Please Support Curtis Turner to be 1 of the 5 Inductees in the NASCAR HALL of FAME "FAN VOTE"!
Margaret Sue Turner Wright
Tuesday July 21 2009, 11:19 PM
This Letter from Curtis Turner Museum online is in support of voting for Stockcar Racing Legend, Curtis Turner, who was from Roanoke, VA to be 1 of the 5 Inaugural Inductees in the NASCAR Hall of FAME MUSEUM, in Charlotte, NC. The Online fan voting site to register on is: http://www.nascar.com/promos/hof/Curtis Turner was born in Floyd, VA April 12, 1924, and died October 4th, 1970. His primary home was in Roanoke, VA where he raised his family, although he had residences in Indianapolis, IN and Charlotte, NC.Curtis Turner was already a Legend in the early days of stockcar racing, dirt racing and a big part in the beginnings of NASCAR. He was a NASCAR driver as well as a founding member in the original group who met at the Streamline Hotel, in Daytona Beach FL, to discuss and support the formation of NASCAR.NASCAR sanctioned races won in his career were 55, which included the 17 Grand National races now called Sprint Cup, and the Convertible Division of which he won 38, 22 of which were won in 1 year. No small feat.Curtis Turner did a great deal for the entire sport of racing. What many people dont know is that Curtis Turner won over 350 stockcar races in his lifetime, racing in other events, or events sanctioned by USAC /MARK/ARCA. By 1957, he had won more races than any other driver by that time in his life. RACING, HE LOVED IT-LIVED IT! He was also the first NASCAR driver to appear on the cover of a national magazine, Sports Illustrated in 1968, where we was named the Babe Ruth of Stockcar Racing.Curtis had such a confident air and way of driving that he excited the racing fans and kept them coming back for more. Hence, the reason the only 2 stockcar drivers ever paid show money back then, were Curtis Turner as well as Fireball Roberts.During the 4 year ban imposed by Bill France against Curtis for trying to form a Union, he continued to race in other Racing organizations such as MARK, ARCA and USAC, continuing an impressive list of accomplishments such as his win at Pikes Peak and the breaking of a record there.Curtis Turner was President of, and built the Charlotte Motor Speedway, now called Lowes Speedway in Charlotte, NC. With some tricks up his sleeve, he fought every resistance he could muster to insure his beloved track would be built and finished-even at legal gunpoint. However, because of his perseverance, the 1st Charlotte 600, which was scheduled to run originally May 29, 1960, did have its inaugural race which he promoted, June 19th, 1960.When Race Sales began to decline in the 60s, Bill France invited Curtis back to drive a race car again in NASCAR, this time being paid as an entertainer on the track with his daredevil driving that the fans went crazy for. It worked for NASCAR as their sales soared when Curtis Turner was at the wheel.Sincerely,Margaret Sue Turner Wright,Curtis Turners DaughterAgain, the Online fan voting site to register on is: http://www.nascar.com/promos/hof/Margaret Sue Turner Wright has compiled a stockcar racing stat book on her Father which is soon to be released. Notifications will be made on www.CurtisTurnerMuseum.com and thru herE-newsletter free to the public, on Curtis Turner Museum events.
Jim Streeter
@jim-streeter   15 years ago
I raced against Curtis on Friday nights at the Raleigh Speedway. I finished most of the races, that was because when I saw him in my rear view mirror I moved over. LOL
Leon Phillips
@leon-phillips   15 years ago
Curtis is the man i saw him at Columbia speedway one Thursday night bet 500.00 dallars he would led the first lap he was on the out side Bobby Allison was on the pole well Curtis got his money the year was 1966 Cayce S C
Henry Jones
@henry-jones   15 years ago
Well, off course my vote is in.Back in the day he would land at the 1/4 mile drag strip here in Augusta................walk a few feet and drive at the 1/2 mile oval.Stories still are being told how he would "mess" with people in cars while taking off and landing at the strip and "buzz" the 1/2 mile after take off or before landing.Can you see one of the modern day boys doing something like that?Modern day NASCAR needs more individuals like Curtis.
Margaret Sue Turner Wright
@margaret-sue-turner-wright   15 years ago
WoW! I love hearing all these stories! Thanks so much for sharing all this! I'll bet there are more-even some printable! ;)
tracy
@tracy   15 years ago
Just wanted to let you know that I got an email today for the Hall of Fame voting and I got to vote. Of course Curtis was the first of my five picks to vote for.
Margaret Sue Turner Wright
@margaret-sue-turner-wright   15 years ago
Thanks Tracy! How wierd! I didn't get my email notification yet! My service must be a bit slower. Thanks so much for telling me! And thanks for Voting and including my Dad, Curtis Turner for the Hall of Fame fan vote!
ray lamm
@ray-lamm   15 years ago
margaret sus i had to vote for my virigina drivers first cutris (pops)turner,litte joe weatherly,glenn wood in to hall of fame
Frank Craig
@frank-craig   15 years ago
All of us at The Historic Speedway Group supports Curtis! We vote Curtis Turner!!
Margaret Sue Turner Wright
@margaret-sue-turner-wright   15 years ago
You are ALL Beautiful people!!! Thanks so much!!!