Absolutely fantastic post!!! Pictures are awesome and really bring back memories. I may have nightmares, however, after seeing the guy in the Winston cap pretend he can read a newspaper.
Our Minute for today is another of those "season starters" at the end of another season. We are going to the 3/4 mile dirt track known as Charlotte Speedway which would host the second race of the 1956 season. The first race of the 1956 season was run at Hickory, NC on November 12, 1956, and was won by Tim Flock in one of those Kiekhaefer Chryslers.
At the Charlotte track, Fonty Flock would win the pole at a speed of 70.498mph. He was driving one of those white Kiekhaefer Chrysler. Brother, Tim Flock, in another Kiekhaefer car qualified second, Lee Petty in his Petty Engineering Dodge was third, Bunk Moore in a Buick fourth and Dink Widenhouse in a Ford was fifth.
The race was 134 laps around the track and Fonty would lead all 134 of those laps, although badgered at every turn by brother Tim. There were two caution flags to slow the average speed to 61.835 mph. One caution flag was caused on lap 24 when the gas tank from Don Oldenburg's Buick became detacted and fell onto the track right in front of hard charging Bob Welborn. Welborn hit the tank, which did not explode or catch fire, but the contact with the wayward gas tank caused Welborn to slam into the dirt embankment and flip his Chevrolet which put him out of the race.
To read that Fonty led the entire race would lead you to believe he pulled away and went on to an easy win. Thanks to his brother Tim, that was not the case. In fact, the 10,800 fans at this Bruton Smith promoted event were on their feet the last few laps as Tim made move after move to take the lead. Coming to the checkers, Tim pulled along side and when they crossed the line, Fonty had a half a car length win over Tim. Of course, now, remember, those 1956 Chryslers were pretty long cars. Nevertheless, that was, up to that point, one of the closest finishes in the Grand National Series of NASCAR.
Finishing order:
1. Fonty Flock, Kiekhaefer Chrysler, winning $1,100.00
2. Tim Flock, Kiekhaefer Chrysler, winning $700.00
3. Lee Petty, Petty Engineering Dodge, winning $475.00
4. Joe Weatherly, Schwam Ford, winning $365.00 (1 lap down)
5. Buck Baker, Satcher Motors Ford, winning $310.00 (1 lap down)
6. Dink Widenhouse
7. Curtis Turner
8. Dave Terrell
9. Gwyn Staley
10. Cotton Owens
11. Herb Thomas
12. Ned Jarrett
13. Ed Cole, Jr.
14.Ted Cannady
15.BlackiePitts
16.Jimmie Lewallen
17. Speedy Thompson
18. Bill Blair
19. Jimmy Massey
20. Bob Welborn
21. Don Oldenburg
22. Bunk Moore
23. Jim Paschal
24. John Dodd, Jr.
25. Fred Harb
26. Reds Kagle
27.Eddie Skinner
Honor the past, embrace the present, dream for the future
If only................. It looks like a beautiful facility. Hope NASCAR doesn't get involved or they will be removing grandstand seats before they even open.
If Jeff Burton is the "new mouthpiece for NBC" that would be pretty good. I respect Jeff very much and he has actually appeared in the booth once or twice I have been around to hear. He is good and his voice is pleasant. Perhaps his addition to NBC will show FOX just what irritating idiots they keep on the payroll. Then again, if Burton starts with that "boogity" crap, that's it.
Be sure to check out the Forum Post from Scott Baker today about the Ontario, California race. He has some outstanding photographs from that race. Great to have such an addition to our continuing efforts to preserve the history of the sport.
Along the lines of preserving history, it was on this date in 1863, that Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address. Part of that address, although this may not be the exact quote, was "people will little remember what I said here but will long remember what they did here" as he referred to the fallen Americans on both sides of the battle. Seems funny that 150 years later that short speech is the one most Junior High School Students have to memorize in their American History Class. Waxing a little philosophical here, I am more and more convinced each day that passes that if those of us who care about the true history of this sport we care so much about don't record our memories for the future generations, then all we will have is the fantasy stories from the sanctioning body which seems to enjoy revising the real history to satisfy some agenda which escapes me.
Today, we are traveling back to November 19, 1989, and the Atlanta International Raceway for the "Atlanta Journal 500". Forty-two cars would start the event, the 29th and last race of the 1989 season which would settle the points battle between Dale Earnhardt and Rusty Wallace. The two had been battling for the title for weeks and both were prepared to run the race for the title. Well, when you look at the record, it appears Dale was much more interested in running off with the race than the title but he also knew that by winning, Rusty could not "out point him" so Dale's plan was to go for broke.
Qualifying saw Alan Kulwicki put his Ford on the pole with a speed of 179.112 mph. Ken Schrader would start a Hendrick Chevy second, Dale Earnhardt in the Childress Chevy third, and Rusty Wallace in the Blue Max Pontiac fourth. Terry Labonte in the Junior Johnson Ford would roll off fifth.
Schrader led lap one but Earnhardt blasted past Ken coming off turn two on lap two and would lead for the next 50 laps. Davey Allison took over on a pit stop exchange and led laps 53-54 before he pitted allowing D.W. to lead a lap. Dick Trickle led lpas 56 to 84, before Ricky Rudd took over on lap 85. It was A.J. Foyt out front on lap 86 bit he lost that lead on lap 87 when Schrader went back in front. The lead changed hands several times the remainder of the race between Schrader, Ricky Rudd, Sterling Marlin and Earnhardt, but it was Earnhardt who clearly had the upper hand in the speed department. In fact, Dale would lead the last 35 laps of the race, pulling away from the field as if the others were running on flat tires.
When the race started, all Rusty Wallace needed to do was finish in 19th place or better to win the Championship over Dale, no matter what Dale did. It started out easy enough with Rusty starting fourth. At the start of the race, Wallace, leading the points by 78, dropped back to protect his lead and conserve his car. He was one of the first to pit, on schedule, but only a few laps later the caution waved and Rusty was then a lap down to Earnhardt and the other front runners. Later, Rusty felt what he thought was a flat tire so he pitted. The tire was fine. Down another lap. Nearing the end of the event, lug nuts began to tear through the left rear wheel so it was back to the pits and a third lap in arrears. He did manage to struggle through the setbacks and ended up finishing 15th to win the Championship.
After the race, the elated Wallace denied he "stroked" his way to the Championship saying "I ran the car as hard as it would go". Earnhardt said he did everything he could do to win the Championship and he congratulated Wallace on the Championship. He did go on to say that he had the car to run away from the field and if it had not been for the six caution flags, he would have lapped the field. As he finished 25.71 seconds ahead of second place Geoff Bodine that doesn't sound like an empty statement.
One of the caution flags flew for a bad crash on lap 202 when the orange and white Oldsmobile of Grant Adcox slammed into the outside wall and burst into flames. It took rescue workers more than 15 minutes to extract Grant from the mangled race car. He was airlifted to Georgia Baptist Hospital where he was pronounce dead of massive head and chest injuries. He was the 23rd Grand National to die in a race car in the 41 year history of NASCAR's premier division racing.
The Rookie of the Year was named after the race and it was the then 47 year old Dick Trickle who had sporadically participated in NASCAR racing but ran the full schedule in 1989 to win that title.
Finishing order:
1. Dale Earnhardt, RCR Chevrolet, winning $81,700.00
2. Geoff Bodine, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, winning $33,635.00
3. Sterling Marlin, Billy Hagan Oldsmobile, winning $25,275.00
4. Ken Schrader, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, winning $18,875.00
5. Darrell Waltrip, Hendrick Chevrolet, winning $18,800.00 (1 lap down)
6. Kyle Petty
7. Bobby Hillin, Jr.
8. Morgan Shepherd
9. Neil Bonnett
10. Lake Speed
11. Ernie Irvin
12. Derricke Cope
13. Alan Kulwicki
14.Ricky Rudd
15.Rusty Wallace
16.Dale Jarrett
17. Harry Gant
18. Rick Wilson
19. Larry Pearson
20.Hut Stricklin
21. Jim Sauter
22. Rich Bickle
23. Brett Bodine
24. Jack Pennington
25. Davey Allison
26. Michael Waltrip
27.Bill Elliott
28. Richard Petty
29. Greg Sacks
30. Mark Martin
31. Rick Mast
32. Grant Adcox
33. Dave Marcis
34. Rob Moroso
35. Dick Trickle
36. A. J. Foyt
37. Jimmy Spencer
38. Mickey Gibbs
39. Ken Ragan
40. Terry Labonte
41. Rodney Combs
42. Phil Parsons
PERSONAL NOTE: I did not attend this race. At the time, we had two kids in college and funds for racing trips to Atlanta just didn't make the budget cut. I did watch it on television and watched Rusty climb on the roof of his Pontiac and jump down on the hood. I was not a big fan of Rusty but I didn't dislike him either. I was just surprised he didn't bust his rear end jumping on the hood of the car like that but obviously he knew what he was doing. I can still "see" that event before my eyes as I sit here typing this "Minute". But what really brings that to full capacity in my thoughts this morning is recalling those ridiculous "burn outs" that have become the way to celebrate a win. I didn't like them from the first one I ever saw, although I can't recall who did it and when, or where. I guess I always enjoyed seeing the pit crew pile all over the car and be driven to Victory Lane. I wish NASCAR would ban burnouts but I guess the fans of today consider all that as a part of "the show".
I can also vividly recall watching the Grant Adcox accident. Grant had been around the circuit since the mid seventies and I had encountered him on many occasions. I remember he was always easy to talk with and although he was not considered a "front runner" he never seemed to have the attitude that he would only run for money but would do his best to take what he had and make something good with it. He was 39 when he died and he never won in the big leagues but, in my opinion, he was a winner with all those who knew him.
Honor the past, embrace the present, dream for the future
Yes, Sir Scott!!!!! I hope to see many more posts by you. TMC Chase is really working hard on this site, as well as several others, not the least of which is Dave Fulton, to give us a historic record of this wonderful sport. Thank you, again, for this wonderful addition.
Excellent post Scott. Thank you for bringing us such wonderful pictures of this event. Great report.
Thanks for the comment Charles. I love doing these Minutes and with the contributions of Chase and Dave and, on occasion Dennis Andrews, we are building a real record of history here. Thanks for reading and commenting.
The final race of the 1956 season was held at Wilson Speedway in Wilson, NC. A half-mile dirt track which has a storied history in NASCAR circles. This was the 56th race of the tumultuous 1956 season in which Carl Kiekhaefer and his pristine white Chrysler dominated the circuit. This was the season in which Kiekhaefer had NASCAR schedule an additional race to allow his driver, Buck Baker, to gain an advantage in the points. That race was on October 23rd and you can go back to read that in the History Minutes as we reported on that race on that date.
If anything, Carl Kiekhaefer was the first of the really big time spenders in NASCAR. He had everything money could buy, including drivers. He even bought off NASCAR but we all know that today that is no big deal. But, back in 1956, NASCAR was trying to get established as a sport and really catered to Kiekhaefer as we will see in this History Minute.
Twenty-four entries qualified for the 100 mile race at the Wilson track. Three of those qualifiers were Kiekhaefer teams. However, Pete DePaolo had FIVE of his Ford teams entered. Buck Baker won the pole in the big Chrysler number 300b. Ralph Moody in one of DePaolo's Fords would start second, Speedy Thompson in another Kiekhaefer car third. Speedy was the driver who intentionally caused the accident in Shelby that almost killed Herb Thomas, removing Herb's opportunity to win the Championship over Baker. Fourth place starter was Gwyn Staley in his own Ford and Bill Amick in another DePaolo Ford would start fifth.
Now follow this closely, because it can be confusing, even to fans of NASCAR today who are accustomed to race manipulation at every turn. Speedy Thompson took the lead on the green and held it until lap 185 of the 200 when he was forced to pit for gas. Baker, who had been running second in the team car made it to lap 197 before his big Chrysler began to sputter and he headed for the pits for a splash and go. This left Joe Weatherly in the lead and Weatherly was determined his Ford could go the distance so he pressed on.
Coming off turn two on the final lap, Lil Joe's car ran dry and he was coasting around the track with no power while Baker was running full bore and covering ground like a rocket. The number 112 Ford of Weatherly was barely in motion as he rolled under the checkered flag, powerless, as Buck Baker came screaming by him. Weatherly beat Baker to the line by two car lengths and Weatherly was declared the winner. But hold on here!!!!
Carl Kiekhaefer filed an immediate protest claiming that the official scoring stand was located in turn one and because of that location, Baker got to the "official clock" before Joe so Buck was the winner. NASCAR actually deliberated for several hours, admitting there was no rule in the book to cover such an occurrence and there were no pencils available to write one on the blank page in the rule book. So, after several hours, NASCAR ruled in favor of Kiekhaefer and awarded Buck Baker the win and relegated Lil Joe to second. Buck Baker wrapped up the championship with his main competition lying in a hospital bed.
Top five finishers in the points for 1956 were:
1. Buck Baker, Kiekhaefer Chrysler, starting 48,winning 14
2. Herb Thomas, starting 49, winning 5.
3. Speedy Thompson, starting 42, winning 8
4. Lee Petty, starting 46, winning 2
5. Jim Paschal, starting 42. winning 1
Finishing order for the Wilson Race:
1. Buck Baker, Kiekhaefer Chrysler, winning $950.00
2.Joe Weatherly, DePaolo Ford, winning $675.00
3.Speedy Thompson, Kiekhaefer Chrysler, winning $475.00
4. Fireball Roberts, DePaolo Ford, winning $375.00
5. Bill Amick, DePaolo Ford, winning $320.00 (1 lap down)
6.Marvin Panch
7. Billy Carden
8. Ralph Moody
9. Lee Petty
10. Doug Cox
11. Johnny Dodson
12. Gwyn Staley
13. Johnny Allen
14. Jack Smith
15. James Jones
16.Billy Myers
17. Blackie Pitt
18. Jim Paschal
19. Tiny Lund
20. Emanuel Zervakis
21. Bill Champion
22. Bunk Moore
23. Mel Larson
24. Earl Moss
There was so much unrest by fans after the incident with Speedy Thompson and Herb Thomas, that Carl Kiekhaefer, after winning the championship and 30 of the 56 races with different teams in 1956, disappeared from the scene. Speedy Thompson continued his career and very little is known about his feelings about the incident. But the fans blamed it on Kiekhaefer. When the 1957 season got underway, gone were the big white trucks and the white Chryslers and Dodges. Gone was the man who had been so demanding that Tim Flock walked away from the team rather than continue to live under the dictator like conditions.
PERSONAL NOTE: I rarely make personal comments on races this far back in the history but I need to on this one. When Kiekhaefer first came into NASCAR the year before, my Uncle Bobby, who, although a fan of Lee Petty and no one else on the Grand National Circuit, did like the idea of those Mopars having such a strong presence in the sport. Uncle Bobby was a Mopar man. I remember when the Herb Thomas incident happened although I admit much of that memory was refreshed in a conversation with my Uncle Bobby months ago. Bobby was lamenting then how money had ruined NASCAR and went back to the Kiekhaefer days blaming Carl for bringing that issue to the front and center. But he said something profound at the time when he said that "money will buy anything you want and it bought Kiekhaefer the success he wanted". Bobby went on to say that what was done to Herb Thomas should have haunted Kiekhaefer til his "dying day" because that was "flat wrong". Must say I have to agree with that. Wonder how Speedy would have felt if Herb had been killed in that accident?
I did add my personal feelings in today's Minute mentioning the lack of pencils for the NASCAR officials to write in a rule to cover the Kiekhaefer protest. I apologize for that but, like Uncle Bobby, I know Kiekhaefer slipped the "officials" some of those "greenies" as Smokey called them, and the reason it took several hours to render a decision was the continuing addition of "greenies" to the pockets of those officials. This was not one of NASCAR's finest moments.
Honor the past, embrace the present, dream for the future
