LARRY GRAYSON SMITH - 06/02/1942 - 08/12/1973
was a NASCAR driver. He made his debut in the 1971 World 600 in the #92 Ford, finishing 22nd. He would go on to run three more races that year, acquiring one top-ten finish. In 1972, he was named the first NASCAR Winston Cup Rookie of the Year, running 23 races and posting seven top-ten finishes. He had a great run at North Wilkesboro finishing eighth; and then followed that up with a sixth place run in the World 600; and another sixth place finish at Michigan a few weeks later. The next year showing that his family owned team had potential, he finally acquired major sponsorship, from Carling Black Label. Unfortunately, he was struggling severely that year and was trying to turn things around. With the money performance and results had been expected to improve; but things didn't go that way. He ran 10 of the season's first 19 races and most times finished in the mid-teens. Finally at Atlanta he was able to break through for his first top ten of the season. The following week while running the
Talladega 500, Smith spun his 1971 Mercury on lap 14 and slapped the Turn 1 retaining wall. His car suffered minor damage, and the pit crew rushed to the garage and was preparing to repair the damages. However, during the ensuing caution flag, members of Smith's pit crew surprisingly discovered that the driver did not survive the impact of the crash. It is rumored, but not confirmed, that the head injuries that killed Smith came because he tore the inner-lining out of his helmet, which had been bothering him for some time. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Talladega Super Speedway infield hospital. No other drivers were involved in the crash. Smith raced in 38 CUP races in his career, with 9 top ten finishes. Some info from Wikipedia.
1972 Cup Series ride
fatal crash - Talladega 1973
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