Gwyn Staley
Encyclopedia
Gwyn Staley was a NASCAR
Grand National driver from Burlington
, North Carolina
, USA
.
and died shortly after running the 150-lap race at Champion Speedway in Fayetteville
, North Carolina
. As a Grand National driver, Staley had three wins in addition to twenty-three finishes in the "top 5" and forty-one finishes in the "top 10." Out of 10218 laps, Gwyn officially led 299 laps and accumulated a grand total of $23,284 ($ in today's money) in his seven-year career. Notable appearances for Gwyn Staley have been at Hickory Motor Speedway
(where he won the first race ever held there) and Langhorne Speedway
(where he won a race in 1957 using a Chevrolet
Bel Air
vehicle).
Gwyn won three races driving the Julain Petty prepared 1957 Chevy Bel Air. The first win was on August 26, 1957 at the Coastal Speedway in Myrtle Beach
, South Carolina
. It was a 200-lap race and he had lapped the field. The second win came a few weeks later on September the 5th. It was at the New York State Fairgrounds
and once again he had lapped the field driving the Petty prepared 1957 Chevy
. His third and last win came on September the 15th in the same car at the Langhorn Speedway in Pennsylvania. He had the field lapped twice this time. North Wilkesboro Speedway named the race after him during the early 1970s.
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 driver from Burlington
Burlington, North Carolina
Burlington is a city in Alamance and Guilford counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the principal city of the Burlington, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Alamance County, in which most of the city is located. The population was 49,963 at the 2010...
, 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...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Career
He participated in the 1955 Southern 5001955 Southern 500
The 1955 Southern 500 was a NASCAR Grand National racing event that took place on September 5, 1955 at the Darlington Raceway in the American community of Darlington, South Carolina. This race officially spanned on a paved oval track...
and died shortly after running the 150-lap race at Champion Speedway in Fayetteville
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Fayetteville is a city located in Cumberland County, North Carolina, United States. It is the county seat of Cumberland County, and is best known as the home of Fort Bragg, a U.S. Army post located northwest of the city....
, 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...
. As a Grand National driver, Staley had three wins in addition to twenty-three finishes in the "top 5" and forty-one finishes in the "top 10." Out of 10218 laps, Gwyn officially led 299 laps and accumulated a grand total of $23,284 ($ in today's money) in his seven-year career. Notable appearances for Gwyn Staley have been at Hickory Motor Speedway
Hickory Motor Speedway
Hickory Motor Speedway is a short track located in Hickory, North Carolina. It is one of stock car racing's most storied venues, and is often referred to as "The World's Most Famous Short Track" and the "Birthplace of the NASCAR Stars"....
(where he won the first race ever held there) and 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....
(where he won a race in 1957 using a Chevrolet
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
Bel Air
Chevrolet Bel Air
The Chevrolet Bel Air is a full-size automobile that was produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors for the 1950–1975 model years. Hardtops in the Chevrolet Deluxe Styleline model range were designated with the Bel Air name from 1950–1952, but it was not a distinct series of its own until...
vehicle).
Gwyn won three races driving the Julain Petty prepared 1957 Chevy Bel Air. The first win was on August 26, 1957 at the Coastal Speedway in Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach is a coastal city on the east coast of the United States in Horry County, South Carolina. It is situated on the center of a large and continuous stretch of beach known as the Grand Strand in northeastern South Carolina. It is considered to be a major tourist destination in the...
, 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...
. It was a 200-lap race and he had lapped the field. The second win came a few weeks later on September the 5th. It was at the New York State Fairgrounds
Great New York State Fair
The Great New York State Fair is an annual farmers' exposition and a 12-day showcase of entertainment, education, industry, technology, and more, sponsored by the State of New York. Additionally there are midway rides, , and concerts. The first fair took place in Syracuse in 1841...
and once again he had lapped the field driving the Petty prepared 1957 Chevy
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
. His third and last win came on September the 15th in the same car at the Langhorn Speedway in Pennsylvania. He had the field lapped twice this time. North Wilkesboro Speedway named the race after him during the early 1970s.