Today In NASCAR History

 

1961: Jim Paschal benefits from Richard Petty’s engine misfortune in the later stages to win the Nashville 500 at the half-mile Nashville Speedway fairgrounds track. Paschal took over in the 363rd lap after Petty — who had led all the way to that point — retired with engine failure. The High Point, N.C., native remained in front until the race was halted by rain after 403 laps. Ned Jarrett, the only other driver on the lead lap, finished second with Johnny Allen two laps down in third.

Greg Engle
About Greg Engle 7421 Articles
Greg is a published award winning sportswriter who spent 23 years combined active and active reserve military service, much of that in and around the Special Operations community. Greg is the author of "The Nuts and Bolts of NASCAR: The Definitive Viewers' Guide to Big-Time Stock Car Auto Racing" and has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.