From Wiki Fireball Roberts
Well that's who I'm talking about.
And this is his ride all pimped out for the 1957 Daytona Beach Road Course.
I am assuming these pictures were taken in 1957 because of the year model of the cars. These pictures were taken by my Dad who was selling cars at that time. I have said in the past that these were from the last race on the beach, these were not, they raced again in 1958 when the beach course was closed. Dad went again in 1959 for the first race at Daytona International Speedway.
And so here's my first shot.
First question, does anyone know someone who can do custom decals?
Edward Glenn Roberts, Jr. (January 20, 1929 – July 2, 1964), nicknamed "Fireball" , was one of the pioneering race car drivers of NASCAR.
Despite having his career cut short and having never won a Grand National title, Fireball Roberts was named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers.
Other career awards he won include induction into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1990, and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1995.
On May 24, 1964, at the World 600 in Charlotte, Roberts had qualified in the eleventh position and started in the middle of the pack. On lap 7, Ned Jarrett and Junior Johnson collided and spun out and Roberts crashed trying to avoid them. Roberts' Ford slammed backward into the inside retaining wall, flipped over and burst into flames. Witnesses at the track claimed they heard Roberts screaming, "Ned, help me!" from inside his burning car after the wreck. Jarrett rushed to save Roberts as his car was engulfed by the flames. Roberts suffered second- and third-degree burns over 80 percent of his body and was airlifted to a hospital in critical condition. Although it was widely believed that Roberts had an allergic reaction to flame-retardant chemicals, he was secretly an asthmatic and the chemicals made his breathing worse.[2]
Roberts was able to survive for several weeks, and it appeared he might pull through. But Roberts' health took a turn for the worse on June 30, 1964. He contracted pneumonia and sepsis and slipped into a coma by the next day. He died on July 2, 1964.
After Roberts' death, NASCAR mandated that all drivers must wear flame retardant coveralls while on track. They also instituted the five point safety harness, and the special, contoured drivers seat, all three of which are still requirements on all NASCAR entrants.
Well that's who I'm talking about.
And this is his ride all pimped out for the 1957 Daytona Beach Road Course.
I am assuming these pictures were taken in 1957 because of the year model of the cars. These pictures were taken by my Dad who was selling cars at that time. I have said in the past that these were from the last race on the beach, these were not, they raced again in 1958 when the beach course was closed. Dad went again in 1959 for the first race at Daytona International Speedway.
And so here's my first shot.
First question, does anyone know someone who can do custom decals?