Lucky sevens? July 7 has certainly been a lucky day for some drivers over the years. Here is a look at some of the notable memories from this date in racing history.
1940 - Before there was NASCAR, Bill France had a helmet and a passion. France won a 50-lap race on this date in 1940 on the beach in Daytona just a few years after the land speed record attempts stopped on the beach. France helped run these events before World War II put racing on the back burner for a few seasons. They came back strong in the late 40s and NASCAR was born. We know the rest of the story.
1962 - In theme with the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour being at Wall Stadium (NJ) this weekend, we look back to 1962 when Jack Hart won a 300-lap race tagged the Garden State Classic at the same venue. Elton Hildreth was second and Bill Birge was third. Tommie Elliott finished 12th in this race, but was the only NASCAR Modified repeat winner that season at Wall Stadium among the seven sanctioned races they hosted.
THE THIRD TURN: 1962 Garden State Classic at Wall Stadium Speedway
1972 - Jimmy Means was the victor on this day in 1972 at Birmingham Int’l Raceway (AL). We think it’s cool to look back and see a driver like Means have a victory because he ran 455 NASCAR Cup races with no wins. Means won at least one race over the next four seasons chasing NASCAR Late Model points.
1985 - Dave Dion wins the Oxford 250 for the second time in his career. On this day in 1985, Dion took the lead from Joey Kourafus on the final lap. Kourafas got tangled up with a lap car allowing Dion to lead the final lap for the win. Dion first took the 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway (ME) back in 1975 and would become the race's first three-time winner in 1992.
THE THIRD TURN: 1985 Oxford 250 at Oxford Plains Speedway
1990 - Back in 1990, Dale Earnhardt wins the Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway (FL). Many people remember this race was marred by a huge crash that took out half the field at the end of the first lap. Only nine cars finished on the lead lap and Earnhardt led 127 of the 160 laps to sail away to a victory. It was also the same weekend that Darrell Waltrip broke his leg in a practice crash.
THE THIRD TURN: 1990 Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway
2000 - Greg Marlowe scored a big win in the ARA Late Model Stock Car Series back in 2000. The victory on this day came at Tri-County Speedway (NC). Marlowe bested Stephen Leicht and Tommy Pistone. Leicht was 13 years old at the time and had a good season, but Marlowe’s 12 top-five runs and 15 top-10 runs were no match for anyone else in the field. The series closed after the 2001 season.
THE THIRD TURN: 2000 ARA Late Model Stock All-Star Tour at Tri-County Speedway
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