Glenn Dunnaway
Encyclopedia
Henry Glenn Dunaway was an American auto racer noted for initially winning, and then being disqualified from, what is today recognized as NASCAR
's first-ever race. He lived in Gastonia, North Carolina
.
after all 33 cars in the race were overheating. Chief NASCAR inspector Al Crisler disqualified Dunaway’s car because car owner Hubert Westmoreland had shored up the chassis by spreading the rear springs, a favorite bootlegger trick to improve traction and handling http://www.dailypress.com/sports/motorracing/dp-68984sy0mar17,0,4238057.story?coll=dp-auto-utility. When asked about the illegal modifications, Dunaway responded: “Just one of them deals”. http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/021598/spo_bianchi.shtml The night after the race was over, Dunaway went to Bill France's hotel room at the Alamo Plaza, told France that he knew he had won the race and France promptly gave Dunaway his winnings.http://www.gastongazette.com/sports/stewart-5146-nascar-edwards.html . Westmoreland sued NASCAR for US$
10,000 http://www.tricklefan.com/racing/cheatin.html but Greensboro, North Carolina
Judge John J. Hayes threw the case out of court, setting a legal precedent that recognized NASCAR's power to oversee its own races. Dunaway received no money, and was credited with finishing last in the 33 car field. Roper was credited with the win in NASCAR's first Strictly Stock race.
Dunaway used his own car to compete in five more events in 1949
. He finished last at the next event at the Daytona Beach Road Course
. He rebounded and finished third at Occoneechee Speedway
, ninth at Hamburg Speedway, and seventh at Martinsville Speedway
(then a half-mile dirt track). He finished ninth in the final 1949 points standings.
. He had 3 Top-10 finishes.
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...
's first-ever race. He lived in Gastonia, North Carolina
Gastonia, North Carolina
Gastonia is the largest city and county seat of Gaston County, North Carolina, United States. It is also the third largest suburb of the Charlotte Area, behind Concord and Rock Hill. The population was 71,226 as of Gastonia is the largest city and county seat of Gaston County, North Carolina,...
.
1949
Dunaway competed in NASCAR first Strictly Stock (now Sprint Cup) race on June 19, 1949. He won the race by three laps over Jim RoperJim Roper
Christian David "Jim" Roper was a NASCAR driver. He lived in Halstead, Kansas. He is most known as the winner of the first NASCAR Strictly Stock race. He was the father of Dean Roper and grandfather of the late Tony Roper.-Racing career:Roper lived at his grandfather's horse farm in Halstead...
after all 33 cars in the race were overheating. Chief NASCAR inspector Al Crisler disqualified Dunaway’s car because car owner Hubert Westmoreland had shored up the chassis by spreading the rear springs, a favorite bootlegger trick to improve traction and handling http://www.dailypress.com/sports/motorracing/dp-68984sy0mar17,0,4238057.story?coll=dp-auto-utility. When asked about the illegal modifications, Dunaway responded: “Just one of them deals”. http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/021598/spo_bianchi.shtml The night after the race was over, Dunaway went to Bill France's hotel room at the Alamo Plaza, told France that he knew he had won the race and France promptly gave Dunaway his winnings.http://www.gastongazette.com/sports/stewart-5146-nascar-edwards.html . Westmoreland sued NASCAR for US$
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
10,000 http://www.tricklefan.com/racing/cheatin.html but Greensboro, North Carolina
Greensboro, North Carolina
Greensboro is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the third-largest city by population in North Carolina and the largest city in Guilford County and the surrounding Piedmont Triad metropolitan region. According to the 2010 U.S...
Judge John J. Hayes threw the case out of court, setting a legal precedent that recognized NASCAR's power to oversee its own races. Dunaway received no money, and was credited with finishing last in the 33 car field. Roper was credited with the win in NASCAR's first Strictly Stock race.
Dunaway used his own car to compete in five more events in 1949
1949 in NASCAR
The 1949 NASCAR Strictly Stock season was the inaugural season of professional stock car racing in the United States. Beginning at Charlotte Speedway on June 19, 1949, the season included eight races and two exhibition races. The season concluded with the Wilkes 200 at North Wilkesboro Speedway on...
. He finished last at the next event at the Daytona Beach Road Course
Daytona Beach Road Course
Daytona Beach Road Course was a race track that was instrumental in the formation of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, or NASCAR. It originally became famous as the location where fifteen world land speed records were set...
. He rebounded and finished third at Occoneechee Speedway
Occoneechee Speedway
Occoneechee Speedway was one of the first two NASCAR tracks to open. It closed in 1968 and is the only dirt track remaining from the inaugural 1949 season.It is located just outside the town of Hillsborough, North Carolina.-Site history:...
, ninth at Hamburg Speedway, and seventh at Martinsville Speedway
Martinsville Speedway
Martinsville Speedway is an International Speedway Corporation-owned NASCAR stock car racing track located in Henry County, near Ridgeway, Virginia, just to the south of Martinsville. At in length, it is the shortest track in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The track was also one of the first paved...
(then a half-mile dirt track). He finished ninth in the final 1949 points standings.
1950
He competed in seven events in 1950, and had his career high second place finish at Canfield SpeedwayCanfield Speedway
- Canfield Speedway :Canfield Speedway hosted sanctioned auto racing from 1950 to 1964, but other associations ran until the late 1970s. The track is a half mile dirt oval that was on the Nascar Grand National Schedule for three years from 1950-1952 hosting one event annually over that time period...
. He had 3 Top-10 finishes.