1961 World 600

Last updated
1961 World 600
Race details [1]
Race 24 of 52 in the 1961 NASCAR Grand National Series season
1961 World 600 program cover and logo.jpg
1961 World 600 program cover
Date May 28, 1961 (1961-May-28)
Official name World 600
Location Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, North Carolina
Course Permanent racing facility
1.500 mi (2.414 km)
Distance 400 laps, 600 mi (965 km)
Weather Temperatures of 73 °F (23 °C); wind speeds of 10.1 miles per hour (16.3 km/h)
Average speed 111.633 miles per hour (179.656 km/h)
Attendance 46,538 [2]
Pole position
Driver Petty Enterprises
Most laps led
Driver David Pearson John Masoni
Laps 225
Winner
No. 3David PearsonJohn Masoni
Television in the United States
Network ABC
Announcers Chris Economaki

The 1961 World 600, the second running of the event, was a NASCAR Grand National Series event that took place on May 28, 1961, at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. Chris Economaki called the race in one of the few televised NASCAR races of the 1960s. A series of two qualifying events took place on May 21 to determine the starting grid for this event.

Contents

This race began a streak of 1856 consecutive NASCAR races where at least one of the drivers in the race was from North Carolina. The streak would come to an end after Dale Earnhardt Jr. did not race in the 2012 Bank of America 500 at Charlotte after getting a concussion after the previous race at Talladega.

Background

Charlotte Motor Speedway, a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) quad-oval track located in Concord, North Carolina, was the location for the race. [3] The track's turns were banked at twenty-four degrees, while the front stretch, the location of the finish line, was five degrees. [4] The back stretch, opposite of the front, also had a five degree banking. [4] Charlotte Motor Speedway hosted the NASCAR Grand National Series twice during the season, with the other race being the National 400. The track opened for the inaugural World 600 one year earlier, and was built by Bruton Smith and Curtis Turner. Around 46,538 spectators attended the race.

Race report

Four hundred laps were raced over a paved oval track spanning 1.500 miles (2.414 km) with a time of five hours, twenty-two minutes, and twenty-nine seconds. [2] Seven cautions were waved for fifty-seven laps. David Pearson defeated Fireball Roberts by more than two laps for his first NASCAR Cup series victory. [2] Even though there were 55 cars in the event, only 19 vehicles were allowed to qualify during each pre-race qualifying session.

The average speed was 111.633 miles per hour (179.656 km/h) while the pole position speed was 131.611 miles per hour (211.807 km/h). [2] The qualifying races only set the front row (which is the opposite of what happens before the Daytona 500). A lot of drivers chose not to participate in qualifying.

Attendance for this race was 46,538 and the top prize was $24,280 ($237,771 when adjusted for inflation). [2] The last place competitor received $200 ($1,959 when adjusted for inflation). [2] Competitors for this race included: Ralph Earnhardt, Ned Jarrett, Tiny Lund, Junior Johnson, Joe Weatherly, Richard Petty, and Roy Tyner. Ralph Earnhardt was competitive early, leading four times and finishing 11th. [2]

A terrible crash occurred to driver Reds Kagle; he would lose a leg in this race when his car penetrated the outside guard rail. [2] [5]

Notable crew chiefs for the race were Ray Fox, Bud Allman, Smokey Yunick, Mario Rossi, Roy Burdick, Shorty Johns and Joseph Meyer. [6]

It would be the final race for the future Hall of Famer, Tim Flock.

Qualifying

Grid [2] No.DriverManufacturer
143Richard Petty'61 Plymouth
28Joe Weatherly'61 Pontiac
33David Pearson'61 Pontiac
420Marvin Panch'60 Pontiac
528Fred Lorenzen'61 Ford
66Ralph Earnhardt'61 Pontiac
718Tommy Irwin'61 Pontiac
84Rex White'61 Chevrolet
916Speedy Thompson'61 Ford
1022Fireball Roberts'61 Pontiac
1111Ned Jarrett'61 Chevrolet
1272Bobby Johns'61 Ford
1353Bob Burdick'61 Pontiac
1447Bob Welborn'61 Pontiac
1587Buck Baker'61 Chrysler
1624Roscoe Thompson'60 Pontiac
1785Emanuel Zervakis'61 Chevrolet
1894Banjo Matthews'61 Ford
1946Jack Smith'61 Pontiac
2021Curtis Turner'61 Ford

Finishing order

Section reference: [7]

FinSt#DriverSponsorMakeLapsLedStatus
133David Pearson'61 Pontiac400225running
21022Fireball Roberts'61 Pontiac3986running
384Rex White'61 Chevrolet3970running
41111Ned Jarrett'61 Chevrolet39730running
52514Jim Paschal'61 Pontiac3940running
63930Tiny Lund'60 Chevrolet3920running
71946Jack Smith'61 Pontiac3923running
81447Bob Welborn'61 Pontiac3920running
92327Junior Johnson'61 Pontiac3900running
1028Joe Weatherly'61 Pontiac38914running
1166Ralph Earnhardt'61 Pontiac38675running
12301Paul Lewis'61 Chevrolet3860running
133382Joe Eubanks'61 Ford3840running
143710T.C. Hunt'61 Dodge3760running
151785Emanuel Zervakis'61 Chevrolet3750running
165493Lee Reitzel'60 Ford3710running
174461Elmo Langley'59 T-Bird3710running
184396Friday Hassler'60 Chevrolet3680running
191272Bobby Johns'61 Ford3670running
20718Tommy Irwin'61 Pontiac3610driveshaft
21385Bobby Waddell'59 Chevrolet3610running
224138Ed Markstellar'61 Ford3600running
234823Doug Yates'61 Plymouth3580running
244219Herman Beam'60 Ford3570running
254957Wes Morgan'61 Chevrolet3470running
263286Buddy Baker'61 Chrysler3420rear end
271353Bob Burdick'61 Pontiac3380crash
281894Banjo Matthews'61 Ford3360engine
293680Tubby Gonzales'61 Ford3360rear end
30143Richard Petty'61 Plymouth33247engine
312648G.C. Spencer'60 Chevrolet3250running
325571Bob Barron'60 Dodge2910flagged
332169Johnny Allen'61 Chevrolet2830rear end
34292Reds Kagle'61 Ford2770crash
35528Fred Lorenzen'61 Ford2740a frame
36509Roy Tyner'60 Ford2660crash
372415Tim Flock'61 Ford2550engine
384568Ed Livingston'60 Ford2540engine
393554Jimmy Pardue'60 Chevrolet2210bell housing
404662Curtis Crider'61 Mercury2030crankshaft
41916Speedy Thompson'61 Ford1860camshaft
421587Buck Baker'61 Chrysler1470overheating
43420Marvin Panch'60 Pontiac1400crash
442021Curtis Turner'61 Ford1390crash
453144Marvin Porter'60 Plymouth1360engine
462229Nelson Stacy'61 Ford1280bearing
473466Jimmy Thompson'60 Ford1130axle
485331Gene Stokes'61 Studebaker950oil pressure
49277Jim Reed'61 Chevrolet930valve spring
501624Roscoe Thompson'60 Pontiac700clutch
514740Bobby Allison'60 Chevrolet530axle
522889Joe Lee Johnson'61 Chevrolet400crash
534075Larry Frank'61 Pontiac100timing
545151Doug Cox'59 T-Bird60engine
555235E.J. Trivette'59 Plymouth30axle

Timeline

Section reference: [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coca-Cola 600</span> Auto race held in Charlotte, United States

The Coca-Cola 600, originally the World 600, is an annual 600-mile (970 km) NASCAR Cup Series points race held at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, on a Sunday during Memorial Day weekend. The first race, held in 1960, was also the first one held at Charlotte Motor Speedway. It is the longest race on NASCAR's schedule at 600 miles (970 km). It is unique for having track conditions that change throughout the race due to the race having a day to night transition,. The race starts around 6:20 p.m. when the track is bathed in sunlight for about the first third of the race. Roughly the second third happens at dusk, and about the final third of the race occurs at night under the lights.

The 1979 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 31st season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 8th modern-era Cup series. It began on Sunday, January 14, and ended on Sunday, November 18. Richard Petty won his seventh and final Winston Cup championship, winning by 11 points over Darrell Waltrip. Dale Earnhardt was crowned NASCAR Rookie of the Year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1964 Daytona 500</span> Auto race held at Daytona International Speedway in 1964

The 1964 Daytona 500, was a NASCAR Grand National Series event that was held on February 23, 1964, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1961 Rebel 300</span> Auto race held at Darlington Raceway in 1961

The 1961 Rebel 300 was a NASCAR Grand National Series event held on May 6, 1961, at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina. Two hundred and nineteen laps were run on an oval track spanning 1.375 miles (2.213 km).

The 1961 NASCAR Grand National season was the 13th season of professional stock car racing in the United States, and contested over 52 events from November 6, 1960, to October 29, 1961. Ned Jarrett captured the championship which was run on 20 dirt tracks, 31 paved tracks, and one road course. Seventeen events were considered short tracks, and 14 events were held at super speedways. Joe Weatherly won the season opening's event at Charlotte, and Jarrett went on to capture the championship with 27,272 points; 830 more than second-place finisher Rex White. Emanuel Zervakis finished third in points, with Joe Weatherly fourth and Fireball Roberts fifth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1952 Southern 500</span> Auto race held at Darlington Raceway in 1952

The 1952 Southern 500, the third running of the event, was a NASCAR Grand National Series event that was held on September 1, 1952, at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1964 World 600</span> Auto race held at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1964

The 1964 World 600, the fifth running of the event, was a NASCAR Grand National Series event that took place on May 24, 1964, at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1962 Southern 500</span> Auto race held at Darlington Raceway in 1962

The 1962 Southern 500, the 13th running of the event, was a NASCAR Grand National Series event that was held on September 3, 1962, at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1973 National 500</span> Auto race held at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1973

The 1973 National 500 was a NASCAR Winston Cup Series racing event that took place on October 7, 1973, at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1960 Atlanta 500</span> Auto race held at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 1960

The 1960 Atlanta 500 was a NASCAR Grand National Series event that was held on October 30, 1960, at Atlanta International Raceway in Hampton, Georgia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1973 Dixie 500</span> Auto race held at Atlanta International Speedway in 1973

The 1973 Dixie 500 was a NASCAR Winston Cup Series race that took place on July 22, 1973, at Atlanta International Raceway in Hampton, Georgia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1975 World 600</span> Auto race held at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1975

The 1975 World 600, the 16th running of the event, was a NASCAR Winston Cup Series racing event that took place on May 25, 1975, at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1962 Dixie 400</span> Auto race held at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 1962

The 1962 Dixie 400 was a NASCAR Grand National Series event that was held on October 28, 1962, at Atlanta International Raceway in Hampton, Georgia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1969 Dixie 500</span> Auto race held at Atlanta International Raceway in 1969

The 1969 Dixie 500 was a NASCAR Grand National Series event that was held on August 10, 1969, at Atlanta International Raceway in Hampton, Georgia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1978 World 600</span> Auto race held at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1978

The 1978 World 600, the 19th running of the event, was a NASCAR Winston Cup Series racing event that was held on May 28, 1978, at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1961 Dixie 400</span> Auto race held at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 1961

The 1961 Dixie 400 was a NASCAR Grand National Series event that was held on September 17, 1961, at Atlanta International Raceway in Hampton, Georgia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1961 National 400</span> Auto race held at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1961

The 1961 National 400 was a NASCAR Grand National Series stock car race that was held on October 15, 1961, at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1962 Volunteer 500</span> Auto race held at Bristol International Speedway in 1962

The 1962 Volunteer 500 was a NASCAR Grand National Series event that was held on April 29, 1962, at Bristol International Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1960 World 600</span> Auto race run in North Carolina in 1960

The 1960 World 600 was the inaugural running of the World 600, a NASCAR Grand National Series event. It was run on June 19, 1960 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. It was NASCAR's first 600-mile race and it was the longest NASCAR race distance. Joe Lee Johnson was the winner of the inaugural race.

References

  1. "Weather information for the 1961 World 600". The Old Farmers' Almanac. Retrieved 2012-09-05.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Racing information for the 1961 World 600". Racing Reference. Retrieved 2012-09-05.
  3. "NASCAR Race Tracks". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Media Group. Archived from the original on June 3, 2011. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  4. 1 2 "NASCAR Tracks—The Charlotte Motor Speedway". Charlotte Motor Speedway. Archived from the original on April 28, 2011. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  5. "Reds Kagle crashes in 1961 World 600 at Charlotte". Daily Motion. Retrieved 2012-09-06.
  6. "1961 World 600 crew chiefs information". Racing Reference. Retrieved 2018-08-28.
  7. "1961 World 600 - The Third Turn". www.thethirdturn.com. Retrieved 2021-05-07.
Preceded by
1961 untitled race at Ascot Stadium
NASCAR Grand National Races
1961
Succeeded by
1961 untitled race at Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds