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would compete in one spot. These Junior “Straight-from-prison” Johnson To be clear, there was nothing illegal
Appalachian men were making money proved quickly that he was a force. about NASCAR or the sports itself, but
illegally though moonshine and gam- Sure, the Flock brothers were not bad, claiming some of its early drivers were
bling; they could make that money but they were no Junior Johnson. Like not outlaws is simply incorrect.
legally if drivers and track owners would a great coach in football or basketball,
only cooperate. Johnson’s tree – drivers he influenced The first NASCAR stock race was
and helped – include the likes of Darrell held at Charlotte Speedway, a short
In 1948, Big Bill delivered that! NASCAR Waltrip and Cale Yarborough. three-quarters-of-a-mile track, Carl
and a need for speed and wind in the Allison owned. Bob Flock won the pole.
face was born. Early promoters and track owners were Unsurprisingly, Flock was a moonshiner
involved in moonshining too. After the himself.
Moonshining outlaws were about to race, quick sleight of hand allowed fans
meet the professionals. Local pride was to pick up their rye whiskey. There is a legend about Flock. Revenue
big, and France wondered how many agents caught wind that Flock would
people would be interested to come see Those early promoters and owners in- be running a race in Atlanta. When he
their local outlaw take on the outlaw hibited some racers from running at cer- drove onto the track for the beginning
from the next town over and the so- tain tracks. Bill France ended that sepa- of the race, police vehicles swarmed,
called professional from Florida. ration as he started to promote races in and Flock took off. One lap. Two laps.
the Virginias as well as at Daytona. He Through the fence.
Tripping whiskey was an ego-sport. So brought the bootlegging drivers because
was racing. That’s why the two went so they trusted Big Bill. They knew him The quick-witted Alabama boy joked he
well together. You could not tell anyone personally, and a personal bond was big would have won the race if the cops had
they were not the best driver: you had for a man whose livelihood depended not intervened. He eventually ran out of
to show them you – or someone else – on selling illegal product. gas and was arrested.
was better.

256 THE OFFICIAL NASCAR 2019 PREVIEW & PRESS GUIDE