CLEVELAND COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS - SHELBY NC
(Shelby Motor Speedway)
During the venue's life it was also known as Shelby Motor Speedway. It was a 1/2 mile dirt over that saw racing commence around 1924. The first Cup race was held in July of 1956. Speedy Thompson would motor to the win over Ralph Moody, with Billy Meyers, Fireball Roberts and Buck Baker making up the top five. The second Cup race was held in October. In it there was a vicious crash that nearly took the life of Herb Thomas. Thomas was leading the points as the season wound to a close; and was attempting to become the Cup champ for three years in a row. It was his second major crash in two years. Thomas had started 13th but quickly moved through the field and was running third at the time of the crash. As he exited turn two, he and Speedy Thompson made contact. Thomas spun and Billy Meyers struck him in the driver's door. Thomas' car twisted around twice
twice while in the air, and was hit again by Jack Smith, and then six cars plowed into the others, creating a melee. Crumped cars blocked the track for 40 minutes and the guardrail was torn out. Meanwhile Thomas lay unconscious and bleeding in an ambulance. Thomas suffered a concussion, fractured skull, badly lacerated scalp, and ruptured ear drum. He was in a coma for the next four days. Baker went on to win that year's championship. Thomas was released from the hospital in November. For all intents and purposes, the Shelby wreck ended his career. Thomas got approval from doctors to race again in mid-1957 and made two Cup starts. He announced his retirement in September 1957. NASCAR also had a convertible race here in 1956. Curtis Turner would be leading when it started raining at 185 laps and the race weas called. Joe Weatherly finished second one lap down. NASCAR returned to the track to race again in 1957 with two events. Tiny Lund had a fast car and led 136 laps. He was out front with 14 laps to go when he broke an axel, finishing tenth. Fireball Roberts picked up the lead, and the win. Buck Baker won here again in the fall race; and went on repeat as Cup Champ for a second year in a row. Then NASCAR didn't race at the track for eight years. The Cup Series would return for it's final two events in 1965. Ned Jarrett would win both of those events.
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