Charlie
Glotzbach (left) and Friday Hassler flank Ms. Volunteer 500 after the duo
teamed up to win the Volunteer 500 at Bristol.
Bristol, Tenn. (July 11, 1971) – Stand up and cheer for Chevrolet!
And that’s what a crowd of 20,000 did Sunday at Bristol International Speedway as the Chargin’ Charlie Glotzbach’s, Friday Hassler-driven 1971 Chevrolet rolled into victory circle after a three-lap victory over Bobby Allison’s 1970 Ford in the 11th running of the Volunteer 500.
Not all the crowd, of course, was for Chevy, since the Petty fans and the Allison fans were abundant in numbers, but everyone appreciated the uphill climb by Chevrolet, which hadn’t won a Grand National race on the circuit since 1967 since Bobby Allison wheeled a Chevy to victory in a race in Islip, N.Y.
Hassler, who took over for Glotzbach right after Charlie took the lead for keeps on lap 367, teamed with Charlie to break the Volunteer 500 record b more than 15 miles per hour and the track mark by more than eight in the 500-lapper that produced not a single caution flag.
The race only consumed 2 hours, 38 minutes, and 12 seconds.
The Junior Johnson-prepared Chevrolet wasn’t the only car on the track getting a relief driver. Car after car pulled into the pits to get help on the hot Bristol paved oval which had temperatures of 120 degrees.
Relief drivers were so numerous, in fact, that at one time G.C. Spencer of Bluff City, driving for James Hylton, was seen coming up from behind Bobby Allison’s car which was being driven by – guess who? – Hylton.
Spencer, who started in sixth position, finished 24th after experiencing distributor trouble at the 59th lap.
Dr. Don Tarr of Johnson City had pulled his car into the top-10 before having to pull his car behind the wall for major work under the hood on lap 280. Dr. Tarr lost 40 laps in the pits but got back onto the track and lasted an additional 20 circuits before pulling in for good.
The average speed for the race was 99.926 miles per hour. The record was 91.704 set by David Pearson in March of this year in the Southeastern 500. The Volunteer 500 record was 84.880 set by Bobby Allison in July 1970.
“I never did get hot,” Glotzbach said after the race, but he said his neck started hurting at the midway point and he knew he’d have to get some relief. “I was just glad to be around to help Charlie out,” the 36-year-old Hassler, of Chattanooga, said, as he and Glotzbach appeared with Junior Johnson in the press box for the post-race interview.
Hassler’s 1970 Chevy had a front right wheel bearing bust and left after 104 laps. Car owner Johnson had his own troubles as well. While pouring gasoline into the car, he got some in his eyes.
Glotzbach and Hassler drove a smooth race, but Glotzbach said he saw what looked like pebbles being tossed onto the track and they bothered him some. “Probably some Petty fans,” he quipped.
Glotzbach collected $5,625 for first place while Allison picked up $3,925 for second. Richard Petty, six laps behind at the finish, earned $2,575.
Results –
1. Charlie Glotzbach, Georgetown, Ind.
2. Bobby Allison, Hueytown, Ala.
3. Richard Petty, Randleman, N.C.
4. Cecil Gordon, Arden, N.C.
5. James Hylton, Inman, S.C.
6. Elmo Langley, Charlotte, N.C.
7. Charlie Roberts, Anniston, Ala.
8. Bill Champion, Norfolk, Va.
9. J.D. McDuffie, Sanford, N.C.
10.Jabe Thomas, Christiansburg, Va.
No comments:
Post a Comment