Throwback Thursday: July 28
It's another Thursday, which means another chance to look back at racing history. Here are memorable moments from July 28 in the racing world on Throwback Thursday.
– Asheville’s McCormick Field (NC) was the backdrop for a NASCAR Short Track race on this date in 1956. In the end, Rex White would go to victory lane over Bill Amick, Johnny Dodson, Joe Eubanks and Marvin Panch. It was the only win of the season for White who would go on to win the 1960 NASCAR Cup title. White is a 2015 NASCAR Hall of Fame member and is still attending events to this day.
THE THIRD TURN: 1956 NASCAR Short Track Division at McCormick Field
– What day this would have been to be at Montgomery Motor Speedway in 1962. Both the NASCAR Modifieds were running and the NASCAR Late Models were chasing points. On the Modified side, Friday Hassler beat out Donnie Allison and Bobby Allison for the win. Hassler would go on to win the Snowball Derby in 1969 before he was killed at Daytona in 1972. Alton Jones would win the Late Model race on the same day over Mel Carter and Wayne Sims.
– The King got the job done at Atlanta Motor Speedway (GA) on this date in 1974. Richard Petty was at his best at Atlanta in the 1970s as five of his six career wins at the track came in the decade. Petty was lights out at the track having led over 1800 laps at the venue. The July heat was tough on the field that day as 14 of the 36 drivers fell out due to engine fauliers.
THE THIRD TURN: 1974 Dixie 500 at Atlanta International Raceway
– On this date in 1984, Jim Sauter beat Joe Shear in a 300-lap ASA event at Madison International Speedway (WI). Dick Trickle was third with Ken Lund and Bobby Dotter making up the top five. Other notables in the field include Alan Kulwicki and Mart Martin were in the field. What a show this would have been to see back in the day.
THE THIRD TURN: 1984 Capital 300 at Madison International Speedway
– In 1996, the NASCAR Cup race was called due to darkness at Talladega Superspeedway (AL). That was the least of the day’s events as Jeff Gordon went to victory lane and Dale Earnhardt was injured in one of the wildest wrecks of the era. The car overturned and was hit in the roof, leading to more safety innovations in the roll bar structure. Less than two weeks later, Earnhardt sat on the pole at Watkins Glen (NY) with a broken collarbone and sternum.
THE THIRD TURN: 1996 DieHard 500 at Talladega Superspeedway
– This weekend, the NASCAR Truck Series returns to Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park. On this date in 2007, it was the NASCAR Xfinity Series at IRP, with Jason Leffler taking the win ahead of Greg Biffle and David Reutimann. In a thrilling finish, Leffler led just the final three laps of the race, but they were the most important.
THE THIRD TURN: 2007 Kroger 200 at Indianapolis Raceway Park
