![]() ![]() On the other hand, NASCAR held that the Daytona 500, as a Federation Intemationale de l’Automobile “Full International” race open to all F1A members, was open to all USAC drivers who also belonged to the international sanctioning body. USAC’s position was that France was simply trying to increase his gate receipts by featuring its renowned drivers such as 1960 Indianapolis 500 victor Jim Rathmann. In January, the sanctioning body behind the Indianapolis 500 banned its top drivers from participating in the Daytona 500 despite France’s invitation. While the turmoil inflicted by the FPA’s attempt to unionize NASCAR was unwanted, it did place NASCAR and its rival, the United States Auto Club, on the same side for the first time. In January of 1962, NSSN reported Turner quit the FPA to concentrate on promoting Midwest Ass’n of Race Cars events. Although he claimed a majority of Grand National drivers had signed applications for union membership, Turner’s efforts failed to gain overt support in the ranks of NASCAR drivers and mechanics. In the final months of 1961, he filed a legal suit against the sanctioning body for $200,000 in damages and sought an injunction to prohibit NASCAR from banning drivers who belonged to the FPA. ![]() Roberts’ return to NASCAR did not dissuade Turner, who also sought to introduce parimutuel betting into automobile racing. “If this happened there might be a lot of individuals who would be hurt very badly … I feel if I do anything to hurt the least man in racing, I will be doing a disservice to my fellow drivers-and I’ll have no part of it.” “The Teamsters people have implied that to force this issue there might be injunctions and litigations which might disrupt all racing,” he stated in the Aug. He won just one race, but finished in the top 10 in 34 of the 46 races he ran, with an average finish of 8.1. Ned Jarrett won the NASCAR Cup championship by being incredibly consistent during the season. 10-16) when he considered his stand’s effect on other drivers. Only Roberts was reinstated later the same week (Aug. “I am barring union members from races to protect the drivers who do not sign up (from physical harm).”įrance immediately suspended top drivers Turner, Roberts and Tim Flock for participating in organization of the union. “No known teamster members can compete in a NASCAR race, and if this isn’t tough, I’ll use a pistol to enforce it,” he threatened. ![]() Not surprisingly, Bill France’s reaction to the union’s attempt to organize NASCAR drivers and mechanics was quick and severe. The 16-time Grand National victor further detailed the FPA’s demands, which included a pension fund for the drivers, death benefits for families of fatally injured drivers, health benefits and a scholarship fund for children of deceased NASCAR members.Ī procedure for driver complaints and improvements in safety conditions were also proposed in the open letter Turner addressed to all drivers. Turner felt drivers should receive 40 percent of the track’s time-trial profits from admission in addition to the race prizes. He wrote that while purses had risen at NASCAR events, drivers were expected to spend more pre-race time at the tracks for practice and qualifying, thus increasing their labor and materials costs and diminishing the larger winnings. Turner, who resigned in July as president of the financially troubled Charlotte Motor Speedway, explained why he sought to unionize NASCAR drivers and mechanics into the Teamsters Union-affiliated Federation of Professional Athletes in the following week’s edition of NSSN. The purpose was to form a union of all professional drivers,” reported the Aug. ![]() “Quietly and without fanfare, well-known race drivers, headed by Curtis Turner and “Fireball” Roberts met in Chicago last week with representatives of the Jimmy Hoffa-controlled Teamsters Union. As a result, we will bring you Part 14 of a 75-part series on the history of NASCAR as told in the pages of National Speed Sport News and SPEED SPORT Magazine. SPEED SPORT was founded in 1934 and was already on its way to becoming America’s Motorsports Authority when NASCAR was formed. Editor’s Note: NASCAR is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2023. ![]()
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