FANTASY NASCAR Racin

Racing sports has a long tradition in Virginia, dating back to colonial English times. From 1898 to the first World War, the Deep Run Hunt Club the Northside area of Ginter Park was the site of the club's somewhat annual steeplechase race. Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, all auto racing was suspended due to the second World War. From 1942 to 1945, no events were contested, as they were prohibited by the US government primarily on account of rationing. The 1946 AAA Championship Car season was unique in that it was the first post-war IndyCar race and because the Atlantic Rural Exposition had built a new state fairgrounds at the old Strawberry Hill Farm near Ginter Park. The ½ -mile dirt track would be suitable for both annual "Strawberry Hill"

horse races and car races. On October 12, 1946, Ted Horn gained the distinction of winning the track's first race in an open-wheel Indy-style car. Two years later, when the NASCAR schedule was being formed, this short track joined several others on the circuit. The Cup series first started racing here in 1953. At that time the track was dirt and remained that way until 1968 when it was paved. The first Cup race here saw Lee Petty beat Dick Rathman to the checkered flag by over a lap. Buck Baker was third. In 1955, Jim Paschal led the first 58 laps before Dick Rathman powered by. But his time in the lead was short, as the car broke it's driveshaft just eight laps later and was done for the day. Paschal retook the lead; but after only 11 laps Tim Flock would move to the point. From there Flock; his brother Fonty Flock and Petty would battle it out for the win. At the end Tim and Fonty would finish 1-2, with Petty third. The facility would also host

three Convertible Series events. Glenn Wood won in 1957; while Joe Weatherly won in 1958 and Joe Lee Johnson won in 1959. The track just hosted one Cup race through 1958; at which time NASCAR began bringing their premier division to the track twice a year. The last dirt track race at Richmond was in 1968. David Pearson would lead 114 of the 250 laps to beat Charlie Glotzbach by over a lap. Elmo Langley was third; 13 laps back. Richard Petty would win the first race on the new asphalt as he and Pearson battled for top honors. Pearson ended up second with Cale Yarborough third. In 1976, the race distance was reduced from 500 laps, back to 400 laps. The crowd saw a great race as some of the

guys who didn't usually have a good shot to win, mixed it up with the likes of Petty, Allison, and Yarborough. Late in the race, Lennie Pond was having a great run and leading with 52 laps to go; when he became involved in a crash and was out for the day. Richard Petty took the lead, but Dave Marcis was hot on his heals. Marcis passed Petty with eleven laps to go, and went on to take the win. It was one of only five career Cup wins for Marcis. Petty would hold on for second, while Bobby Allison, Cale Yarborough and Terry Bivins rounded out the top five. The February 1986 edition provided several memories. It had rained over night and the infield had a lot of mud right off the racing surface. No lap 321. Neil Bonnett and Rusty Wallace tangled. Dale Earnhardt

was close behind and the crash threw mud up all over his windshield. Earnhardt called car owner / crew chief Richard Childress that he had to pit because he couldn't see. With it being so late in the race; and passing was so tough; Childress told him "No, stay out". So in true Earnhardt fashion he took matters into his own hands and unbuckled himself; and while sitting on the window edge cleaned it himself as he drove around the track. (video here). Then, a restart with 70 laps to go, four drivers were waging a war to claim the win. Joe Ruttman, Earnhardt, Darrell Waltrip and Geoff Bodine were all bunched up and ready to settle it. Earnhardt passed Ruttman with 56 laps to go, and when Earnhardt opened the inside lane to make

the pass; Waltrip followed him through. Waltrip hounded Earnhardt the next 50 laps. Right on his bumper; giving him nudges, trying to loosen him up to make the pass. With three laps to go Earnhardt slipped up a little coming out of turn two and Waltrip stuck his nose in and passed Dale going down the back straight. As they entered turn three; Earnhardt hooked Waltrip in the right rear and spun him nose first into the outside wall. (video here) Earnhardt collected himself in the melee; and Ruttman and Bodine soon piled into the wreck. Kyle Patty had gotten held up in traffic on the final restart and was a ways back. He was able to pick his way through the carnage and take the lead and the win. In 1988, the track made major

renovations. Going from a flat 1/2 mile oval to a banked 3/4 mile oval. Neil Bonnett won the final race on the old surface. He edged out Ricky Rudd by just one second, with Richard Petty third and Darrell Waltrip fourth. When NASCAR returned to race on the new larger circuit, Davey Allison led 262 of the scheduled 400 laps and beat Dale Earnhardt by three seconds. Terry Labonte was third. Currently Richmond Raceway is still a 3/4 mile D-shaped, asphalt race track located just outside Richmond, VA. In 2018, the track started hosting a Cup race in the Chase playoffs. Some of Richmond's most winningest drivers are: Richard Petty (13); Bobby Allison (7); David Pearson, Darrell Waltrip, Rusty Wallace (6 each). Joe Weatherly became the tracks first back-to-back winner (1962-1963);

Fantasy NASCAR Racing

RICHMOND RACEWAY - RICHMOND VA