Violet and Raymond Parks pose for a picture at his office in Atlanta. She holds the first stock car trophy from Lakewood Speedway, while Raymond holds one of the trophies from when Bill France Sr. drove for him. Photo courtesy Eddie Samples
Raymond Parks Fast Facts
·With driver Lloyd Seay, Parks’ wins his first race in his first start at the Lakewood Speedway in Atlanta in 1938. Many historians consider this to be one of the first races for what would become modern stock cars.
·Won three events at Daytona Beach in 1940-41 with drivers Roy Hall and Lloyd Seay. Also won events at Lakewood and High Point, North Carolina.
·Following World War II (where he served with the 99th Infantry in the Battle of the Bulge), Parks returned to racing. From 1946-1947, Parks cars dominated Daytona Beach, winning every stock car event held with drivers Red Byron, Bob Flock and Roy Hall.
·Won the NCSCC points title (Bill France’s pre-curser to NASCAR) in 1947 with driver Fonty Flock.
·In December of 1947, Mr. Parks was a member of the group that met with Bill France at the Streamline Hotel in Daytona Beach to form NASCAR. Mr. Parks’ car owner, Red Vogt, was credited with coming up with the name NASCAR.
·Mr. Parks was the winning car owner in the first ever NASCAR race, held Feb. 15, 1948 at Daytona Beach. Red Byron was the driver.
·Mr. Parks was the first ever NASCAR championship winning car owner, with driver Red Byron in the modified division in 1948(the only division NASCAR ran in it’s first year.).
·Mr. Parks was the first ever NASCAR Strictly Stock (now Sprint Cup) championship winning car owner in 1949, with driver Red Byron.
·Mr. Parks has been honored by several prestigious Halls of Fame, including the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame, the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, the National Motosports Press Association Hall of Fame and the Jacksonville Raceway Hall of Fame.
Hopefully, we can add the NASCAR Hall of Fame to that list after October 13, 2010.
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