Tuesday, February 13, 2024

1971 – Farmer Sheds Bridesmaid Role; Wins Permatex 300


Red Farmer gives his trophy a smooch after winning the Permatex 300 at Daytona. 



Daytona, Fla. (February 13, 1971) – Old timer Red Farmer bulled a smoking Ford through 50 mile per hour wind gusts and several wrecks to win the Permatex 300 late model sportsman race on Saturday.

“I’ve been coming down here for the last 17 years,” said Farmer, “and I thought it was about my time. Always been a bridesmaid and now I’m a bride.”

The 38-year-old Hueytown, Ala., driver averaged 140.936 miles per hour at breeze-battered Daytona International Speedway and took home the top prize of $11,025.

“My mother’s birthday is today,” said Farmer, “and it’s her first trip to Daytona. This will be a nice present for her.”

The severe wind caused the late model sportsman cars some handling issues coming out of turn four and Farmer said, “You had to keep your mind on your business.”

Blown engines and wrecks eliminated a battery of contenders beginning with top qualifier DeWayne “Tiny” Lund, who departed after 130 miles with a blown engine that threw him and his car into the wall.

Seventeen of the 40 starters were still around to finish the 120—lapper, the final preliminary to the Daytona 500.

Sam Sommers, starting 30th in the field, slipped his 1968 Ford through the dwindling pack and finished a distant second to Farmer before a crowd of 51,300.

Veteran but relative unknown campaigner Rod Eulenfield of Jacksonville, Fla., finished third in a 1968 Ford while Joe Holley of Prairieville, La., was fourth in a 1965 Chevrolet. Lee Osborne of Daytona Beach wound up fifth in a 1965 Dodge.


Results –


1. Red Farmer, Hueytown, Ala.
2. Sam Sommers, Savannah, Ga.
3. Rod Eulenfield, Jacksonville, Fla.
4. Joe Holley, Prairieville, La.
5. Lee Osborne, Daytona Beach
6. Gene Glover, Kingsport, Tenn.
7. Chuck Green, Battle Creek, Mich.
8. Alton Jones, Pleasant Grove, Ala.
9. Ivan Baldwin, Highland, Calif.
10.Wayne Niedecken, Pensacola, Fla.


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