Porter Captures California 250‑Mile NASCAR Event at Marchbanks Speedway
Lakewood Driver Outlasts Weatherly in Heat‑Plagued Inaugural Race Before Small Crowd
HANFORD, Calif., June 12 — Marv Porter of Lakewood drove his 1960 Ford with steady precision Sunday afternoon to win the inaugural California 250‑mile NASCAR Grand National race on the new Marchbanks Speedway, finishing 46 seconds ahead of Joe Weatherly in a Chevrolet.
Porter completed the 179 laps in 2 hours, 50 minutes, 48 seconds, averaging 88.03 miles per hour on the mile‑and‑a‑half oval. His top speed down the straightaway reached 126 mph. The victory earned him $3,750 from an $18,425 purse.
A crowd of fewer than 7,000 — well below expectations for the first major stock‑car race of its kind in California — watched 33 starters battle extreme heat, mechanical failures, and a track surface that climbed to 147 degrees.
Weatherly Files Protest After Finishing Second
Weatherly, ranked 10th nationally, started 31st and made up as many as two laps during the afternoon. He moved into third place by lap 97 and eventually into second, but never caught Porter.
After the race, Weatherly protested that he had been held in the pits one lap too long during a caution period. NASCAR officials ruled the matter a judgment call and upheld the finish.
John Rostek of Colorado placed third in a Chevrolet, followed by Fritz Wilson of Denver in a 1958 Ford and Don Noel of Culver City in a 1959 Ford.
Early Leaders Fall Out
Frank Secrist, who set the fastest qualifying time Saturday, led briefly before spinning on the ninth lap. Scotty Cain took over until mechanical trouble sidelined him on lap 63.
Lloyd Dane, the state points leader, moved in front on lap 41 and held command until a thrown rod forced him out on lap 131. Mel Larson, running third at the time, broke a front wheel spindle and retired on lap 167.
Porter assumed the lead on lap 131 and was never headed.
Heat Takes Toll on Drivers and Cars
Sixteen of the 33 starters finished. Most of the withdrawals were due to mechanical failures, though several drivers cited fatigue from the heat. Lap times slowed from Saturday’s 53‑ and 54‑second qualifying speeds to 56 and 57 seconds during the race.
Rex White of Spartanburg, S.C., finished eighth and praised the new facility, predicting that more eastern drivers would attend future events.
Track Officials Pleased With Debut
Promoter B. L. Marchbanks and his son Bonnie announced plans for a possible Thanksgiving Day return of the Grand National series, along with a motorcycle championship in September and a fall sports‑car event.
NASCAR President Bill France called the track “an outstanding job” and said it had the potential to become a major West Coast venue.
Notes
- Fords led the entry list with 17 cars, followed by Mercurys, Pontiacs, Plymouths, and Chevrolets.
- Weatherly moved from 31st to second by lap 13.
- Cain reported stomach discomfort after striking the northwest wall.
- Rostek hit the northeast wall on lap 42.
- The first 20 laps averaged 92 mph, the fastest pace of the day.