Glendale, Arizona's own country star, Marty Robbins was also a pretty good Nascar driver...

NASCAR IN ARIZONA

 First, a little NASCAR history:

NASCAR IN ARIZONA

1951

The first NASCAR race in Arizona was April 22, 1951.  This was the sixth race in the season, and was held on the 1 mile dirt oval at the Phoenix, Arizona State Fairgrounds.  Marshall Teague won driving the Teaguemobile, a 1951 Hudson.  His average speed over the 150 laps was 60.153 MPH.  Also driving was Tim Flock, Fonty Flock, Herb Thomas and Lee Petty.

1955

The next race at the Fairgrounds was May 8, 1955, the 13^th race of the NASCAR season.  This race was won by Tim Flock in a 1955 Chrysler.  Other drivers included Ron Hornaday in a ’54 Ford and Fonty Flock in a ’55 Chevy.  Tim Flock’s average speed in the 100 mile race was 71.48 MPH. 

Race No. 14 of the 1955 season was held at the Tucson Rodeo Grounds.  Winner was Danny Letner in a 64 Olds.  This 100 mile Grand National event was held on the Rodeo Grounds ½ mile dirt track.  Other drivers included Mel Larson in a 1955 Olds.

 1956

Grand National Race No. 5 in the 1956 season was held at the Phoenix Fairgrounds one mile dirt track on January 22, 1956.  Winner was Buck Baker in the #301 1955 Chrysler.  Other drivers were Tim Flock, Lee Petty and Mel Larson in a ’56 Ford.

 More to come………………..

Reference:  Forty Years of Stock Car Racing Vol. 1 the Beginning, Greg Fielden

NASCAR racing returned to Arizona in 1988 at Phoenix International Raceway.