This Week in Racing History (July 30-August 5)

This Week in Racing History

July 30
The "Bug", generally considered to be the first rail dragster, races for the first time. Dick Kraft is the driver (1950).

July 31
At Des Moines Speedway in Des Moines, Iowa, USA, Bob Burman sets a 4-mile speed record of 2 minutes 29.33 seconds in a Peugeot. On the same day and track, Ralph DePalma sets a five-mile record of 3 minutes 1.62 seconds (1915).

August 1
George Follmer wins the L&M Continental Formula A race at St. Jovite, Quebec, Canada (1970).

Richard Petty wins the NASCAR Winston Cup Talledega 500 in a Dodge Charger (1976).

August 3
Tommy Kendall ties Mark Donohue's record of 8 straight Trans-Am wins when he drives his Mustang to victory at Trois-Rivieres, Quebec, Canada (1997).

August 4
Jackie Stewart wins the German Grand Prix at the Nurburgring in a Matra MS10-Ford (1968).

August 5
Sportscar racer and ralliest Leo Kinnunen born (1943).

Sports car and F1 racer Jackie Ickx weds (1970).