Roberts Charges to Victory in Dixie 300
Late Surge Overtakes Owens; Pontiac Drivers Dominate Inaugural Event
HAMPTON, Ga., Aug. 14 — Fireball Roberts, driving a 1960 Pontiac with all the speed it could deliver, swept past Cotton Owens in the closing laps Sunday afternoon to win the first running of the Dixie 300 at the new Atlanta International Raceway. An estimated crowd of 25,000, most gathered in the infield, watched Roberts erase a large deficit and take command with 12 laps remaining.
Roberts’ average speed was 112.734 miles per hour, impressive considering seven caution periods over the 300‑mile distance. His time was 2 hours, 39 minutes, 47 seconds, and his winnings totaled $9,700.
Owens finished second in another Pontiac, followed by Jack Smith of Spartanburg and Bobby Johns of Miami, also in Pontiacs. Fred Lorenzen of Elmhurst, Ill., broke the string with a fifth‑place finish in a Ford.
Track Conditions Take Toll
The new 1½‑mile track, still lacking in traction, produced numerous tire failures and spinouts. Speedy Thompson struck the fourth‑turn guard rail on lap 108, bringing out a caution that lasted to the finish. Thompson suffered three broken ribs but was reported in good condition.
Flagman Ernie Moore of Atlanta was injured on lap 52 when struck by a flying shock connector. He was knocked unconscious and taken to a hospital, where he was reported to be recovering.
Other drivers sidelined by mishaps included Shorty Rollins, Jim Reed, Joe Weatherly, Richard Petty, and points leader Rex White.
Pit Strategy and Late Charge
Roberts made two stops for fuel and two for outside tires. Smith and Roberts both pitted under caution on lap 52. Roberts later made a 50‑second stop on lap 125, while Smith’s stop eight laps later cost him 1 minute and 40 seconds, hurting his chances.
Owens completed the race without a tire change.
Roberts nearly made an additional stop on lap 137, slowing as if to enter the pits before accelerating back onto the track. He said afterward he believed a tire was failing but decided it was sound after checking its feel at reduced speed.
Lead Changes and Final Pass
The lead changed hands 17 times. With 40 laps remaining, Roberts trailed Owens by 40 seconds. Driving faster than his qualifying speed of 133.870 mph, he gained roughly a second per lap. By lap 187 he was four seconds behind, and he overtook Owens shortly thereafter.
Weatherly, attempting to challenge the Pontiacs in a Ford, made several spirited charges but suffered three tire failures.
Tom Pistone of Chicago led briefly in a Chevrolet, but the closing laps belonged to Roberts, even though the final two circuits were run under caution.
Points Race and Local Drivers
Lee Petty finished eighth, reducing White’s points lead to 1,610. White placed 23rd.
Georgia drivers performed well. Roz Howard, returning after a long absence due to injury, finished seventh in a Chevrolet. Wilbur Rakestraw of Dallas placed tenth in a Ford, and Johnny Allen of Atlanta finished eleventh in a Chevrolet.
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Courtesy of The Atlanta Constitution August 1, 1960 via Newspapers.com