1957 Southern 500
Encyclopedia
The 1957 Southern 500 was a NASCAR
Grand National Series racing event that took place on September 2, 1957 at the famous Darlington Speedway
in Darlington
, South Carolina
.
As a result, Speedy Thompson
dedeated Cotton Owens
while traveling at a speed of 100.094 miles per hour (161.1 km/h) by simply lapping him three times during the race. Thompson would drive the iconic 1957 Chevrolet during that race; that vehicle would go on to win the 1958 and the 1959
runnings of the Southern 500. Owens would acquire the pole position
with a speed of 117.416 miles per hour (189 km/h) during the qualifying session, however, due to the abundant amount of clean air created by driving solo. T.A. Toomes would receive the last-place finish due to a problem with his brakes on lap 3 out of 364. Bobby Myers
would lose his life as a result of a race-related crash; Fonty Flock and Paul Goldsmith
would also be involved in this accident. George Parrish
would make a notable appearance in this race using a 1956 Studebaker Golden Hawk
; he would witness the fatal crash of Bobby Myers at an extremely close range. Since he had two children living at home with his wife, Parrish decided that the risky world of NASCAR racing wasn't for him and retired after the 1958 NASCAR Cup Series season.
As a rookie, Cale Yarborough
would make his NASCAR debut here and would finish in 42nd place (out of 50 drivers). Fonty Flock
would retire after this race.
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Grand National Series racing event that took place on September 2, 1957 at the famous Darlington Speedway
Darlington Raceway
Darlington Raceway is a race track built for NASCAR racing located near Darlington, South Carolina. It is nicknamed the "Lady in Black" and "The Track Too Tough to Tame" by many NASCAR fans and drivers and advertised as "A NASCAR Tradition"...
in Darlington
Darlington, South Carolina
Darlington is a city in and the county seat of Darlington County, in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of South Carolina. It is a center for tobacco farming. The population was 6,720 at the 2000 census and is part of the Florence Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
.
Summary
The event took five hours and one second to resolve itself on a paved oval track spanning 1.375 miles (2.2 km) for a total distance of 500.5 miles (805.5 km). Seventy-five thousand fans would attend this live NASCAR racing event.As a result, Speedy Thompson
Speedy Thompson
Alfred Bruce "Speedy" Thompson was a NASCAR pioneer and driver in the Grand National series from 1950 to 1971; capturing 20 wins along the way.-Racing career:...
dedeated Cotton Owens
Cotton Owens
Everett "Cotton" Owens "the King of the Modifieds" was a NASCAR driver. For five straight years , Owens captured at least one Grand National series win.-Modified driving career:...
while traveling at a speed of 100.094 miles per hour (161.1 km/h) by simply lapping him three times during the race. Thompson would drive the iconic 1957 Chevrolet during that race; that vehicle would go on to win the 1958 and the 1959
1959 Southern 500
The 1959 Southern 500 was a NASCAR Grand National event that took place on September 7, 1959 at Darlington Raceway in the American community of Darlington, South Carolina.-Summary:...
runnings of the Southern 500. Owens would acquire the pole position
Pole position
The term "pole position", as used in motorsports, comes from the horse racing term where the number one starter starts on the inside next to the inside pole. The term made its way, along with several other customs, to auto racing. In circuit motorsports, a driver has pole position when he or she...
with a speed of 117.416 miles per hour (189 km/h) during the qualifying session, however, due to the abundant amount of clean air created by driving solo. T.A. Toomes would receive the last-place finish due to a problem with his brakes on lap 3 out of 364. Bobby Myers
Bobby Myers
Bobby Jermaine Myers is a former American football safety in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the fourth round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers....
would lose his life as a result of a race-related crash; Fonty Flock and Paul Goldsmith
Paul Goldsmith
Paul Goldsmith is a motorcycle Hall of Famer, Motorsports Hall of Fame of America inductee and former USAC and NASCAR driver.- Motorcycle career :...
would also be involved in this accident. George Parrish
George Parrish
George W. Parrish is a retired NASCAR Grand National driver from Henderson, North Carolina, USA.-Career summary:He has competed in 1,987 laps of NASCAR stock car racing - the equvialent of...
would make a notable appearance in this race using a 1956 Studebaker Golden Hawk
Studebaker Golden Hawk
The Studebaker Golden Hawk is a two-door pillarless hardtop coupe type car produced by the Studebaker Corporation of South Bend, Indiana between 1956 and 1958.-Styling:...
; he would witness the fatal crash of Bobby Myers at an extremely close range. Since he had two children living at home with his wife, Parrish decided that the risky world of NASCAR racing wasn't for him and retired after the 1958 NASCAR Cup Series season.
As a rookie, Cale Yarborough
Cale Yarborough
William Caleb "Cale" Yarborough , is a farmer, businessman and former NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver and owner. He is one of only two drivers in NASCAR history to win three consecutive championships...
would make his NASCAR debut here and would finish in 42nd place (out of 50 drivers). 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...
would retire after this race.
Top twenty finishers
- Speedy ThompsonSpeedy ThompsonAlfred Bruce "Speedy" Thompson was a NASCAR pioneer and driver in the Grand National series from 1950 to 1971; capturing 20 wins along the way.-Racing career:...
- Cotton OwensCotton OwensEverett "Cotton" Owens "the King of the Modifieds" was a NASCAR driver. For five straight years , Owens captured at least one Grand National series win.-Modified driving career:...
- Marvin PanchMarvin PanchMarvin Panch Marvin Panch Marvin Panch (born May 28, 1926, in Menomonie, Wisconsin, is a former NASCAR driver.-Early career:He started his racing career as a car owner in Oakland, California. One week, his driver did not show up, and he raced the car to a third place finish...
- Jim ReedJim Reed (racer)Jim Reed is a retired NASCAR Grand National driver.-Summary:From 1951 to 1963, Reed has raced 16299 laps - the equivalent of . His total career earnings is $16,299 . Reed's biggest win came in the 1959 Southern 500 driving a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air...
- Buck BakerBuck BakerElzie Wylie Baker Sr. , better known as Buck Baker, was an American race car driver.-Racing career:...
- Billy CardenBilly CardenBilly Carden was a NASCAR Grand National driver from Mableton, Georgia, USA. He was a stock car racing pioneer and an early NASCAR competitor.-History:...
- Billy MyersBilly MyersWilliam Harrison Myers was a shortstop in Major League Baseball who played from 1935 through 1941 for the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs . Listed at 5' 8", 168 lb., Myers batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Enola, Pennsylvania...
- Johnny Mackinson
- Possum JonesPossum JonesPossum Jones is a retired NASCAR Grand National driver.From 1952 to 1965, Jones managed to lead 28 out of the 8234 laps that he committed in his career. This would add up to raced in total. Total earnings for Possum Jones was $13,680 . On average, Jones started in 21st place and finished in 20th...
- Jack 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...
- Johnny Allen
- Dick Beaty
- Jimmie LewallenJimmie LewallenJimmie Lewallen was an American racecar driver from High Point, North Carolina, USA. He competed in NASCAR's Strictly Stock/Grand National division from its first race at Charlotte Speedway in 1949 until 1960.-Racing career:Lewallen began his racing career in motorcycles in 1934...
- Eddie Pagan
- Bobby JohnsBobby JohnsBobby Johns is a retired American racecar driver.Johns raced in the NASCAR series in the 1956-1969 seasons, with 141 career starts. He had 2 wins among his 36 top ten finishes and finished the 1960 season 3rd in the points...
- Jimmy Thompson
- Nace Mattingly
- L.D. Austin
- Tiny LundTiny LundDeWayne Louis "Tiny" Lund was a NASCAR driver. He was ironically nicknamed "Tiny" due to his rather large and imposing size.-Background:...