1955-56 When Chrysler ruled NASCAR. The owner of the Mercury Outboard motor company Karl Kekhaffer got NASCAR top drivers Tim & Fonty Flock to wheel his powerful Hemi Chrysler 300's. He also fielded some Dodge D Hemi cars & an occasional Ford. The 300's cleaned up & Karl was basically forced out of the sport as competitors & fans felt he had too much money & had the best cars, drivers, mechanics, engines & parts. Other teams couldn't afford to compete. Much like what is happening today with the highly financed mega teams
This was the first race for the new HEMI, The engines were delivered to the track just in time for some practice runs, were the top qualifiers. The competition didn't know what hit them.....! And it started the great "anti hemi" controversy.
Richard Petty had to shove a 2x4 through the seat to keep from sliding across in the turns.