NASCAR picture

[bob40]

Interesting shot in the August 1961 issue of Hot Rod
There is coverage of the World 600 race from Charlotte.
On page 83 is the #31 '61 Lark on the inside lane
with 195HP emblazoned on the hood.In the outside
lane is a Pontiac with 368(?)HP on the hood.The caption
reads;
"Lone Studebaker racing in NASCAR competition looks
mighty small against larger Pontiac.Studes size was
matched by speed;it was much slower than most other cars."

I cannot read the drivers name.This may have been covered
before but I found it interesting.

[trnstrtrk]

The #31 Lark was driven by Gene Stokes in the 1961 World 600 at Charlotte. This car was ordered new to use as a NASCAR racer. The car was wrecked in practice at the Greenville-Pickens Speedway, Easley, SC following the Charlotte race. It was repaired and was run in two NASCAR events in 1962. Frank Sessoms of Darlington, SC raced it in Columbia, SC and Myrtle Beach, SC. This is the last Studebaker to complete a race in NASCAR Grand National (now CUP)competition. The car was owned by Leland Colvin of Darlington, SC. In speaking with Frank Sessoms a few years ago about the car etc., Frank did not know what became of it following his two races. The photo of it in Hot Rod Magazine is the only one to surface so far.

Bob Coolidge