Harold Kite
Encyclopedia
Harold Kite was a NASCAR
Grand National driver from East Point
, Georgia
, United States of America
. In his brief Sprint Cup Series career, Kite competed in nine events to earn one win and two top-ten finishes.
Kite's debut came in 1950. He started third on the Daytona Beach Road Course
, Kite quickly found his way to the lead. From there, he led 38 of the 48 laps and holding off Red Byron
by fifty-three seconds for the victory. He recorded two midpack finishes to close out the year: a 38th in the inaugural event at Darlington and a 12th place in a small field at Rockingham Speedway.
Kite's next two races would take place during the 1951
season, when he finished a career-high 25th in points. He started 38th in the history-breaking eighty-two car field at the Southern 500
, Kite completed most of the laps and kept in shouting distance of the leaders to finish 6th. Kite did not keep early-season momentum on his side, finishing his other start that year with a last (29th) place showing at Columbia.
Kite tacked on two more starts a few years later, making his return during the 1955
season. Piston issues very early in the LeHi race left him 25th, and various woes kept him to 43rd place in the Darlington Southern 500
.
Kite made a new approach during his solo 1956 appearance, making his first start at the tiny Shelby track. But even the small field of seventeen could not be conquered for Kite, who fell a number of laps down and finished 11th.
Kite waited until 1965
to return to the sport, competing for the first time at the speedy Charlotte. It would be a tragic return for the driver. Just one lap in, Kite crashed out of the race to finish 42nd. Unfortunately, not only did Kite lose the race but his life that day, after being hit in the driver's door by Frank Warren
. Kite was forty-three.
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 East Point
East Point, Georgia
The city of East Point is southwest of the neighborhoods of Atlanta in Fulton County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 33,712...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, United States of America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. In his brief Sprint Cup Series career, Kite competed in nine events to earn one win and two top-ten finishes.
Kite's debut came in 1950. He started third on 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...
, Kite quickly found his way to the lead. From there, he led 38 of the 48 laps and holding off 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...
by fifty-three seconds for the victory. He recorded two midpack finishes to close out the year: a 38th in the inaugural event at Darlington and a 12th place in a small field at Rockingham Speedway.
Kite's next two races would take place during the 1951
1951 in NASCAR
The 1951 NASCAR Grand National season was the third season of professional stock car racing in the United States. Beginning at the Daytona Beach Road Course on February 5, 1951, the season included forty-one races. The season concluded with the at New Mobile Speedway on November 25...
season, when he finished a career-high 25th in points. He started 38th in the history-breaking eighty-two car field at the Southern 500
Southern 500
The Showtime Southern 500 is the annual spring NASCAR Sprint Cup race held at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina, USA, and is the second such event at Darlington to bear the name. It began in 1957 as a race in the Convertible Division, known as the Rebel 300. In 1966, the race was...
, Kite completed most of the laps and kept in shouting distance of the leaders to finish 6th. Kite did not keep early-season momentum on his side, finishing his other start that year with a last (29th) place showing at Columbia.
Kite tacked on two more starts a few years later, making his return during the 1955
1955 in NASCAR
The 1955 NASCAR Grand National Season began on November 7, 1954 and ended on October 30, 1955. Even though the season was resolved in the course of two different years, all NASCAR personnel were allowed to have their traditional two-month silly season that traditionally comes between mid-November...
season. Piston issues very early in the LeHi race left him 25th, and various woes kept him to 43rd place in the Darlington Southern 500
1955 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...
.
Kite made a new approach during his solo 1956 appearance, making his first start at the tiny Shelby track. But even the small field of seventeen could not be conquered for Kite, who fell a number of laps down and finished 11th.
Kite waited until 1965
1965 in NASCAR
1965 in NASCAR was a year that contained many changes. Due to the increasing speeds of the cars, and the concerns for safety, NASCAR outlawed the Chrysler hemi engine. Chrysler responded by withdrawing their support, and drivers like Richard Petty, David Pearson, Paul Goldsmith, Bobby Isaac were...
to return to the sport, competing for the first time at the speedy Charlotte. It would be a tragic return for the driver. Just one lap in, Kite crashed out of the race to finish 42nd. Unfortunately, not only did Kite lose the race but his life that day, after being hit in the driver's door by Frank Warren
Frank Warren (NASCAR driver)
Frank Warren is a retired NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver who raced from 1963 to 1980.Out of 88863 laps finished in his career, Warren had led 72 of them. Warren's total career earnings were $625,886 and while his average finish was 20th place in his entire career. The total amount of miles...
. Kite was forty-three.