1964 World 600
Encyclopedia
The 1964 World 600 is a NASCAR
Grand National Series (now Sprint Cup Series) event that took place on May 24, 1964 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway
in the American
community of Concord
, North Carolina
.
in its "modern day" history).
The race covered four hundred laps of a paved oval track spanning 1.5 miles (2.4 km). It took four hours, forty-six minutes, and fourteen seconds for the race to go from the first green flag to the checkered flag. Seven cautions were given out by NASCAR officials for forty-eight laps. Notable speeds were: 125.772 mi/h for the average speed and 144.346 mi/h for the pole position speed. There was a live attendance of exactly 66,311 racing fans.
Jim Paschal
defeated Richard Petty
by more than four laps. Other notable drivers included: Ralph Earnhardt, Roy Tyner
, Fireball Roberts
, Elmo Langley
, and Buddy Baker
. The top two finishers were teammates at Petty Enterprises
(now Richard Petty Motorsports). Jim Paschal would receive $24,785 ($ considering inflation) in prize money after becoming the only driver to finish all 400 laps of the race. Pete Stewart
was rewarded with $600 ($ in today's money) for finishing only one lap; resulting in a last place finish. Billy Wade started in pole position while the winner started in 12th place.
and Ned Jarrett
's crash on lap 7. Roberts was sent to Charlotte hospital by a team of emergency paramedic
s. While he was not seriously injured by the crash itself, Roberts was trapped when his ankle became pinned up from under the dashboard and caught by either the clutch or brake pedal. The death would have occurred at the speedway if Jarrett hadn't pulled Roberts out in time. Instead, he died in hospital on July 2 of that year; leaving behind a wife (Mrs. Doris Roberts) and a young daughter (Pamela Jane Roberts Trivette). Many fans could hear Roberts screaming "My God, Ned, help me! I'm on fire!" after being caught on fire because of the crash.
Before the fatal accident, Roberts was going to announce his retirement
from the NASCAR Cup Series after the race to work as a spokesperson for a beer company
. Fireball, as he was known to his racing fans and to his fellow drivers, was the first superstar of the superspeedway era. He would be followed by Darrell Waltrip
, Dale Earnhardt
, and other drivers who would compete in the Cup Series during the decades that would come after Roberts' death. Doctors ultimately blamed his death on pneumonia
and he spent the last 39 days of his life at Charlotte Memorial Hospital
(now Carolinas Medical Center) in extremely critical condition. The entire week from April 29 through May 1, 1964 ultimately became one of the darkest weeks in motorsports history as Eddie Sachs
and Dave McDonald
were both killed in that year's Indianapolis 500
. Actual home video
footage of the accident was being recorded as the race occurred.
The race was being televised by local CBS
affiliate WBTV
. Roberts' body was eventually delivered to his burial crypt
in Daytona Beach
, Florida
. One of the quotes that came in an earlier race sometime prior to his death was "I fear fire the most!"
† signifies that the driver is known to be deceased
* Driver failed to finish 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 (now Sprint Cup Series) event that took place on May 24, 1964 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway is a motorsports complex located in Concord, North Carolina, United States 13 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina. The complex features a quad oval track that hosts NASCAR racing including the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend and the Sprint All-Star Race...
in the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
community of Concord
Concord, North Carolina
Concord is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. According to Census 2010, the city has a current population of 79,066. It is the largest city in Cabarrus County and is the county seat. In terms of population, the city of Concord is the second largest city in the Charlotte Metropolitan Area...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
.
Summary
This race took place in the daytime because the lights for nighttime racing were not installed until 1992 (for the 8th NASCAR All-Star RaceThe Winston VIII
The 1992 edition of The Winston was held on May 16, 1992 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. It was also better known as One Hot Night because it was the first ever all-star race that was held at night...
in its "modern day" history).
The race covered four hundred laps of a paved oval track spanning 1.5 miles (2.4 km). It took four hours, forty-six minutes, and fourteen seconds for the race to go from the first green flag to the checkered flag. Seven cautions were given out by NASCAR officials for forty-eight laps. Notable speeds were: 125.772 mi/h for the average speed and 144.346 mi/h for the pole position speed. There was a live attendance of exactly 66,311 racing fans.
Jim Paschal
Jim Paschal
James Roy "Jim" Paschal, Jr. was a NASCAR Grand National and Winston Cup driver. He won twenty-five races and twelve poles over his career. Elected to the "Stock Car Racing Hall of Fame" in 1977, he won the World 600 in 1964 and the 1967 Charlotte Motor Speedway...
defeated Richard Petty
Richard Petty
Richard Lee Petty is a former NASCAR driver who raced in the Strictly Stock/Grand National Era and the NASCAR Winston Cup Series...
by more than four laps. Other notable drivers included: Ralph Earnhardt, Roy Tyner
Roy Tyner
William Leroy "Roy" Tyner was a retired Native American NASCAR Grand National driver from Red Springs, North Carolina, USA.-Driver:...
, Fireball Roberts
Fireball Roberts
Edward Glenn Roberts, Jr. , nicknamed "Fireball", was one of the pioneering race car drivers of NASCAR.-Background:...
, Elmo Langley
Elmo Langley
Elmo Langley was a NASCAR driver and owner. Langley primarily used the number "64" on his race cars during his NASCAR career.-Racing career:...
, and Buddy Baker
Buddy Baker
Elzie Wylie Baker, Jr. , nicknamed "Leadfoot" or more famously Buddy, is a former American NASCAR racecar driver.-Early life:...
. The top two finishers were teammates at Petty Enterprises
Petty Enterprises
Petty Enterprises was a NASCAR racing team based in Randleman, North Carolina, USA. The team was owned by Richard Petty, his son Kyle Petty, and Boston Ventures. At the time of its folding the team operated the #43 and #45 Dodge Chargers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Petty Enterprises ran from...
(now Richard Petty Motorsports). Jim Paschal would receive $24,785 ($ considering inflation) in prize money after becoming the only driver to finish all 400 laps of the race. Pete Stewart
Pete Stewart (NASCAR)
Pete Stewart is a retired NASCAR Grand National Series driver who participated in 17 racing events from 1953 to 1965....
was rewarded with $600 ($ in today's money) for finishing only one lap; resulting in a last place finish. Billy Wade started in pole position while the winner started in 12th place.
Death of Fireball Roberts
Fireball Roberts ended up in a terrible crash in this race while trying to avoid Junior JohnsonJunior Johnson
Robert Glenn Johnson, Jr. , better known as Junior Johnson, is a retired moonshiner in the rural South who became one of the early superstars of NASCAR in the 1950s and 1960s. He won 50 NASCAR races in his career before retiring in 1966...
and Ned Jarrett
Ned Jarrett
Ned Jarrett is a retired race car driver and two-time NASCAR champion.Jarrett was best known for his calm demeanor, and he became known as "Gentleman Ned Jarrett", yet he was an intense competitor when he put his two hands on the steering wheel of a NASCAR Grand National stock car...
's crash on lap 7. Roberts was sent to Charlotte hospital by a team of emergency paramedic
Paramedic
A paramedic is a healthcare professional that works in emergency medical situations. Paramedics provide advanced levels of care for medical emergencies and trauma. The majority of paramedics are based in the field in ambulances, emergency response vehicles, or in specialist mobile units such as...
s. While he was not seriously injured by the crash itself, Roberts was trapped when his ankle became pinned up from under the dashboard and caught by either the clutch or brake pedal. The death would have occurred at the speedway if Jarrett hadn't pulled Roberts out in time. Instead, he died in hospital on July 2 of that year; leaving behind a wife (Mrs. Doris Roberts) and a young daughter (Pamela Jane Roberts Trivette). Many fans could hear Roberts screaming "My God, Ned, help me! I'm on fire!" after being caught on fire because of the crash.
Before the fatal accident, Roberts was going to announce his retirement
Retirement
Retirement is the point where a person stops employment completely. A person may also semi-retire by reducing work hours.Many people choose to retire when they are eligible for private or public pension benefits, although some are forced to retire when physical conditions don't allow the person to...
from the NASCAR Cup Series after the race to work as a spokesperson for a beer company
Falstaff Brewing Corporation
The Falstaff Brewing Corporation was a major American brewery located in St. Louis, Missouri. With roots in the 1838 Lemp Brewery of St. Louis, the company was renamed after the Shakespearean character of Sir John Falstaff in 1903. Production peaked in 1965 with 7,010,218 barrels brewed, and then...
. Fireball, as he was known to his racing fans and to his fellow drivers, was the first superstar of the superspeedway era. He would be followed by Darrell Waltrip
Darrell Waltrip
Darrell Lee Waltrip is a 3-time NASCAR Cup Series champion , 3-time runner-up , winner of the 1989 Daytona 500 and 5-time winner of the prestigeous Coca-Cola 600 ,...
, Dale Earnhardt
Dale Earnhardt
Ralph Dale Earnhardt, Sr. was an American race car driver, best known for his involvement in stock car racing for NASCAR...
, and other drivers who would compete in the Cup Series during the decades that would come after Roberts' death. Doctors ultimately blamed his death on pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
and he spent the last 39 days of his life at Charlotte Memorial Hospital
Carolinas Medical Center
Carolinas Medical Center is a large, public, non-profit hospital located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The hospital was organized in 1940 as Charlotte Memorial Hospital on Blythe Boulevard in the Dilworth neighborhood. Since that time, the hospital has undergone several major expansions and...
(now Carolinas Medical Center) in extremely critical condition. The entire week from April 29 through May 1, 1964 ultimately became one of the darkest weeks in motorsports history as Eddie Sachs
Eddie Sachs
Edward Julius Sachs, Jr, born May 28, 1927 in Allentown, Pennsylvania, died May 30, 1964 in Speedway, Indiana was a United States Auto Club driver who was known as the "Clown Prince of Auto Racing." He coined the phrase "If you can't win, be spectacular."...
and Dave McDonald
Dave McDonald
David Bruce McDonald is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. McDonald attended school at the University of Nebraska and was signed by the New York Yankees in . He played with the Yankees in and with the Montreal Expos in .-External links:*...
were both killed in that year's Indianapolis 500
1964 Indianapolis 500
The 1964 Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Saturday, May 30, 1964. It was won by A.J. Foyt, but is best known for a fiery seven-car, second-lap accident that resulted in the deaths of Eddie Sachs and Dave MacDonald...
. Actual home video
Home video
Home video is a blanket term used for pre-recorded media that is either sold or rented/hired for home cinema entertainment. The term originates from the VHS/Betamax era but has carried over into current optical disc formats like DVD and Blu-ray Disc and, to a lesser extent, into methods of digital...
footage of the accident was being recorded as the race occurred.
The race was being televised by local CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
affiliate WBTV
WBTV
WBTV, channel 3 , is the CBS affiliate in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is one of two flagship stations of Raycom Media. WBTV's studios are located off Morehead Street just west of Uptown Charlotte, and its transmitter is located in north-central Gaston County, North Carolina...
. Roberts' body was eventually delivered to his burial crypt
Burial vault (tomb)
A burial vault is a structural underground tomb.It is a stone or brick-lined underground space or 'burial' chamber for the interment of a dead body or bodies. They were originally and are still often vaulted and usually have stone slab entrances...
in Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach, Florida
Daytona Beach is a city in Volusia County, Florida, USA. According to 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city has a population of 64,211. Daytona Beach is a principal city of the Deltona – Daytona Beach – Ormond Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which the census bureau estimated had...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. One of the quotes that came in an earlier race sometime prior to his death was "I fear fire the most!"
Finishing order
- Jim Paschal†
- Richard Petty
- Rex WhiteRex WhiteRex White is a retired American auto racer and NASCAR champion. White was one of the drivers who competed for the original Chevrolet racing team. He began racing in 1956, grabbing fourteen top-ten finishes. After a part-time run in 1957, White won twice in 1958...
- Fred LorenzenFred LorenzenFred Lorenzen , nicknamed The Golden Boy, Fast Freddie, The Elmhurst Express and Flyin Freddy, is a former NASCAR driver active between 1958 and 1972. He won the 1965 Daytona 500. Lorenzen was born in Elmurst, Illinois.-Early career:Lorenzen first caught the car bug young, and had built his first...
- Billy Wade†
- G.C. SpencerG.C. SpencerG. C. Spencer July 9, 1925 in Owensboro, Kentucky – September 20, 2007 in Johnson City, Tennessee was a NASCAR driver who competed in 415 Grand National/Winston Cup races from 1958 to 1977...
† - Larry FrankLarry FrankLarry Frank was an American NASCAR Grand National driver. He is best known for winning the 1962 Southern 500.-Career:...
† - David Pearson
- Wendell ScottWendell ScottWendell Oliver Scott was an American stock car racing driver from Danville, Virginia. He is the only black driver to win a race in what is now the Sprint Cup Series. According to a 2008 biography of Scott, he broke the color barrier in Southern stock car racing on May 23, 1952, at the Danville...
† - Jack Anderson
- Curtis CriderCurtis CriderCurtis Crider was a pioneer in NASCAR's early years.He was one of the hardest working and underfinanced racers to ever drive the stock car circuit. Landing in a lake eventually earned him the nickname "Crawfish." Like most early NASCAR racers, Crider was a bootlegger and delievered moonshine to...
- J.T. PutneyJ.T. PutneyJ.T. Putney ) was a former NASCAR Grand National Series race car driver who would accomplish 16 finishes in the "top five" in addition to 49 finishes in the "top ten." Herman Beam would become one of Putney's employers; guiding him to a seventh-place finish at the end of the 1965 NASCAR Grand...
- Darel DieringerDarel DieringerDarel Dieringer was a NASCAR Grand National and Winston Cup Series driver.-Summary:...
†* - Worth McMillionWorth McMillionWorth McMillion is a NASCAR Grand National driver who participated from 1962 to 1969 for 62 races. His first event was the 1962 untitled race at South Boston Speedway while his final event was the 1969 Richmond 500. McMillion has finished in the once in the top-five and eighteen times in the top-ten...
- Doug Cooper
- Roy Tyner
- Bob DerringtonBob DerringtonBob Derrington is a retired NASCAR Grand National Series race car driver whose career spanned from 1964 to 1966.-Summary:His average start was 20th place while his average finish was 15th. Derrington also earned three finishes in the "top five" and raced a distance of - the equivalent of 13,427 laps...
- Bunkie BlackburnBunkie BlackburnJames Ronald "Bunkie" Blackburn was a NASCAR racecar driver.-Career:Blackburn's father owned and operated the Fayetteville, North Carolina racetrack....
†* - Paul GoldsmithPaul GoldsmithPaul Goldsmith is a motorcycle Hall of Famer, Motorsports Hall of Fame of America inductee and former USAC and NASCAR driver.- Motorcycle career :...
* - Buck Baker*
- Bill McMahan*
- Ken Spikes*
- Larry ThomasLarry Thomas (NASCAR driver)Larry Thomas was a NASCAR Grand National driver from Thomasville, NC. Thomas died in a non-racing related car crash during the start of the 1965 NASCAR season.-Driving career:...
†* - Jimmy PardueJimmy PardueJimmy Pardue is a former race car driver who lived in North Wilkesboro, North America, USA.-Summary:He made his debut in 1955 at Martinsville, where he finished 28th after suffering hub problems in his Chevrolet Bel Air vehicle. He made his first full-time attempt in 1960 where he had eleven top-tens...
†* - Bobby IsaacBobby IsaacBobby Isaac is a former NASCAR Grand National champion.-Early life:Isaac grew up on a farm near Catawba, North Carolina, the second youngest of nine children...
†* - LeeRoy Yarborough†*
- Stick Elliott*
- Cale YarboroughCale YarboroughWilliam 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...
* - 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...
* - Roy Mayne*
- Ken RushKen RushKen Rush was a NASCAR Cup Series driver whose career spanned from 1957 to 1972.-Summary:He would win the 1969 'Bama 400 Grand Touring race on Saturday, September 13, 1969 - arguably the first race held at Talladega Superspeedway sanctioned by any motorsports body - in his Chevrolet Camaro...
* - Mark HurleyMark HurleyMark Hurley is a retired NASCAR Grand National Series driver. He has raced in NASCAR for four years and has competed in 16 races with one finish in the top five and two finishes in the top ten. Hurley has accomplished 2,263 laps of racing to accumulate a career earnings total of $2,630...
* - Ned Jarrett*
- Junior Johnson*
- Fireball RobertsFireball RobertsEdward Glenn Roberts, Jr. , nicknamed "Fireball", was one of the pioneering race car drivers of NASCAR.-Background:...
†* - Buddy BakerBuddy BakerElzie Wylie Baker, Jr. , nicknamed "Leadfoot" or more famously Buddy, is a former American NASCAR racecar driver.-Early life:...
* - Ralph Earnhardt†*
- Neil CastlesNeil CastlesNeil "Soapy" Castles is a retired NASCAR Grand National and Winston Cup Series driver that participate from 1957 to 1976.-History:...
* - Jimmy HelmsJimmy HelmsJames H. Helms is an American soul singer.-Early days:Helms' first release "Ragtime Girl" was put out on Pye Records in 1963...
* - Bob CooperBob Cooper (NASCAR driver)Bob Cooper is a retired driver that raced in the NASCAR Grand National Series . Cooper has raced 64 races over the course of 8 years - resulting in 9 finishes in the top ten. He has also done 8982 laps; earning $17,495 in the process...
* - Bud HarlessBud HarlessBud Harless was a NASCAR Grand National Series driver. He raced for six years and in 28 races . Harless' average starting position was 23rd while his average finishing position was 22nd. The number of laps that Harless raced in his career was 4074 - the equivalent of...
†* - Elmo LangleyElmo LangleyElmo Langley was a NASCAR driver and owner. Langley primarily used the number "64" on his race cars during his NASCAR career.-Racing career:...
†* - E.J. TrivetteE.J. TrivetteE.J. Trivette is a retired NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver.-Career summary:...
* - Pete Stewart*
† signifies that the driver is known to be deceased
* Driver failed to finish race