NASCAR Cup

News #2 97-12-23

NASCARFans E-Mail Newsletter First the "Petty's First Race" Controversy......<sigh> ===== Matt sent me this regarding Richard Petty's first race: I quote: "The controversy is a matter of semantics. That convertible race that ...

Edited: May 8, 2001, 12:19 PM

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NASCARFans E-Mail Newsletter

First the "Petty's First Race" Controversy......<sigh> ===== Matt sent me this regarding Richard Petty's first race:

I quote:

"The controversy is a matter of semantics. That convertible race that Richard drove in was not a Grand National race so it does not count towards his career Grand National/Winston Cup starts. Occasionally in those days NASCAR ran what they called "Sweepstakes" races meaning that both convertibles and Grand National (hardtop) cars were eligible but the event Jim mentions was not one of them. Richard Petty's first Grand National start was indeed that race in Toronto."

End of quote from Matt. ===== >From Jim:

I quote:

I hate to belabor the point, but Richard Petty's first race was not in Canada on July 18, 1958, but at Columbia (S.C.) Speedway on July 12, 1958, according to NASCAR historian Greg Fielden's book, "Rumblin' Ragtops." (pp. 102)

It was a convertible race won by Bob Welborn. Petty started 13th and finished sixth in a Petty Engineering '57 Oldsmobile. He was five laps down at the finish and collected $200.

During the year of his "rocking chair tour" I based a 60" story in the newspaper (The State) around the fact that he had started in Columbia and he confirmed it."

End of Quote from Jim ===== >From Bob:

I quote:

"This is correct, however, technically Richard made his first Winston Cup (nee Grand National) in the Toronto race. In 1957, 58, and 59, NASCAR had three different Divisions (Hardtop - now called Winston Cup, Convertible, and Short Track). They ran independently of each other, but they also ran "Sweepstakes" races, in which two, and sometimes all three Divisions competed together. The above race in which Richard credits as his first start was a Convertible Division race. On that date (7/12/58) the Hardtop Division ran a 150 lap race at the ¼ mile track Ashville, NC. Jim Paschal won both the pole and the race that day.

FYI, this multi-Division thing has played havoc with people who have tried to make some sort os semblence out of old NASCAR records. For example, Bobby Allison has one more victory than his official count of 84 shows. He won a combination Winston Cup/Grand American (compact cars) race on 8/6/71 at Winston-Salem, NC in a Mustang, but wasn't given credit for it. However, later that same year, Tiny Lund won two Winston Cup races at both Hickory and North Wilksboro, and was given credit for both.

The above info is a reference to outstanding work done by the previously credited writer, Greg Fielding, who also co-produced the Stock Car Racing Encylopedia, which I rely on more heavily than I can my own memory, for knowledge."

End of Quote from Bob ===== A-a-a-a-a-n-n-n-d, I got this from Chuck:

I quote:

"The Motorsports Hall of Fame says Petty's first _win_ was at the CNExposition. . .

http://www.mshf.com/hof/petty.htm

Worldwide Motorsports says "Exposition."

http://www.wwms.com/atlantic/atlantic/news/970719a.html

So does the National Amusement Park Historical Association:

http://www.napha.org/convention_list.html

On the other hand, Atlantis Cyberspace, an exhibitor, calls it Exhibition:

http://www.vr-atlantis.com/vr_expo.html

I'd go to the official CNE site, except I keep getting a "server down" error message:

http://www.theex.com

My theory is that "exposition" is the original term, later (recently?) updated to "exhibition." What you call it probably depends upon your age. I remember having to learn the then-unfamiliar term exposition many years ago, because of the CNE."

End of quote from Chuck. ===== All this from one little trivia question.........<grin>

I'm not gonna EVER publish another trivia question....... ===== OK, THIS IS THE OFFICIAL END OF DISCUSSION IN THIS MEDIA OF THIS QUESTION. I DON'T WANNA RECEIVE ANY MORE MAIL ON THIS (NO OFFENSE TO ANY WHO HAVE SENT ME MAIL ALREADY, BUT I'M TIRED OF FOOLING WITH IT). ===== Very nice story here:

http://www.mciracing.com/as2_12_18.html

Here's a preview:

For more years than he probably cares to remember, Tom Higgins had spent the first weekend of December in New York, at the NASCAR Winston Cup awards festivities. Those were wonderful days and nights, and they glistened with the hustle and bustle of Manhattan at Christmas time. This year, Tom spent his first weekend of December fishing the surf off the beaches of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, and my, what thoughts he has to share. ===== As promised:

T minus 26 days and counting 'til the Craftsman Chevy Trucks Challenge T minus 47 days and counting 'til the Winston Cup Bud Shootout T minus 50 days and counting 'til the Gatorade Twin 125 Qualifiers T minus 52 days and counting 'til the Busch Series NAPA Auto Parts 300 T minus 53 days and counting 'til the Winston Cup Daytona 500 ====

Mike Irwin (mailto:mike@nascarfans.com) NASCAR Fans _______________________________________

NASCAR Fans Website http://www.nascarfans.com _______________________________________

To subscribe/unsubscribe to the E-mail List send mail to (mailto:nascarfans-request@nascarfans.com) subject line: subscribe or subject line: unsubscribe ________________________________________

Remember, Jesus is the reason for the season...

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