Neil Castles
Encyclopedia
Neil "Soapy" Castles is a retired NASCAR
Grand National and Winston Cup Series driver that participate from 1957 to 1976.
where Richard Petty won the first major race done under the sponsorship of the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company who were responsible for producing the then-popular Winston
brand of cigarettes. Even though he failed to win a race in his entire career (which ended up spanning nineteen years), Castles has recorded an astonishing 51 finishes in the top five and 178 finishes in the top ten. Out of 90403 laps, Neil has led 90 of them (compared to Jeff Gordon
's record of 21000+ laps led so far in his career). His total mileage in his career is 65412.8 miles (105,271.4 km) more than the entire distance around the world.
There was a short story done about Neil Castles from the book American Zoom by Peter Golenbeck. Neil Castles was an also-ran of the old days who once found himself having an uncharacteristically good day. He had lapped Curtis Turner, but the flagman apparently did not believe it, for he kept giving Castles the move-over flag to let Turner around him. As Castles told the story: "The starter kept doing this, and I was getting real mad, so I just picked up my gun and when I come by the stand the next time I took aim and shot that flag out of his hand."
After the end of his career, Neil Castles has managed to earn $276,854 in total winnings ($ in today's money).
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 and Winston Cup Series driver that participate from 1957 to 1976.
History
He competed in the 1971 Daytona 5001971 Daytona 500
The 1971 Daytona 500 was a NASCAR Winston Cup Series event held on February 14, 1971 at the Daytona International Speedway spanning on a paved oval track. All of the racing action commenced during daytime hours and ended prior to dusk since there was no lighting available until at least the 1998...
where Richard Petty won the first major race done under the sponsorship of the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company who were responsible for producing the then-popular Winston
Winston (cigarette)
Winston cigarettes are manufactured by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company or its newer incarnation as RJR Nabisco and/or its affiliates.The brand was introduced in 1954, and became the best-selling brand of cigarettes in the United States...
brand of cigarettes. Even though he failed to win a race in his entire career (which ended up spanning nineteen years), Castles has recorded an astonishing 51 finishes in the top five and 178 finishes in the top ten. Out of 90403 laps, Neil has led 90 of them (compared to Jeff Gordon
Jeff Gordon
Jeffery Michael "Jeff" Gordon is a professional NASCAR driver. He is the driver of the #24 Drive to End Hunger/DuPont/Pepsi Chevrolet Impala. He is a four-time Sprint Cup Series champion and a three-time Daytona 500 winner. He is third on the all-time wins list, with 85 career wins, and has the...
's record of 21000+ laps led so far in his career). His total mileage in his career is 65412.8 miles (105,271.4 km) more than the entire distance around the world.
There was a short story done about Neil Castles from the book American Zoom by Peter Golenbeck. Neil Castles was an also-ran of the old days who once found himself having an uncharacteristically good day. He had lapped Curtis Turner, but the flagman apparently did not believe it, for he kept giving Castles the move-over flag to let Turner around him. As Castles told the story: "The starter kept doing this, and I was getting real mad, so I just picked up my gun and when I come by the stand the next time I took aim and shot that flag out of his hand."
After the end of his career, Neil Castles has managed to earn $276,854 in total winnings ($ in today's money).
Web
Book
- AMERICAN ZOOM by Peter Golenbock