Blackie Pitt
Encyclopedia
William H. "Blackie" Pitt (March 18, 1925 – March 28, 1992) is a NASCAR Grand National Series born in the American
town of Rocky Mount
, North Carolina
. He is best known as the 1954 NASCAR Rookie of the Year
.
racing in a 1955 Ford Fairlane which was owned by his brother W.W. "Brownie" Pitt. In addition to this, Pitt contributed nineteen finishes in the top ten and accumulated 6222.1 miles (10,013.5 km) of stock car racing experience (which is the equivalent to 9,326 laps). His total career earnings is considered to be $5,619 ($ in today's money). Pitt was the recipient of the 1954 NASCAR Rookie of the Year
award although he never received an official trophy
.
Pitt was awarded an additional $50 ($ in today's money) when Joe Weatherly
and Jim Reed
were disqualified at the end of the untitled race at Palm Beach Speedway in West Palm Beach
, Florida
. The money came from a Mrs. Gail John Bruner using her Wachovia Bank and Trust Company
bank account to access the funds.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
town of Rocky Mount
Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Rocky Mount is an All-America City Award-winning city in Edgecombe and Nash counties in the coastal plains of the state of North Carolina. Although it was not formally incorporated until February 28, 1867, the North Carolina community that became the city of Rocky Mount dates from the beginning of...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. He is best known as the 1954 NASCAR Rookie of the Year
NASCAR Rookie of the Year
The NASCAR Rookie of the Year Award is presented to the first-year driver that has the best season in a NASCAR season. Each of NASCAR's national and regional touring series selects a RotY winner each year....
.
Career
Pitt raced from 1954 to 1958 and competed in 81 races in his four-year NASCAR career. Pitt was a participant at the 1955 Southern 5001955 Southern 500
The 1955 Southern 500 was a NASCAR Grand National racing event that took place on September 5, 1955 at the Darlington Raceway in the American community of Darlington, South Carolina. This race officially spanned on a paved oval track...
racing in a 1955 Ford Fairlane which was owned by his brother W.W. "Brownie" Pitt. In addition to this, Pitt contributed nineteen finishes in the top ten and accumulated 6222.1 miles (10,013.5 km) of stock car racing experience (which is the equivalent to 9,326 laps). His total career earnings is considered to be $5,619 ($ in today's money). Pitt was the recipient of the 1954 NASCAR Rookie of the Year
NASCAR Rookie of the Year
The NASCAR Rookie of the Year Award is presented to the first-year driver that has the best season in a NASCAR season. Each of NASCAR's national and regional touring series selects a RotY winner each year....
award although he never received an official trophy
Trophy
A trophy is a reward for a specific achievement, and serves as recognition or evidence of merit. Trophies are most often awarded for sporting events, from youth sports to professional level athletics...
.
Pitt was awarded an additional $50 ($ in today's money) when Joe Weatherly
Joe Weatherly
Joseph "Joe" Weatherly was a two-time NASCAR championship driver. Weatherly was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2009 after winning NASCAR's Grand National championships in 1962 and 1963, three A.M.A...
and Jim Reed
Jim Reed (racer)
Jim Reed is a retired NASCAR Grand National driver.-Summary:From 1951 to 1963, Reed has raced 16299 laps - the equivalent of . His total career earnings is $16,299 . Reed's biggest win came in the 1959 Southern 500 driving a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air...
were disqualified at the end of the untitled race at Palm Beach Speedway in West Palm Beach
West Palm Beach, Florida
West Palm Beach, is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and is the most populous city in and county seat of Palm Beach County, the third most populous county in Florida with a 2010 population of 1,320,134. The city is also the oldest incorporated municipality in South Florida...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. The money came from a Mrs. Gail John Bruner using her Wachovia Bank and Trust Company
Wachovia
Wachovia was a diversified financial services company based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Before its acquisition by Wells Fargo in 2008, Wachovia was the fourth-largest bank holding company in the United States based on total assets...
bank account to access the funds.