Fantasy NASCAR Racing

made 12 NASCAR Grand National starts from 1950–1951 and 1955-1956.  He won in just his third NASCAR race, the first Southern 500 held at Darlington Raceway.  Mantz' Plymouth was the race's slowest qualifier, but because he qualified on the 9th of 15 days of time trials, he started 43rd in the 75 car field.  Mantz fitted truck tires which did not wear quickly or blow out, while his competitors had to stop often to pit for new tires.  Thereby having to make fewer pit stops, and making up lots of ground on his competitors in the process.  It was his only NASCAR win.  As of 2010, the speedway presents the Johnny Mantz trophy to the winner of the Southern 500.  He was the first USAC Stock Car national champ in 1956.  He made 17 starts in the AAA Championship Car series from 1948 to 1952, capturing a victory in his rookie season at the Milwaukee Mile as well as winning the Indianapolis Sweepstakes at Williams Grove Speedway.  He ran two Indy 500's and completed all 200 laps, finishing 7th in 1949.  He died at 54 years old in a fatal car accident near Ojai, California.  Some info from WikiPedia.