For this weekend’s edition of A Look Back we have chosen to take a look at the race in which one of NASCAR’s biggest names scored his first career victory. After founding the Wood Brothers in 1953, Glen Wood and his team became one of the leading forces in NASCAR. Utilizing a number of talented drivers, it was not until April 18, 1960 at the Bowman Gray Stadium that owner/driver Glen Wood first visited Victory Lane.

Entering the race that day in a blue No. 16 1958 Ford Fairlane, Wood sat on the pole for the 200-lap event around the ¼-mile short track in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Starting to his outside was Jim Massey, driving the Wood Brother’s second entry, the No. 21 1959 Ford Fairlane.

From the drop of the green flag, Wood took control of the event in front of a crowd of 4,000 Hardcore Race Fans. Leading every single lap, Wood was able to hold off Rex White – who was the only other car on the lead lap. Taking the checkered flag, Glen Wood earned a cool $600 in his first victory as a driver and the first of ninety-seven wins for the Wood Brothers.

After scoring that first victory, Wood went on to sweep all three events at the historic Bowman Gray Stadium that year. Despite running only nine of the forty-four races in 1960, Wood was able to score three victories, six top-5s, seven top-10s and four poles. The Wood Brothers went on to record five wins and five poles at the Bowman Gray Stadium.

One of the most unique facilities in motorsports, the Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C. is a ¼-mile flat paved oval. What makes this short track so unique is the fact it also serves as the home of the Winston-Salem State University Rams football team.  In fact, until 1968 it was also the home field of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. NASCAR ran races at Bowman Gray Stadium from 1958 until 1971; however it is still in use today.  

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