NASCAR Race Legend - Curtis Turner

Curtis Turner was one of NASCAR's early drivers. Hepartying. Sometimes he would show up at the track
was wide open and fearless and many saw him asafter a hard night of partying without a wink of
one of the best of all time. He was born in Floydsleep-but that didn't seem to affect his driving. He
County, Virginia in the middle of the bootlegging era,accomplished several records during his time in racing.
so it was natural for him to become a part of it.In 1950 he was the first driver to win a race by two
A familiar story, Curtis learned to drive before helaps after leading every lap of the race.
was ever old enough to have a license and startedAt Weaverville in 1956, the race was red flagged
exporting moonshine early. He became quite a legendafter every car had wrecked or broken-except
at it and is known for the talent he developed whileCurtis Turner's. He won by default. He also beat out
driving 'shine. He once lined up several jars ofthe pole sitter Speedy Thompson at the Southern
moonshine on a remote road in the hills of Virginia,500, winning by two laps. In qualifying for the
and proceeded to maneuver a Cadillac betweenDaytona 500 in 1967, Curtis became the first to
them. He slid the car backward and was able to do abreak the 180 mph speed barrier with a speed of
180 between them without knocking even one over.180.831 mph.
This move became known as the "Bootlegger Turn".Curtis Turner's driving career came to an end while
Curtis then got out of the car and drawled: "It washe was driving for Smokey Yunick and suffered a
easy. I couldn't waste all the good liquor".hard wreck at Atlanta. It was a horrific crash and
From the very beginning, Curtis Turner showed offCurtis was badly shaken, but not seriously hurt.
his talent no matter what vehicle he happened to beSmokey however couldn't bear the thought of what
in. He'd drive the family car, work truck, or anmight have happened. He withdrew his Chevrolet
airplane-it didn't matter to him. His real racing careerentry immediately leaving Curtis without a ride. "I'm
began in 1946 when he entered a race on a smallnot going to build the car that Curtis Turner gets
track in Mount Airy, NC. He finished 18th out of 18killed in," Smokey said.
drivers, but that didn't deter him. He turned rightCurtis wasn't only a success on the racetrack, but he
around and entered another race and won first place.also made a fortune in buying and selling timberlands.
He had begun the business of becoming the best dirtIn 1959 he found a piece of property near Charlotte,
track driver of all time. In the early 50's, TurnerNC and came up with a scheme to build a racetrack.
began driving for Oldsmobile and gained the nicknameHe spent almost every penny he had to start
the "Blond Blizzard of Virginia". A few years later, heCharlotte Motor Speedway (now Lowe's) but was
switched to Ford and became known as "Pops"edged out by his investors shortly after the track
because of his amazing ability to 'pop' drivers in theopened. Left with no money and no racetrack, Curtis
back and out of his way. He was the first NASCARhit rock bottom. He had been banned from NASCAR
driver appearing on the cover of Sports Illustratedearlier after trying to organize a union and even
with the caption: "The Babe Ruth of Stock Carthough he was later allowed to return to the track,
Racing".he only came out of retirement now and then to
Curtis never ran a full schedule so he never won arace when the price was right. He had planned to
Cup Championship, but his aggressive driving stylerace in the National 500 at Charlotte in 1970, but his
and determination made him famous none the less.plane crashed on a mountainside in Pennsylvania, killing
He also became known for his love of drinking andCurtis and a passenger.