The "600": An Occasion To Remember "Fireball"

[Schwartz Fan]

The "600": An Occasion To Remember "Fireball"

1964

The story has it Edward Glenn “Fireball” Roberts was planning to make that year his last for NASCAR Grand National Racing. Though he was only in his mid-thirties- a prime age for most drivers- Roberts was reportedly interested in moving on to other things.

Apparently Roberts had translated his popularity (1957 Most Popular Driver) into a promising career as a spokesman for the Falstaff Beer Company. Though he never won a championship, the Florida native was one of the best in NASCAR’s early days- proving his prowess against the likes of Junior Johnson, Tim Flock, Herb Thomas, Curtis Turner, Ned Jarrett and Lee Petty just to name a few. He was a winner of 33 Cup races in 206 starts and finished in the top 10 in points 5 times- including a 2nd place standing in 1950 (his rookie season) , 5th in 1961, and 5th in 1963. He also won 36 poles and achieved 122 top 10s, as well as 93 top 5s. Keep in mind he spent most of the early 50s close to home racing modifieds, so accomplished a great deal in a limited amount of time.

Though he cut his NASCAR teeth on short, dirt tracks, Roberts was the original master of Daytona- winning 4 races between 1959 and 1963. He won the first race at Atlanta- the 1960 Dixie 300. Roberts also won the 1958 and 1963 Southern 500s. Incredibly, he won 6 races in 10 starts in 1958!

Lean and athletic during an era where racing was largely an escape from farming and moonshine running, Roberts was one of NASCAR’s first true athletes. He maintained a training regime and one could easily picture Roberts, with his crew cuts and sporty physical features, looking the part of a corporate pitchman in the same vein as other athletes of that era like Frank Gifford and Mickey Mantle.

Fireball was a man of many interests. He loved to fly, ride motorcycles and it’s even said he was a talented jai alai player. Though urban myth has exaggerated his exploits- Roberts got his nickname playing baseball on his hometown sand lots. Glenn Roberts was also an educated man with options. He’d attended the University of Florida in the late 40s and was close to a degree in mechanical engineering.

As NASCAR made its way through the 1960s, it would enter a somewhat bloody era. Among other things- one of the sport’s top drivers- Joe Weatherly died at Riverside just a few months earlier after colliding with a wall. Glenn Roberts said he always drove with fear, but the one thing that concerned him the most was his car catching fire.

To make matters worse, Roberts struggled with asthma. The condition was bad enough to cut his Army stint short and kept him from using a solution drivers used that reportedly made their shirts resistant.

Roberts would start from the 11th position in the 1964 running of the World 600 at was then known as Charlotte Motor Speedway. On lap 7, a collision ensued between Junior Johnson and Ned Jarrett. Though to avoid the developing incident, Fireball crashed slammed backwards into an inside retaining wall, going airborne. His car exploded. The fuel tank on Roberts’ Ford ruptured and the gas would leak and run into the inside of the car, making matters worse. Trapped inside the car, fans reported hearing Roberts saying “My God, Ned! Help me, I’m on fire!”

Glenn Roberts suffered second and third degree burns over 80 percent of his body. He was airlifted to Charlotte Memorial Hospital.

After having survived for several days, it appeared Roberts would make it. Several weeks later, Roberts developed pneumonia and blood poisoning and he passed away July 2, 1964.

Those involved with racing at the time said the death of Fireball Roberts had a profound effect on the world of auto racing in much the same the passing of Dale Earnhardt did. One can’t help but think there was more than a couple of drivers who retired early with the memory of Roberts’ death in mind.

As Earnhardt’s death changed NASCAR in the realm of safety, so did Roberts. Fuel cells were developed for greater safety as were firesuits. Innovations we take for granted today were influenced by the tragedy involving one of auto racing’s most beloved figures.

When the Coca- Cola 600 comes around, I find myself thinking of Roberts and wishing I’d been born about a good 15-20 years earlier to appreciate Fireball and those early legends I fear we’re in danger of forgetting. These men and women were fearless and fun. It was just an entirely different era that we can in no way re-capture.

Let us never forget the likes of Fireball Roberts. It was he and countless others that blazed a path of glory right into the heart of racing lore.


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