August of 1956: Fifty Years Ago at Knoxville
Friday, August 19, 2005
August 1956
A continuing series of articles covering the events of 50 years ago
By Bob Wilson
Look Magazine reported that Elvis Presley has already sold close to 6,000,000 records. "Bus Stop" starring Marilyn Monroe was released. The U.S. Public Health Service reported 8,031 cases of polio in the first eight months of 1956 compared to 14,000 during the same time one year earlier. The last known surviving member of the Civil War Union Army died. He was Albert Woolsen, 109, of Duluth, Minnesota. It is believed that three members of the Confederate Army were still alive. Yul Brynner and Deberah Kerr starred in the movie version of "The King and I". Brynner would receive the Best Actor Oscar for his performance. Parry O'Brian set a new world shot put record with a toss of 61' 4 1/2" which broke his previous world record. Late in the month, Presley's double hit of "Hound Dog" and "Don't Be Cruel" became the number one pop hit in the country. It would stay on top of the charts until November 3rd when "Love Me Tender", also a Presley release, took over.
August 1 - RAIN
August 4 - Al DeCarlo grabbed six racing events in both divisions plus both stock and modified time trial qualifications pacing a large field of 35 cars. In the modified feature he was followed by Bob Hilmer (Dysart), Les Turner (Des Moines) and Earl Wagner (Pleasantville). Those drivers who had raced on this night were then qualified for the Mid-Season Championship.
August 9 - Mid-Season Championship, $1000 purse. Dean Sylvester won the 15-lap Mid-Season Championship on this rare Thursday night race held during the Marion County Fair.. Chasing Sylvester to the stripe were Turner, Eddie Shinstine (Des Moines), Delano and Bobby Van Hosen (Des Moines).
August 11 - No races were held.
August 18 - Angelo Mascaro won his first career Knoxville feature as he finished ahead of Sylvester, Delano and DeCarlo. In the third heat for modifieds, Joe Rynearson of Des Moines hit the fence coming out of the fourth turn. He bounced, flipped three times and landed in the path of a car driven by Keith Thompson. The collision was so great that the roll cage was broken and the car was totally demolished. He was taken to the hospital in an unconscious condition.
August 25 - No races were held as the state championship for modified stock cars was being contested at the Iowa State Fairgrounds during the Iowa State Fair. The event was won by Don Pash of Avoca, Iowa.
(Watch here for the final installment of Knoxville raceway in review in September.)
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