In the rassling circles, believe Odell and his guys insisted that he be called "Mr. Homer Odell". He was great at getting in the cheap shot with his cane, while the referee just happened to be looking the other way. Doubt if many paying customers would have been pleased watching a field full of Lamphear and other independents, while Pearson was setting in the pits. Even top fiver Gray excited very few.
The 1959 Southern 500 video has a nice shot of Ms. Hines riding in the '500' parade. In my opinion,Les Yorkand Wilbur Post both did all right!
Yep, Hartsville Speedway was the scene of Mitch Cooper's bad wreck in "Thunder in Carolina". Believe that Buck was the 13th different winnerin 13 consecutive races in 1961, not 13 races at Hartsville. Pretty sure that the 1961 Baker win was the only Grand National ever at Hartsville.
John Settlemyre was track champion at Hickory Speedway 5 times, tying Ralph Earnhardt for the most titles in the feature division at the legendary speedway. Other champions on the list with Settlemyre include, Junior Johnson, Ned Jarrett, Gwyn Staley, Harry Gant, Jack Ingram, Bob Pressley, Ned Setzer, and Tommy Houston. Settlemyre also dominated the Limited Sportsman division several years, before moving up. Certainly very sad to hear this unfortunate story.
Fireball made it, Smith and France didn't make it, so it could have been worse. Personally think that elite division past champs White, Isaac, Weatherly, and Parsons should be automatic entries. Of course, my opinion means absolutely nothing.
I'm 100% sure I won't be there, wherever Bruton decides to have his race at.
Same pic on page 132 of the Darlington International Raceway 1950-1967 book. Caption says "Moore provided the car as a display for the Joe Weatherly Stock Car Museum". Museum opened on May 2, 1965. Caption says it is a restored Mercury, last driven by Joe Weatherly.
For what it's worth, the 1958-1963 Southern 500 programs all list as track announcers Ray Melton as chief, and Chris Economaki and Bob Montgomery as assistants (except for '62 which omits Economaki). After 1963, when Universal was started, Montgomery is listed no more, and only Melton as chief, and Economaki as assistant are listed.Also, the 1960 program has a picture of Hartsville radio announcer Raymond Caddell in it, with the notation that he never got to see himself in the movies. He passed away before "Thunder in Carolina" was released.
Perry, thank you very much for checking your movie, and the pics and explanation. I have watched the video of the '60 race many, many times trying to figure out what happened in that terrible crash. It shows the aftermath, (described by Cosell) and one view clearly shows skid marks heading to the stand and damage to the base of it. I thought Johns must have hit it. Have also noticed from watching the '58 video, that McDuffie pitted Fireball's winning '57 at about the same place that year. And in '59, Fireball and Yunick pitted at about the same place, and in '60 Fireball and Yunick were only a space or so down from McDuffie. So evidently, that was a McDuffie-Fireball- Yunick favored spot, but boy did it turn out to be the wrong spot. Have heard in the past, that you were going to do a book on the '60 Southern 500, and if you do, I can guarantee at least 1 sale. Really looking forward to the rest of Mr. Smyle's article, and Dave, I used to love to hear the eye in the sky say (so and so) is "pourin' on the coal."
1972 '500' program lists Paul Benson, WJMX as radio network, with Dave Rogers and Johnny Evans. 1973 '500' program lists Paul Benson, WJMX, and Hank Schoolfield, Universal Network as radio network. It says "In its 10th year, Universal Network has originated more auto racing broadcasts than any other network, and with the addition of Darlington has become the world's largest race network." Hal Hamrick co-anchoring with Dave Rogers, Ned Jarrett serving as technical commentator and pit reporter. Frank Jenne of WJMX listed as one of the chief technicians. No mention made of Bob Montgomery.
