Darel Dieringer
Wilkesboro, N.C. (April 16, 1967) – It was a simple formula in which Darel Dieringer used on Sunday afternoon to win the seventh annual Gwyn Staley Memorial, a 250-mile NASCAR stock car race.
Dieringer started in front, stayed in the lead the entire 400 miles over the 5/8-mile North Wilkesboro Speedway, and was a lap ahead of his nearest challenger when the checkered flag fell.
Dieringer’s domination was so complete that a battle for third place in the final laps between Dick Hutcherson and Jim Paschal was the highlight for the estimated 13,000 fans in attendance.
Dieringer had averaged 104.603 miles per hour to set a new track record in qualifications, breaking the old mark of 103.069 miles per hour set last year by Junior Johnson.
Dieringer, driving a car set up by Johnson and Herb Nab, averaged 93.594 milers per hour in the 1967 Ford. His car was powered by a 374 cubic inch engine instead of the normal 427 and cut the weight of the car to the minimum 3,500 pounds. As a result, Dieringer went at top speed anywhere on the track and had no difficulty whatsoever in posting his first victory of the 1967 campaign.
Dieringer’s answer was simple to the winning formula. “When you drive for Junior, he wants you out front all the time.”
It was the first time in a race of 100 miles or more that a driver led every lap of the race. Richard Petty came close to accomplishing the feat several years ago at Bristol when he had a four-lap lead over Fred Lorenzen and led 499 laps. Difficulty on the final lap found Petty out on the first turn and dismally watching Lorenzen go by four times en route to the victory.
Trailing Dieringer across the finish line was Cale Yarborough in the Woods Brother 1967 Ford, but a lap back; Hutcherson in another 1967 Ford and four laps back; Paschal in a 1967 Plymouth and four laps back; and Paul Lewis in a 1967 Dodge and eight laps behind.
Petty, the second fastest in time trials, challenged Dieringer several times in the early running but was hit with overheating and tire issues, losing valuable time in the pits.
The caution flag flew six times for 28 laps due mainly to debris on the track.
The victory was worth $5,150 to Dieringer from the posted $21,500 purse. Yarborough collected $2,275 and Hutcherson picked up $1,350.
A field of 34 cars started the race with 17 still on the track when the race finished. Among the early casualties were G.C. Spencer’s 1966 Plymouth, Sam McQuagg’s 1966 Ford, Paul Goldsmith’s 1967Plymouth, and David Pearson’s 1967 Dodge.
Results –
1. Darel Dieringer, Charlotte, N.C
2. Cale Yarborough, Timmonsville, S.C.
3. Dick Hutcherson, Camden, S.C.
4. Jim Paschal, High Point, N.C.
5. Paul Lewis, Johnson City, Tenn.
6. Bobby Allison, Hueytown, Ala.
7. Richard Petty, Randleman, N.C.
8. John Sears, Ellerbe, N.C.
9. James Hylton, Inman, S.C.
10. J.T. Putney, Arden, N.C.
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