1949 in NASCAR
Encyclopedia
The 1949 NASCAR Strictly Stock season was the inaugural season of professional stock car racing
in the United States
. Beginning at Charlotte Speedway
on June 19, 1949, the season included eight races and two exhibition races. The season concluded with the Wilkes 200
at North Wilkesboro Speedway
on October 16. Raymond Parks
won the Owners' Championship, while Red Byron
won the Drivers' Championship with a 16th finish at the final race of the season.
The very first NASCAR Strictly Stock race was held June 19 at Charlotte Speedway
, a 3/4 mile dirt track in Charlotte, North Carolina
. Bob Flock
won the pole. Glenn Dunnaway
was declared the original winner, but a post-race inspection revealed that his car was fitted with illegal springs, causing NASCAR to disqualify him.
Top Ten Results
The second race of the Strictly Stock season was held July 10 at the Daytona Beach Road Course
. Gober Sosebee
won the pole.
Sosebee led the first 34 laps and was passed by Red Byron of Atlanta with six laps remaining. Byron won the 166-mile NASCAR Strictly Stock race on the sands of the 4.15-mile Daytona Beach and Road Course. There were on 21 of the 28 starters running at the finish. Byron won the caution free race with an average speed of 80.883 mph.
Louise Smith, one of three female drivers to start the race flipped early on, but with the help of spectators, uprighted her Ford and continued on to a 20th place finish. The other female racers entered, Sara Christian in a Ford finished 18th and Ethel Mobely in a Cadillac finished 11th.
Pre-race favorites Curtis Turner, Bob Flock and Glenn Dunnaway all DNF'd.
This race took two hours,three minutes and 13 seconds to complete 40 laps. The lead was swapped twice by Sosebee and Byron.
Top Ten Results
The third race of the Strictly Stock season was held August 7 at Occoneechee Speedway
.Jimmy Thompson won the pole. (evidence of pole win required please) Bob Flock scored his first win of the season in the 200-mile Strictly Stock race at Hillsboro's Occoneechee speedway, giving Oldsmobile its second straight victory. Flock outdistanced runner-up Gober Sosebee to collect the $2,000.00 first prize. Third place went to Glenn Dunnaway, Fonty Flock took fourth, and Bill Snowden fifth.
Tim Flock was pressuring brother Bob in the late stages, but a broken right-front spindle sent his Oldsmobile to the sidelines with ten laps to go. The younger Flock got credit for seventh in the final rundown. The race was spiced by a wild collision, triggered by Sara Christian. The highly regarded lady driver looped her Ford after losing the right front wheel in the 38th lap. As she tried to steer her car toward the pit area, a Lincoln driven by Felix Wilkes clobbered her. Both car spun to a halt on the home stretch completely blocking the track. Red Byron, point leader in the Strickly Stock series, whipped off the fourth turn and collected Wilkes's car. Bob Smith's Olds was also kayoed in a solo crash. There were no driver injuries in any of the mishaps. A crowd of 17,500 watched as Flock averaged 76.8 mph on the low-banked, one-mile dirt oval.After the first three NASCAR Strickly Stock races, Bill France and other officials of the new-born association were elated. It was clear that France's dream was accepted by the fans.
Top Ten Results
The fourth race of the Strictly Stock season was held September 11 at Langhorne Speedway
. Red Byron
won the pole.Curtis Turner, the "Blond Blizzard" out of Roanoke,Virginia, out dueled Bob Flock and came home first in the celebrated 200-mile Strictly Stock race at the famed circular Langhorne Speedway before 20,000 spectators. Sara Christian, leading female driver out of Atlanta, finished sixth in a sterling performance. Her effort in the grueling 200-lapper prompted race officials to escort her to victory lane to join winner Turner in the ceremonies. Turner drove his Oldsmobile into the lead in the 141st lap when Bob Flock went to the pits for a tire change. Turner led the rest of the way to pocket the $2,250.00 first prize. Flock scampered out of the pits and finished second, 20 seconds behind the winner. Third place went to point leader Red Byron as Oldsmobiles finished 1-2-3. Frank Mundy and Bill Blair rounded out the top five, both driving Cadillacs.Forty-five new Strictly Stock automobiles went to the starting post, the most cars to stat a race in the 1949 season. Turner averaged 69.403 mph. Byron and Sosebee earned the front row starting positions in qualifying. Fonty Flock, however, registered the fastest time in "Speed Trials" with a 80.140 fast lap. Fonty challenged Byron and Sosebee at the start, but the engine in his Buick blew after three laps. Sosebee struggled with tire problems and wound up 19th. Len Brown drove a '47 Ford Convertible in the 200-mile championship chase—the first person to drive an open-top vehicle on the premier NASCAR Stock car tour. Brown managed to come home 28th—earning $25.00 for his day of work. Accidents took out Pepper Cunningham, Walter Minx and Chick DiNatale. Tim Flock was a contender for victory until sidelined by a lost wheel.
Top Ten Results
The fifth race of the Strictly Stock season was held September 18 at Hamburg Speedway.Young Jack White drove a Lincoln to victory in the 100-mile Strictly Stock race at Hamburg Speedway in an event dominated by Northern drivers. White sailed into the lead when erstwhile leader Glenn Dunnaway lost a wheel on his Olds, forcing him out of the race in the 134th lap.With Dunnaway out of the way, White was able to hold off Ray Erickson to take the $1,500.00 top prize. Billy Rafter wound up third, Mike Eagen was fourth and Bill Rexford took fifth. Dunnanway, disqualified from victory in the season opener at Charlotte in June, appeared to be headed for an easy win until his misfortune. His 134 laps completed gave him ninth in the final rundown in the field of sixteen cars. A sell-out crowd of 11,733 jammed the wooden grandstands to watch the fifth event of the year in NASCAR's new Strictly Stock division.
Top Ten Results
The sixth race of the Strictly Stock season was held September 25 at Martinsville Speedway
. Curtis Turner
won the pole.Red Byron all but wrapped up the 1949 Strictly Stock championship with an overwhelming triumph in the 100-miler at Martinsville Speedway. The 33 year old veteran out of Atlanta, drove his Oldsmobile into the lead on lap 104 and led the rest of the way. Finishing second, three laps behind Byron, was lee Petty's Plymouth. Ray Erickson finished third, Clyde Minter fourth, and Bill Blair fifth. Pole sitter Curtis Turner led the opening 18 laps, but gave way to the hard-charging Fonty Flock, who started fourth. Flock was pacing the field when his Buick last a right front wheel and crashed into Slick Smith's Hudson. Byron took the lead when Flock departed and was never seriously challenged the rest of the way. Turner faded after leading early and wound up ninth, 29 laps off the pace.
Top Ten Results
The seventh race of the Strictly Stock season was held October 2 at Heidelberg Raceway
, near Pittsburgh, PA. Al Bonnell won the pole.In the first Strictly Stock event in Charlotte in June, Lee Petty entered a bulky Buick Roadmaster. The enormous automobile was fast on the straights, but it wobbled like a tank through the turns. Just past the halfway point, petty rolled the Buick a number of times. After dismounting the mangled mass of metal, the North Carolina speedster vowed never to drive a heavy vehicle in competition again. In the 100-mile event at Heidelberg Speedway, Petty driving his number 42 lightweight Plymouth, was five full laps ahead of his nearest competitor. "We figured the lighter car would get through the turns better," said Petty. "It would also be easier on the suspension parts.We knew we could win one with the Plymouth." The big triumph at Heidelberg was the largest winning margin of any NASCAR Strictly Stock race in 1949. Dick Linder's Kaiser finished second, but was in no position to challenge the fleet Petty. Bill Rexford finished third, Sam Rice's Chevrolet was fourth with relief driver Glenn Dunnanway at the helm. Fifth place went to Sara Christian, the first time a female driver has cracked the top five in a premier NASCAR event. She was 10 laps off the pace in her '49 Ford. Al Bonnell, a driver of open wheel fame, qualified for the pole with a speed of 61.475 mph. However, Bonnell's Olds was the first car out of the race, and we placed at the end of the 23 car field in the final rundown. Bonnell then relieved Don Rogalla and carried his Ford to 10th a the finish. Petty averaged 57.458 mph.
Top Ten Results
. Kenneth Wagner won the pole.Bob Flock took the lead in the closing stages when mechanical problems kayoed Bill Blair and edged Lee Petty to win the season finale at North Wilkesboro Speedway.It was the eighth and final point race of the year, although two additional non-point events were staged by Sam Nunis at Atlanta's Lakewood Speedway. Red Byron, finishing 16th, was crowned Strickly Stock champion in 1949 by a margin of 117.5 points over Petty. Blair, wheeling Sam Rice's Cadallic, started second on the grid and jumped out to lead at the drop of the green flag. The diminutive Hig Point,NC star led the first 180 laps, but a souring engine robbed him once again of certain victory. Flock's Oldsmobile nipped Petty's Plymouth by a mere 100 yards in the finish. Fonty Flock, Clyde Minter and Herb Thomas rounded out the top five.
Top Ten Results
Stock car racing
Stock car racing is a form of automobile racing found mainly in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Great Britain, Brazil and Argentina. Traditionally, races are run on oval tracks measuring approximately in length...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Beginning at Charlotte Speedway
Charlotte Speedway
For the current NASCAR track in Charlotte, North Carolina, see Charlotte Motor Speedway.Charlotte Speedway was the site of NASCAR's first Strictly Stock series race on June 19, 1949. The Daytona Beach Road Course held the first race sanctioned by NASCAR in 1948...
on June 19, 1949, the season included eight races and two exhibition races. The season concluded with the Wilkes 200
Tyson Holly Farms 400
The Tyson Holly Farms 400 was a former NASCAR Winston Cup event that took place every last weekend in September or first weekend in October at the North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina USA, from 1949 to 1996 except 1956. The 1996 race was the last NASCAR national series...
at North Wilkesboro Speedway
North Wilkesboro Speedway
North Wilkesboro Speedway was a short track that held races in NASCAR's top three series from NASCAR's inception in 1949 until its closure in 1996...
on October 16. Raymond Parks
Raymond Parks (auto racing)
Raymond Parks was the owner of Red Byron's car which won NASCAR's first Strictly Stock championship in 1949.-Background:...
won the Owners' Championship, while Red Byron
Red Byron
Robert "Red" Byron was a NASCAR driver who was successful in the sanctioning body's first years. He was NASCAR's first Modified champion in 1948 and its first Strictly Stock champion in 1949.-Background:Born in Colorado he moved to Anniston, Alabama at an early age, Byron began...
won the Drivers' Championship with a 16th finish at the final race of the season.
1949-01
The very first NASCAR Strictly Stock race was held June 19 at Charlotte Speedway
Charlotte Speedway
For the current NASCAR track in Charlotte, North Carolina, see Charlotte Motor Speedway.Charlotte Speedway was the site of NASCAR's first Strictly Stock series race on June 19, 1949. The Daytona Beach Road Course held the first race sanctioned by NASCAR in 1948...
, a 3/4 mile dirt track in Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
. Bob Flock
Bob Flock
Robert Newman Flock of Fort Payne, Alabama, USA was an early NASCAR driver. He qualified on the pole position for NASCAR's first Strictly Stock race.-Flock family:...
won the pole. Glenn Dunnaway
Glenn Dunnaway
Henry Glenn Dunaway was an American auto racer noted for initially winning, and then being disqualified from, what is today recognized as NASCAR's first-ever race. He lived in Gastonia, North Carolina.-1949:...
was declared the original winner, but a post-race inspection revealed that his car was fitted with illegal springs, causing NASCAR to disqualify him.
Top Ten Results
- Jim RoperJim RoperChristian David "Jim" Roper was a NASCAR driver. He lived in Halstead, Kansas. He is most known as the winner of the first NASCAR Strictly Stock race. He was the father of Dean Roper and grandfather of the late Tony Roper.-Racing career:Roper lived at his grandfather's horse farm in Halstead...
- Fonty FlockFonty FlockTruman Fontello "Fonty" Flock of Fort Payne, Alabama was an early NASCAR driver.-Flock family:He was the brother of NASCAR pioneers Tim Flock and Bob Flock, and the second female NASCAR driver Ethel Mobley...
- Red ByronRed ByronRobert "Red" Byron was a NASCAR driver who was successful in the sanctioning body's first years. He was NASCAR's first Modified champion in 1948 and its first Strictly Stock champion in 1949.-Background:Born in Colorado he moved to Anniston, Alabama at an early age, Byron began...
- Sam Rice
- Tim FlockTim FlockJulius Timothy Flock was one of NASCAR's early pioneers, and a two time series champion. He was a brother to NASCAR's second female driver Ethel Mobley and NASCAR pioneers Bob Flock and Fonty Flock.- NASCAR career :...
- Archie SmithArchie SmithArchie 'Snapper' Smith was an Australian rules footballer who played for Collingwood in the years following the formation of the VFL....
- Sterling Long
- Slick Smith
- Curtis TurnerCurtis TurnerCurtis Turner was an early NASCAR driver. In addition to his success in racing, he made a fortune, lost it, and remade it buying and selling timberlands. Throughout his life he developed a reputation for drinking and partying...
- Jimmy Thompson
1949-02
The second race of the Strictly Stock season was held July 10 at the Daytona Beach Road Course
Daytona Beach Road Course
Daytona Beach Road Course was a race track that was instrumental in the formation of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, or NASCAR. It originally became famous as the location where fifteen world land speed records were set...
. Gober Sosebee
Gober Sosebee
Gober Sosebee was an American racecar driver. He won on the Daytona Beach Road Course in 1949, 1950 and 1951. He was born in Dawson County, Georgia, and began his career in 1940 at Atlanta's Lakewood Speedway....
won the pole.
Sosebee led the first 34 laps and was passed by Red Byron of Atlanta with six laps remaining. Byron won the 166-mile NASCAR Strictly Stock race on the sands of the 4.15-mile Daytona Beach and Road Course. There were on 21 of the 28 starters running at the finish. Byron won the caution free race with an average speed of 80.883 mph.
Louise Smith, one of three female drivers to start the race flipped early on, but with the help of spectators, uprighted her Ford and continued on to a 20th place finish. The other female racers entered, Sara Christian in a Ford finished 18th and Ethel Mobely in a Cadillac finished 11th.
Pre-race favorites Curtis Turner, Bob Flock and Glenn Dunnaway all DNF'd.
This race took two hours,three minutes and 13 seconds to complete 40 laps. The lead was swapped twice by Sosebee and Byron.
Top Ten Results
- Red ByronRed ByronRobert "Red" Byron was a NASCAR driver who was successful in the sanctioning body's first years. He was NASCAR's first Modified champion in 1948 and its first Strictly Stock champion in 1949.-Background:Born in Colorado he moved to Anniston, Alabama at an early age, Byron began...
- Tim FlockTim FlockJulius Timothy Flock was one of NASCAR's early pioneers, and a two time series champion. He was a brother to NASCAR's second female driver Ethel Mobley and NASCAR pioneers Bob Flock and Fonty Flock.- NASCAR career :...
- Frank MundyFrank MundyFrank "Rebel" Mundy was an American stock car racer. He competed in the American Automobile Association stock cars, winning the 1955 national championship, before the series changed to United States Auto Club sanction...
- Joe Littlejohn
- Bill BlairBill Blair (NASCAR)Bill Blair was an American stock car driver in the 1940s and the 1950s. He was one of the pioneers of NASCAR.-Wins:...
- Frank Christian
- Bill SnowdenBill SnowdenBill Snowden was a NASCAR driver from St. Augustine, Florida, USA. He was one of the racers whose career was interrupted by World War II. He was nicknamed "Wild Bill" and the "Florida Hurricane"....
- Gober SosebeeGober SosebeeGober Sosebee was an American racecar driver. He won on the Daytona Beach Road Course in 1949, 1950 and 1951. He was born in Dawson County, Georgia, and began his career in 1940 at Atlanta's Lakewood Speedway....
- Jimmy Thompson
- Jack Etheridge
1949-03
The third race of the Strictly Stock season was held August 7 at Occoneechee Speedway
Occoneechee Speedway
Occoneechee Speedway was one of the first two NASCAR tracks to open. It closed in 1968 and is the only dirt track remaining from the inaugural 1949 season.It is located just outside the town of Hillsborough, North Carolina.-Site history:...
.Jimmy Thompson won the pole. (evidence of pole win required please) Bob Flock scored his first win of the season in the 200-mile Strictly Stock race at Hillsboro's Occoneechee speedway, giving Oldsmobile its second straight victory. Flock outdistanced runner-up Gober Sosebee to collect the $2,000.00 first prize. Third place went to Glenn Dunnaway, Fonty Flock took fourth, and Bill Snowden fifth.
Tim Flock was pressuring brother Bob in the late stages, but a broken right-front spindle sent his Oldsmobile to the sidelines with ten laps to go. The younger Flock got credit for seventh in the final rundown. The race was spiced by a wild collision, triggered by Sara Christian. The highly regarded lady driver looped her Ford after losing the right front wheel in the 38th lap. As she tried to steer her car toward the pit area, a Lincoln driven by Felix Wilkes clobbered her. Both car spun to a halt on the home stretch completely blocking the track. Red Byron, point leader in the Strickly Stock series, whipped off the fourth turn and collected Wilkes's car. Bob Smith's Olds was also kayoed in a solo crash. There were no driver injuries in any of the mishaps. A crowd of 17,500 watched as Flock averaged 76.8 mph on the low-banked, one-mile dirt oval.After the first three NASCAR Strickly Stock races, Bill France and other officials of the new-born association were elated. It was clear that France's dream was accepted by the fans.
Top Ten Results
- Bob FlockBob FlockRobert Newman Flock of Fort Payne, Alabama, USA was an early NASCAR driver. He qualified on the pole position for NASCAR's first Strictly Stock race.-Flock family:...
- Gober SosebeeGober SosebeeGober Sosebee was an American racecar driver. He won on the Daytona Beach Road Course in 1949, 1950 and 1951. He was born in Dawson County, Georgia, and began his career in 1940 at Atlanta's Lakewood Speedway....
- Glenn DunnawayGlenn DunnawayHenry Glenn Dunaway was an American auto racer noted for initially winning, and then being disqualified from, what is today recognized as NASCAR's first-ever race. He lived in Gastonia, North Carolina.-1949:...
- Fonty FlockFonty FlockTruman Fontello "Fonty" Flock of Fort Payne, Alabama was an early NASCAR driver.-Flock family:He was the brother of NASCAR pioneers Tim Flock and Bob Flock, and the second female NASCAR driver Ethel Mobley...
- Bill SnowdenBill SnowdenBill Snowden was a NASCAR driver from St. Augustine, Florida, USA. He was one of the racers whose career was interrupted by World War II. He was nicknamed "Wild Bill" and the "Florida Hurricane"....
- Bill BlairBill Blair (NASCAR)Bill Blair was an American stock car driver in the 1940s and the 1950s. He was one of the pioneers of NASCAR.-Wins:...
- Tim FlockTim FlockJulius Timothy Flock was one of NASCAR's early pioneers, and a two time series champion. He was a brother to NASCAR's second female driver Ethel Mobley and NASCAR pioneers Bob Flock and Fonty Flock.- NASCAR career :...
- Otis Martin
- Lee PettyLee PettyLee Arnold Petty was an American stock car driver in the 1950s and 1960s. He was one of the pioneers of NASCAR, and one of its first superstars. He was born near Randleman, North Carolina.-Career:...
- Buddy Helms
1949-04
The fourth race of the Strictly Stock season was held September 11 at Langhorne Speedway
Langhorne Speedway
Langhorne Speedway was an automobile racetrack in Middletown Township, Bucks County, near the borough of Langhorne, Pennsylvania, a northern suburb of Philadelphia....
. Red Byron
Red Byron
Robert "Red" Byron was a NASCAR driver who was successful in the sanctioning body's first years. He was NASCAR's first Modified champion in 1948 and its first Strictly Stock champion in 1949.-Background:Born in Colorado he moved to Anniston, Alabama at an early age, Byron began...
won the pole.Curtis Turner, the "Blond Blizzard" out of Roanoke,Virginia, out dueled Bob Flock and came home first in the celebrated 200-mile Strictly Stock race at the famed circular Langhorne Speedway before 20,000 spectators. Sara Christian, leading female driver out of Atlanta, finished sixth in a sterling performance. Her effort in the grueling 200-lapper prompted race officials to escort her to victory lane to join winner Turner in the ceremonies. Turner drove his Oldsmobile into the lead in the 141st lap when Bob Flock went to the pits for a tire change. Turner led the rest of the way to pocket the $2,250.00 first prize. Flock scampered out of the pits and finished second, 20 seconds behind the winner. Third place went to point leader Red Byron as Oldsmobiles finished 1-2-3. Frank Mundy and Bill Blair rounded out the top five, both driving Cadillacs.Forty-five new Strictly Stock automobiles went to the starting post, the most cars to stat a race in the 1949 season. Turner averaged 69.403 mph. Byron and Sosebee earned the front row starting positions in qualifying. Fonty Flock, however, registered the fastest time in "Speed Trials" with a 80.140 fast lap. Fonty challenged Byron and Sosebee at the start, but the engine in his Buick blew after three laps. Sosebee struggled with tire problems and wound up 19th. Len Brown drove a '47 Ford Convertible in the 200-mile championship chase—the first person to drive an open-top vehicle on the premier NASCAR Stock car tour. Brown managed to come home 28th—earning $25.00 for his day of work. Accidents took out Pepper Cunningham, Walter Minx and Chick DiNatale. Tim Flock was a contender for victory until sidelined by a lost wheel.
Top Ten Results
- Curtis TurnerCurtis TurnerCurtis Turner was an early NASCAR driver. In addition to his success in racing, he made a fortune, lost it, and remade it buying and selling timberlands. Throughout his life he developed a reputation for drinking and partying...
- Bob FlockBob FlockRobert Newman Flock of Fort Payne, Alabama, USA was an early NASCAR driver. He qualified on the pole position for NASCAR's first Strictly Stock race.-Flock family:...
- Red ByronRed ByronRobert "Red" Byron was a NASCAR driver who was successful in the sanctioning body's first years. He was NASCAR's first Modified champion in 1948 and its first Strictly Stock champion in 1949.-Background:Born in Colorado he moved to Anniston, Alabama at an early age, Byron began...
- Frank MundyFrank MundyFrank "Rebel" Mundy was an American stock car racer. He competed in the American Automobile Association stock cars, winning the 1955 national championship, before the series changed to United States Auto Club sanction...
- Bill BlairBill Blair (NASCAR)Bill Blair was an American stock car driver in the 1940s and the 1950s. He was one of the pioneers of NASCAR.-Wins:...
- Sara ChristianSara ChristianSara Christian was the first woman driver in NASCAR history. Her fifth place finish at Pittsburgh reigned as the highest female finish from 1949 until 2011, when Danica Patrick finished fourth.-1949:...
- Lee PettyLee PettyLee Arnold Petty was an American stock car driver in the 1950s and 1960s. He was one of the pioneers of NASCAR, and one of its first superstars. He was born near Randleman, North Carolina.-Career:...
- Al KellerAl KellerAl Keller was an American racecar driver.Keller participated in the NASCAR "Strictly Stock"/"Grand National" series from 1949 to 1956 with 29 career starts...
- Al Bonnell
- Lou Volk
1949-05
The fifth race of the Strictly Stock season was held September 18 at Hamburg Speedway.Young Jack White drove a Lincoln to victory in the 100-mile Strictly Stock race at Hamburg Speedway in an event dominated by Northern drivers. White sailed into the lead when erstwhile leader Glenn Dunnaway lost a wheel on his Olds, forcing him out of the race in the 134th lap.With Dunnaway out of the way, White was able to hold off Ray Erickson to take the $1,500.00 top prize. Billy Rafter wound up third, Mike Eagen was fourth and Bill Rexford took fifth. Dunnanway, disqualified from victory in the season opener at Charlotte in June, appeared to be headed for an easy win until his misfortune. His 134 laps completed gave him ninth in the final rundown in the field of sixteen cars. A sell-out crowd of 11,733 jammed the wooden grandstands to watch the fifth event of the year in NASCAR's new Strictly Stock division.
Top Ten Results
- Jack White
- Ray Erickson
- Billy Rafter
- Mike Eagen
- Bill RexfordBill RexfordBill Rexford was a stock car driver in the early 1950s.Born in Conewango Valley, New York, he made his name driving stock cars in the region...
- Frankie SchneiderFrankie SchneiderFrankie Schneider of Lambertville, New Jersey was a stock car, modified, midget, and sprint car racer. He had one NASCAR Grand National victory at Old Dominion Speedway in 1958 driving a 1957 Chevrolet. He also won the 1952 NASCAR modified title, where it is suspected that he scored at least 100...
- Jack RussellJack RussellJack Russell is the name of:* Jack Russell , a fictional Marvel Comics character* Jack Russell Terrier, a type of dog- People :* Jack "Russer" Russell , traveler* Jack Russell , American baseball player...
- Charles Muscatel
- Glenn DunnawayGlenn DunnawayHenry Glenn Dunaway was an American auto racer noted for initially winning, and then being disqualified from, what is today recognized as NASCAR's first-ever race. He lived in Gastonia, North Carolina.-1949:...
- Ellis Pearce
1949-06
The sixth race of the Strictly Stock season was held September 25 at Martinsville Speedway
Martinsville Speedway
Martinsville Speedway is an International Speedway Corporation-owned NASCAR stock car racing track located in Henry County, near Ridgeway, Virginia, just to the south of Martinsville. At in length, it is the shortest track in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The track was also one of the first paved...
. Curtis Turner
Curtis Turner
Curtis Turner was an early NASCAR driver. In addition to his success in racing, he made a fortune, lost it, and remade it buying and selling timberlands. Throughout his life he developed a reputation for drinking and partying...
won the pole.Red Byron all but wrapped up the 1949 Strictly Stock championship with an overwhelming triumph in the 100-miler at Martinsville Speedway. The 33 year old veteran out of Atlanta, drove his Oldsmobile into the lead on lap 104 and led the rest of the way. Finishing second, three laps behind Byron, was lee Petty's Plymouth. Ray Erickson finished third, Clyde Minter fourth, and Bill Blair fifth. Pole sitter Curtis Turner led the opening 18 laps, but gave way to the hard-charging Fonty Flock, who started fourth. Flock was pacing the field when his Buick last a right front wheel and crashed into Slick Smith's Hudson. Byron took the lead when Flock departed and was never seriously challenged the rest of the way. Turner faded after leading early and wound up ninth, 29 laps off the pace.
Top Ten Results
- Red ByronRed ByronRobert "Red" Byron was a NASCAR driver who was successful in the sanctioning body's first years. He was NASCAR's first Modified champion in 1948 and its first Strictly Stock champion in 1949.-Background:Born in Colorado he moved to Anniston, Alabama at an early age, Byron began...
- Lee PettyLee PettyLee Arnold Petty was an American stock car driver in the 1950s and 1960s. He was one of the pioneers of NASCAR, and one of its first superstars. He was born near Randleman, North Carolina.-Career:...
- Ray Erickson
- Clyde Minter
- Bill BlairBill Blair (NASCAR)Bill Blair was an American stock car driver in the 1940s and the 1950s. He was one of the pioneers of NASCAR.-Wins:...
- Bill SnowdenBill SnowdenBill Snowden was a NASCAR driver from St. Augustine, Florida, USA. He was one of the racers whose career was interrupted by World War II. He was nicknamed "Wild Bill" and the "Florida Hurricane"....
- Glenn DunnawayGlenn DunnawayHenry Glenn Dunaway was an American auto racer noted for initially winning, and then being disqualified from, what is today recognized as NASCAR's first-ever race. He lived in Gastonia, North Carolina.-1949:...
- Al Wagoner
- Curtis TurnerCurtis TurnerCurtis Turner was an early NASCAR driver. In addition to his success in racing, he made a fortune, lost it, and remade it buying and selling timberlands. Throughout his life he developed a reputation for drinking and partying...
- Archie SmithArchie SmithArchie 'Snapper' Smith was an Australian rules footballer who played for Collingwood in the years following the formation of the VFL....
1949-07
The seventh race of the Strictly Stock season was held October 2 at Heidelberg Raceway
Heidelberg Raceway
Heidelberg Raceway was an American auto racing track which was built in Scott Township, Allegheny County, approximately southwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It held weekly races and numerous special events between 1948 and 1973. It held four NASCAR Strictly Stock/Grand National and one NASCAR...
, near Pittsburgh, PA. Al Bonnell won the pole.In the first Strictly Stock event in Charlotte in June, Lee Petty entered a bulky Buick Roadmaster. The enormous automobile was fast on the straights, but it wobbled like a tank through the turns. Just past the halfway point, petty rolled the Buick a number of times. After dismounting the mangled mass of metal, the North Carolina speedster vowed never to drive a heavy vehicle in competition again. In the 100-mile event at Heidelberg Speedway, Petty driving his number 42 lightweight Plymouth, was five full laps ahead of his nearest competitor. "We figured the lighter car would get through the turns better," said Petty. "It would also be easier on the suspension parts.We knew we could win one with the Plymouth." The big triumph at Heidelberg was the largest winning margin of any NASCAR Strictly Stock race in 1949. Dick Linder's Kaiser finished second, but was in no position to challenge the fleet Petty. Bill Rexford finished third, Sam Rice's Chevrolet was fourth with relief driver Glenn Dunnanway at the helm. Fifth place went to Sara Christian, the first time a female driver has cracked the top five in a premier NASCAR event. She was 10 laps off the pace in her '49 Ford. Al Bonnell, a driver of open wheel fame, qualified for the pole with a speed of 61.475 mph. However, Bonnell's Olds was the first car out of the race, and we placed at the end of the 23 car field in the final rundown. Bonnell then relieved Don Rogalla and carried his Ford to 10th a the finish. Petty averaged 57.458 mph.
Top Ten Results
- Lee PettyLee PettyLee Arnold Petty was an American stock car driver in the 1950s and 1960s. He was one of the pioneers of NASCAR, and one of its first superstars. He was born near Randleman, North Carolina.-Career:...
- Dick LinderDick LinderRichard "Dick" Linder professional race car driver from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dick raced in USAC open wheel division as well NASCAR stock cars. Between 1949 and 1956 he entered 28 NASCAR events, winning three with eight Top 10 finishes...
- Bill RexfordBill RexfordBill Rexford was a stock car driver in the early 1950s.Born in Conewango Valley, New York, he made his name driving stock cars in the region...
- Sam Rice
- Sara ChristianSara ChristianSara Christian was the first woman driver in NASCAR history. Her fifth place finish at Pittsburgh reigned as the highest female finish from 1949 until 2011, when Danica Patrick finished fourth.-1949:...
- Lloyd MooreLloyd MooreLloyd D. Moore was a NASCAR Grand National Series driver from 1949 to 1955, recording 13 top-5 and 23 top-10 finishes. He was born in Frewsburg, New York, USA. At the time of his death, he was the oldest living former NASCAR driver.In 1950, Moore was a teammate of NASCAR champion Bill Rexford...
- John Wright
- Jack Russell
- Skip Lewis
- Don Rogala
Wilkes 200
The Wilkes 200, the eighth and final race of the Strictly Stock season, was held October 16 at North Wilkesboro SpeedwayNorth Wilkesboro Speedway
North Wilkesboro Speedway was a short track that held races in NASCAR's top three series from NASCAR's inception in 1949 until its closure in 1996...
. Kenneth Wagner won the pole.Bob Flock took the lead in the closing stages when mechanical problems kayoed Bill Blair and edged Lee Petty to win the season finale at North Wilkesboro Speedway.It was the eighth and final point race of the year, although two additional non-point events were staged by Sam Nunis at Atlanta's Lakewood Speedway. Red Byron, finishing 16th, was crowned Strickly Stock champion in 1949 by a margin of 117.5 points over Petty. Blair, wheeling Sam Rice's Cadallic, started second on the grid and jumped out to lead at the drop of the green flag. The diminutive Hig Point,NC star led the first 180 laps, but a souring engine robbed him once again of certain victory. Flock's Oldsmobile nipped Petty's Plymouth by a mere 100 yards in the finish. Fonty Flock, Clyde Minter and Herb Thomas rounded out the top five.
Top Ten Results
- Bob FlockBob FlockRobert Newman Flock of Fort Payne, Alabama, USA was an early NASCAR driver. He qualified on the pole position for NASCAR's first Strictly Stock race.-Flock family:...
- Lee PettyLee PettyLee Arnold Petty was an American stock car driver in the 1950s and 1960s. He was one of the pioneers of NASCAR, and one of its first superstars. He was born near Randleman, North Carolina.-Career:...
- Fonty FlockFonty FlockTruman Fontello "Fonty" Flock of Fort Payne, Alabama was an early NASCAR driver.-Flock family:He was the brother of NASCAR pioneers Tim Flock and Bob Flock, and the second female NASCAR driver Ethel Mobley...
- Clyde Minter
- Herb ThomasHerb ThomasHerbert Watson Thomas was a NASCAR pioneer who was one of the series' most successful drivers in the 1950s.-Background:...
- Roy HallRoy HallRoy Hall is an American football wide receiver for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
- Ray Erickson
- Raymond LewisRaymond LewisRaymond Lewis was an American basketball and streetball player.Lewis was born in Los Angeles, California and is regarded as one of the best players never to have played in the NBA. The Philadelphia 76ers drafted Lewis eighteenth in the first round of the 1973 NBA draft...
- Curtis TurnerCurtis TurnerCurtis Turner was an early NASCAR driver. In addition to his success in racing, he made a fortune, lost it, and remade it buying and selling timberlands. Throughout his life he developed a reputation for drinking and partying...
- Bill BlairBill Blair (NASCAR)Bill Blair was an American stock car driver in the 1940s and the 1950s. He was one of the pioneers of NASCAR.-Wins:...
Final Points Standings
| Pos | Driver | Starts | Win | Top 5 | Top 10 | Pole | Laps Led | Earnings | Points | +\- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Red Byron Red Byron Robert "Red" Byron was a NASCAR driver who was successful in the sanctioning body's first years. He was NASCAR's first Modified champion in 1948 and its first Strictly Stock champion in 1949.-Background:Born in Colorado he moved to Anniston, Alabama at an early age, Byron began... |
6 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 103 | $5.800 | 842 | - |
| 2 | Lee Petty Lee Petty Lee Arnold Petty was an American stock car driver in the 1950s and 1960s. He was one of the pioneers of NASCAR, and one of its first superstars. He was born near Randleman, North Carolina.-Career:... |
6 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 1 | $3.855 | 725 | -117 |
| 3 | Bob Flock Bob Flock Robert Newman Flock of Fort Payne, Alabama, USA was an early NASCAR driver. He qualified on the pole position for NASCAR's first Strictly Stock race.-Flock family:... |
6 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 27 | $4.870 | 704 | -138 |
| 4 | Bill Blair Bill Blair (NASCAR) Bill Blair was an American stock car driver in the 1940s and the 1950s. He was one of the pioneers of NASCAR.-Wins:... |
6 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 325 | $1.280 | 567 | -275 |
| 5 | Fonty Flock Fonty Flock Truman Fontello "Fonty" Flock of Fort Payne, Alabama was an early NASCAR driver.-Flock family:He was the brother of NASCAR pioneers Tim Flock and Bob Flock, and the second female NASCAR driver Ethel Mobley... |
6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 85 | $2.015 | 554 | -288 |
| 6 | Jimmy Thompson | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | $1.505 | 499 | -343 |
| 7 | Ray Erickson | 4 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | $1.460 | 422 | -420 |
| 8 | Tim Flock Tim Flock Julius Timothy Flock was one of NASCAR's early pioneers, and a two time series champion. He was a brother to NASCAR's second female driver Ethel Mobley and NASCAR pioneers Bob Flock and Fonty Flock.- NASCAR career :... |
5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | $1.510 | 421 | -419 |
| 9 | Glenn Dunnaway Glenn Dunnaway Henry Glenn Dunaway was an American auto racer noted for initially winning, and then being disqualified from, what is today recognized as NASCAR's first-ever race. He lived in Gastonia, North Carolina.-1949:... |
6 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | $810 | 384 | -458 |
| 10 | Frank Mundy Frank Mundy Frank "Rebel" Mundy was an American stock car racer. He competed in the American Automobile Association stock cars, winning the 1955 national championship, before the series changed to United States Auto Club sanction... |
4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | $1.160 | 370 | -472 |