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1956 NASCAR Grand National Series

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The 1956 NASCAR Grand National (now NASCAR Cup Series) Season began on November 13, 1955, and ended on November 18, 1956, lasting slightly longer than a full year.

Driver Tim Flock was the defending champion, and started off with a win at the opening Hickory Speedway. But it was Buck Baker who ultimately captured the top-ranking at the end of the season. Along with trophies, Baker also collected $34,076.35 in prize money, and finished more than 400 points ahead of his closest competitor. Baker competed in 48 races throughout the 1956 season as Speedy Thompson and Herb Thomas rounded out the top three in points by the final race.

Even though auto manufactures Chevrolet and Ford both contributed millions of dollars into their cars during the season, it was Carl Kiekhaefer's Chryslers and Dodges that dominated the season including a 16 win stretch through the summer months.

Season summary

[edit]
A 1956 Chrysler 300-B restored for the Henry Ford museum to replicate one of season champion Buck Baker's rides.

The season started on a somber note; as former driver Buddy Shuman died the night before the season started, in a Hickory hotel fire. The coroner reported that the mattress had been on fire, and it appeared that Shuman had attempted to escape, but broke down the bathroom door instead of the hallway. Shuman had been put in charge of the factory effort by Ford to succeed in NASCAR.[1]

Buck Baker won the NASCAR Grand National championship with 14 wins in the 1956 race season. The season involved races on 40 dirt tracks, 3 road courses, and 2 superspeedways.[2] More than 300 drivers competed in at least one race throughout the season With Baker and Speedy Thompson competing in 48 of the 56 races. Baker finished the season with 31 top five finishes, 39 top ten, and 12 poles.[3]

Baker had been improving his season finishing position for a couple years; with a 4th-place finish in 1953, 3rd in 1954, and runner-up in 1955. For the 1956 season Baker joined the Carl Kiekhaefer team who already boasted Speedy Thompson and Tim Flock. The powerhouse Kiekhaifer team finished with a total of 30 races in the 56 race season, including 16 straight races by 4 different drivers during one stretch of the season.[4] Baker took home the championship, Thompson finished second, and Flock only started 4 races for Kiekhaifer but still brought home a 9th place for his season efforts. Flock quit the Kiekhaifer team part way into the season citing an overly oppressive and driven to win Kiekhaifer.[5] Rules and living arrangements were established by Kiekhaifer; Husbands and wives as well as driver and girlfriends were not allowed to share quarters the night before the race.[6] Herb Thomas replaced Flock on the team, but he refused to remain for the whole season as well.[5][7]

At the time the season occurred, NASCAR was aspiring to become the United States' new dominant race-sanctioning body. This had previously been the a distinction held by the AAA Contest Board. However, the American Automobile Association had ended its involvement in automobile racing in the aftermath of the 1955 Le Mans disaster. Other organizations that were frontrunners angling to become the new dominant U.S. race-sanctioning body were the United States Auto Club and the Sports Car Club of America.[8]

Races

[edit]

Summary table

[edit]
No Date Miles Track Winning driver Winning team
1 11/13/1955 80 Hickory Speedway, Hickory Tim Flock Kiekhaefer
2 11/20/1955 101 Charlotte Speedway, Charlotte Fonty Flock Kiekhaefer
3 11/20/1955 200 Willow Springs Raceway, Willow Springs Chuck Stevenson Carl Dane
4 12/11/1955 100 Palm Beach Speedway, West Palm Beach Herb Thomas H. Thomas
5 1/22/1956 150 Arizona State Fairgrounds, Phoenix Buck Baker Kiekhaefer
6 2/26/1956 154 Daytona Beach and Road Course, Daytona Beach Tim Flock Kiekhaefer
7 3/4/1956 100 Palm Beach Speedway, West Palm Beach Billy Myers Stroppe
8 3/18/1956 53 Wilson Speedway, Wilson Herb Thomas Yunick
9 3/25/1956 100 Lakewood Speedway, Atlanta Buck Baker Kiekhaefer
10 4/8/1956
(Report)
100 North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro Tim Flock Kiekhaefer
11 4/22/1956 150 Langhorne Speedway, Langhorne Buck Baker Kiekhaefer
12 4/29/1956 150 Atlantic Rural Fairgrounds, Richmond Buck Baker Kiekhaefer
13 5/5/1956 100 Columbia Speedway, Cayce Speedy Thompson Kiekhaefer
14 5/6/1956 100 Harris Speedway, Concord Speedy Thompson Kiekhaefer
15 5/10/1956 100 Greenville-Pickens Speedway, Easley Buck Baker Kiekhaefer
16 5/12/1956 80 Hickory Speedway, Hickory Speedy Thompson Kiekhaefer
17 5/13/1956 90 Orange Speedway, Hillsborough Buck Baker Kiekhaefer
18 5/20/1956
(Report)
263 Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway Buck Baker Kiekhaefer
19 5/25/1956 100 Lincoln Speedway, New Oxford Buck Baker Kiekhaefer
20 5/27/1956 100 Charlotte Speedway, Charlotte Speedy Thompson Kiekhaefer
21 5/27/1956 75 Portland Speedway, Portland Herb Thomas Kiekhaefer
22 5/30/1956 78 Redwood Speedway, California Herb Thomas Kiekhaefer
23 5/30/1956 150 Syracuse Mile, Syracuse Buck Baker Kiekhaefer
24 6/3/1956 100 Merced Fairgrounds, Merced Herb Thomas Kiekhaefer
25 6/10/1956 251 Memphis-Arkansas Speedway, Lehi Ralph Moody DePaolo
26 6/15/1956 100 Southern States Fairgrounds, Charlotte Speedy Thompson Kiekhaefer
27 6/22/1956 100 Monroe County Fairgrounds, Ronchester Speedy Thompson Kiekhaefer
28 6/24/1956 100 Portland Speedway, Portland John Kieper J. Kieper
29 7/1/1956 100 Asheville Weaverville Speedway, Weaverville Lee Petty Petty Enterprises
30 7/4/1956 250 Raleigh Speedway, Raleigh Fireball Roberts DePaolo
31 7/7/1956 100 Peidmont Interstate Fairgrounds, Spartanburg Lee Petty Petty Enterprises
32 7/8/1956 100 California State Fairgrounds, Sacramento Lloyd Dane L. Dane
33 7/21/1956
(Report)
100 Soldier Field, Chicago Fireball Roberts DePaolo
34 7/27/1956 101 Cleveland County Fairgrounds, Shelby Speedy Thompson Kiekhaefer
35 7/29/1956 100 Montgomery Speedway, Montgomery Marvin Panch Harbison
36 8/3/1956 100 Oklahoma State Fairgrounds, Oklahoma City Jim Paschal Hayworth
37 8/12/1956
(Report)
258 Road America, Elkhart Lake Tim Flock Stroppe
38 8/17/1956 100 Old Bridge Stadium, Old Bridge Ralph Moody DePaolo
39 8/19/1956 241 Bay Meadows Speedway, San Mateo Eddie Pagan E. Pagan
40 8/22/1956 100 Norfolk Speedway, Norfolk Billy Myers Stroppe
41 8/23/1956 100 Peidmont Interstate Fairgrounds, Spartanburg Ralph Moody DePaolo
42 8/25/1956 100 Coastal Speedway, Myrtle Beach Fireball Roberts DePaolo
43 8/26/1956 123 Portland Speedway, Portland Royce Hagerty Weida
44 9/3/1956
(Report)
501 Darlington Raceway, Darlington Curtis Turner Schwam
45 9/9/1956 100 Chisholm Speedway, Montgomery Buck Baker Kiekhaefer
46 9/12/1956 100 Southern States Fairgrounds, Charlotte Ralph Moody DePaolo
47 9/23/1956 300 Langhorne Speedway, Langhorne Paul Goldsmith Yunick
48 9/23/1956 125 Portland Speedway, Portland Lloyd Dane L. Dane
49 9/29/1956 100 Columbia Speedway, Cayce Buck Baker Kiekhaefer
50 9/30/1956 99 Orange Speedway, Hillsborough Fireball Roberts DePaolo
51 10/7/1956 100 Newport Speedway, Newport Fireball Roberts DePaolo
52 10/14/1956 100 Charlotte Speedway, Charlotte Buck Baker Kiekhaefer
53 10/23/1956 100 Cleveland County Fairgrounds, Shelby Buck Baker Kiekhaefer
54 10/28/1956 200 Martinsville Speedway, Martinsville Jack Smith Kiekhaefer
55 11/11/1956
(Report)
125 Hickory Speedway, Hickory Speedy Thompson Kiekhaefer
56 11/18/1956 100 Wilson Speedway, Wilson Buck Baker Kiekhaefer

1955

[edit]

Race 1: Hickory Speedway (November 13)

[edit]

On November 13, 1955, at the Hickory Speedway, 7,500 people watched as the 1956 NASCAR season got underway, with Tim Flock capturing the win in one of Carl Kiekhaefer's Mercury Outboard motors sponsored Chryslers.[note 1] Flock started on the pole and led the first 121 laps of the 200 lap event before spinning in turn three. Lee Petty took the lead and led through lap 138 when Flock caught and passed him; then Flock led from lap 139 to finish. Petty would finish third behind Flock and Curtis Turner, with Dink Widenhouse and Jim Paschal rounding out the top 5. There were 4 cautions on the 0.4 2.5-mile (4.0 km) dirt track, for a total of 23 laps.[citation needed]

Stats[9]
Winning driver: Tim Flock
Winning team: Kiekhaefer
Winning car make: 1955 Chrysler
Track description: 0.4-mile (0.64 km) dirt short track oval
Laps: 200
Length: 80 mi (130 km)
Competitors: 31 drivers
Attendance 7,500
Duration: 1:24:16
Avg. speed: 56.962 mph (91.671 km/h)
Pole speed: 68.965 mph (110.988 km/h)
Cautions: 4
Caution laps: 23
Lead changes: 2
Margin-of-victory: 7 seconds

Race 2: Charlotte Speedway (November 20)

[edit]

On November 20,[10] Race 2 was held on the 3/4 mile dirt track Charlotte Speedway. Tim Flock's brother Fonty, who also drove for Kiekhaefer, would lead the race from start to finish, narrowly edged out his brother Tim by half a car length. Lee Petty, Joe Weatherly and, Buck Baker would round out the top five. This would be Kiekhaefer's 10th win in 12 races, dating back to the 1955 season.[citation needed]

Races 2 and 3 were held on the same day.[10]

Stats[11]
Winning driver: Fonty Flock
Winning team: Kiekhaefer
Winning car make: 1955 Chrysler
Track description: 0.76-mile (1.22 km) dirt short track oval
Laps: 200
Length: 100.5 mi (161.7 km)
Competitors: 27 drivers
Attendance 10,500
Duration: 1:37:32
Avg. speed: 61.825 mph (99.498 km/h)
Pole speed: 70.496 mph (113.452 km/h)
Cautions: 2
Caution laps: 7
Lead changes: 0
Margin-of-victory: 0.5 car-lengths

Race 3: Willow Springs Raceway (November 20)

[edit]

Also on November 20, in California at Willow Springs Raceway NASCAR held a 200-mile road race at Willow Springs Raceway in California. Chuck Stevenson grabbed that win in his 1956 Ford; followed by Marvin Panch and Johnny Mantz as November came to a close.[12]

Stats[13]
Winning driver: Chuck Stevenson
Winning team: Dane
Winning car make: 1956 Ford
Track description: 2.5-mile (4.0 km) road course
Laps: 80
Length: 200 mi (320 km)
Competitors: 37 drivers
Attendance 17,000
Duration: 3:00:25
Avg. speed: 66.512 mph (107.041 km/h)
Pole speed: 76.556 mph (123.205 km/h)
Cautions: 0
Caution laps: 0
Lead changes: 7
Margin-of-victory: 500 ft (150 m)

Race 4: Palm Beach Speedway (December 11)

[edit]

On December 11, 4,500 spectators watched a race at the Palm Beach Speedway in West Palm Beach, Florida. The race is notable in that the first two drivers across the finish line, Joe Weatherly and Jim Reed, were disqualified due to technical violations. The race was awarded to Herb Thomas.[7] Although Weatherly and Reed finished more than a lap ahead of Thomas NASCAR found that their cars were not strictly stock. Weatherly had a special cam installed, and Reed was found to be using modified valves, and both were stripped of their finishing positions. Thomas won the 200 lap, half mile track, race in an hour and a half. Al Keller finished second, Billy Myers grabbed the third spot with Buck Baker and Lee Petty rounding out the top 5. After the race Big Bill France announced that anyone caught cheating again would not only forfeit their finishing position, but their prize money and all their season points to date as well. This ended the 1955 year for NASCAR racing.[citation needed]

Stats[14]
Winning driver: Herb Thomas
Winning team: Herb Thomas
Winning car make: 1956 Chevrolet
Track description: 0.5-mile (0.80 km) paved short track oval
Laps: 200
Length: 100 mi (160 km)
Competitors: 23 drivers
Attendance 4,500
Duration: 1:31:50
Avg. speed: 65.009 mph (104.622 km/h)
Pole speed: 78.912 mph (126.997 km/h)

Winter of 1956

[edit]

Race 5: 150 Miles at Arizona State Fairgrounds (January 22)

[edit]

On January 22, the 150 Miles at Arizona State Fairgrounds was contested as the season's fifth race. It was held at the Arizona State Fairgrounds in Phoenix, Arizona.[10][15] Buck Baker, in his 55 Chrysler, earned the first win of the new year, and Kiekhaefer drivers Billy Myers and Ralph Moody captured second and third. Baker's victory was his first start for the juggernaut Kiekhaefer team. When Kiekhaefer realized how formidable Baker was on the track he was quoted as saying "There's only one thing to do with a man like that; and that is to hire him."[16] Slowed by 8 cautions, the one mile dirt track hosted the 150 mile race in two and a half hours.[17]

Stats[15]
Winning driver: Buck Baker
Winning team: Kiekhaefer
Winning car make: 1955 Chrysler
Track description: 1-mile (1.6 km) dirt oval
Laps: 150
Length: 150 mi (240 km)
Competitors: 30 drivers
Duration: 2:19:44
Avg. speed: 64.408 mph (103.655 km/h)
Pole speed: 71.315 mph (114.770 km/h)
Cautions: 8
Lead changes: 3
Margin-of-victory: 10 car-lengths

Race 6: Daytona Beach and Road Course (February 26)

[edit]

Race 6 was held February 25 at Daytona Beach and Road Course[10] Team owner Kiekhaefer fielded 6 of his drivers for the race: Buck Baker, Tim Flock, his brother Fonty Flock, Charlie Scott, Frank Munday and Speedy Thompson.[18] Tim Flock survived the track and 70-plus other drivers[note 2] to win the race, marking his second in a row win at the beach. Charlie Scott, the 19th-place finisher, is noted as one of the first African-American drivers in NASCAR.[7] The race was flagged to a stop 2 laps before the scheduled 160 miles due to a high tide on the beach.[18]

On February 25, the day before the Grand National race, the track had hosted NASCAR's inaugural NASCAR Convertible Division race.[19] Along with drivers, owners, mechanics and, officials, 13,500 spectators gathered at the 4.1 mile road course to watch Curtis Turner in his 56 Ford convertible beat Fireball Roberts and 26 other drivers to the checkered flag through 160 miles of racing.[20]

Stats[7][21]
Winning driver: Tim Flock
Winning team: Kiekhaefer
Winning car make: 1956 Chrysler
Track description: 4.1-mile (6.6 km) road course
Laps: 39 (planned) 37 (raced)
Length: 160 mi (260 km) (planned)
Competitors: 80 drivers (entered)
Attendance: 29,000
Duration: 1:40:24
Avg. speed: 90.657 mph (145.898 km/h)
Pole speed: 135.747 mph (218.464 km/h)
Cautions: 2
Caution laps: 2
Lead changes: 2
Margin-of-victory: 57 seconds

Race 7: Palm Beach Speedway (March 4)

[edit]

On March 4, the drivers returned to Palm Beach Speedway for race number 7, a 100-mile event. Once again disqualification would play a part in who was declared the winner. Al Keller beat Billy Myers to the checkered flag. However, after Keller was found to have been racing with modified pistons, Myers was awarded the victory. Buck Baker and Herb Thomas grabbed the second and third spots respectively.[18]

Stats[7][22]
Winning driver: Billy Myers
Winning team: Stroppe
Winning car make: 1956 Mercury
Track description: 0.5-mile (0.80 km) paved short track oval
Laps: 200
Length: 100 mi (160 km)
Competitors: 30 drivers
Attendance 5,200
Duration: 1:26:32
Avg. speed: 68.99 mph (111.03 km/h)
Pole speed: 81.081 mph (130.487 km/h)
Cautions: 1
Caution laps: 3
Lead changes: 2

Race 8: Wilson Speedway (March 18)

[edit]

On March 18, 5,000 spectators gathered for Race 8; which was contested on the half mile dirt track of Wilson Speedway. Herb Thomas captured his second win of the season in a Smokey Yunick-prepared Chevy when rain cut the scheduled 200 lap event to 106 laps.[23]

Stats[23]
Winning driver: Herb Thomas
Winning team: Yunick
Winning car make: 1956 Chevrolet
Track description: 0.5-mile (0.80 km) dirt short track oval
Laps: 200 (planned) 106 (raced)
Length: 100 mi (160 km) (planned)
Competitors: 33 drivers
Attendance 5,000
Duration: 1:08:42
Avg. speed: 46.287 mph (74.492 km/h)
Pole speed: 57.197 mph (92.050 km/h)

Race 9: Lakewood Speedway (March 25)

[edit]

On March 25, the Grand National series raced on the one mile dirt track of Lakewood Speedway in Atlanta, Georgia. The event was darkened by the death of Lou Moore who suffered a intracerebral hemorrhage while at the track, and died in the hospital before the end of the race. Moore was a well known Indianapolis 500 car driver, builder and owner. Buck Baker came away with the Wilson Speedway win, and Speedy Thompson finished second, giving Kiekhaefer another 1-2 finish and bringing the March contests to a close.[24]

Stats[25]
Winning driver: Buck Baker
Winning team: Kiekhaefer
Winning car make: 1956 Chrysler
Track description: 1-mile (1.6 km) dirt oval
Laps: 100
Length: 100 miles (160 km)
Competitors: 28 drivers (entered)
Attendance: 17,812
Duration: 1:24:56
Avg. speed: 70.643 mph (113.689 km/h)
Pole speed: 82.154 mph (132.214 km/h)
Lead changes: 1

Spring of 1956

[edit]

Race 10: Wilkes County 160 at North Wilkesboro Speedway (April 8)

[edit]

The new month and race 10 would bring one of the 1956 season's biggest turning points as April 8 ushered the NASCAR crew to 0.6 mile North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, N.C. for the Wilkes County 160. Tim Flock posted his third win of the season, and Billy Myers finished second, as 7,500 spectators looked on. Jim Paschal grabbed the third spot, as Herb Thomas and Ralph Moody rounded out the top 5. The news of the day was when Flock shocked the NASCAR family and abruptly quit the highly successful Kiekhaefer Chrysler team after the race, citing worsening ulcers and Kiekhaefer's attitude as the reasons. Kiekhaefer tried to convince Flock to stay with the team, but Flock was adamant about leaving for a Chevy team.[citation needed]

Flock later recounted,

I couldn't take Kiekhaefer's drill-sergeant attitude anymore. I had to quit to save my own life.[26]

Stats[27]
Winning driver: Tim Flock
Winning team: Kiekhaefer
Winning car make: 1956 Chrysler
Track description: 0.625-mile (1.006 km) dirt short track oval
Laps: 160
Length: 100 miles (160 km)
Competitors: 29 drivers
Attendance: 7,500
Duration: 1:24:28
Avg. speed: 71.034 mph (114.318 km/h)
Pole speed: 78.37 mph (126.12 km/h)
Lead changes: 2

Race 11: Langhorne Speedway (April 22)

[edit]

On April 22, the season's eleventh was contested on the 1 mile dirt track Langhorne Speedway in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. Tragedy struck once again as young driver John McVitty died of massive internal injuries after being thrown from his car as it rolled the day before the race during qualifying. To fill the empty seat left by Flock's leaving, and now driving a Smokey Yunick prepared ride, Kiekhaefer hired Herb Thomas to join his NASCAR team. Flock moved into the lead on lap 115, but would give way to eventual winner Buck Baker with six laps remaining in the 150 lap event. Thomas finished second and Flock dropped to third by the end of the race.[citation needed]

Stats[28]
Winning driver: Buck Baker
Winning team: Kiekhaefer
Winning car make: 1956 Chrysler
Track description: 1-mile (1.6 km) dirt short track oval
Laps: 150
Length: 150 miles (240 km)
Competitors: 41 drivers
Attendance: 24,000
Duration: 1:58:32
Avg. speed: 75.928 mph (122.194 km/h)
Pole speed: 104.59 mph (168.32 km/h)
Lead changes: 2
Margin-of-victory: 1 lap+

Race 12: Richmond 200 at Atlantic Rural Fairgrounds (April 29)

[edit]

April 29 brought 5,000 spectators to the Atlantic Rural Fairgrounds for the Richmond 200 event on the half mile dirt track. Buck Baker dominated, leading all but two laps and lapped the entire field including second place Herb Thomas by the time the checkered flag fell. Baker’s win coupled with Flocks last place finish moved Baker into first place in the standings.[29]

Stats[30]
Winning driver: Buck Baker
Winning team: Kiekhaefer
Winning car make: 1956 Dodge
Track description: 0.5-mile (0.80 km) dirt short track oval
Laps: 200
Length: 100 miles (160 km)
Competitors: 24 drivers
Attendance: 5,000
Duration: 1:46:42
Avg. speed: 56.232 mph (90.497 km/h)
Pole speed: 67.091 mph (107.972 km/h)
Lead changes: 2
Margin-of-victory: 1 lap+

Race 13: Arclite 100 at the Columbia Speedway (May 5)

[edit]

On May 5, the Arclite 100 was held at the Columbia Speedway in Cayce, South Carolina as the thirteenth race of the season. Speedy Thompson won the 100 mile race. This was the fourth consecutive race in which both the winner and runner-up were Kiekhaefer cars.[10][7] The win at Columbia Speedway was Thompson's fifth career win, and his first of the season.[citation needed] Buck Baker, Joe Weatherly, Tiny Lund, and Bob Flock respectively finished second, third, fourth, and fifth. 5,000 spectators attended the hour and fifty minute race.[31]

Stats[31]
Winning driver: Speedy Thompson
Winning team: Kiekhaefer
Winning car make: 1956 Dodge
Track description: 0.5-mile (0.80 km) dirt short track oval
Laps: 200
Length: 100 miles (160 km)
Competitors: 26 drivers
Attendance: 5,000
Duration: 1:50:00
Avg. speed: 54.545 mph (87.782 km/h)
Pole speed: 63.274 mph (101.830 km/h)
Cautions 2
Lead changes: 3
Margin-of-victory: 2 laps + 25 seconds

Race 14: Harris Speedway (May 6)

[edit]

On May 6, the second day of the double-duty weekend had the NASCAR race at Harris Speedway in Concord, North Carolina for a 100-mile event on their half-mile dirt track. Speedy Thompson grabbed his second checkered flag in a row, besting Buck Baker and Herb Thomas who finished second and third respectively. It was another 1-2-3 victory for the powerful Kiekhaefer team. Thompson led all but one lap in the one hour and 37 minute event.[citation needed]

Stats[32]
Winning driver: Speedy Thompson
Winning team: Kiekhaefer
Winning car make: 1956 Chrysler
Track description: 0.5-mile (0.80 km) dirt short track oval
Laps: 200
Length: 100 miles (160 km)
Competitors: 30 drivers
Attendance: 6,000
Duration: 1:37:21
Avg. speed: 61.633 mph (99.189 km/h)
Pole speed: 65.241 mph (104.995 km/h)
Cautions 1
Caution laps 3
Lead changes: 2
Margin-of-victory: 18 seconds

Race 15: Greenville-Pickens Speedway (May 10)

[edit]

On May 10, race fifteen was held at the Greenville-Pickens Speedway in South Carolina.[10] Buck Baker gave Kiekhaefer his 7th victory in a row. The race result would be unsuccessfully challenged. After Baker managed to run the full 200 laps on the half-mile dirt track without a single pit stop, Schwam Motor Co., who fielded Fords for Joe Weatherly and Curtis Turner, went to NASCAR officials and filed a protest against the Kiekhaefer team. An enraged Kiekhaefer filed a counter protest against the Schwam Fords, claiming they ran with illegal motors and rear-ends. Technical inspector Jim Ross reviewed both claims, and held that both cars were legal, giving Baker a 100-point lead in the standings. The final results for the race were that the 500B Chrysler of Baker's was the winner, Curtis Turner in his number 99 second, and Joe Eubanks third. Gwyn Staley and Joe Weatherly rounded out the top five.[29]

Stats[33]
Winning driver: Buck Baker
Winning team: Kiekhaefer
Winning car make: 1956 Dodge
Track description: 0.5-mile (0.80 km) dirt short track oval
Laps: 200
Length: 100 miles (160 km)
Competitors: 23 drivers
Attendance: 5,000
Duration: 1:39:24
Avg. speed: 60.362 mph (97.143 km/h)
Pole speed: 61.1 mph (98.3 km/h)
Margin-of-victory: 1 lap +

Race 16: Hickory Speedway (May 12)

[edit]

On May 12, the Grand National series returned to the Hickory Speedway. 4,500 spectators attended the race, which Speedy Thompson led from start to finish. The race was filled with cautions, 6 in total throughout the 200 lap event.[34] There were no driver injuries,[citation needed] and Billy Myers finished second with Buck Baker, Herb Thomas, and Gwyn Stanley filling out the top five spots.[34] Thompson's win gave Kiekhaefer his eighth straight win.

Stats[34]
Winning driver: Speedy Thompson
Winning team: Kiekhaefer
Winning car make: 1956 Chrysler
Track description: 0.4-mile (0.64 km) dirt short track oval
Laps: 200
Length: 80 miles (130 km)
Competitors: 24 drivers
Attendance: 4,500
Duration: 1:20:45
Avg. speed: 59.442 mph (95.663 km/h)
Pole speed: 67.447 mph (108.545 km/h)
Cautions 6
Lead changes: 0
Margin-of-victory: Under caution

Race 17: Orange Speedway (May 13)

[edit]

On May 13, the season's seventeenth race was contested on the 0.9-mile Orange Speedway dirt track in Hillsborough, North Carolina. In a near photo finish Buck Baker barely squeaked past Speedy Thompson at the end of the 90 mile event.[citation needed] This was the ninth win of the for Kiekhaefer. The roughly one-hour race was attended by 7,500 spectators.

Stats[35]
Winning driver: Buck Baker
Winning team: Kiekhaefer
Winning car make: 1956 Chrysler
Track description: 0.9-mile (1.4 km) dirt short track oval
Laps: 100
Length: 90 miles (140 km)
Competitors: 31 drivers
Attendance: 7,500
Duration: 1:04:30
Avg. speed: 83.72 mph (134.73 km/h)
Pole speed: 89.305 mph (143.722 km/h)
Lead changes: 2
Margin-of-victory: 1 half-lap

Race 18: "Virginia 500" at Martinsville Speedway (May 20)

[edit]

On May 20, racing was held at the picturesque half-mile paved track of the Martinsville Speedway in the newly named Virginia 500 race. 20,000 spectators watched the 4 hour, 500 lap race, which saw seven caution flags. The race saw Speedy Thompson leading a race high 259 laps, only to fall to Buck Baker on lap 382. Baker maintained his lead after passing Thompson, delivering the Kiekhaefer team its tenth victory of the season.[citation needed] Lee Petty, Paul Goldsmith and Gwyn Stanley finished third through fifth respectively.[36]

Stats[36]
Winning driver: Buck Baker
Winning team: Kiekhaefer
Winning car make: 1956 Dodge
Track description: 0.5-mile (0.80 km) dirt short track oval
Laps: 500
Length: 250 miles (400 km)
Competitors: 35 drivers
Attendance: 20,000
Duration: 4:06:07
Avg. speed: 60.824 mph (97.887 km/h)
Pole speed: 66.103 mph (106.382 km/h)
Cations: 7
Caution laps: 20
Lead changes: 5
Margin-of-victory: 1 half-lap

Race 19: Lincoln Speedway (May 25)

[edit]
Program from the May 15 race at Lincoln Speedway

On May 25,[10] seventeen drivers competed on the half-mile dirt track of Lincoln Speedway in New Oxford, Pennsylvania for 200 laps.[37] In another close finish, Buck Baker secured his third win in a row. Billy Myers had led the first 43 laps until his fuel pump failed, and pole sitter Speedy Thompson retired on lap 97 with a hole in his radiator. Lee Petty put on a show for the fans when he lost a lap after spinning in lap 21. Petty then drove back into the lead lap, and into contention with some yellow flag help.[citation needed] Only eight of the seventeen competing racers completed the race. Baker, Jim Paschal, Petty, Herb Thomas, and Nace Mattingly all finished in the top five.[37]

Stats[37]
Winning driver: Buck Baker
Winning team: Kiekhaefer
Winning car make: 1956 Dodge
Track description: 0.5-mile (0.80 km) dirt short track oval
Laps: 200
Length: 100 miles (160 km)
Competitors: 17 drivers
Duration: 1:26:11
Avg. speed: 69.619 mph (112.041 km/h)
Lead changes: 3
Margin-of-victory: 1 car-length

Race 20: Charlotte Speedway (May 27)

[edit]

On May 27, NASCAR held two races. The first of these was on the Charlotte Speedway,[10] a 3/4 mile track. The Kiekhaefer saw its drivers once again win all three podium spots,[38] as Speedy Thompson, the newly acquired Junior Johnson, and points-leader Buck Baker all finished in the top-three spots. Thompson's win was the twelfth victory for the Kiekhaefer team.[citation needed]

Stats[38]
Winning driver: Speedy Thompson
Winning team: Kiekhaefer
Winning car make: 1956 Chrysler
Track description: 0.75-mile (1.21 km) dirt short track oval
Laps: 133
Length: 99.750 miles (160.532 km)
Competitors: 25 drivers
Attendance: 3,900
Duration: 1:32:16
Avg. speed: 64.866 mph (104.392 km/h)
Pole speed: 76.966 mph (123.865 km/h)
Cautions: 3
Caution laps: 9
Lead changes: 6

Race 21: Portland Speedway (May 27)

[edit]

The second race held on May 27 was across the country from the first at the Portland Speedway in Portland, Oregon.[10] Herb Thomas gave the Kiekhaefer team another win. John Kieper finished second and Clyde Palmer finished third.[39]

This was the first NASCAR Grand National Series race held at the track. The series would race three more times in its 1956 season. The following season featured three more races at the track, after which NASCAR's premier division did not return to the track.[40]

The race was a combined race that also counted as part of the 1956 NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Model Division season.[41]

Stats[41]
Winning driver: Herb Thomas
Winning team: Kiekhaefer
Winning car make: 1956 Chrysler
Track description: 0.5-mile (0.80 km) paved short track oval
Laps: 150
Length: 75 miles (121 km)
Competitors: 21 drivers
Duration: 1:10:31
Avg. speed: 63.815 mph (102.700 km/h)
Pole speed: 67.239 mph (108.211 km/h)

Race 22: Redwoood Speedway (May 30)

[edit]

Two races were held on May 30, the first being at Redwood Speedway in California.[10][42] Due to poor track and weather conditions, the race was halted early after only 78 miles of the scheduled 100 miles had been completed. Ruts and holes in the 0.624 dirt track and swirling dust storms made the track unsafe to race on. Herb Thomas won the shortened race.[citation needed]

Stats[43]
Winning driver: Herb Thomas
Winning team: Kiekhaefer
Winning car make: 1956 Chrysler
Track description: 0.625-mile (1.006 km) dirt short track oval
Laps: 160 (planned)
Length: 100 miles (160 km) (planned)
Competitors: 25 drivers
Duration: 2:00:46
Avg. speed: 38.814 mph (62.465 km/h)
Pole speed: 34.07 mph (54.83 km/h)
Lead changes: 1
Margin-of-victory: 1 lap +

Race 23: Syracuse Mile (May 30)

[edit]

The second race of the day on May 30 was held across the country from the first, being held on the Syracuse Mile, a 1-mile dirt oval at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, New York. The race was 150 miles in length. Buck Baker delivered the Kiekhaefer team its the second win of the day, defeating Jim Paschal in his Mercedes by 3 laps.[42]

Stats[44]
Winning driver: Buck Baker
Winning team: Kiekhaefer
Winning car make: 1956 Chrysler
Track description: 1-mile (1.6 km) dirt oval
Laps: 150
Length: 150 miles (240 km)
Competitors: 24 drivers
Attendance: 6,000
Duration: 1:44:26
Avg. speed: 86.179 mph (138.692 km/h)
Pole speed: 83.975 mph (135.145 km/h)
Cautions: 1
Caution laps: 3
Lead changes: 2
Margin-of-victory: 1 lap +

Summer of 1956

[edit]

Race 24: Merced Fairgrounds (June 3)

[edit]

On June 3,[10] Herb Thomas easily won the 24th race. The race was a 100-mile event held at the Merced Fairgrounds in Merced, California. Thomas' win was the sixteenth consecutive win for the Carl Kiekhaefer team, a record that still stands as of 2019, and is unlikely to be broken in the modern era.[45] The win streak would be broken in the following race.

This was the first and only time the series raced at this track. The same day, a NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race was also contested at the track. That race was also won by Herb Thomas. These were the first two of only three NASCAR races at the track, as a K&N Pro Series West race the following year marked NASCAR's final race at the track.[46]

Stats[47]
Winning driver: Herb Thomas
Winning team: Kiekhaefer
Winning car make: 1956 Chrysler
Track description: 0.5-mile (0.80 km) dirt short track oval
Laps: 200
Length: 100 miles (160 km)
Competitors: 28 drivers
Duration: 2:06:47
Avg. speed: 47.325 mph (76.162 km/h)
Pole speed: 58.234 mph (93.719 km/h)

Race 25: Memphis-Arkansas Speedway (June 10)

[edit]

On June 10, Ralph Moody won the season's 25th race at Memphis-Arkansas Speedway in Lehi, Arkansas in a DePaolo Engineering Ford.[7][48] This broke the sixteen-race winning streak of the Kiekhaefer team.[7]

Stats[48]
Winning driver: Ralph Moody
Winning team: DePaolo
Winning car make: 1956 Ford
Track description: 1.5-mile (2.4 km) dirt oval
Laps: 167
Length: 250 miles (400 km)
Competitors: 29 drivers
Attendance: 15,000
Duration: 3:22:15
Avg. speed: 74.313 mph (119.595 km/h)
Pole speed: 98.504 mph (158.527 km/h)
Cautions: 5
Lead changes: 5
Margin-of-victory: 4 seconds

Race 26: Southern States Fairgrounds (June 15)

[edit]

On June 15, the 26th race of the season was held at the Southern States Fairgrounds in Charlotte, North Carolina, a half mile dirt track. The 200 lap event saw Speedy Thompson win in his Chrysler by five laps over second-place finisher Curtis Turner. Lee Petty finished third, with Fireball Roberts and Buck Baker respectively placing 4th and 5th.[49]

Stats[50]
Winning driver: Speedy Thompson
Winning team: Kiekhaefer
Winning car make: 1956 Chrysler
Track description: 0.5-mile (0.80 km) dirt short track oval
Laps: 200
Length: 100 miles (160 km)
Competitors: 19 drivers
Attendance: 7,800
Duration: 1:47:06
Avg. speed: 56.022 mph (90.159 km/h)
Pole speed: 59.661 mph (96.015 km/h)
Cautions: 2
Caution laps: 6
Lead changes: 3
Margin-of-victory: 5 laps +

Race 27: Monroe County Fairgrounds (June 22)

[edit]

On June 22, NASCAR raced on the half-mile dirt track at the Monroe County Fairgrounds in Rochester, New York. In the 200 lap event, Speedy Thompson won a second-consecutive victory, winning by a full lap over Jim Paschal and Herb Thomas. Buck Baker finished fourth, giving the Kiekhaefer team three of the top four finishing spots. 6,000 spectators attended the race, which feature 21 drivers.[51]

Stats[51]
Winning driver: Speedy Thompson
Winning team: Kiekhaefer
Winning car make: 1956 Chrysler
Track description: 0.5-mile (0.80 km) dirt short track oval
Laps: 200
Length: 100 miles (160 km)
Competitors: 21 drivers
Attendance: 6,000
Duration: 1:44:44
Avg. speed: 57.288 mph (92.196 km/h)
Pole speed: 57.434 mph (92.431 km/h)
Cautions: 1
Caution laps: 7
Lead changes: 3
Margin-of-victory: 1 lap +

Race 28: Portland Speedway (June 24)

[edit]

On June 24, at the Portland Speedway in Portland, Oregon, John Kieper grabbed a win in his own 1956 Oldsmobile in an hour and a half race on the paved half mile track.[52]

The race was a combined race that was also counted as part of the 1956 NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Model Division season.[53]

Stats[53]
Winning driver: Johnny Kieper
Winning team: Johnny Kieper
Winning car make: 1956 Oldsmobile
Track description: 0.5-mile (0.80 km) pave short track oval
Laps: 200
Length: 100 miles (160 km)
Competitors: 20 drivers
Attendance: 1,800
Duration: 1:35:52
Avg. speed: 62.586 mph (100.722 km/h)
Pole speed: 69.934 mph (112.548 km/h)
Pole winner: Herb Thomas
Cautions: 3
Lead changes: 3
Margin-of-victory: One half-lap

Race 29: Asheville-Weaverville Speedway (July 1)

[edit]

The 29th race was held at the Asheville–Weaverville Speedway in Weaverville, North Carolina and was won by Lee Petty.[10]

Stats[54]
Winning driver: Lee Petty
Winning team: Petty Enterprises
Winning car make: 1956 Dodge
Track description: 0.5-mile (0.80 km) dirt short track oval
Laps: 200
Length: 100 miles (160 km)
Competitors: 29 drivers
Attendance: 8,000
Duration: 1:46:29
Avg. speed: 56.435 mph (90.823 km/h)
Pole speed: 72.26 mph (116.29 km/h)
Margin-of-victory: 1 car-length

Race 30: Raleigh 250 (July 4)

[edit]

On July 4, Fireball Roberts won the Raleigh 250, a 250-mile race at the Raleigh Speedway in Raleigh, North Carolina.[10] The Raleigh Speedway was a 1-mile oval.[55] This was Roberts' first win on a superspeedway. Kiekhaefer filed a protest with NASCAR officials claiming that Robert's flywheel weight was illegal. At that time NASCAR did not have scales at the track, so they took the flywheel to a fish market to weigh it, and Roberts's victory stood, being upheld by NASCAR.[7]

Stats[56]
Winning driver: Fireball Roberts
Winning team: DePaolo
Winning car make: 1956 Ford
Track description: 1-mile (1.6 km) paved oval
Laps: 250
Length: 250 miles (400 km)
Competitors: 36 drivers
Attendance: 13,600
Duration: 3:07:55
Avg. speed: 73.691 mph (118.594 km/h)
Pole speed: 82.587 mph (132.911 km/h)
Cautions: 1
Lead changes: 6
Margin of victory: 2 laps + 10 seconds

Race 31: Peidmont Interstate Fairgrounds (July 7)

[edit]

On July 7, the 31st race was contested at Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds in Spartanburg, South Carolina. It was won by Lee Petty.[57]

Stats[57]
Winning driver: Lee Petty
Winning team: Petty Enterprises
Winning car make: 1956 Dodge
Track description: 0.5-mile (0.80 km) dirt short track oval
Laps: 200
Length: 100 miles (160 km)
Competitors: 18 drivers
Duration: 1:58:51
Avg. speed: 50.483 mph (81.245 km/h)
Pole speed: 58.9 mph (94.8 km/h)

Race 32: California State Fairgrounds (July 8)

[edit]

On July 8, the 32nd race was contested at California State Fairgrounds in Sacramento, California. It was won by Loyd Dane[58]

This was the first NASCAR Grand National Series race at the track. NASCAR's top division would race there annually through its 1961 season.[59]

On the same day as the Grand National Series race, a NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Model Division race was also held at the track, which was also won by Dane.[59]

Stats[58]
Winning driver: Lloyd Dane
Winning team: Lloyd Dane
Winning car make: 1956 Mercury
Track description: 1-mile (1.6 km) dirt oval
Laps: 100
Length: 100 miles (160 km)
Competitors: 21 drivers
Duration: 1:21:00
Avg. speed: 74.074 mph (119.211 km/h)
Pole speed: 76.612 mph (123.295 km/h)
Margin-of-victory: 2 car-lengths

Race 33: Soldier Field (July 21)

[edit]
Cover of the program for the Soldier Field race
Photograph of Soldier Field circa 1961

On July 21, 1956, Fireball Roberts won a race on the short track at Soldier Field stadium in Chicago, Illinois. This was the first NASCAR Cup race to be held in Chicago.[60] It is today regarded to have been the only NASCAR Cup Series race held at the Soldier Field. Roberts beat Jim Pascal by one car-length.[61][62][63][64] Pascal had been the lap leader until the 194th of 200 laps, when Roberts surpassed him.[60]

The race used the stadium's half-mile short track configuration.[65] At 200 laps, the race's length was 100 miles.[66] Attendance at the race was 14,402.[60]

The race was contested by twenty-five drivers. While not an extraordinarily large number of drivers, some of the season's largest stars were among the competitors. Ten cars failed to finish, with many of these being sidelined due to brake issues.[67]

Stats[60][68][66][69][70]
Winning driver: Fireball Roberts
Winning team: DePaolo
Winning car make: 1956 Ford
Track description: 0.5-mile (0.80 km) paved short track oval
Laps: 200
Length: 100 miles (160 km)
Competitors: 25 drivers
Attendance: 14,402
Duration: 1:38:18
Avg. speed: 61.037 mph (98.230 km/h)
Margin-of-victory: 1 car-length

Race 34: Cleveland County Fairgrounds (July 27)

[edit]

On July 27, the 34th race of the season was contested at Cleveland County Fairgrounds in Shelby, North Carolina. It was won by Speedy Thompson of the Kiekhaefer team.[71]

Stats[71]
Winning driver: Speedy Thompson
Winning team: Kiekhaefer
Winning car make: 1956 Dodge
Track description: 0.5-mile (0.80 km) dirt short track oval
Laps: 201
Length: 100.5 miles (161.7 km)
Competitors: 17 drivers
Duration: 1:51:44
Avg. speed: 53.699 mph (86.420 km/h)
Pole speed: 55.658 mph (89.573 km/h)

Race 35: Montgomery Motor Speedway (July 29)

[edit]

On July 29, the 35th race of the season was contested at Montgomery Speedway in Montgomery, Alabama. It was won by Marvin Panch.[72]

Stats[72]
Winning driver: Marvin Panch
Winning team: Harbison
Winning car make: 1956 Ford
Track description: 0.5-mile (0.80 km) paved short track oval
Laps: 200
Length: 100 miles (160 km)
Competitors: 14 drivers
Duration: 1:29:13
Avg. speed: 67.252 mph (108.232 km/h)
Pole speed: 69.444 mph (111.759 km/h)
Lead changes: 3
Margin-of-victory: 1 lap +

Race 36: Oklahoma State Fairgrounds (August 3)

[edit]

On August 3, the 36th race of the season was contested at Oklahoma State Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It was won by Jim Paschal, who was racing for Frank Hayworth.[73]

This was the only NASCAR race to be contested on this track.[74]

Stats[73]
Winning driver: Jim Paschal
Winning team: Hayworth
Winning car make: 1956 Mercury
Track description: 0.5-mile (0.80 km) dirt short track oval
Laps: 200
Length: 100 miles (160 km)
Competitors: 12 drivers
Attendance: 7,500
Duration: 1:39:50
Avg. speed: 60.1 mph (96.7 km/h)
Pole speed: 64.655 mph (104.052 km/h)
Cautions: 0
Lead changes: 2
Margin-of-victory: 0.25 lap

Cancelled race at Tulsa Fairgrounds (August 4)

[edit]

On August 4, 1956, thirteen drivers met for a scheduled 200 lap race on the 0.5 mile dirt oval short track at the Tulsa Fairgrounds. 6,200 spectators gathered in attendance for the race,[75] which was promoted by Jack Zink.[76] However, after 34 laps, Lee Petty (a competing driver) took the initiative to red-flag the race due to conditions of excessive dust combined with poor track lighting.[75][76] Petty did so by quitting the race by stopping his car near the finish line, and grabbing a flag to wave other drivers to stop racing.[76] The race was cancelled. In NASCAR records, the cancelled race is not considered official, and awarded no points, money, or championship points.[75] The race is believed to have been the only race in NASCAR Cup Series history to have started but failed to become official.[76]

Race 37: "International Stock Car Road Race" at Road America (August 12)

[edit]
Program from the International Stock Car Road Race

On August 12, 1956, the 37th race of the season was the International Stock Car Road Race at the Road America road course near Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.[77]

The race took place in rainy weather,[78] and is considered to be the first occasion in which NASCAR ran a race in the rain.[79] After three lead changes,[77] Speedy Thompson led the race between laps 36 and 53, but suffered engine failure in the 53rd lap and retired from the race. Flock led the race thereafter and won.[73][80] Flock was racing for Bill Stroppe in a 1956 Mercury.[77] This would be the last of Flock's 39 career wins in the premier division of NASCAR (Grand National Series/NASCAR Cup Series).[80] Flock's victory was a 17-second photo finish over fellow Stroppe racer Billy Myers. Fireball Roberts (racing for Pete DePaolo), Paul Goldsmith (racing for Smokey Yunick), and Joe Eubanks (racing for James Satcher) respectively placed third, fourth, and fifth.[77]

While the race was officially sanctioned by NASCAR, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) provided support for the event and foreign cars were allowed entry.[81][82] Ultimately, the race featured 25 American vehicles as well as a Jaguar Mark VII. Hubert Schroeder, secretary of the FIG's sporting arm, served as overseer of the race. The prospect of a NASCAR road race on the challenging new road course attracted particular interest, and due to this, it was attended by several racing executives: NASCAR's Bill France Sr., the United States Auto Club's Duane Carter, and the Sports Car Club of America's Jim Kimberly. At the time, all three organizations were aspiring to succeed the AAA Contest Board as the new main United States race-sanctioning body, as the American Auto Association had withdrawn from involvement in automobile racing the previous year.[8]

Road America had opened the previous year. This was the first premier series race on the course.[80] Road America was considered the nation's finest road course at the time, and was regarded as a challenging course, with tight corners and challenging grade changes. Road course racing was uncommon at the time in American stock car racing.[8] The event was promoted as being "America's First International Stock Car Road Race".[83] There was much advanced interest and speculation among how American cars would perform in maneuvering the challenging course.[8] Those seeking to prognosticate how the race would go on challenged by lack of recent precedent of similar races in the United States, with Time magazine writing, "

[The race] was extraordinary because it was held on a road course, a thing so rare in recent American stock car racing that some oldtimers were casting back to the Elgin, Ill. races of more than two decades ago for a suitable precedent.[8]

While the race was considered a success,[8] NASCAR's premier division did not return to Road America until the 2021 season.[78]

The season-dominant Kiekhaefer team did not see much success in the race. While Kiekhaefer racer Buck Baker led the first five laps, he ultimately placed eighth, and his car suffered engine problems by the end of the race. Frank Mundy also raced for Kiekhaefer, placing fourteenth. Speedy Thompson rounded out Kiekhaefer's roster of racers at Road America, finishing eighteenth and suffering engine problems by the end of the race.[77]

Stats[77]
Winning driver: Tim Flock
Winning team: Stroppe
Winning car make: 1956 Mercury
Track description: 4.1-mile (6.6 km) road course
Laps: 63
Length: 258.3 miles (415.7 km)
Competitors: 26 drivers
Attendance: 10,000
Duration: 3:29:50
Avg. speed: 73.858 mph (118.863 km/h)
Cautions: 0
Lead changes: 4
Margin-of-victory: 17 seconds

Race 38: Old Bridge Stadium (August 17)

[edit]

On August 17, the 38th race of the season was won by Ralph Moody at Old Bridge Stadium in Old Bridge, New Jersey. Jim Reed had led the first 176 laps, but Moody led the final four, securing victory.[84]

While a NASCAR Convertible Series race had previously been held at the course in May, this was the first Grand National Series race held at the track. The Grand National Series would visit the track five more times in subsequent seasons (in 1957, 1958, 1963, 1964, and 1965).[85]

Stats[84]
Winning driver: Ralph Moody
Winning team: DePaolo
Winning car make: 1956 Ford
Track description: 0.5-mile (0.80 km) paved short track oval
Laps: 200
Length: 100 miles (160 km)
Competitors: 25 drivers
Duration: 1:32:04
Avg. speed: 65.17 mph (104.88 km/h)
Pole speed: 72.028 mph (115.918 km/h)
Lead changes: 1

Race 39: Bay Meadows Speedway (August 19)

[edit]

On August 19, 1956, Eddie Pagan won the season's 39th race, held at the Bay Meadows Speedway in San Mateo, California. Due to a crash, the race, planned to be 250 laps, was shortened to 241 laps.[86]

As with the two races that had been held at the track in the two preceding Grand National Series seasons, the same day as this race the track also hosted a NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race. Pagan won this race as well, similar two the previous two seasons in which the winners of the Grand National Series and K&N Pro Series West races were the same driver. The 1956 races were the final two NASCAR races at the track.[87]

Stats[86]
Winning driver: Eddie Pagan
Winning team: Eddie Pagan
Winning car make: 1956 Ford
Track description: 1-mile (1.6 km) dirt oval
Laps: 250 (planned)
241 (raced)
Length: 250 miles (400 km) (planned)
241 miles (388 km) (raced)
Competitors: 37 drivers
Duration: 3:31:00
Avg. speed: 67.161 mph (108.085 km/h)
Pole speed: 81.614 mph (131.345 km/h)
Lead changes: 0

Race 40: Norfolk Speedway (August 22)

[edit]

On August 22, Billy Myers won the season's 40th race, which was held at the Norfolk Speedway in Norfolk, Virginia.[88]

While the NASCAR Convertible Series had previously raced at the track on June 22, this was the first Grand National Series race to be held at the track. NASCAR only raced at the track in the 1956 and 1957 seasons, with a single further Grand National Series race and three further Convertible Series races being held in 1957 before NASCAR left the track.[89]

Stats[88]
Winning driver: Billy Myers
Winning team: Stroppe
Winning car make: 1956 Mercury
Track description: 0.4-mile (0.64 km) dirt short track oval
Laps: 250
Length: 100 miles (160 km)
Competitors: 14 drivers
Duration: 1:46:22
Avg. speed: 56.408 mph (90.780 km/h)
Pole speed: 58.631 mph (94.357 km/h)
Lead changes: 1
Margin-of-victory: 1 lap +

Race 41: Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds (August 23)

[edit]

On August 23, Ralph Moody won the season's 41s race, which was held at Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds in Spartanburg, South Carolina.[84]

Stats[90]
Winning driver: Ralph Moody
Winning team: DePaolo
Winning car make: 1956 Ford
Track description: 0.5-mile (0.80 km) dirt short track oval
Laps: 200
Length: 100 miles (160 km)
Competitors: 18 drivers
Attendance: 6,000
Duration: 1:50:21
Avg. speed: 54.372 mph (87.503 km/h)
Pole speed: 61.433 mph (98.867 km/h)
Lead changes: 2
Margin-of-victory 2 laps +

Race 42: Coastal Speedway (August 25)

[edit]

On August 25, Fireball Roberts won the season's 42nd race, which was held at Costal Speedway in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.[91]

This was the first NASCAR race at this track. NASCAR would only return one more time, with a Grand National Series race being contested there in 1957.[92]

Stats[91]
Winning driver: Fireball Roberts
Winning team: DePaolo
Winning car make: 1956 Ford
Track description: 0.5-mile (0.80 km) dirt short track oval
Laps: 200
Length: 100 miles (160 km)
Competitors: 20 drivers
Duration: 1:58:38
Avg. speed: 50.76 mph (81.69 km/h)
Pole speed: 58.346 mph (93.899 km/h)
Margin-of-victory: 18 seconds

Race 43: Portland Speedway (August 26)

[edit]

On August 26, Royce Haggerty won the season's 43rd race, which was held at Portland Speedway in Portland, Oregon. Due to a scoring error, the planned 250 laps were reduced to 246 laps.[84]

The race was a combined race that was also counted as part of the 1956 NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Model Division season.[93]

Stats[93]
Winning driver: Royce Haggerty
Winning team: Weida
Winning car make: 1956 Dodge
Track description: 0.5-mile (0.80 km) paved short track oval
Laps: 250 (planned)
246 (raced)
Length: 150 miles (240 km) (planned)
123 miles (198 km)
Competitors: 19 drivers
Pole speed: 65.861 mph (105.993 km/h)

Race 44: "Southern 500" at Darlington Raceway (September 3)

[edit]

70,000 attended the 1956 Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina, the 44th race of the season. It was won by Curtis Turner.[94]

Stats[94]
Winning driver: Curtis Turner
Winning team: Schwam
Winning car make: 1956 Ford
Track description: 1.385-mile (2.229 km) paved oval
Laps: 364
Length: 500.5 miles (805.5 km)
Competitors: 70 drivers
Attendance: 70,000
Duration: 5:15:33
Avg. speed: 95.167 mph (153.156 km/h)
Pole speed: 119.659 mph (192.572 km/h)
Lead changes: 13
Cautions: 7
Caution laps: 68
Margin-of-victory: 2 laps +

Race 45: Chisholm Speedway (September 9)

[edit]

On September 9, Buck Baker won the season's 45th race, which was held at Chisholm Speedway in Montgomery, Alabama.[95] This was the only NASCAR race ever contested on this track.[96]

Stats[95]
Winning driver: Buck Baker
Winning team: Keikhaefer
Winning car make: 1956 Chrysler
Track description: 0.5-mile (0.80 km) dirt short track oval
Laps: 200
Length: 100 miles (160 km)
Competitors: 22 drivers
Attendance: 2,000
Duration: 1:38:32
Avg. speed: 60.893 mph (97.998 km/h)
Pole speed: 64.864 mph (104.388 km/h)
Lead changes: 3

Race 46: Southern States Fairgrounds (September 12)

[edit]

On September 12, Ralph Moody won the season's 46th race, which was held at Southern States Fairgrounds in Charlotte, North Carolina.[84]

Stats[84]
Winning driver: Ralph Moody
Winning team: DePaolo
Winning car make: 1956 Ford
Track description: 0.5-mile (0.80 km) dirt short track oval
Laps: 200
Length: 100 miles (160 km)
Competitors: 26 drivers
Attendance: 7,300
Duration: 1:53:32
Avg. speed: 52.847 mph (85.049 km/h)
Pole speed: 59.464 mph (95.698 km/h)
Lead changes: 2
Margin-of-victory 10 seconds

Fall of 1956

[edit]

Race 47: Langhorne Speedway (September 23)

[edit]

On September 23, NASCAR held two races.[10] The first of the races, which was held at Langhorne Speedway in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, saw Paul Goldsmith win before a crowd of 31,000 spectators.[97]

Stats[97]
Winning driver: Paul Goldsmith
Winning team: Yunick
Winning car make: 1956 Chevrolet
Track description: 1-mile (1.6 km) dirt oval
Laps: 300
Length: 300 miles (480 km)
Competitors: 44 drivers
Attendance: 31,000
Duration: 4:06:34
Avg. speed: 70.615 mph (113.644 km/h)
Pole speed: 92.628 mph (149.070 km/h)
Cautions: 9
Lead changes: 10
Margin-of-victory 7 laps +

Race 48: Portland Speedway (September 23)

[edit]

The second race held on September 23 was located across the country from the first,[10] being contested at the Portland Speedway in Portland, Oregon. It was won by Lloyd Dane.[98]

The race was a combined race that was also counted as part of the 1956 NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Model Division season.[93]

Stats[98]
Winning driver: Lloyd Dane
Winning team: Lloyd Dane
Winning car make: 1956 Ford
Track description: 0.5-mile (0.80 km) paved short track oval
Laps: 250
Length: 125 miles (201 km)
Competitors: 19 drivers
Pole speed: 65.75 mph (105.81 km/h)
Cautions: 1
Lead changes: 3
Margin-of-victory: 1 lap +

Race 49: Columbia Speedway (September 29)

[edit]

On September 29, Buck Baker won the season's 49th race, which was held at the Columbia Speedway in Cayce, South Carolina.[99]

Stats[99]
Winning driver: Buck Baker
Winning team: Kiekhaefer
Winning car make: 1956 Dodge
Track description: 0.5-mile (0.80 km) dirt short track oval
Laps: 200
Length: 100 miles (160 km)
Competitors: 18 drivers
Duration: 1:38:03
Avg. speed: 61.193 mph (98.481 km/h)
Pole speed: 61.94 mph (99.68 km/h)
Lead changes: 4

Race 50: Orange Speedway (September 30)

[edit]

On September 30, Fireball Roberts won the season's 50th race, which was held at Orange Speedway in Hillsborough, North Carolina.[100]

Stats[100]
Winning driver: Fireball Roberts
Winning team: DePaolo
Winning car make: 1956 Ford
Track description: 0.9-mile (1.4 km) dirt short track oval
Laps: 110
Length: 99 miles (159 km)
Competitors: 23 drivers
Attendance: 7,200
Duration: 1:21:40
Avg. speed: 72.734 mph (117.054 km/h)
Pole speed: 88.067 mph (141.730 km/h)
Cautions: 4
Lead changes: 6

Race 51: Newport Speedway (October 7)

[edit]

On October 7, Fireball Roberts won the season's 51st race, which was held at Newport Speedway in Newport, Tennessee.[101]

Stats[101]
Winning driver: Fireball Roberts
Winning team: DePaolo
Winning car make: 1956 Ford
Track description: 0.5-mile (0.80 km) paved short track oval
Laps: 200
Length: 100 miles (160 km)
Competitors: 22 drivers
Attendance 6,000
Duration: 1:37:36
Avg. speed: 61.475 mph (98.934 km/h)
Pole speed: 65.597 mph (105.568 km/h)
Cautions: 0
Lead changes: 2

Race 52: Charlotte Speedway (October 17)

[edit]

On October 14, Buck Baker won the season's 52nd race, which was held at Charlotte Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina.[102]

Stats[102]
Winning driver: Buck Baker
Winning team: Kiekhaefer
Winning car make: 1956 Chrysler
Track description: 0.750-mile (1.207 km) paved short track oval
Laps: 133
Length: 99.75 miles (160.53 km)
Competitors: 27 drivers
Attendance: 6,800
Duration: 1:22:49
Avg. speed: 72.268 mph (116.304 km/h)
Pole speed: 75.041 mph (120.767 km/h)
Lead changes: 2

Race 53: Cleveland County Fairgrounds (October 23)

[edit]

On October 23, NASCAR held a 100 mile at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds in Shelby North Carolina.[7] At the time, Herb Thomas led the standings by 246 points.[103] Buck Baker won the race.[10]

Stats[104]
Winning driver: Buck Baker
Winning team: Kiekhaefer
Winning car make: 1956 Chrysler
Track description: 0.5-mile (0.80 km) paved short track oval
Laps: 200
Length: 100 miles (160 km)
Competitors: 26 drivers
Duration: 1:51:00
Avg. speed: 54.054 mph (86.991 km/h)
Pole speed: 58.479 mph (94.113 km/h)
Cautions 2
Margin-of-victory: 2 car-lengths

Race 54: "Old Dominion 400" at Martinsville Speedway (October 28)

[edit]

On October 28, Jack Smith won the Old Dominion 400, which was held as the season's 54th race at the Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia.[105]

Stats[105]
Winning driver: Jack Smith
Winning team: Kiekhaefer
Winning car make: 1956 Dodge
Track description: 0.5-mile (0.80 km) paved short track oval
Laps: 400
Length: 200 miles (320 km)
Competitors: 40 drivers
Attendance: 9,500
Duration: 3:16:17
Avg. speed: 61.136 mph (98.389 km/h)
Pole speed: 67.743 mph (109.022 km/h)
Cautions: 4
Lead changes: 7

Race 55: "Buddy Shuman 250" at Hickory Speedway (November 11)

[edit]

On November 11, the Buddy Shuman 250 at the Hickory Speedway in Hickory, North Carolina was held as the season's' 55th race. It was won by Speedy Thompson before a crowd of 3,500 spectators.[106]

Stats[106]
Winning driver: Speedy Thompson
Winning team: Kiekhaefer
Winning car make: 1956 Chrysler
Track description: 0.4-mile (0.64 km) dirt short track oval
Laps: 250
Length: 100 miles (160 km)
Competitors: 22 drivers
Attendance: 3,500
Duration: 1:30:20
Avg. speed: 66.43 mph (106.91 km/h)
Pole speed: 68.378 mph (110.044 km/h)
Lead changes: 4
Margin-of-victory: 4 seconds

Race 56: Wilson Speedway (November 18)

[edit]

On November 18, Buck Baker won the season's 56th and final race, which was held at the Wilson Speedway in Wilson, North Carolina.[107]

Stats[107]
Winning driver: Buck Baker
Winning team: Kiekhaefer
Winning car make: 1956 Chrysler
Track description: 0.5-mile (0.80 km) paved short track oval
Laps: 200
Length: 100 miles (160 km)
Competitors: 24 drivers
Duration: 1:58:35
Avg. speed: 50.597 mph (81.428 km/h)
Pole speed: 60.16 mph (96.82 km/h)
Margin-of-victory: 1 ft (0.30 m)
Lap leader breakdown[107]
Driver From lap To lap # of laps
Speedy Thompson 1 184 1
Buck Baker 185 197 13
Joe Weatherly 198 199 2
Buck Baker 200 200 1

Season standings

[edit]
Glossary
  • Driver: Driver's name
  • Races: Number of starts for driver
  • Win: Number of races won
  • Top 5: Number of top 5 finishes
  • Top 10: Number of top 10 finishes
  • Poles: Poles won (won in qualifying only)
  • Laps: Laps completed
  • Laps led: Laps led
  • Earnings: Total money won for the season (includes bonuses)
  • AvSt: Average starting position
  • AvFn: Average finishing position
  • RAF: Number of times Running At Finish (DNFs = Races - RAF)
  • Miles raced: Miles raced by driver
  • LLF: Lead lap finishes
  • Points: Driver's points total
[108][109] Driver Races Wins Top 5 Top 10 Poles Laps Laps
led
Earnings AvSt RAF Miles
raced
LLF AvFn Points
[note 3]
1 Buck Baker 48 14 31 39 12 8,495 1,466 $34,076 6.8 6.8 40 5,459.65 19 9,272
2 Herb Thomas 48 5 22 36 3 7,890 351 $19,351 7.5 8.4 36 5,209.65 6 8,568
3 Speedy Thompson 42 8 24 29 7 6,957 2,037 $27,169 5.1 9.7 27 4,646.33 14 8,328
4 Lee Petty 47 2 17 28 1 7,507 250 $15,337 9.6 10.2 32 4,953.95 6 8,324
5 Jim Paschal 42 1 17 27 1 6,652 211 $17,203 12.3 10.5 26 4,650.10 6 7,878
6 Billy Myers 42 2 13 22 1 6270 253 $15,829 9.4 11.9 25 4,231.03 7 6,920
7 Fireball Roberts 33 5 17 22 3 5,695 585 $14,741 9.8 11.6 22 3,789.00 10 5794
8 Ralph Moody 35 4 13 21 5 5,258 412 $15,492 8.1 12.3 20 3,505.65 11 5,548
9 Tim Flock 22 4 11 14 5 3,076 448 $15,768 6.7 9.3 14 2,695.88 7 5,062
10 Marvin Panch 20 1 10 13 1 3,298 230 $11,519 10.8 12.6 13 2,501.93 4 4,680
11 Rex White 24 0 3 14 1 4,240 0 $5,333 14.3 12.0 17 2,978.13 0 4,642
12 Johnny Allen 32 0 2 11 0 4,888 0 $4,558 20.0 14.9 20 3,352.25 0 3,924
13 Paul Goldsmith 9 1 4 6 0 2,192 182 $8,568 8.1 9.2 7 2,040.05 2 3,788
14 Gwyn Staley 22 0 5 13 0 3,503 0 $5,158 12.1 13.0 16 2,401.68 1 3,550
15 Joe Eubanks 26 0 7 13 2 3,398 107 $5,583 9.8 15.2 12 2,528.85 2 3,292
16 Joe Weatherly 17 0 6 12 1 2,743 88 $5,250 11.5 11.4 11 1,995.10 2 3,084
17 Bill Amick 13 0 7 10 0 2,446 9 $5,380 7.5 9.6 10 1,631.28 2 3,048
18 Jim Reed 11 0 5 5 2 1,550 286 $5,076 9.9 13.9 5 1,674.33 2 2,870
19 Tiny Lund 21 0 1 8 0 3,998 0 $2,810 19.0 13.2 16 2,476.28 0 2,754
20 Curtis Turner 13 1 4 5 0 1,984 286 $14,540 9.9 16.5 5 1,500.90 2 2,580
21 Jack Smith 15 1 1 6 0 2,669 234 $3,825 19.6 18.0 10 1,915.53 1 2,320
22 Billy Carden 23 0 0 4 0 2,831 0 $2,175 13.8 17.0 8 1,880.78 0 2,128
23 Lloyd Dane 10 2 5 9 0 1,706 33 $4,370 14.0 6.2 9 1,257.00 2 2,106
24 Frank Mundy 9 0 3 5 0 1,614 0 $3,585 13.9 15.1 6 1,581.80 2 1,856
25 Bobby Johns 9 0 0 3 0 1,537 0 $1,450 12.9 15.3 4 1,091.28 0 1,832
26 Bill Champion 14 0 0 4 0 2,297 0 $1,570 14.8 15.9 7 1,625.70 0 1,764
27 Blackie Pitt 27 0 0 5 0 2,702 0 $1,545 21.3 21.3 8 1,753.65 0 1,760
28 Harold Hardesty 9 0 2 6 0 1,761 0 $2,380 13.6 9.7 8 1,349.63 1 1,724
29 Al Watkins 14 0 0 4 0 2,065 0 $1,185 21.6 13.4 12 1,380.10 0 1,710
30 Chuck Meekins 7 0 3 6 0 1.241 0 $2,815 13.5 6.3 7 1,014.50 1 1,656
31 Harvey Henderson 18 0 0 4 0 2.477 0 $1,360 21.2 19.3 11 1,596.58 0 1,638
32 Eddie Pagan 8 1 4 4 2 1,366 241 $4,095 9.0 9.1 7 1,036.50 1 1,598
33 Pat Kirkwood 3 0 1 2 0 715 0 $2,025 15.3 11.0 2 927.63 0 1,540
34 Clyde Palmer 11 0 4 6 0 1,730 0 $2,755 15.9 15.3 9 1,380.63 3 1,516
35 Johnny Dodson 11 0 0 4 0 1,842 0 $1,450 20.4 16.8 8 1,379.15 0 1,508
36 Johnny Kieper 8 1 4 7 3 1,479 199 $3,250 7.9 5.8 8 917.25 3 1,506
37 Junior Johnson 13 0 1 1 1 1,131 60 $1,350 10.8 21.1 2 955.33 1 1,372
38 Bill Blair 9 0 0 4 0 1,275 0 $1,005 28.0 17.4 6 1,164.20 0 1,264
39 Ed Cole 12 0 0 1 0 1,526 0 $950 23.2 14.8 9 1,047.68 0 1,200
40 Brownie King 16 0 0 0 0 2,043 0 $925 22.6 18.1 9 1,366.35 0 1,140
41 Allen Adkins 6 0 1 3 0 1,016 0 $1,465 21.0 12.7 5 1,100.88 0 1,104
42 Bobby Keck 15 0 0 3 0 2,236 0 $1,250 23.5 15.8 12 1,308.50 0 1,076
43 Gordon Haines 7 0 2 4 0 1,067 0 $1,500 9.0 11.0 5 715.00 1 1,066
44 Bob Keefe 7 0 1 2 0 1,200 0 $1,040 13.3 10.4 6 778.50 0 1,066
45 Dick Beaty 15 0 0 3 0 1,513 0 $910 25.1 20.1 5 1,090.68 0 1,036
46 Jim Blomgren 6 0 0 1 0 841 0 $635 18.2 11.8 5 819.63 0 992
47 Ed Negre 5 0 2 4 0 936 1 $1,255 8.3 8.0 4 597.38 0 952
48 Jimmy Massey 7 0 3 4 0 1140 0 $1,545 15.9 9.1 6 716.60 0 950
49 Fonty Flock 7 1 1 4 2 629 134 $1,780 9.4 20.3 4 490.48 1 946
50 Ralph Liguori 16 0 0 3 0 1,382 0 $1,210 19.3 24.1 4 1,093.23 0
51 Cotton Owens 8 0 1 4 0 1,151 0 $920 9.4 18.5 5 715.70 0
52 Johnny Patterson 3 0 0 1 0 563 0 $425 18.3 15.7 2 581.63 0
53 Pete Yow 11 0 0 2 0 1,221 0 $700 24.2 18.5 7 679.55 0
54 Bill Hyde 6 0 0 3 0 770 0 $910 10.7 15.0 4 644.25 0
55 Jimmie Lewallen 11 0 1 1 0 778 0 $1,150 16.7 22.8 2 560.53 0
56 Roz Howard 1 0 0 0 0 343 0 $250 22.0 13.0 1 471.63 0
57 Curley Barker 4 0 3 4 0 840 182 $1,395 13.7 5.0 3 420.00 1
58 Royce Hagerty 6 1 1 2 1 1,017 28 $1,720 6.8 12.7 4 609.50 1
59 Russ Truelove 5 0 0 2 0 544 0 $450 17.8 25.0 2 570.30 0
60 Bobby Myers 8 0 0 2 0 980 0 $600 21.4 27.1 2 713.53 0
61 (tie) Bunk Moore 5 0 1 2 0 736 0 $845 16.2 13.6 3 415.80 0
61 (tie) Bud Erma 1 0 0 0 0 116 0 $50 13.0 17.0 0 58.00 0
63 John Lindsay 5 0 0 1 0 715 0 $425 25.8 15.0 3 584.50 0
64 Lou Sherman 5 0 1 2 0 837 0 $810 17.8 12.8 4 530.50 0
65 Darvin Randahl 7 0 0 1 0 528 0 $710 22.3 19.4 2 448.10 0
66 Harold Beal 5 0 1 3 0 781 0 $915 11.5 11.6 3 397.63 0
67 Parnelli Jones 3 0 1 1 0 591 0 $1,705 9.3 21.7 1 563.88 1
68 Bob Ross 3 0 0 2 0 601 0 $575 10.0 9.7 2 418.00 0
69 Al Keller 4 0 1 2 0 482 0 $1,300 15.3 15.0 2 394.60 1
70 Dink Widenhouse 7 0 1 3 0 734 0 $940 19.3 21.4 3 535.45 0
71 Art Watts 6 0 0 2 0 935 37 $525 14.6 14.7 4 551.88 0
72 Erick Erickson 5 0 0 1 0 736 0 $365 14.2 14.6 5 638.63 0
73 Billy Rafter 9 0 0 1 0 1140 0 $975 17.9 17.3 4 623.40 0
74 Ray Chaike 3 0 0 0 0 554 0 $225 34.0 15.0 3 339.00 0
75 George Cork 4 0 0 0 0 905 0 $375 29.7 17.3 3 618.50 0
76 George Green 6 0 0 0 0 867 0 $4,550 18.0 14.3 4 468.10 0
77 Bob Flock 4 0 1 1 0 442 0 $485 14.0 15.8 1 396.50 0
78 Bob Duell 6 0 1 1 0 642 0 $670 13.3 30.2 1 442.75 0
79 Ken Milligan 4 0 0 1 0 347 0 $300 28.5 13.5 4 266.50 0
80 Sherman Clark 5 0 0 2 0 405 0 $425 13.8 19.8 2 428.00 0
81 Emanuel Zevakis 6 0 0 0 0 772 0 $475 34.8 26.7 3 826.85 0
82 Sherman Utsman 5 0 0 1 0 948 0 $475 19.8 24.2 2 800.63 0
83 Bill Walker 2 0 0 1 0 418 0 $600 18.0 10.0 2 328.00 0
84 Bob Welborn 6 0 0 2 0 973 0 $650 13.5 21.3 4 473.40 0
85 Ernie Young 5 0 0 0 0 419 0 $330 21.0 21.6 2 442.63 0
86 Walt Schubert 4 0 0 1 0 413 0 $375 34.8 19.5 3 323.50 0
87 Jim Cook 6 0 1 1 0 663 0 $540 15.0 19.0 4 637.88 0
88 Bill Moore 6 0 0 2 0 633 0 $485 10.3 20.3 2 574.00 0
89 George Seeger 2 0 0 1 0 205 0 $400 19.0 12.0 2 322.00 0
90 Charlie Jackson 5 0 0 2 0 635 0 $260 20.6 15.6 2 335.55 0
91 Bob Waddell 8 0 0 0 0 490 0 $335 17.1 20.6 2 299.40 0
92 Ted Cannady 6 0 0 0 0 814 0 $260 24.0 19.7 4 484.00 0
93 Charles Blewitt 2 0 0 0 0 411 0 $200 28.0 14.0 2 326.50 0
94 Chuck Stevenson 1 1 1 1 0 80 54 $1,570 2.0 1.0 1 200.00 1
95 Dick Allwine 2 0 0 0 0 294 0 $200 25.5 23.0 1 294.00 0
96 C.H. Dingler 3 0 0 0 0 181 0 $200 17.3 16.3 1 238.50 0
97 Carl Hammill 2 0 0 0 0 321 0 $160 19.0 12.5 2 321.00 0
98 Johnny Mantz 1 0 1 1 0 79 0 $1,130 5.0 3.0 1 197.50 0
99 Mel Larson 6 0 0 1 0 504 0 $385 26.2 20.7 3 471.00 0
100 Bill Widenhouse 6 0 1 1 0 511 0 $460 20.2 28.3 1 411.13 0
101 Bob Korf 1 0 0 1 0 36 0 $400 6.0 8.0 1 147.60 0
102 Shorty York 1 0 0 0 0 336 0 $130 46.0 20.0 1 462.00 0
103 Vince Cougineri 1 0 0 0 0 256 0 $150 23.0 12.0 1 256.00 0
105 Jim Graham 3 0 1 1 0 317 0 $595 9.0 11.7 2 173.13 1
106 Fred Johnson 1 0 0 1 0 60 0 $325 15.0 9.0 1 246.00 0
107 Bob Havemann 4 0 0 1 0 496 0 $290 12.3 17.5 3 366.25 0
108 Pete Stewart 3 0 0 0 0 756 0 $235 25.0 14.7 2 355.90 0
109 Jack Tykarski 1 0 0 0 0 250 0 $225 20.0 13.0 1 250.00 0
110 Donald Thomas 3 0 0 1 0 165 0 200 28.7 18.7 2 113.50 0
111 Doug Cox 3 0 1 2 1 511 0 $460 6.3 13.3 1 230.80 0
112 Jim Rhoades 5 0 0 1 0 454 0 $335 24.5 22.2 0 340.00 0
113 Bill West 2 0 0 0 0 291 0 $150 22.0 17.5 2 405.00 0
114 Johnny Roberts 4 0 0 0 0 461 0 $210 17.8 17.0 3 215.00 0
115 Cecil Lassiter 1 0 0 0 0 235 0 $100 29.0 15.0 1 235.00 0
116 John McVitty 4 0 0 1 0 431 0 $250 17.8 17.3 2 228.25 0
117 Banjo Matthews 1 0 0 0 0 $149 0 $200 17.0 12.0 1 223.50 0
118 Eddie Skinner 6 0 0 0 0 427 0 $200 32.3 21.3 2 241.70 0
119 Nolan Swift 2 0 0 1 0 174 0 $175 16.0 15.0 1 155.50 0
120 Fred Lorenzen 7 0 0 0 0 778 0 $235 16.0 21.9 3 419.70 0
121 Dave Terrell 5 0 0 1 0 363 0 $260 17.8 21.6 1 234.75 0
122 Frank Jamison 3 0 0 1 0 315 0 $350 13.0 21.0 1 228.50 0
123 Jack Radtke 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 $110 58.0 13.0 1 0.00 0
124 Russ Graham 2 0 0 0 0 153 0 $100 31.0 40.0 1 162.75 0
125 Pete Diviney 2 0 0 0 0 378 0 $150 18.0 13.5 1 189.00 0
126 Jesse James Taylor 3 0 0 0 0 269 0 $250 37.0 32.7 2 185.88 0
127 Danny Letner 6 0 0 0 0 585 0 $410 22.8 32.0 2 705.38 0
128 Pee Wee Jones 3 0 0 0 0 549 0 $125 24.3 35.0 1 327.00 0
129 Don Carr 5 0 0 0 0 499 0 $210 17.6 26.2 0 363.50 0
130 (tie) Wayne Fielden 2 0 0 1 0 361 0 $200 14.0 11.0 2 180.50 0
130 (tie) Fred Frazier 2 0 0 1 0 288 0 $200 12.5 11.0 1 144.00 0
132 Benny DeRosier 4 0 0 0 0 236 0 $200 36.0 27.8 1 236.00 0
133 Jim Sills 1 0 0 0 0 76 0 $150 23.0 11.0 1 190.00 0
134 Ted Sweeney 3 0 0 0 0 377 0 $150 16.3 16.0 3 196.25 0
135 Rat Garner 2 0 0 0 0 657 0 $100 23.5 14.5 1 436.50 0
136 Arden Mounts 3 0 0 0 0 545 0 $210 35.3 37.7 2 380.50 0
137 Possum Jones 1 0 0 0 0 336 0 $110 65.0 22.0 1 462.00 0
138 Bob Ruppert 2 0 0 0 0 164 0 $150 17.0 18.5 1 278.00 0
139 Roy Bentley 3 0 0 0 0 329 0 $200 24.3 28.7 1 292.25 0
140 (tie) Jack Goodwin 1 0 0 0 0 58 0 $200 21.0 15.0 0 237.80 0
140 (tie) Joe Guide 1 0 0 0 0 141 0 $200 29.0 15.0 1 211.50 0
140 (tie) Gene Simpson 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 $100 55.0 15.0 1 0.00 0
143 Chester Barron 2 0 0 1 0 207 0 $150 16.5 13.0 1 151.50 0
144 Jimmy Pardue 2 0 0 0 0 170 0 $200 19.5 13.0 1 85.00 0
145 Gene Goodman 1 0 0 0 0 130 0 $75 26.0 16.0 1 195.00 0
146 Ralph Earnhardt 1 0 1 1 1 250 15 $625 1.0 2.0 1 100.00 1
147 Joe Prismo 1 0 0 1 0 246 0 $200 7.0 1 123.00 0
148 Peck Peckham 3 0 0 0 0 301 0 $225 55.0 36.7 2 224.63 0
149 Jim Donovan 2 0 0 0 0 247 0 $200 18.0 14.5 2 152.25 0
150 John Fite 3 0 0 0 0 388 0 $200 21.7 18.3 2 218.00 0
151 Larry Flynn 2 0 0 0 0 402 0 $250 35.5 27.5 0 395.25 0
152 Red Farmer 3 0 0 0 0 324 0 $125 24.3 22.7 1 162.00 0
153 Bill Osborne 1 0 0 0 0 128 0 $75 19.0 17.0 0 192.00 0
154 Bill Sullivan 2 0 0 0 0 278 0 $100 24.0 15.0 2 153.50 0
155 Howard Phillippi 4 0 0 0 0 501 0 $125 23.0 21.3 2 398.13 0
156 (tie) John Dodd, Jr. 4 0 0 1 0 372 0 $100 16.7 20.5 1 180.40 0
156 (tie) Dick Blackwell 3 0 0 0 0 192 0 $60 41.7 29.7 2 153.75 0
158 Don Porter 3 0 0 0 0 179 0 $100 13.7 19.0 1 140.13 0
159 Jack Montgangelo 1 0 0 0 0 206 0 $100 31.0 20.0 1 206.00 0
160 Wally Gervais 3 0 0 0 0 110 0 $140 24.5 24.0 1 81.50 0
161 Joy Fair 2 0 0 1 0 192 0 $100 25.0 36.5 1 96.00 0
162 Jack Choquette 2 0 0 1 0 173 0 $100 10.5 38.5 1 86.50 0
163 Carl Anderson 1 0 0 1 0 173 0 $200 14.0 7.0 1 86.50 0
164 Ned Jarrett 2 0 0 0 0 244 0 $60 16.0 16.5 1 139.95 0
165 Chuck Mahoney 2 0 0 0 0 219 0 $200 13.0 16.5 0 109.50 0
166 Len Sutton 1 0 0 0 0 238 0 $150 9.0 11.0 1 119.00 0
167 Chuck Akerblade 1 0 0 0 0 238 0 $100 11.0 1 119.00 0
168 Kenneth Wagner 3 0 0 0 0 112 0 $60 37.7 31.3 1 64.00 0
169 Ben Gregory 1 0 0 0 0 74 0 $75 25.0 17.0 1 185.00 0
170 Buzz Woodward 1 0 0 0 0 120 0 $50 29.0 16.0 1 120.00 0
171 (tie) Clyde Mitchell 1 0 0 0 0 216 0 $50 18.0 19.0 1 216.00 0
171 (tie) Charlie Scott 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 $75 14.0 19.0 1 0.00 0
173 Harvey Eakin 2 0 0 0 0 278 0 $100 37.0 22.5 0 278.00 0
174 (tie) Bill Bowman 1 0 0 1 0 181 0 $100 18.0 9.0 1 90.50 0
174 (tie) Sam Steers 1 0 0 1 0 119 0 $125 4.0 9.0 1 74.38 0
176 Doug Yates 2 0 0 0 0 86 0 $150 30.0 41.5 0 90.25 0
177 Chub Williams 1 0 0 0 0 225 0 $75 16.0 13.0 1 112.50 0
178 (tie) Whitey Norman 1 0 0 1 0 150 0 $100 24.0 10.0 1 93.75 0
178 (tie) Richard Riley 1 0 0 1 0 141 0 $100 17.0 10.0 1 70.50 0
180 Fred Hunt 2 0 0 0 0 118 0 $100 7.5 18.0 0 98.50 0
181 Jim Wilson 2 0 0 0 0 180 0 $50 16.5 43.0 1 90.00 0
182 (tie) Bob Esposito 1 0 0 0 0 189 0 $100 20.0 11.0 1 94.50 0
182 (tie) Tootle Estes 1 0 0 0 0 178 0 $100 13.0 11.0 1 89.00 0
182 (tie) Jake Hatcher 1 0 0 0 0 172 0 $100 13.0 11.0 1 86.00 0
182 (tie) Harold Kite 1 0 0 0 0 178 0 $110 13.0 11.0 1 89.00 0
182 (tie) Charlie Mincey 1 0 0 0 0 91 0 $75 19.0 11.0 1 91.00
182 (tie) Jerry Morese 1 0 0 0 0 184 0 $100 11.0 1 92.00
182 (tie) Bill Thurber 1 0 0 0 0 173 0 $75 23.0 11.0 1 86.50
189 Reds Kagle 2 0 0 0 0 202 0 $60 23.0 19.0 1 84.65
190 Ken Love 3 0 0 0 0 278 0 $200 55.3 36.3 1 328.25
191 Bill Parks 2 0 0 0 0 205 0 $110 24.5 25.5 1 205.00
192 Johnny Coy 1 0 0 0 0 197 0 $175 32.0 22.0 1 197.00
193 (tie) Frank Edwards 1 0 0 0 0 182 0 $100 23.0 12.0 1 91.00
193 (tie) Robert Slensby 1 0 0 0 0 117 0 $100 14.0 12.0 1 58.50
193 (tie) Jack Zink 1 0 0 0 0 10 0 $100 7.0 12.0 0 5.00
196 Earl Moss 2 0 0 0 0 84 0 $125 16.0 19.0 0 66.80
197 Al Pombo 2 0 0 0 0 334 0 $90 9.0 21.5 0 273.00
198 Bill Stammer 2 0 0 0 0 131 2 $140 9.5 23.5 1 240.50
199 Dick Getty 3 0 0 0 0 186 0 $90 19.5 24.0 1 217.00
200 Bill Tanner 2 0 0 0 0 230 0 $75 27.0 27.5 1 230.00
201 (tie) Bill Massey 1 0 0 0 0 176 0 $100 22.0 13.0 1 88.00
201 (tie) Chet Thomson 1 0 0 0 0 94 0 $50 17.0 13.0 1 94.00
203 Bud Geiselman 2 0 0 0 0 173 0 $50 25.5 25.5 0 173.00
204 Don Oldenberg 3 0 0 0 0 495 0 $200 21.3 32.3 1 341.00
205 Dave Lundman 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 $60 66.0 21.0 0 0.00
206 Lou Spears 3 0 0 0 0 406 0 $175 46.5 26.0 1 495.13
207 (tie) Sonny Black 2 0 0 0 0 79 0 $50 46.0 47.0 1 79.00
207 (tie) Dick Burns 1 0 0 0 0 148 0 $50 19.0 14.0 1 74.00
207 (tie) Freddy Fryar 1 0 0 0 0 183 0 $100 15.0 14.0 1 91.50
207 (tie) Lucky Long 1 0 0 0 0 180 0 $50 23.0 14.0 0 90.00
207 (tie) Chuck Mesler 1 0 0 0 0 175 0 $100 21.0 14.0 1 87.50
212 (tie) Don Hildreth 1 0 0 0 0 140 0 $50 10.0 15.0 1 70.00
212 (tie) James Jones 1 0 0 0 0 169 0 $100 21.0 15.0 1 84.50
212 (tie) Jess Nelson 1 0 0 0 0 88 0 $50 18.0 15.0 1 88.00
215 Fred Harb 3 0 0 0 0 231 0 $100 22.3 22.0 1 100.75
216 Joel Million 2 0 0 0 0 175 0 $50 27.5 42.5 1 87.50
217 Gene Bergin 2 0 0 0 0 384 0 $310 32.5 34.5 1 499.50
218 Al White 2 0 0 0 0 330 0 $200 14.0 13.5 0 165.00
219 Sal Tovella 1 0 0 0 0 142 0 $100 24.0 16.0 0 71.00
220 Lyle Matlock 2 0 0 0 0 142 0 $50 11.5 21.0 1 73.25
221 Fred Steinbroner 1 0 0 0 0 72 0 $40 27.0 21.0 1 180.00
222 Bill Bade 1 0 0 0 0 214 0 $40 24.0 22.0 1 214.00
223 (tie) Cy Spencer 1 0 0 0 0 34 0 $50 17.0 17.0 0 17.00
223 (tie) Bun Emery 1 0 0 0 0 364 0 $200 40.0 18.0 1 182.00
225 Jack D. McCoy 1 0 0 0 0 125 0 $50 26.0 20.0 1 125.00
226 Ray Hendrick 2 0 0 0 0 177 0 $100 31.5 39.0 0 231.13
227 Nick Lari 1 0 0 0 0 155 0 $50 25.0 18.0 1 77.50
228 Bob Stanclift 1 0 0 0 0 72 0 $40 34.0 22.0 1 180.00
229 Nace Mattingly 3 0 1 1 0 311 0 $410 29.0 29.3 1 219.38
230 Charlie Cregar 2 0 0 0 0 74 0 $0 23.5 37.5 0 37.00
231 (tie) Lyle Scott 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 $60 19.0 23.0 0 0.00
231 (tie) Joe Stewart 1 0 0 0 0 57 0 $50 25.0 23.0 0 85.50
233 Tom Lupo 1 0 0 0 0 313 0 $50 43.0 35.0 1 430.38
234 Judge Rider 1 0 0 0 0 258 0 $50 67.0 41.0 1 354.75
235 Wade Fields 1 0 0 0 0 244 0 $50 52.0 42.0 1 335.50
236 Bill Brown 1 0 0 0 0 235 0 $250 56.0 43.0 0 323.13
237 (tie) Ray Baxter 1 0 0 0 0 55 0 $50 28.0 19.0 0 55.00
237 (tie) Jim Mundy 1 0 0 0 0 104 0 $50 24.0 19.0 1 78.00
237 (tie) Andy Wilson 1 0 0 0 0 59 0 $50 13.0 19.0 0 29.50
240 John Lansaw 2 0 0 0 0 133 0 $35 23.5 24.0 0 123.50
241 Don Hamilton 2 0 0 0 0 70 0 $0 23.0 23.0 0 35.00
242 Ed Brown 1 0 0 0 0 72 0 $55 7.0 23.0 1 180.00
243 Sonny Walters 1 0 0 0 0 20 0 $50 20.0 23.0 0 20.00
244 (tie) Glen Wood 3 0 0 0 0 177 0 $50 21.0 44.3 0 88.50
244 (tie) Bob Chauncey 1 0 0 0 0 78 0 $50 16.0 21.0 0 39.00
246 (tie) Bob Francy 1 0 0 0 0 91 0 $0 21.0 21.0 0 45.50
246 (tie) Dan Galullo 1 0 0 0 0 34 0 $25 21.0 0 17.00
248 (tie) Cotton Priddy 1 0 0 0 0 38 0 $50 21.0 24.0 0 57.00
248 (tie) Frank Secrist 1 0 0 0 0 207 0 $40 23.0 24.0 1 207.00
250 Tom Pistone 3 0 0 0 0 355 0 $125 13.3 29.0 0 157.60
251 Buck Hall 1 0 0 0 0 11 0 $25 22.0 22.0 0 9.90
252 Elgin Holmes 1 0 0 0 0 71 0 $50 35.0 24.0 1 177.50
253 Ray Thompson 2 0 0 0 0 12 0 $50 50.5 26.5 0 12.00
254 Bill Vesler 1 0 0 0 0 41 0 $50 19.0 23.0 0 20.50
255 Elton Hildreth 1 0 0 0 0 122 0 $75 15.0 28.0 0 122.00
256 Mario Rossi 1 0 0 0 0 97 0 $60 24.0 31.0 0 97.00
257 Ronnie Herra 1 0 0 0 0 34 0 $50 30.0 40.0 0 34.00
258 Corey Benjamin 1 0 0 0 0 34 0 $50 43.0 41.0 0 34.00
259 Francis Dionne 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 $150 44.0 44.0 0 2.00
260 Pat Zocano 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 $60 76.0 25.0 0 0.00
261 (tie) Jim Cushman 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 $50 45.0 27.0 0 0.00
261 (tie) Herb Gibson 1 0 0 0 0 21 0 $50 18.0 27.0 0 31.50
263 (tie) Reggie Ausmus 1 0 0 0 0 138 0 $40 37.0 29.0 0 138.00
263 (tie) Arnold Denley 1 0 0 0 0 5 0 $150 24.0 29.0 0 7.50
265 David Ezell 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 $50 54.0 30.0 0 0.00
267 (tie) Joe Bill O'Dell 1 0 0 0 0 37 0 $60 35.0 32.0 0 18.50
267 (tie) Chuck Hanson 1 0 0 0 0 66 0 $50 27.0 36.0 0 66.00
269 (tie) Pat Grogan 2 0 0 0 0 223 0 $50 37.0 41.0 0 298.75
269 (tie) Don Bailey 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 $25 41.0 35.0 0 0.00
271 (tie) Ole Anderson 1 0 0 0 0 9 0 $40 36.0 37.0 0 9.00
271 (tie) Charles Oldham 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 $25 61.0 37.0 0 0.00
273 Bud Palmer 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 $0 69.0 45.0 0 0.00
274 W. H. Atkinson 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 $0 48.0 51.0 0 0.00
275 Gene White 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 $0 42.0 53.0 0 0.00
276 Tommy Thompson 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 $0 33.0 58.0 0 0.00
277 Ed Kretz 1 0 0 0 0 10 0 $0 4.0 60.0 0 41.00
278 Johnny Osteen 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 $0 72.0 66.0 0 0.00
279 Dick Linder 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 $0 34.0 69.0 0 0.00
280 Buddy Krebs 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 $0 20.0 74.0 0 0.00
281 Jimmy Mairs 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 $0 64.0 75.0 0 0.00
282 Kenny Paulsen 1 0 0 0 0 40 0 $50 18.0 24.0 0 20.00
283 Don Stanyer 1 0 0 0 0 70 0 $40 26.0 25.0 1 175.00
284 Bill Stacy 1 0 0 0 0 70 0 $50 13.0 26.0 1 175.00
285 Tom Francis 1 0 0 0 0 68 0 $40 31.0 28.0 1 170.00
286 Herb Crawford 1 0 0 0 0 63 0 $40 36.0 30.0 1 157.50
287 Fred Bince 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 $30 30.0 37.0 0 7.50
288 Buzz Auckland 1 0 0 0 0 43 0 $0 30.0 33.0 0 43.00
289 Leroy DeShields 1 0 0 0 0 75 0 $35 28.0 25.0 0 75.00
290 Dutch Munsinger 1 0 0 0 0 69 0 $25 17.0 26.0 0 69.00
291 Jim Stapley 1 0 0 0 0 51 0 $0 19.0 29.0 0 51.00
292 (tie) Ray Crowley 1 0 0 0 0 36 0 $100 25.0 25.0 0 18.00
292 (tie) Louis Headley 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 $25 25.0 0 0.50
292 (tie) Ed Massey 1 0 0 0 0 76 0 $0 17.0 25.0 0 38.00
295 (tie) John Dodd, Sr. 1 0 0 0 0 28 0 $0 19.0 27.0 0 14.00
295 (tie) Jack Richardson 1 0 0 0 0 8 0 $0 13.0 27.0 0 4.00
295 (tie) Johnny Zeke 1 0 0 0 0 49 0 $0 20.0 27.0 0 24.50
298 Owen Loggins 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 $0 28.0 28.0 0 0.00
299 Ralph Murray 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 $0 28.0 29.0 0 1.00
300 George Mantooth 1 0 0 0 0 43 0 $0 31.0 31.0 0 21.50
Joe Bill McGraw 5 0 0 1 0 424 0 $500 18.2 14.0 2 211.30
Scotty Cain 4 0 1 4 0 701 0 $1,235 14.5 7.0 4 697.50
Jim Watkins 3 0 0 0 0 156 0 $300 16.7 15.3 0 69.40
Curley Hatfield 2 0 0 0 0 191 0 $150 18.0 15.0 1 156.00
Lenny Page 1 0 0 1 0 180 0 $250 18.0 6.0 1 90.00
Augie Howerton 1 0 0 1 0 181 0 $150 10.0 8.0 1 90.50
Bennie Rakestraw 1 0 0 1 0 156 0 $100 18.0 9.0 1 78.00
Hoss Kagle 1 0 0 0 0 135 0 $100 16.0 11.0 1 135.00
Ken Seibel 1 0 0 0 0 134 0 $100 13.0 12.0 1 134.00
Joe Sykes 1 0 0 0 0 166 0 $100 21.0 12.0 1 83.00
Hank Trice 1 0 0 0 0 73 0 $50 13.0 13.0 0 36.50
Ken Johnson 1 0 0 0 0 127 0 $100 7.0 14.0 0 63.50
Larry Marx 1 0 0 0 0 78 0 $100 13.0 16.0 0 39.00
Wilbur Rakestraw 1 0 0 0 0 29 0 $100 12.0 16.0 0 14.50
Millard Wright 1 0 0 0 0 178 0 $50 15.0 16.0 1 89.00
Bill Poor 1 0 0 0 0 364 0 $200 30.0 17.0 1 182.00
Jack Williams 1 0 0 0 0 94 0 $50 25.0 17.0 1 58.75
Bob Carroll 1 0 0 0 0 62 0 $50 3.0 18.0 0 31.00
Dick Denise 1 0 0 0 0 41 0 $50 19.0 19.0 0 20.50
Elmo Langley 1 0 0 0 0 338 0 $140 42.0 19.0 1 464.75
Larry Odo 1 0 0 0 0 361 0 $150 18.0 19.0 1 180.50
Ansel Rakestraw 1 0 0 0 0 48 0 $100 26.0 19.0 1 196.80
Spook Crawford 1 0 0 0 0 13 0 $50 17.0 20.0 0 6.50
Joe Lee Johnson 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 $0 22.0 22.0 0 0.00
Norman Schihl 1 0 0 0 0 349 0 $150 38.0 23.0 1 174.50
Art Binkley 1 0 0 0 0 349 0 $150 36.0 24.0 1 174.50
Len Fraker 1 0 0 0 0 10 0 $30 20.0 35.0 0 25.00
Arley Scranton 1 0 0 0 0 9 0 $30 37.0 36.0 0 22.50
Larry Frank 1 0 0 0 0 77 0 $50 26.0 38.0 0 38.50
Bill Lutz 1 0 0 0 0 63 0 $50 10.0 39.0 0 31.50
Tommy Herzberg 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 $0 62.0 49.0 0 0.00
Al Tasnady 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 $0 23.0 77.0 0 0.00
John Hamby 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 $0 39.0 78.0 0 0.00

Notes

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  1. ^ Kiekhaefer Mercury was founded in 1939, and sponsored NASCAR entries as Mercury Outboard motors and Kiekhaefer Outboards. The company is currently known as Mercury Marine
  2. ^ 80 cars were entered, 2 did not start, and 6 more failed to complete a lap. In total, 72 cars completed one lap or more
  3. ^ There were discrepancies in the final point stands, with some sources saying Baker finished with 9,272 and others saying 9,252. Some sources also say that Herb Thomas finished second with Speedy Thompson finishing third, while other sources quote a reverse season finish.

References

[edit]
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Bibliography

[edit]
  • Fleischman, Bill; Pearce, Al (2004). "11. At A Glance; 1956". The Unauthorized NASCAR Fan Guide 2004 (10 ed.). Canton, MI: Checkered Flag Press; Visible Ink Press. ISBN 0-681-27587-1. OCLC 244151351.
  • Fielden, Greg (2015). Bryan Hallman and editors of Consumer Guide Automotive (ed.). NASCAR the complete history (7th ed.). Lincolnwood IL: Publications International Ltd. p. 97. ISBN 978-1-4508-9994-9.
  • Fielden, Greg (1993). "All". Forty Years of Stock Car Racing The Beginning 1949-1958 (Revised 3rd ed.). USA: Garfield Press. p. 336. ISBN 0-9621580-2-X.
  • Fielden, Greg (1990). Ramblin' Ragtops The History of NACAR's Fabulous Convertible Division (1st ed.). USA: Garfield Press. p. 143. ISBN 0-9621580-6-2.
[edit]