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28 | Out of the Air B eauchamp had something to prove after the 1959 Daytona race. He announced, “I’ve been thinking about shooting for NASCAR’s grand national championship. I expect Lee Petty is the man to beat.”1 Beauchamp’s problem was that he didn’t have a race car. Bob Burdick, who had completed his military service, was back driving his father’s Thunderbird.2 So Beauchamp bought from Delta Airlines pilot Beau Morgan the Thunderbird that Tim Flock drove at Daytona ,3 and he had Holman-­ Moody tune the car. Promoters, eager to capitalize on the Harlan driver’s fame, promised him appearance money, cash sometimes given to a star driver to boost the sizzle of a contest, to renew his rivalry with Petty at the March 22 race at the Atlanta Lakewood track, a major southern venue that had hosted such stars as Barney Oldfield. Beauchamp led the entire race, was never challenged for the lead, and by the end had lapped every NASCAR driver. It was a big win, but the Thunderbird required repairs, and he sold it. He was back to looking for a car to drive. Beauchamp also continued to explore methods of earning money outside of racing. In 1959 he had finally turned his love of antiques into a business , opening on North Broadway in Council Bluffs a co-­ owned antique store, the Frontier Trading Post. The store had guns, old windup record players, coins, and a large range of other items. Donna Richter, his longtime girl friend, worked in the store. Amidst the antiques, the store became a gathering place for the Beauchamp children. Sanda played among the old clocks, record players, and furniture, while Bob, who worked at a barber shop a few doors away from Frontier Trading Post, visited during his lunch hour and after work. In some respects, the store underscored and increased Beauchamp’s dilemma : on the one hand his roots, family, and racing support were in the Midwest, but on the other hand, his opportunities to win money in NASCAR races were at tracks 1,000 miles away. Out of the Air | 149 Promoter Ed Otto gave Beauchamp his next opportunity: a race at the famed Polo Grounds in New York, the former home of the New York Giants baseball team, now relocated to California. Otto promised Beauchamp $500 for an appearance,4 even locating a car for him to drive—Jim Reed’s backup Ford. Otto paid Reed bonus money for his help, and Beauchamp in a separate agreement with Reed promised not to challenge him for the win.5 For Beauchamp it was about the excitement of racing at the Polo Grounds and the money. While the stock car drivers were dealing in hundreds of dollars, Willie Shoemaker won $5,000 on a horse named Sword Dancer in a preliminary race leading up to the Kentucky Derby.6 Around 15,000 fans and twenty NASCAR drivers were at the Polo Grounds for the April 25, 200-­ lap, 50-­ mile event. Reed suggested that Beauchamp scuff up his right front tire before the race to help make the car corner better. On the first lap Beauchamp darted into the lead. After 6 laps, as planned, he yielded to Reed, who proceeded to lap the entire field. At the finish, Beauchamp and Speedy Thompson, in second and third place respectively, were far behind.7 Lee Petty and Rex White battled it out for fourth and fifth with Cotton Owens in sixth. The following day, Beauchamp brought Reed’s car to Reading, Pennsylvania, foranother race, but the brakes failed midway through the contest, ending his hope for a good finish.8 Beauchamp persisted in his efforts to gain a foothold in NASCAR. On May 3, 1958, he drove a Beau Morgan–owned 1957 Chevy at the Virginia 500.The Martinsville Speedway, on the NASCAR schedule since theopening 1948 season, was two drag strips with difficult turnarounds. The modest , 12-­ degree banking on the sharp corners forced the drivers to slow down on the curves and promoted a fender-­ banging show. It was a difficult contest that replicated February’s Daytona 500 finish: Lee Petty first, Beauchamp second, the latter winning $1,625. Although Beauchampentered several other NASCAR events in 1959, he spent most of the remainder of his time in Iowa. He had neglected several matters in his quest to win in the South. He was concerned about his sons’ future ability to earn money. He...

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