1955 Richmond 200
Encyclopedia
The 1955 Richmond 200 was a NASCAR
Grand National (now Sprint Cup Series) race that took place on May 22, 1955 at Richmond Fairgrounds (now Richmond International Raceway) in the American
community of Richmond
, Virginia
.
won the race; beating his brother Fonty
by unrecorded amount of time. They both were driving 1955 Chrysler
300
passenger vehicles. Flock would also lead the most laps with 123 lead laps accomplished out of 200. Qualifying was rained out so they had to draw for the pole position. All twenty-eight competitors were of American origin. Jimmie Lewallen
(driving the #88 Oldsmobile
88
that belongs to the 1955 model year) finished last place because the mechanics failed to adjust the vehicle for dirt racing conditions (his record listed this reason as being stuck in the mud
). Arden Mounts
gained the pole position for being 2 miles per hour (3.2 km/h) faster than Dick Rathmann
. Henry Ford (no relation to the founder
of the Ford Motor Company
) would compete in his second final race of his one-season career during this race. Other notable racers included: Lee Petty
, Junior Johnson
, and Billy Carden
.
The average speed of the entire race is 54.298 mi/h. Since the race took place on a dirt track, speeds were generally lower than the races that took place on paved oval courses. This is due to the dirt's natural ability to slow down the stock cars; acting as a natural restrictor plate
.
* Driver failed to finish race
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Grand National (now Sprint Cup Series) race that took place on May 22, 1955 at Richmond Fairgrounds (now Richmond International Raceway) in the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
community of Richmond
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
.
Summary
Two hundred laps took place on a dirt track spanning 0.5 mile (0.80467 km). The exact time of the race was one hour, fifty minutes, and thirty seconds. Tim FlockTim Flock
Julius Timothy Flock was one of NASCAR's early pioneers, and a two time series champion. He was a brother to NASCAR's second female driver Ethel Mobley and NASCAR pioneers Bob Flock and Fonty Flock.- NASCAR career :...
won the race; beating his brother Fonty
Fonty Flock
Truman Fontello "Fonty" Flock of Fort Payne, Alabama was an early NASCAR driver.-Flock family:He was the brother of NASCAR pioneers Tim Flock and Bob Flock, and the second female NASCAR driver Ethel Mobley...
by unrecorded amount of time. They both were driving 1955 Chrysler
Chrysler
Chrysler Group LLC is a multinational automaker headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925....
300
Chrysler 300
The Chrysler 300 is a full-size upscale car first shown at the 2003 New York Auto Show as a concept car. Sales in the U.S. began in the spring of 2004 as an early 2005 model year car. Designed by Ralph Gilles, the new 300 was built as a high-end sedan while the SRT-8 model was designed to be the...
passenger vehicles. Flock would also lead the most laps with 123 lead laps accomplished out of 200. Qualifying was rained out so they had to draw for the pole position. All twenty-eight competitors were of American origin. Jimmie Lewallen
Jimmie Lewallen
Jimmie Lewallen was an American racecar driver from High Point, North Carolina, USA. He competed in NASCAR's Strictly Stock/Grand National division from its first race at Charlotte Speedway in 1949 until 1960.-Racing career:Lewallen began his racing career in motorcycles in 1934...
(driving the #88 Oldsmobile
Oldsmobile
Oldsmobile was a brand of American automobile produced for most of its existence by General Motors. It was founded by Ransom E. Olds in 1897. In its 107-year history, it produced 35.2 million cars, including at least 14 million built at its Lansing, Michigan factory...
88
Oldsmobile 88
The Oldsmobile 88 was a full-size car sold by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors and produced from 1949 until 1999. From 1950 to 1974 the 88 was the division's top-selling line, particularly the entry-level models such as the 88 and Dynamic 88...
that belongs to the 1955 model year) finished last place because the mechanics failed to adjust the vehicle for dirt racing conditions (his record listed this reason as being stuck in the mud
Mud
Mud is a mixture of water and some combination of soil, silt, and clay. Ancient mud deposits harden over geological time to form sedimentary rock such as shale or mudstone . When geological deposits of mud are formed in estuaries the resultant layers are termed bay muds...
). Arden Mounts
Arden Mounts
Enoch Arden Mounts was an American NASCAR Grand National Series driver from Gilbert, Mingo County, West Virginia. His primary vehicle was the #18 self-owned Pontiac machine; although he would occasionaly drive a Hudson vehicle on the race track.-Summary:He raced in the NASCAR Grand National Series...
gained the pole position for being 2 miles per hour (3.2 km/h) faster than Dick Rathmann
Dick Rathmann
Dick Rathmann was an American racecar driver....
. Henry Ford (no relation to the founder
Henry Ford
Henry Ford was an American industrialist, the founder of the Ford Motor Company, and sponsor of the development of the assembly line technique of mass production. His introduction of the Model T automobile revolutionized transportation and American industry...
of the Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
) would compete in his second final race of his one-season career during this race. Other notable racers included: Lee Petty
Lee Petty
Lee Arnold Petty was an American stock car driver in the 1950s and 1960s. He was one of the pioneers of NASCAR, and one of its first superstars. He was born near Randleman, North Carolina.-Career:...
, Junior Johnson
Junior Johnson
Robert Glenn Johnson, Jr. , better known as Junior Johnson, is a retired moonshiner in the rural South who became one of the early superstars of NASCAR in the 1950s and 1960s. He won 50 NASCAR races in his career before retiring in 1966...
, and Billy Carden
Billy Carden
Billy Carden was a NASCAR Grand National driver from Mableton, Georgia, USA. He was a stock car racing pioneer and an early NASCAR competitor.-History:...
.
The average speed of the entire race is 54.298 mi/h. Since the race took place on a dirt track, speeds were generally lower than the races that took place on paved oval courses. This is due to the dirt's natural ability to slow down the stock cars; acting as a natural restrictor plate
Restrictor plate
A restrictor plate or air restrictor is a device installed at the intake of an engine to limit its power. This kind of system is occasionally used in road vehicles for insurance purposes, but mainly in automobile racing, to limit top speed and thus increase safety, to provide equal level of...
.
Finishing order
- Tim Flock
- Fonty Flock
- Lee Petty
- Jim PaschalJim PaschalJames Roy "Jim" Paschal, Jr. was a NASCAR Grand National and Winston Cup driver. He won twenty-five races and twelve poles over his career. Elected to the "Stock Car Racing Hall of Fame" in 1977, he won the World 600 in 1964 and the 1967 Charlotte Motor Speedway...
- Junior Johnson
- Bob WelbornBob WelbornRobert "Bob" Joe Welborn of Denton, North Carolina, USA is a former NASCAR Grand National driver. He was named to NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers list in 1998...
- Gene Simpson
- Elmo LangleyElmo LangleyElmo Langley was a NASCAR driver and owner. Langley primarily used the number "64" on his race cars during his NASCAR career.-Racing career:...
- Volney Schulze
- George ParrishGeorge ParrishGeorge W. Parrish is a retired NASCAR Grand National driver from Henderson, North Carolina, USA.-Career summary:He has competed in 1,987 laps of NASCAR stock car racing - the equvialent of...
- Dave TerrellDave TerrellDave Terrell is a retired NASCAR Grand National driver/owner who participated from 1952 to 1957....
* - Slim Brown
- Nace Mattingly
- Johnny Roberts*
- Arden Mounts
- Eddie Skinner*
- Buck BakerBuck BakerElzie Wylie Baker Sr. , better known as Buck Baker, was an American race car driver.-Racing career:...
* - Harvey Henderson*
- Henry Ford*
- Mack Hanbury
- Billy Carden*
- Carl Krueger*
- Ken FisherKen FisherKen Fisher may refer to:* Kenneth Fisher , financial manager & journalist* Ken Fisher , American cartoonist a.k.a. Ruben Bolling* Ken Fisher, founder of Web site Ars Technica...
* - Dick Rathmann*
- Fred DoveFred DoveFred Dove was a NASCAR Grand National driver from Martinsville, Virginia, USA.He competed in 47 races from with one finish in the top-five, 12 top-ten finishes, and 3919 laps of racing experience - the equivalent of . In his entire four-year career, Dove never won a race, led a lap, or started...
* - Sonny HutchinsSonny HutchinsErnest Lloyd "Sonny" Hutchins was a stock car driver who raced in NASCAR's Grand National/Winston Cup Series from 1955 to 1974. He died in 2005.-External links:*...
* - Chick Dawson*
- Jimmie Lewallen*
* Driver failed to finish race