornet, $1,000.00

2.Fonty Flock, Air Lift Olds88,$700.00 (1 lap down)

3. Bill Blair, George Hutchens Olds 88 $450.00 (1 lap down)

4. Donald Thomas, T.D. Meeks Ford, $350.00 (1 lap down)

5. Dave Terrell, Terrell Plymouth, $200.00 (1 lap down)

6. Neil Cole

7.Buddy Shuman

8. Jim Paschal

9. Lee Petty

10. Otis Martin

11.Joe Eubanks

12. Leonard Tippett

13. ShortyGibbs

14. Charles Gattillia

15.Buck Baker

16. Marshall Teague

17. Bobby Courtwright

18. Frankie Schneider

19. Perk Brown

20. Curtis Turner

21. Tim Flock

22. Jimmie Lewallen

23. Dick Rathmann

24. Harold Mays

The average speed for the race was 58.597. Although my source does not include the number of action flag, I can say that, in addition to the spectacular crash between Schneider and Brown on lap 40, Harold Mays crashed his Chrysler on the first lap.

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

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

Racing History Minute - March 28, 1954

Stock Car Racing History

As we are winding down our History Minutes (the first one ran April 5, 2013) I am looking for events that have been mostly lost to history and even my source (Greg Fielden's "Forty Years of Stock Car Racing") has limited information. Today we go to Oglethorpe Speedway, a half-mile dirt track just outside of Savannah, Georgia. The race was 100 miles/200 laps, as were so many of the events of such tracks.

The only qualifying information available is that Herb Thomas qualified his FABULOUS Hudson Hornet on the pole with a speed of 63.202 mph. It is also pointed out in the text of the article that the "highly regarded" Number 3, yep, bears repeating, NUMBER THREE, John Ditz Hudson to be driven by Donald Thomas. The regular driver for the number 3 Pure Sensitized Hudson, Dick Rathmann, was driving in a Grand National race on the west coast at Oakland Stadium. Rathmann was driving a Ray Erickson Hudson in the same day event as won the 125 mile race on that half-mile dirt track in California. But, back to Oglethorpe.

Herb Thomas had run a very competitive race and was running a solid fourth place when he broke a right front hub taking him out of competition at virtually the last minute. Al Keller would win the race in his George Miller Hudson. Keller would also win another race of historic significance on a road course when he drove a Jaguar to the win, but for this report, it was a half mile dirt track and a Hudson Hornet.

Finishing Order:

1. Al Keller, George Miller Hudson, $1,000.00

2. Buck Baker, Griffin Motors Oldsmobile, $650.00 (1 lap down)

3. Gober Sosebee, Cherokee Garage Oldsmobile $450.00 (6 laps down)

4. Donald Thomas, Pure Sensitized Hudson, $350.00 (11 laps down)

5. Joe Eubanks, Oates Motor Company Hudson, $300.00 (12 laps down)

6. Ralph Liguori

7. Jim Paschal

8. Tommy Elliott

9. Eddie Skinner

10. Herb Thomas

11. Fonty Flock

12. Bob Flock

13. Emory Lewis

14. Ted Rambo

15. Dave Terrell

16.Ted Chamberlain

17. Bill Irvin

18. Jimmie Lewallen

19. Jack Smith

20. Bob Welborn

21. Artie Mitchell

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

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

Frances Flock update

Administrative

Just a little note to let you all know I spoke with Frances by phone yesterday afternoon. She was as bubbly (is that a word) as always. We talked about her museum to Tim and all the things she is doing around the house. We briefly discussed her medical issues but she assures me those are bothering her and she doesn't intend to talk about them! lol.

I mentioned to her that our group will be at the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Saturday and she told me that if she doesn't have someone working on her house Saturday, she is planning on driving herself up there. Doctor has cleared her to drive and do about anything else she wants to.

What a grand lady!!

updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:02:57PM

Racing History Minute - March 27, 1955

Stock Car Racing History

This History Minute for yesterday covered the 100 mile race at Columbia Speedway in which Fonty Flock gave Chevrolet its first Grand National win. Whether it was the result of that first win or not, I cannot say, but the race we cover today had four top executives of the Chevrolet Division of General Motors in attendance.It was, unfortunately, not a good day for the Chevys (2) in the race, but the crowd of 8,000 was treated to a good show.

The race was held on the 1.0 mile (sometimes considered a .9 mile track) known as Orange Speedway located in Hillsboro, NC. There were 21 starters with Tim Flock winning the pole with a qualifying speed of 91.696 mph. Buck Baker would start the Griffin Motors Oldsmobile second, Jim Paschal in the Helzafire Olds third, Fonty Flock in the Frank Christain Chevrolet fourth, and Don White in an Oldsmobile fifth.

The race was to be 100 laps around the slightly banked track which had a back straight running right beside the river. Tim Flock took off in his Mercury Outboards Chrysler and would lead the first 48 laps. On lap 49, having methodically worked his way to be in a position to take over the lead, Jim Paschal moved his Olds to the point where he would stay 'til the end. Jim had built up a half lap lead by that point to take the win going away with an average speed of 82.304 mph.

The only caution flag was displayed only once. Rookie John Capps flipped his Lincoln on lap 21. Capps was not injured, but the Lincoln was done for the day.

Finishing Order:

1. Jim Paschal, Helzafire Oldsmobile, $1,000.00

2. Buck Baker, Griffin Motors Oldsmobile, $650.00 (1/2 lap down)

3. Don White, Oldsmobile, $400.00

4. Joel Million, Ernest Woods Oldsmobile, $350.00 (1 lap down)

5. Fonty Flock, Frank Christian Chevrolet, $300.00 (1 lap down)

6. Lee Petty

7. Ralph Liguori

8. Mark Hanbury

9. John Dodd, Jr.

10. Tommy Ringstaff

11. Gene Simpson

12. Junior Johnson

13. Donald Thomas

14. Dick Rathmann

15. Eddie Skinner

16. Herb Thomas

17. Tim Flock

18. Blackie Pitt

19.John Capps

20. Jimmie Lewallen

21. Fred Dove

PERSONAL NOTE: The track where this race was held is on the Register of Historic Places and is the site where The Historic Speedway Group holds an event each September. I have been privileged to attend that event for the past four years. In my humble opinion, the event, known as the "Celebration of the Automobile" is the absolute pinnacle of events for those of us who treasure this history of stock car racing. The parade of historic race cars around the track is spectacular beyond words to describe. You MUST see that. Also, some of the most significant figures from racings early days are in attendance to meet with and interact with fans throughout the day. If you have only ONE event a year you wish to attend, make it that one. You will not be disappointed! Check it out on our "Events" calendar here on site.

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

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

What would YOU do in Sam Ard's place?

Stock Car Racing History

Dennis said it best for all of us I think. I can certainly understand Sam and Jo's position either way. Never had to face that with my parents as both passed before reaching a stage where around the clock care was required. My Uncle Bobby was probably only weeks away from having to be to a care facility when he passed away. My prayers are certainly with the Ards. God bless them and all who care for them. Sam Ard sure provided a great deal of excitement to my life over the years.

March 26, 1989: A dismal day for Petty Enterprises

Stock Car Racing History

I remember that day when Richard failed to qualify as well. I had no words then, and no words now, for the feeling I experienced. Dave, thanks for sharing that about Paul Sawyer. I always did think he was a special guy and what you just put up just proves that to me. Thanks.

Racing History Minute - March 26, 1955

Stock Car Racing History

There remains, out of sight from highway 321 running through Cayce, SC, a half-mile race track, now asphalt, but once the dirt track of champions. The Historic Columbia Speedway holds a place in NASCAR history known by many, but over looked by most. One of the "small" parts of the NASCAR history from that track is that, on this date in 1955, A Chevrolet automobile won for the FIRST time in Grand National competition. It came about as follows.

Fonty Flock had left the Frank Christian team, which field Oldsmobiles, in 1954. Fonty decided to return to the team in 1955, Frank agreed to take him back, and Frank switched from Oldsmobiles to Chevrolets. For the sixth race of the 1955 season, the Chevrolet under the Christian racing banner made its debut.

Records from this race as sketchy, at best, due mainly to the destruction of the scoring stand which wiped out the timing device. The spectacular four car wreck happened on lap 132 of the 200 lap event when Joel Million, Billy Myers, Jim McClain and Gober Sosebee came together fighting for the same spot, and the Oldsmobile driven by Sosebee literally went through the scoring stand totally destroying it. None of the four drivers were injured and it is not reported in my source (Greg Fielden's "Forty Years of Stock Car Racing") whether or not any scorers were injured.

This we do know; Tim Flock, Fonty's brother, started on the pole in a Carl Kiekhaefer Chrysler and led the first 134 laps. Fonty took over on lap 135 and led the remaining laps to gain the win. Because of the loss of the scoring stand, there is no official time records for the event. A "crowd" of only 2,900 fans showed up for the 100 mile/200 lap race.

Finishing order:

1. Fonty Flock, Frank Christian Chevrolet, $1,000.00

2. Don White, Oldsmobile, $650.00

3. Dick Rathmann, Blue Crown Hudson, $450.00

4. Buck Baker, Griffin Motors Oldsmobile, $350.00

5. Tim Flock, Carl Kiekhaefer Chrysler

6. Lee Petty

7. Junior Johnson

8. Jim Paschal

9. Ralph Liguori

10. Herb Thomas

11. Blackie Pitt

12. Dink Widenhouse

13. Joe Eubanks

14. Eddie Skinner

15. Gene Simpson

16. Mack Hanbury

17. Gober Sosebee

18. Joel Million

19.Billy Myers

20. Jim McClain

21. Glenn Blackman

22. Jimmie Lewallen

PERSONAL NOTE: I have absolutely no memory of this race although I would have most likely have been in the infield. If my Uncle Bobby was still with us, I could go visit him today and I'm sure he could give me an almost lap by lap recollection of events.

Besides losing my Uncle Bobby on October 29th of last year, my biggest regret as to him is that I did not record the conversations he and I share over the last two years of his life. Every time I would go visit, which was often as he didn't live that far from me, the conversation would get around to racing within the first 10 minutes of what always turned into a 2 to 4 hour visit. Until the day he passed away, his mind was as clear as could be and his memory for racing events was uncanny. Of all the trips and races I thought I remembered, he filled me in on many more. I had vague memories of traveling to tracks outside of Columbia, but I found out, during those conversations, that when I was just a kid, I had visited North Wilkesboro, Martinsville, to name two of the more well known NASCAR tracks. But the list of short tracks around South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia that we visited would fill a ghost track book. Few tracks, if any, were missed as Bobby went wherever they raced and I was his tag along shadow. It seems that now it's the bigger events I attended with Bobby that I recall and although there are vague images of cars racing around semi-lighted dirt tracks all around, I can't give specifics as to the tracks or many of the drivers.

Thanks, Uncle Bobby. What a life you gave this old man back in the day.

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

The Next Generation Race Broadcasters

Current NASCAR

Billy, that is so very well stated and absolutely true. Barney Hall has always been one I admire greatly, as well as Ray Melton, Ned Jarrett and Dave Despain. For some reason, I can't recall Louis Compton. As for Brad and Rutlege, while I don't put them in the same category as the Waltrip brothers, they are distracting. The question has been asked, and I'll repeat it "where did that Rutlege Wood come from"?