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{{short description|Auto race held at Darlington Raceway in 1962}}
{{NASCAR race season infobox
{{NASCAR race season infobox
| Type = CUST
| Type = CUST
| Description = Race 45 of 53 in the [[1962 in NASCAR|1962 NASCAR Grand National Series]] season
| Description = Race 45 of 53 in the [[1962 in NASCAR|1962 NASCAR Grand National Series]] season
| Race Name = Southern 500
| Race Name = Southern 500
| Details ref = <ref name="race weather">{{cite web | url = http://www.almanac.com/weather/history/SC/Darlington/1962-09-03 | title = 1962 Southern 500 weather information | publisher = The Old Farmers' Almanac | date = | accessdate = 2012-06-12}}</ref><ref name="1962s500">{{cite web | url = http://www.racing-reference.info/race/1962_Southern_500/W | title = 1962 Southern 500 information | publisher = Racing Reference | date = | accessdate = 2011-02-15}}</ref>
| Details ref = <ref name="race weather">{{cite web | url = http://www.almanac.com/weather/history/SC/Darlington/1962-09-03 | title = 1962 Southern 500 weather information | publisher = The Old Farmers' Almanac | access-date = 2012-06-12}}</ref><ref name="1962s500">{{cite web | url = http://www.racing-reference.info/race/1962_Southern_500/W | title = 1962 Southern 500 information | publisher = Racing Reference | access-date = 2011-02-15}}</ref>
| Fulldate = {{Start date|1962|September|3}}
| Fulldate = {{Start date|1962|September|3}}
| Year = 1962
| Year = 1962
| Race_No = 45
| Race_No = 45
| Season_No = 53
| Season_No = 53
| Image = Darlington raceway.svg
| Image = 1962_Southern_500_program_cover_and_logo.jpg
| Caption = Layout of Darlington Raceway
| Caption = 1962 Southern 500 program cover
| Official name = Southern 500
| Official name = Southern 500
| Location = [[Darlington Raceway]], [[Darlington, South Carolina]]
| Location = [[Darlington Raceway]], [[Darlington, South Carolina]]
| Weather = Extremely hot with temperatures reaching {{convert|93|F|C}}; wind speeds up to {{convert|8.9|mph|km/h}}
| Weather = Temperatures of {{convert|93|F|C}}; wind speeds of {{convert|8.9|mph|km/h}}
| Course_mi = 1.375
| Course_mi = 1.375
| Course_km = 2.213
| Course_km = 2.213
Line 18: Line 19:
| Distance_mi = 501.3
| Distance_mi = 501.3
| Distance_km = 806.7
| Distance_km = 806.7
| Avg = {{convert|117.965|mi/h}}
| Avg = {{convert|117.965|mph|abbr=on}}
| Pole_Driver = [[Fireball Roberts]]
| Pole_Driver = [[Fireball Roberts]]
| Pole_Team = [[Jim Stephens]]
| Pole_Team = [[Jim Stephens]]
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}}
}}


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


The transition to purpose-built racecars began in the early 1960s and occurred gradually over that decade. Changes made to the sport by the late 1960s brought an end to the "strictly stock" vehicles of the 1950s; most of the cars were trailered to events or hauled in by trucks. One of the oversights of this race happened to one of the vehicles. Ralph Earnhardt drove the #47 car for Jack Smith. The car had "Jack" written on the roof, but Earnhardt drove the race and was involved in a spin entering turn one.
The transition to purpose-built racecars began in the early 1960s and occurred gradually over that decade. Changes made to the sport by the late 1960s brought an end to the "strictly stock" vehicles of the 1950s. Ralph Earnhardt drove the #47 car for Jack Smith. The car had "Jack" written on the roof, but Earnhardt drove the race and was involved in a spin entering turn one.


==Background==
==Background==
[[Darlington Raceway]], nicknamed by many NASCAR fans and drivers as "The Lady in Black" or "The Track Too Tough to Tame" and advertised as a "NASCAR Tradition", is a [[race track]] built for [[NASCAR]] racing located near [[Darlington, South Carolina]]. It is of a unique, somewhat egg-shaped design, an oval with the ends of very different configurations, a condition which supposedly arose from the proximity of one end of the track to a minnow pond the owner refused to relocate. This situation makes it very challenging for the crews to set up their cars' handling in a way that will be effective at both ends.
[[Darlington Raceway]], nicknamed by many NASCAR fans and drivers as "The Lady in Black" or "The Track Too Tough to Tame" and advertised as a "NASCAR Tradition", is a [[race track]] built for [[NASCAR]] racing located near [[Darlington, South Carolina]]. It is of a unique, somewhat egg-shaped design, an oval with the ends of very different configurations, a condition which supposedly arose from the proximity of one end of the track to a minnow pond the owner refused to relocate. This situation makes it very challenging for the crews to set up their cars' handling in a way that will be effective at both ends.


The track is a four-turn {{convert|1.366|mi|km}} oval.<ref name="trackfacts">{{cite web | url=http://www.cbssports.com/nascar/tracks/page/darlington/darlington-raceway | title=Darlington Raceway | publisher=CBS Sports | accessdate=2013-05-07}}</ref> The track's first two turns are banked at twenty-five degrees, while the final two turns are banked two degrees lower at twenty-three degrees.<ref name="trackfacts" /> The front stretch (the location of the finish line) and the back stretch is banked at six degrees.<ref name="trackfacts" /> Darlington Raceway can seat up to 60,000 people.<ref name="trackfacts" />
The track is a four-turn {{convert|1.366|mi|km}} oval.<ref name="trackfacts">{{cite web | url=http://www.cbssports.com/nascar/tracks/page/darlington/darlington-raceway | title=Darlington Raceway | publisher=CBS Sports | access-date=2013-05-07}}</ref> The track's first two turns are banked at twenty-five degrees, while the final two turns are banked two degrees lower at twenty-three degrees.<ref name="trackfacts" /> The front stretch (the location of the finish line) and the back stretch is banked at six degrees.<ref name="trackfacts" /> Darlington Raceway can seat up to 60,000 people.<ref name="trackfacts" />


Darlington has something of a legendary quality among drivers and older fans; this is probably due to its long track length relative to other NASCAR speedways of its era and hence the first venue where many of them became cognizant of the truly high speeds that stock cars could achieve on a long track. The track allegedly earned the moniker The Lady in Black because the night before the race the track maintenance crew would cover the entire track with fresh asphalt sealant, in the early years of the speedway, thus making the racing surface dark black. Darlington is also known as "The Track Too Tough to Tame" because drivers can run lap after lap without a problem and then bounce off of the wall the following lap. Racers will frequently explain that they have to race the racetrack, not their competition. Drivers hitting the wall are considered to have received their "Darlington Stripe" thanks to the missing paint on the right side of the car.
==Summary==
⚫
It took four hours and fourteen minutes to resolve 364 laps.<ref name="1962s500"/> Sixty thousand people would watch [[Larry Frank]] defeat [[Junior Johnson]]<ref>{{cite web | url = http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-racing/nascar/season-recaps/1960s/1962-nascar.htm | title = 1962 Southern 500 information (second reference) | publisher = How Stuff Works | date = | accessdate = 2011-02-15}}</ref> by a time of five seconds; acquiring his only win in the Cup Series.<ref name="1962s500"/> [[Gary Sain]] would make his entrance into NASCAR racing at this race while [[Roscoe Thompson]] would retire from NASCAR after racing here.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.race-database.com/results/results.php?year=1962&race=45&series_id=2 | title = 1962 Southern 500 information | publisher = Race-Database | date = | accessdate = 2012-06-12}}</ref> Pontiac vehicles were considered to be the preferred manufacturer for this race; especially the 1962 Catalina model.<ref name="1962s500"/> During the race, [[Richard Petty]] had the bravado to drive his vehicle to pit road with only three properly working tires.


==Race report==
⚫
The race had just passed the halfway mark when Bobby Johns (#72) blew a tire between Turns 3 & 4, ricocheted off the guardrail and caught the oncoming Darel Dieringer (#26).<ref name="1962s500"/> Dieringer's gas tank ruptured and caught fire as the driver fought for control and Bunkie Blackburn (#41) gets into the rail to miss the trouble. The car finally stops and the dazed Dieringer hits the escape hatch.
It took four hours and fourteen minutes to complete 364 laps.<ref name="1962s500"/> Sixty thousand people would watch [[Larry Frank]] defeat [[Junior Johnson]]<ref>{{cite web | url = http://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-racing/nascar/season-recaps/1960s/1962-nascar.htm | title = 1962 Southern 500 information (second reference) | publisher = How Stuff Works | access-date = 2011-02-15}}</ref> by five seconds; acquiring his only win in the Cup Series.<ref name="1962s500"/> Joyce Brown was Miss Southern 500 for that year.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nascar-auto-racing/thatsracin/article33015480.html | title = Junior Johnson’s chicken houses had to wait after confusion of ’62 | publisher = Charlotte Observer | access-date = 2018-08-27}}</ref>

⚫
[[Gary Sain]] would make his entrance into NASCAR racing at this race while [[Roscoe Thompson]] would retire from NASCAR after racing here.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.race-database.com/results/results.php?year=1962&race=45&series_id=2 | title = 1962 Southern 500 information | publisher = Race-Database | access-date = 2012-06-12}}</ref> Pontiac vehicles were the preferred manufacturer for this race; especially the 1962 Catalina model.<ref name="1962s500"/> There was a high percentage of then-recent model cars in this race; with only one vehicle with a model year of 1960.<ref name="1962s500"/> During the race, [[Richard Petty]] had to drive his vehicle to pit road with only three properly working tires.

⚫
The race had just passed the halfway mark when Bobby Johns (#72) blew a tire between Turns 3 & 4, ricocheted off the guardrail and caught the oncoming Darel Dieringer (#26).<ref name="1962s500"/> Dieringer's gas tank ruptured and caught fire as the driver fought for control and Bunkie Blackburn (#41) got into the rail to miss the trouble. The car finally stopped and the dazed Dieringer climbed out.


[[Matt DeMatthews]] was the last-place finisher after [[oil pressure]] issues forced his 1961 [[Ford Galaxie]] out of the race.<ref name="1962s500"/> [[Fireball Roberts]] earned the pole position with a speed of {{convert|130.246|mph|km/h}} but would finish the race in 36th (out of 44 cars) after crashing on lap 74. Larry Frank's winning speed would be {{convert|117.965|mph|km/h}}.<ref name="1962s500"/> [[Johnny Allen (racing driver)|Johnny Allen]] had an awful crash<ref name="1962s500"/> but left the race without any injury. Due to a scoring error, Junior Johnson was originally flagged as the winner of this race. Johnson went to victory lane; planning to expand his chicken farm with the money he earned from the race. NASCAR officials managed to catch this error and made Larry Frank the winner instead.
[[Matt DeMatthews]] was the last-place finisher after [[oil pressure]] issues forced his 1961 [[Ford Galaxie]] out of the race.<ref name="1962s500"/> [[Fireball Roberts]] earned the pole position with a speed of {{convert|130.246|mph|km/h}} but would finish the race in 36th (out of 44 cars) after crashing on lap 74. Larry Frank's winning speed would be {{convert|117.965|mph|km/h}}.<ref name="1962s500"/> [[Johnny Allen (racing driver)|Johnny Allen]] had an awful crash<ref name="1962s500"/> but left the race without any injury. Due to a scoring error, Junior Johnson was originally flagged as the winner of this race. Johnson went to victory lane; planning to expand his chicken farm with the money he earned from the race. NASCAR officials managed to catch this error and made Larry Frank the winner instead.


Nine notable crew chiefs were recorded as participating in the event; including [[Shorty Johns]], [[Ratus Walters]], [[Lee Petty]], [[Banjo Matthews]], [[Glen Wood]] and [[Herman Beam]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.racing-reference.info/entrylist/1962-45/enwiki/w/C | title = 1962 Southern 500 crew chief information | publisher = Racing Reference | date = | accessdate = 2017-07-05}}</ref>
Notable crew chiefs recorded as participating in the event included [[Shorty Johns]], [[Ratus Walters]], [[Lee Petty]], [[Banjo Matthews]], [[Glen Wood]] and [[Herman Beam]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.racing-reference.info/entrylist/1962-45/enwiki/w/C | title = 1962 Southern 500 crew chief information | publisher = Racing Reference | access-date = 2017-07-05}}</ref>


Individual race earnings for each driver ranged from the winner's share of $21,730 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|21730|1962|r=2}}}} when adjusted for inflation) to the last-place finisher's share of $400 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|400|1962|r=2}}}} when adjusted for inflation). The total prize purse for this racing event was $71,865 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|71865|1962|r=2}}}} when adjusted for inflation).<ref>{{cite web | url = http://fantasyracingcheatsheet.com/nascar/races/results/1962/darlington-raceway/southern-500/780 | title = 1962 Southern 500 information | publisher = Fantasy Racing Cheat Sheet | date = | accessdate = 2012-11-24}}</ref> While a [[kinescope]] was responsible for filming this race to an audience that couldn't see it live, [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s ''[[Wide World of Sports (U.S. TV series)|Wide World of Sports]]'' kept a carbon copy of this race on VHS. For superstition reasons from NASCAR driver Joe Weatherly, this race is historically known as the '''''12th Revival of the Southern 500''''' instead of the '''''13th Southern 500'''''. He would collide with David Pearson although they would go on to finish the race.
Race earnings for each driver ranged from the winner's share of $21,730 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|21730|1962|r=0}}}} when adjusted for inflation) to the last-place share of $400 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|400|1962|r=0}}}} when adjusted for inflation). The total purse for this event was $71,865 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|71865|1962|r=0}}}} when adjusted for inflation).<ref>{{cite web | url = http://fantasyracingcheatsheet.com/nascar/races/results/1962/darlington-raceway/southern-500/780 | title = 1962 Southern 500 information | publisher = Fantasy Racing Cheat Sheet | access-date = 2012-11-24}}</ref> While a [[kinescope]] was responsible for filming this race to an audience that could not see it live, [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s ''[[Wide World of Sports (U.S. TV series)|Wide World of Sports]]'' kept a copy of this race on VHS. For superstition reasons from NASCAR driver Joe Weatherly, this race is historically known as the '''''12th Revival of the Southern 500''''' instead of the '''''13th Southern 500'''''. He would collide with David Pearson although they would go on to finish the race.


===Qualifying===
===Qualifying===
Line 59: Line 64:
! Driver
! Driver
! Manufacturer
! Manufacturer
! {{Tooltip|Speed|Speed in miles per hour}}<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.racing-reference.info/getqualify/1962-45/W | title = 1962 Southern 500 qualifying information | publisher = Racing Reference | date = | accessdate = 2017-04-02}}</ref>
! {{Tooltip|Speed|Speed in miles per hour}}<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.racing-reference.info/getqualify/1962-45/W | title = 1962 Southern 500 qualifying information | publisher = Racing Reference | access-date = 2017-04-02}}</ref>
! Owner
! Owner
|-
|-
! 1
! 1
| 22 || [[Fireball Roberts]] || '62 [[Pontiac]] || 130.246 || Jim Stephens
| 22 || [[Fireball Roberts]] || '62 [[Pontiac (automobile)|Pontiac]] || 130.246 || [[Jim Stephens]]
|-
|-
! 2
! 2
| 3 || [[Junior Johnson]] || '62 [[Pontiac]] || 129.049 || Ray Fox
| 3 || [[Junior Johnson]] || '62 [[Pontiac (automobile)|Pontiac]] || 129.049 || [[Ray Fox]]
|-
|-
! 3
! 3
| 28 || [[Fred Lorenzen]] || '62 [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] || 127.898 || Holman-Moody
| 28 || [[Fred Lorenzen]] || '62 [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] || 127.898 || [[Holman-Moody]]
|-
|-
! 4
! 4
| 72 || [[Bobby Johns]] || '62 [[Pontiac]] || 127.758 || Shorty Johns
| 72 || [[Bobby Johns]] || '62 [[Pontiac (automobile)|Pontiac]] || 127.758 || [[Shorty Johns]]
|-
|-
! 5
! 5
| 8 || [[Joe Weatherly]] || '62 [[Pontiac]] || 127.454 || Bud Moore
| 8 || [[Joe Weatherly]] || '62 [[Pontiac (automobile)|Pontiac]] || 127.454 || [[Bud Moore (NASCAR owner)|Bud Moore]]
|-
|-
! 6
! 6
| 43 || [[Richard Petty]] || '62 [[Plymouth (automobile)|Plymouth]] || 127.143 || Petty Enterprises
| 43 || [[Richard Petty]] || '62 [[Plymouth (automobile)|Plymouth]] || 127.143 || [[Petty Enterprises]]
|-
|-
! 7
! 7
| 6 || [[David Pearson (racing driver)|David Pearson]] || '62 [[Pontiac]] || 127.077 || Cotton Owens
| 6 || [[David Pearson (racing driver)|David Pearson]] || '62 [[Pontiac (automobile)|Pontiac]] || 127.077 || [[Cotton Owens]]
|-
|-
! 8
! 8
| 21 || [[Marvin Panch]] || '62 [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] || 127.012 || Wood Brothers
| 21 || [[Marvin Panch]] || '62 [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] || 127.012 || [[Wood Brothers Racing|Wood Brothers]]
|-
|-
! 9
! 9
| 46 || [[Johnny Allen (racing driver)|Johnny Allen]] || '62 [[Pontiac]] || 128.671 || Fred Lovette
| 46 || [[Johnny Allen (racing driver)|Johnny Allen]] || '62 [[Pontiac (automobile)|Pontiac]] || 128.671 || [[Fred Lovette]]
|-
|-
! 10
! 10
| 66 || [[Larry Frank]] || '62 [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] || 127.601 || Ratus Walters
| 66 || [[Larry Frank]] || '62 [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] || 127.601 || [[Ratus Walters]]
|}
|}


==Top ten finishers==
==Top 10 finishers==
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="font-size:95%"
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="font-size:95%"
|-
|-
Line 104: Line 109:
! Winnings
! Winnings
! {{Tooltip|Laps led|Laps as the lead driver}}
! {{Tooltip|Laps led|Laps as the lead driver}}
! Time/Status
|-
|-
! 1
! 1
| 10 || 66 || [[Larry Frank]] || [[Ford]] || 364 || $21,730 || 85
| 10 || 66 || [[Larry Frank]] || [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] || 364 || $21,730 || 85 || 4:14:34
|-
|-
! 2
! 2
| 2 || 3 || [[Junior Johnson]] || Pontiac || 364 || $10,155 || 29
| 2 || 3 || [[Junior Johnson]] || Pontiac || 364 || $10,155 || 29 || +5 seconds
|-
|-
! 3
! 3
| 8 || 21 || [[Marvin Panch]] || [[Ford]] || 364 || $5,150 || 0
| 8 || 21 || [[Marvin Panch]] || [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] || 364 || $5,150 || 0 || Lead lap under green flag
|-
|-
! 4
! 4
| 7 || 6 || [[David Pearson (racing driver)|David Pearson]] || Pontiac || 364 || $3,325 || 0
| 7 || 6 || [[David Pearson (racing driver)|David Pearson]] || Pontiac || 364 || $3,325 || 0 || Lead lap under green flag
|-
|-
! 5
! 5
| 6 || 43 || [[Richard Petty]] || Plymouth || 363 || $5,450 || 95
| 6 || 43 || [[Richard Petty]] || Plymouth || 363 || $5,450 || 95 || +1 lap
|-
|-
! 6
! 6
| 14 || 42 || [[Jim Paschal]] || [[Ford]] || 363 || $2,025 || 9
| 14 || 42 || [[Jim Paschal]] || [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] || 363 || $2,025 || 9 || +1 lap
|-
|-
! 7
! 7
| 13 || 29 || [[Nelson Stacy]] || [[Ford]] || 363 || $1,525 || 0
| 13 || 29 || [[Nelson Stacy]] || [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] || 363 || $1,525 || 0 || +1 lap
|-
|-
! 8
! 8
| 19 || 11 || [[Ned Jarrett]] || [[Chevrolet]] || 360 || $1,575 || 0
| 19 || 11 || [[Ned Jarrett]] || [[Chevrolet]] || 360 || $1,575 || 0 || +4 laps
|-
|-
! 9
! 9
| 18 || 4 || [[Rex White]] || [[Chevrolet]] || 359 || $1,355 || 0
| 18 || 4 || [[Rex White]] || [[Chevrolet]] || 359 || $1,355 || 0 || +5 laps
|-
|-
! 10
! 10
| 5 || 8 || [[Joe Weatherly]] || Pontiac || 357 || $1,025 || 0
| 5 || 8 || [[Joe Weatherly]] || Pontiac || 357 || $1,025 || 0 || +7 laps
|}
|}


==Timeline==
==Timeline==
<small>Section reference: <ref name="1962s500"/></small>
<small>Section reference: <ref name="1962s500"/></small>
* Start of race: Fireball Roberts officially began the race with the pole position
* Start of race: Fireball Roberts officially began the race with the pole position.
* Lap 2: Matt DeMatthews would become the last-place finisher due to oil pressure problems
* Lap 2: Matt DeMatthews would become the last-place finisher due to oil pressure problems.
* Lap 4: Tom Cox's vehicle had oil pressure issues; causing him to leave the race early
* Lap 4: Tom Cox's vehicle had oil pressure issues; causing him to leave the race early.
* Lap 11: Fuel pump problems would force Gary Sain out of the race
* Lap 11: Fuel pump problems would force Gary Sain out of the race.
* Lap 14: The engine on Stick Elliott's vehicle gave out; forcing him to retire from the race
* Lap 14: The engine on Stick Elliott's vehicle gave out; forcing him to retire from the race.
* Lap 15: Bill Champion's vehicle developed transmission issues
* Lap 15: Bill Champion's vehicle developed transmission issues.
* Lap 39: Roscoe Thompson had a terminal crash; Cale Yarborough managed to overheat his vehicle
* Lap 39: Roscoe Thompson had a terminal crash; Cale Yarborough managed to overheat his vehicle.
* Lap 58: The distributor on Buddy Baker's vehicle became problematic
* Lap 58: The distributor on Buddy Baker's vehicle became problematic.
* Lap 59: Bobby Johns took over the lead from Fireball Roberts
* Lap 59: Bobby Johns took over the lead from Fireball Roberts.
* Lap 74: Fireball Roberts had a terminal crash
* Lap 74: Fireball Roberts had a terminal crash.
* Lap 76: Richard Petty took over the lead from Bobby Johns
* Lap 76: Richard Petty took over the lead from Bobby Johns.
* Lap 77: Jim Paschal took over the lead from Richard Petty
* Lap 77: Jim Paschal took over the lead from Richard Petty.
* Lap 86: Bobby Johns took over the lead from Jim Paschal
* Lap 86: Bobby Johns took over the lead from Jim Paschal.
* Lap 95: Larry Thomas notice that his transmission no longer worked properly
* Lap 95: Larry Thomas notice that his transmission no longer worked properly.
* Lap 111: Jack Smith had a terminal crash
* Lap 111: Jack Smith had a terminal crash.
* Lap 126: Fred Lorenzen took over the lead from Bobby Johns
* Lap 126: Fred Lorenzen took over the lead from Bobby Johns.
* Lap 157: Richard Petty took over the lead from Fred Lorenzen
* Lap 157: Richard Petty took over the lead from Fred Lorenzen.
* Lap 161: Junior Johnson took over the lead from Richard Petty; Lee Reitzel would develop problems with his transmission
* Lap 161: Junior Johnson took over the lead from Richard Petty; Lee Reitzel would develop problems with his transmission.
* Lap 181: Bunkie Blackburn had a terminal crash
* Lap 181: Bunkie Blackburn had a terminal crash.
* Lap 184: Darel Dieringer and Bobby Johns would crash into each other
* Lap 184: Darel Dieringer and Bobby Johns would crash into each other.
* Lap 190: Richard Petty took over the lead from Junior Johnson
* Lap 190: Richard Petty took over the lead from Junior Johnson.
* Lap 196: T.C. Hunt had a terminal crash; forcing him to retire from the race
* Lap 196: T.C. Hunt had a terminal crash; forcing him to retire from the race.
* Lap 200: One of the wheel bearings came loose of G.C. Spencer's vehicle
* Lap 200: One of the wheel bearings came loose of G.C. Spencer's vehicle.
* Lap 275: Johnny Allen had a terminal crash
* Lap 275: Johnny Allen had a terminal crash.
* Lap 280: Larry Frank took over the lead from Richard Petty
* Lap 280: Larry Frank took over the lead from Richard Petty.
* Lap 291: Engine problems forced Fred Lorenzen out of the race
* Lap 291: Engine problems forced Fred Lorenzen out of the race.
* Lap 343: H.G. Rosier's vehicle developed problems in one of its wheels
* Lap 343: H.G. Rosier's vehicle developed problems in one of its wheels.
* Finish: Larry Frank was officially declared the winner of the event
* Finish: Larry Frank was officially declared the winner of the event.


==References==
==References==
Line 189: Line 195:
{{1962 NASCAR Grand National |state=collapsed}}
{{1962 NASCAR Grand National |state=collapsed}}
{{Bojangles' Southern 500}}
{{Bojangles' Southern 500}}
{{authority control}}


[[Category:1962 NASCAR Grand National Series|Southern 500]]
[[Category:1962 NASCAR Grand National Series|Southern 500]]

Latest revision as of 04:22, 31 December 2022

1962 Southern 500
Race details[1][2]
Race 45 of 53 in the 1962 NASCAR Grand National Series season
1962 Southern 500 program cover
1962 Southern 500 program cover
Date September 3, 1962 (1962-September-03)
Official name Southern 500
Location Darlington Raceway, Darlington, South Carolina
Course Permanent racing facility
1.375 mi (2.213 km)
Distance 364 laps, 501.3 mi (806.7 km)
Weather Temperatures of 93 °F (34 °C); wind speeds of 8.9 miles per hour (14.3 km/h)
Average speed 117.965 mph (189.846 km/h)
Pole position
Driver
Jim Stephens
Time 130.246 miles per hour (209.611 km/h)
Most laps led
Driver Richard Petty Petty Enterprises
Laps 95
Winner
No. 66 Larry Frank Ratus Walters
Television in the United States
Network ABC
Announcers Jim McKay

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.

The transition to purpose-built racecars began in the early 1960s and occurred gradually over that decade. Changes made to the sport by the late 1960s brought an end to the "strictly stock" vehicles of the 1950s. Ralph Earnhardt drove the #47 car for Jack Smith. The car had "Jack" written on the roof, but Earnhardt drove the race and was involved in a spin entering turn one.

Background

[edit]

Darlington Raceway, nicknamed by many NASCAR fans and drivers as "The Lady in Black" or "The Track Too Tough to Tame" and advertised as a "NASCAR Tradition", is a race track built for NASCAR racing located near Darlington, South Carolina. It is of a unique, somewhat egg-shaped design, an oval with the ends of very different configurations, a condition which supposedly arose from the proximity of one end of the track to a minnow pond the owner refused to relocate. This situation makes it very challenging for the crews to set up their cars' handling in a way that will be effective at both ends.

The track is a four-turn 1.366 miles (2.198 km) oval.[3] The track's first two turns are banked at twenty-five degrees, while the final two turns are banked two degrees lower at twenty-three degrees.[3] The front stretch (the location of the finish line) and the back stretch is banked at six degrees.[3] Darlington Raceway can seat up to 60,000 people.[3]

Darlington has something of a legendary quality among drivers and older fans; this is probably due to its long track length relative to other NASCAR speedways of its era and hence the first venue where many of them became cognizant of the truly high speeds that stock cars could achieve on a long track. The track allegedly earned the moniker The Lady in Black because the night before the race the track maintenance crew would cover the entire track with fresh asphalt sealant, in the early years of the speedway, thus making the racing surface dark black. Darlington is also known as "The Track Too Tough to Tame" because drivers can run lap after lap without a problem and then bounce off of the wall the following lap. Racers will frequently explain that they have to race the racetrack, not their competition. Drivers hitting the wall are considered to have received their "Darlington Stripe" thanks to the missing paint on the right side of the car.

Race report

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It took four hours and fourteen minutes to complete 364 laps.[2] Sixty thousand people would watch Larry Frank defeat Junior Johnson[4] by five seconds; acquiring his only win in the Cup Series.[2] Joyce Brown was Miss Southern 500 for that year.[5]

Gary Sain would make his entrance into NASCAR racing at this race while Roscoe Thompson would retire from NASCAR after racing here.[6] Pontiac vehicles were the preferred manufacturer for this race; especially the 1962 Catalina model.[2] There was a high percentage of then-recent model cars in this race; with only one vehicle with a model year of 1960.[2] During the race, Richard Petty had to drive his vehicle to pit road with only three properly working tires.

The race had just passed the halfway mark when Bobby Johns (#72) blew a tire between Turns 3 & 4, ricocheted off the guardrail and caught the oncoming Darel Dieringer (#26).[2] Dieringer's gas tank ruptured and caught fire as the driver fought for control and Bunkie Blackburn (#41) got into the rail to miss the trouble. The car finally stopped and the dazed Dieringer climbed out.

Matt DeMatthews was the last-place finisher after oil pressure issues forced his 1961 Ford Galaxie out of the race.[2] Fireball Roberts earned the pole position with a speed of 130.246 miles per hour (209.611 km/h) but would finish the race in 36th (out of 44 cars) after crashing on lap 74. Larry Frank's winning speed would be 117.965 miles per hour (189.846 km/h).[2] Johnny Allen had an awful crash[2] but left the race without any injury. Due to a scoring error, Junior Johnson was originally flagged as the winner of this race. Johnson went to victory lane; planning to expand his chicken farm with the money he earned from the race. NASCAR officials managed to catch this error and made Larry Frank the winner instead.

Notable crew chiefs recorded as participating in the event included Shorty Johns, Ratus Walters, Lee Petty, Banjo Matthews, Glen Wood and Herman Beam.[7]

Race earnings for each driver ranged from the winner's share of $21,730 ($218,878 when adjusted for inflation) to the last-place share of $400 ($4,029 when adjusted for inflation). The total purse for this event was $71,865 ($723,868 when adjusted for inflation).[8] While a kinescope was responsible for filming this race to an audience that could not see it live, ABC's Wide World of Sports kept a copy of this race on VHS. For superstition reasons from NASCAR driver Joe Weatherly, this race is historically known as the 12th Revival of the Southern 500 instead of the 13th Southern 500. He would collide with David Pearson although they would go on to finish the race.

Qualifying

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Grid No. Driver Manufacturer Speed[9] Owner
1 22 Fireball Roberts '62 Pontiac 130.246 Jim Stephens
2 3 Junior Johnson '62 Pontiac 129.049 Ray Fox
3 28 Fred Lorenzen '62 Ford 127.898 Holman-Moody
4 72 Bobby Johns '62 Pontiac 127.758 Shorty Johns
5 8 Joe Weatherly '62 Pontiac 127.454 Bud Moore
6 43 Richard Petty '62 Plymouth 127.143 Petty Enterprises
7 6 David Pearson '62 Pontiac 127.077 Cotton Owens
8 21 Marvin Panch '62 Ford 127.012 Wood Brothers
9 46 Johnny Allen '62 Pontiac 128.671 Fred Lovette
10 66 Larry Frank '62 Ford 127.601 Ratus Walters

Top 10 finishers

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Pos[2] Grid No. Driver Manufacturer Laps Winnings Laps led Time/Status
1 10 66 Larry Frank Ford 364 $21,730 85 4:14:34
2 2 3 Junior Johnson Pontiac 364 $10,155 29 +5 seconds
3 8 21 Marvin Panch Ford 364 $5,150 0 Lead lap under green flag
4 7 6 David Pearson Pontiac 364 $3,325 0 Lead lap under green flag
5 6 43 Richard Petty Plymouth 363 $5,450 95 +1 lap
6 14 42 Jim Paschal Ford 363 $2,025 9 +1 lap
7 13 29 Nelson Stacy Ford 363 $1,525 0 +1 lap
8 19 11 Ned Jarrett Chevrolet 360 $1,575 0 +4 laps
9 18 4 Rex White Chevrolet 359 $1,355 0 +5 laps
10 5 8 Joe Weatherly Pontiac 357 $1,025 0 +7 laps

Timeline

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Section reference: [2]

  • Start of race: Fireball Roberts officially began the race with the pole position.
  • Lap 2: Matt DeMatthews would become the last-place finisher due to oil pressure problems.
  • Lap 4: Tom Cox's vehicle had oil pressure issues; causing him to leave the race early.
  • Lap 11: Fuel pump problems would force Gary Sain out of the race.
  • Lap 14: The engine on Stick Elliott's vehicle gave out; forcing him to retire from the race.
  • Lap 15: Bill Champion's vehicle developed transmission issues.
  • Lap 39: Roscoe Thompson had a terminal crash; Cale Yarborough managed to overheat his vehicle.
  • Lap 58: The distributor on Buddy Baker's vehicle became problematic.
  • Lap 59: Bobby Johns took over the lead from Fireball Roberts.
  • Lap 74: Fireball Roberts had a terminal crash.
  • Lap 76: Richard Petty took over the lead from Bobby Johns.
  • Lap 77: Jim Paschal took over the lead from Richard Petty.
  • Lap 86: Bobby Johns took over the lead from Jim Paschal.
  • Lap 95: Larry Thomas notice that his transmission no longer worked properly.
  • Lap 111: Jack Smith had a terminal crash.
  • Lap 126: Fred Lorenzen took over the lead from Bobby Johns.
  • Lap 157: Richard Petty took over the lead from Fred Lorenzen.
  • Lap 161: Junior Johnson took over the lead from Richard Petty; Lee Reitzel would develop problems with his transmission.
  • Lap 181: Bunkie Blackburn had a terminal crash.
  • Lap 184: Darel Dieringer and Bobby Johns would crash into each other.
  • Lap 190: Richard Petty took over the lead from Junior Johnson.
  • Lap 196: T.C. Hunt had a terminal crash; forcing him to retire from the race.
  • Lap 200: One of the wheel bearings came loose of G.C. Spencer's vehicle.
  • Lap 275: Johnny Allen had a terminal crash.
  • Lap 280: Larry Frank took over the lead from Richard Petty.
  • Lap 291: Engine problems forced Fred Lorenzen out of the race.
  • Lap 343: H.G. Rosier's vehicle developed problems in one of its wheels.
  • Finish: Larry Frank was officially declared the winner of the event.

References

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  1. ^ "1962 Southern 500 weather information". The Old Farmers' Almanac. Retrieved 2012-06-12.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "1962 Southern 500 information". Racing Reference. Retrieved 2011-02-15.
  3. ^ a b c d "Darlington Raceway". CBS Sports. Retrieved 2013-05-07.
  4. ^ "1962 Southern 500 information (second reference)". How Stuff Works. Retrieved 2011-02-15.
  5. ^ "Junior Johnson's chicken houses had to wait after confusion of '62". Charlotte Observer. Retrieved 2018-08-27.
  6. ^ "1962 Southern 500 information". Race-Database. Retrieved 2012-06-12.
  7. ^ "1962 Southern 500 crew chief information". Racing Reference. Retrieved 2017-07-05.
  8. ^ "1962 Southern 500 information". Fantasy Racing Cheat Sheet. Retrieved 2012-11-24.
  9. ^ "1962 Southern 500 qualifying information". Racing Reference. Retrieved 2017-04-02.
Preceded by Southern 500 races
1962 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
1962 untitled race at Valdosta Speedway
 NASCAR Grand National Series Season
1962 		Succeeded by
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