Darlington Record Club: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Darlington raceway.svg|thumb|right|The Darlington Raceway's unconventional "egg" shape]] |
[[File:Darlington raceway.svg|thumb|right|The Darlington Raceway's unconventional "egg" shape]] |
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The '''Unocal-Darlington Record Club''' was a club in the [[NASCAR]] [[Sprint Cup Series#Strictly Stock & Grand National|Grand National]] and [[Sprint Cup Series#Winston Cup|Winston Cup Series]] from 1959 to about 2001, based at [[Darlington Raceway]]. Membership was achieved based on setting qualifying records during time trials for the annual [[Southern 500 (1950–2004)|Southern 500]] held on [[Labor Day]] weekend. During its heyday, it was considered one of the most prestigious and exclusive clubs in motorsports.<ref name="NASCAR 94">{{Cite book |
The '''Unocal-Darlington Record Club''' was a club in the [[NASCAR]] [[Sprint Cup Series#Strictly Stock & Grand National|Grand National]] and [[Sprint Cup Series#Winston Cup|Winston Cup Series]] from 1959 to about 2001, based at [[Darlington Raceway]]. Membership was achieved based on setting qualifying records during time trials for the annual [[Southern 500 (1950–2004)|(Heinz/Mountain Dew) Southern 500]] held on [[Labor Day]] weekend. During its heyday, it was considered one of the most prestigious and exclusive clubs in motorsports.<ref name="NASCAR 94">{{Cite book |
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|title=The Official NASCAR Preview and Press Guide 1994 |
|title=The Official NASCAR Preview and Press Guide 1994 |
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|publisher=UMI Publications, Inc. |
|publisher=UMI Publications, Inc. |
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|accessdate=2011-09-00}}</ref> |
|accessdate=2011-09-00}}</ref> |
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The club was sponsored by longtime NASCAR sponsor [[Unocal Corporation|Unocal/Union 76]]. Previously it was sponsored by [[Pure Oil]]. At some time after the 2001 season, the club was quietly retired. The club ended permanently when Unocal left the sport in 2003, and the |
The club was sponsored by longtime NASCAR sponsor [[Unocal Corporation|Unocal/Union 76]]. Previously it was sponsored by [[Pure Oil]]. At some time after the 2001 season, the club was quietly retired, as NASCAR made rule changes that effectively eliminated its usefulness. The club ended permanently when Unocal left the sport in 2003, and the Ferko Lawsuit ended the Record Club. |
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The original eight charter members were selected in 1959: [[Dick Joslin]] (Dodge), [[Marvin Panch]] (Ford), [[Joe Caspolich]] (Oldsmobile), [[Bob Burdick]] (Thuderbird), [[Speedy Thompson]] (Chevrolet), [[Richard Petty]] (Plymouth), [[Elmo Langley]] (Buick), and [[Fireball Roberts]] (Pontiac). Roberts was selected as the first president; Former [[Darlington Raceway]] president Bob Colvin contributed in creating the club.<ref>[http://www.legendsofnascar.com/Dick_Joslin.htm Dick Joslin Facts]</ref> |
The original eight charter members were selected in 1959: [[Dick Joslin]] (Dodge), [[Marvin Panch]] (Ford), [[Joe Caspolich]] (Oldsmobile), [[Bob Burdick]] (Thuderbird), [[Speedy Thompson]] (Chevrolet), [[Richard Petty]] (Plymouth), [[Elmo Langley]] (Buick), and [[Fireball Roberts]] (Pontiac). Roberts was selected as the first president; Former [[Darlington Raceway]] president Bob Colvin contributed in creating the club.<ref>[http://www.legendsofnascar.com/Dick_Joslin.htm Dick Joslin Facts]</ref> |
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Drivers were awarded membership in the club based on official time trials for the [[Southern 500 (1950–2004)|Southern 500]]. The fastest single driver of each car make (e.g. Chevrolet, Ford, etc.) each won the membership. The general requirements for eligibility were as follows:<ref name="NASCAR 94"/> |
Drivers were awarded membership in the club based on official time trials for the [[Southern 500 (1950–2004)|Southern 500]]. The fastest single driver of each car make (e.g. Chevrolet, Ford, etc.) each won the membership. The general requirements for eligibility were as follows:<ref name="NASCAR 94"/> |
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*Car making the qualifying attempt must be a current model year |
*Car making the qualifying attempt must be a current model year car. |
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*At least three cars from each car make must be entered for that make to have an automatic berth in the club for that year. |
*At least three cars from each car make must be entered for that make to have an automatic berth in the club for that year. |
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*The fastest single driver from each of the various car makes qualified for the club, provided their speed was within 2% of the fastest overall car in the field. |
*The fastest single driver from each of the various car makes qualified for the club, provided their speed was within 2% of the fastest overall car in the field. |
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|accessdate=2011-10-10}}</ref> a plaque and a cash award were also presented. Entry into the club was a lifetime membership, but only active members participated in actual duties. The reception dinner was held on the Friday of Labor Day weekend (two days prior to the Southern 500), and would recognize the drivers who qualified based on the previous year's event.<ref name="NASCAR 94"/><ref name="NASCAR 01"/> |
|accessdate=2011-10-10}}</ref> a plaque and a cash award were also presented. Entry into the club was a lifetime membership, but only active members participated in actual duties. The reception dinner was held on the Friday of Labor Day weekend (two days prior to the Southern 500), and would recognize the drivers who qualified based on the previous year's event.<ref name="NASCAR 94"/><ref name="NASCAR 01"/> |
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Only records set in the [[Labor Day]] weekend [[Southern 500 (1950–2004)|Southern 500]] were recognized for the club. Any records set during the spring |
Only records set in the [[Labor Day]] weekend [[Southern 500 (1950–2004)|Southern 500]] were recognized for the club. Any records set during the Rebel 500 in the spring (currently the [[Bojangles' 500]]) were not eligible. Nor were any records that might be set any support race. (Support races were not added to the Southern 500 weekend until 1983.)<ref name="NASCAR 94"/><ref name="NASCAR 01"/> |
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===Competition Board=== |
===Competition Board=== |
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Once the membership was established, the active members of the club were eligible for the annual Competition Board. All active members who qualified for the race within 2% of the fastest car in the field (later 1%) were placed on the board. The board's primary responsibilities were to assist NASCAR in training rookies for racing at each race during the season.<ref name="NASCAR 94"/><ref name="NASCAR 01"/> |
Once the membership was established, the active members of the club were eligible for the annual Competition Board. All active members who qualified for the race within 2% of the fastest car in the field (later 1%) were placed on the board. The board's primary responsibilities were to assist NASCAR in training rookies for racing at each race during the season.<ref name="NASCAR 94"/><ref name="NASCAR 01"/> |
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Once the Competition Board was established, the board members voted amongst themselves to select the Club President and Club Vice-President. Each had a tenure of one year. The president's duties primarily were to lead the rookie training, and conduct the annual Southern 500 rookie orientation meeting/test.<ref name="NASCAR 94"/><ref name="NASCAR 01"/><ref name="Rudd article"/> |
Once the Competition Board was established, the board members voted amongst themselves to select the Club President and Club Vice-President. Each had a tenure of one year. The president's duties primarily were to lead the rookie training, and conduct the annual Southern 500 rookie orientation meeting/test.<ref name="NASCAR 94"/><ref name="NASCAR 01"/><ref name="Rudd article"/> Until 1993, rookies were required to pass a special rookie orientation test (similar to the [[Indianapolis 500]]) before attempting to qualify at Darlington for either race. Likewise, they were not allowed to qualify on the first day of time trials, and were relegated to the second round only (starting 21st or lower). |
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NASCAR changed the rule in 1993 to allow first-round qualifying by rookies as the rookie panel and NASCAR both agreed drivers had gained track time at Darlington through the two 200-mile Late Model Sportsman (now Nationwide Series) races that were held at Darlington annually. <ref name="Rudd article"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1842&dat=19880326&id=-mYeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=qsgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4202,4286845|title=Martin paces 2nd day of qualifying|date=March 26, 1988|work=Times Daily Tennessee Edition|location=Florence, AL|accessdate=2011-10-07}}</ref> |
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==Record Club by car make== |
==Record Club by car make== |
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|1964||[[J. T. Putney]] ||126.840 |
|1964||[[J. T. Putney]] ||126.840 |
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|1965||[[Jim |
|1965||[[Jim Paschal]] ||134.739 |
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|1966||[[Bobby Johns]] ||135.989 |
|1966||[[Bobby Johns]] ||135.989 |
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{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" |
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" |
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!colspan=3|[[Ford Thunderbird (second generation)|Ford Thunderbird]] |
!colspan=3|[[Ford Thunderbird (second generation)|Ford Thunderbird]] <BR>''NOTE: The Thunderbird was declared a separate car from Ford for purposes of the Record Club in the early years.'' |
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!Year |
!Year |
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Revision as of 21:30, 10 September 2012
The Unocal-Darlington Record Club was a club in the NASCAR Grand National and Winston Cup Series from 1959 to about 2001, based at Darlington Raceway. Membership was achieved based on setting qualifying records during time trials for the annual (Heinz/Mountain Dew) Southern 500 held on Labor Day weekend. During its heyday, it was considered one of the most prestigious and exclusive clubs in motorsports.[1][2][3]
The club was sponsored by longtime NASCAR sponsor Unocal/Union 76. Previously it was sponsored by Pure Oil. At some time after the 2001 season, the club was quietly retired, as NASCAR made rule changes that effectively eliminated its usefulness. The club ended permanently when Unocal left the sport in 2003, and the Ferko Lawsuit ended the Record Club.
The original eight charter members were selected in 1959: Dick Joslin (Dodge), Marvin Panch (Ford), Joe Caspolich (Oldsmobile), Bob Burdick (Thuderbird), Speedy Thompson (Chevrolet), Richard Petty (Plymouth), Elmo Langley (Buick), and Fireball Roberts (Pontiac). Roberts was selected as the first president; Former Darlington Raceway president Bob Colvin contributed in creating the club.[4]
Membership qualifications
Drivers were awarded membership in the club based on official time trials for the Southern 500. The fastest single driver of each car make (e.g. Chevrolet, Ford, etc.) each won the membership. The general requirements for eligibility were as follows:[1]
- Car making the qualifying attempt must be a current model year car.
- At least three cars from each car make must be entered for that make to have an automatic berth in the club for that year.
- The fastest single driver from each of the various car makes qualified for the club, provided their speed was within 2% of the fastest overall car in the field.
Special provisions were made for other cars:[1]
- If only one car from a particular make is entered, that driver was only eligible if he set a track record for that car make; and was within 2% of the fastest overall car in the field (i.e., the pole position winner for the race)
- If the car was not a current model year chassis, that driver was only eligible if he was the overall fastest driver for that make (i.e., faster than all the current model year chassis of that same make); and he was within 2% of the fastest overall car in the field.
By 2000, the "within 2%" rule was tightened to "within 1%."[2]
Drivers who qualified for the club attended a special dinner and reception and received a special blue blazer. Drivers who entered the club by setting an overall Darlington track record, however, received the more prestigious white blazer. A ring,[5] a plaque and a cash award were also presented. Entry into the club was a lifetime membership, but only active members participated in actual duties. The reception dinner was held on the Friday of Labor Day weekend (two days prior to the Southern 500), and would recognize the drivers who qualified based on the previous year's event.[1][2]
Only records set in the Labor Day weekend Southern 500 were recognized for the club. Any records set during the Rebel 500 in the spring (currently the Bojangles' 500) were not eligible. Nor were any records that might be set any support race. (Support races were not added to the Southern 500 weekend until 1983.)[1][2]
Competition Board
Once the membership was established, the active members of the club were eligible for the annual Competition Board. All active members who qualified for the race within 2% of the fastest car in the field (later 1%) were placed on the board. The board's primary responsibilities were to assist NASCAR in training rookies for racing at each race during the season.[1][2]
Once the Competition Board was established, the board members voted amongst themselves to select the Club President and Club Vice-President. Each had a tenure of one year. The president's duties primarily were to lead the rookie training, and conduct the annual Southern 500 rookie orientation meeting/test.[1][2][3] Until 1993, rookies were required to pass a special rookie orientation test (similar to the Indianapolis 500) before attempting to qualify at Darlington for either race. Likewise, they were not allowed to qualify on the first day of time trials, and were relegated to the second round only (starting 21st or lower).
NASCAR changed the rule in 1993 to allow first-round qualifying by rookies as the rookie panel and NASCAR both agreed drivers had gained track time at Darlington through the two 200-mile Late Model Sportsman (now Nationwide Series) races that were held at Darlington annually. [3][6]
Record Club by car make
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Note that in 1959 & 1960, the Ford Thunderbird was categorized separately from Ford.
Alphabetical member list
Bold indicates track record member (white blazer)
Note: Kenny Irwin, Jr. qualified for the club after winning the pole position with a new track record in the 1999 Pepsi Southern 500. However, he was killed in a crash at Loudon on July 7, 2000, prior to his induction ceremony dinner.
One of the award plaques presented to Bobby Allison was featured on the television program American Pickers. It was acquired for display at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.[8]
Club presidents
Tenure runs for 12 months, from September to September of each year.
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See also
Sources
- The Official NASCAR Preview and Press Guide, 1994 & 2001 edition
- Rookies get scoop on each track from veteran Rudd, August 31, 2000
- Brooks, Allison, Tyner To Be Inducted Into Record Club
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i The Official NASCAR Preview and Press Guide 1994. Charlotte: UMI Publications, Inc. 1994.
- ^ a b c d e f g h The Official NASCAR Preview and Press Guide 2001. Charlotte: UMI Publications, Inc. 2001.
- ^ a b c d Rudd, Ricky (2003-08-27). "Manic Monday". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2011-09-00.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ Dick Joslin Facts
- ^ "Pure Record Club Members". FireballRoberts.com. Retrieved 2011-10-10.
- ^ "Martin paces 2nd day of qualifying". Times Daily Tennessee Edition. Florence, AL. March 26, 1988. Retrieved 2011-10-07.
- ^ Racing-Reference.info - Race Results at Darlington Raceway
- ^ "NASCAR Challenge". Season 2. 2011-04-11. History Channel.
{{cite episode}}: Missing or empty|series=(help); Unknown parameter|episodelink=ignored (|episode-link=suggested) (help)