NASCAR’s “Superspeedway Era” Wasn’t Much At First

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NASCAR’s “Superspeedway Era” Wasn’t Much At First

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By the end of July 1960 what was eventually called NASCAR’s “Superspeedway Era” had already made its debut - with decidedly mixed reviews.

That season, three tracks of 1.4 miles or greater in distance became part of the Grand National schedule and joined the two existing big tracks, Darlington Raceway and Daytona International Speedway.

It was a significant occurrence for NASCAR, which, throughout most of its existence, had mostly conducted its races on tracks of half-mile, or slightly larger, both dirt and asphalt.

From 1949-1958, 381 Grand National races had been run, 293 of them on dirt tracks a mile or less in distance.

Obviously the sport had been born and bred on such speedways.

There were exceptions of course. Darlington, a 1.375-mile speedway at the time, ran its first Southern 500 in 1950 and it was still on the schedule a decade later, joined by the Rebel 300.

Raleigh Speedway was a one-mile banked paved oval that joined NASCAR in 1953 but did not survive past 1958.

Memphis-Arkansas Speedway, a huge 1.5-mile banked dirt track, lasted just three years, from 1954-57.

Lakewood Speedway near Atlanta was a notorious one-mile dirt track that was a playground for many of NASCAR’s pioneer drivers. However, it was no longer a part of the Grand National schedule after 1959.

It was in ’59 that the first Daytona 500 was held which meant that 2.5-mile Daytona and Darlington were the only two remaining superspeedways on the Grand National schedule as the decade of the ‘60s began.

Many racing purists thought even that number was too many. It was their belief that NASCAR needed to stick to its heritage else it would wilt and die.

Bill France Sr., NASCAR’s founder, wasn’t buying the argument. It was his belief that the superspeedways produced high-speed, exciting racing and provided fans with comfort and amenities most of the bull rings had simply ignored.

So France was pleased when three superspeedways joined the Grand National circuit in 1960. Doesn’t sound like many but it was enough for some observers to declare NASCAR was in the midst of a “superspeedway boom.”

Charlotte Motor Speedway, Atlanta International Raceway and a track with the unlikely name of Marchbanks Speedway all staged races in 1960.

Two of them were fortunate to make it. Charlotte and Atlanta experienced financial and construction problems so great that their original debut dates had to be pushed back several months.

Charlotte, the brainchild of Bruton Smith and superstar driver Curtis Turner, was the most ambitious of the lot.

Smith and Turner, as befits their bravado, wanted Charlotte to have the longest and most grueling race on the Grand National circuit. They came up with a 600-mile event to be known as the World 600.

However, they had to get the 1.5-mile track built. The two encountered all manner of problems, particularly in construction, and were virtually out of money well before the race’s planned date of May 29.

The event was pushed back to June 19 so that pavement could be completed. It was on the morning of the race – well, completed maybe but not nearly suitable for racing.

The asphalt had not had time to settle and the cars tore huge holes in the track. Patchwork was done daily but the drivers still complained, knowing it would not hold up for 600 miles with 60 cars in the race.

They were right, of course. Chunks of rock and other debris flew everywhere. Teams attempted to avoid the worst by putting screens over the grill and windshield of their cars to keep stuff out of their radiators and elsewhere.

Somehow Joe Lee Johnson managed to avoid the chuck holes and went on to win the inaugural World 600 after Jack Smith, who at one point led Johnson by five laps, was sidelined when flying debris tore a hole in his fuel tank.

Atlanta was supposed to run its first Dixie 300 in November of 1959 but construction delays and a weak cash flow threatened the facility for over eight months.

Finally, finishing touches were put on the track on the week of the race, just as it was at Charlotte. There was not a blade of grass in the place and tents were used as shelter in the garage area.

Nevertheless, the Dixie 300 took place and was held on a truly unique Atlanta layout. The speedway was 1.5-miles in distance but had wide, sweeping turns which accounted for a mile of its length.

Fireball Roberts won the race when he shot past Cotton Owens with just 12 laps remaining.

But perhaps the most unusual of the superspeedways that came along with 1960 – and one probably best remembered by racing historians - was Marchbanks, located in Hanford, Calif.

B.L. Marchbanks, a self-titled sportsman who, obviously, named the track after himself, supervised construction.

Marchbanks, the track, had been part of NASCAR since 1951 but, now at 1.4-miles, it was going to be something new. Its first race was set for June 12, ahead of Charlotte and Atlanta, and, at 250 miles, was publicized as the biggest race west of the Mississippi.

Well, drivers and fans didn’t think so. Many of the top Grand National stars didn’t make the trip to California, thinking the first-place prize of $2,000 from a $17,425 purse would hardly cover expenses.

Rex White, however, snuck out to California. He finished eighth and earned 456 points, which helped carry him to the 1960 Grand National championship.

Marvin Porter, a Californian, won the race competing against mostly drivers from what was then known as the Pacific Coast Late Model circuit.

As for the fans, Marchbanks might have been something new but they could not have been less interested. Only 7,000 of them showed up for the races, largely because of the 104-degree heat.

It was pretty much the same thing at Marchbanks in 1961. This time the race was held on March 12 but still paid only $2,000 to win.

What makes Marchbanks a part of NASCAR lore is that the 1961 race was won by Fireball Roberts, who led all 178 laps and became the first driver in NASCAR history to lead the entire distance on a superspeedway.

After 1961, Marchbanks was no longer on the Grand National schedule. Charlotte and Atlanta, however, survived after many problems and upheavals.

They were among the first of the “superspeedway boom” that, obviously, continued in NASCAR well beyond 1960. 

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