[Bob Tanner]

Ok... I figured the last trivia question'd go quickly. Now, here is a real toughie:

Who won the first competitive race staged at Daytona International Speedway?
HINT: It wasn't Lee Petty

[TN_Gal]

AJ Foyt

[Quality88]

Ned Jarrett?

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by TN_Gal

AJ Foyt

Nope, wrong era.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Quality88

Ned Jarrett?

Nope. I told you, this one is a real toughie.

[TN_Gal]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Nope, wrong era.

I cant helpwhat ERA I am in.... I am not an AARP member yet...... God.... pass the vino

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

Who won the first competitive race staged at Daytona International Speedway?
HINT: It wasn't Lee Petty

Boy did this take some digging!
Was it Bob Welborn, who won a 125 mile qualifier at the track in 1959?
http://www.diecastdigest.com/2004/Jan_04/JonClifton.htm

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

Boy did this take some digging!
Was it Bob Welborn, who won a 125 mile qualifier at the track in 1959?
http://www.diecastdigest.com/2004/Jan_04/JonClifton.htm

Aaaaaggggghhhhh!!! Darn it, Lefty, that was an outstanding attempt (no guess; you know your history, it would appear). However, you are one silly race off. Bob won the 2nd competitive event ever run at Daytona. He won the Grand National qualifier, however the first race was the Convertible Division qualifier.

I'll give you all a hint: The winner of the first event was a NASCAR Rookie of the Year, and he hailed from Mobile, AL.

Once again, Lefty, a very good try.

[LSC9901]

Richard Petty

[Lefty Noob]

I think I've got it now, Bob: "Feb. 20, 1959 -- Shorty Rollins wins the first stock car race at the new Daytona International Speedway, a 100-mile qualifying event for convertibles entered in the Daytona 500."

Source: http://www.fireballroberts.com/Timelines304050.htm

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by Lefty Noob

I think I've got it now, Bob: "Feb. 20, 1959 -- Shorty Rollins wins the first stock car race at the new Daytona International Speedway, a 100-mile qualifying event for convertibles entered in the Daytona 500."

Source: http://www.fireballroberts.com/Timelines304050.htm

Houston, we have a liftoff!

Congratulations, Lefty! I told you this one was a toughie. My reference was Goldenbock and Fielden's Stock Car Racing Encylopedia. The questions I don't have personal knowledge of, I get mostly from thisa book.

The irony of Rollins' effort was he almost missed the race. He blew his engine the day before in practice and they put in "junk" spare engine they brought to Daytona for parts. He went on an ran the "junk" engine because everyone who fielded a car was guaranteed a starting spot (unlike the silly "Top 35 in Owner Points" we have today). His junk engine won the qualifier and lasted 115 laps in the big show. Shorty ended up 38th in a 59-car field.

Good job!!!

[Lefty Noob]

Thanks, it took me forever to find that! Keep 'em coming, Bob. This is fun!

[LSC9901]

Lloyd (Shorty) Rollins
Age: 69
won the first NASCAR Rookie of the Year Award in 1958; had one victory in 22 top-10 finishes that year; won the first stock car race at the Daytona International Speedway, a 100-lap preliminary run to the first Daytona 500 in 1959; left racing in 1960; made 43 starts in three professional seasons and earned $17,019; of a brief illness
Died: Pensacola, Fla., Dec. 28, 1998


You got it Lefty ... Nice job.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

You got it Lefty ... Nice job.

Wasn't it though? I am impressed. I think I'm gonna like this forum.

[Tripracing]

Lee petty 1959