May 21 - This day in Petty history - part 1

1961 - Richard Petty wins a 100-mile qualifying race for the World 600. Ralph Earnhardt finishes second.

1961 was the only year the twin qualifying races were used to set the lineup for the 600. As with the qualifying races used for Daytona 500 from 1959 through the early 1970s, the 1961 Charlotte qualifiers counted as regular wins. Petty's victory was his fifth career and first superspeedway win.

Source: Motor Race Programme Covers

Petty's win in the qualifying race put him on the pole for the main event, the World 600. The 43 puked a motor and finished 30th. It was the second dismal 600 in a row for Petty. He, his father Lee, and a few other drivers were disqualified by NASCAR in the inaugural World 600 one year earlier, and Richard was credited with a 42nd place finish in that event.

Photo and article courtesy of Jerry Bushmire

TMC