This Week in Racing History (July 1-7)

This Week in Racing History
Michael J. Stucker

July 1
Carlos Gaspar wins the non-championship Villa Real 250 KM road race in a Lola T292 sports racer (1973).

July 2
Achille Varzi dies in a wreck while practicing in the rain at Bremgarten for the Swiss Grand Prix (1948).

Bill Elliott drives a Ford Thunderbird to victory in the NASCAR Winston Cup race at Daytona, Florida, USA (1988).

July 3
Mark Donohue wins the USAC Champ Car race at Pocono, Pennsylvania, USA, for team Penske's first Champ Car win (1971).

July 4
F1 racer Rene Arnoux born (1948).

Sparky Belmont dies of a heart attack after winning the main event at Old Plainville Speedway in Old Plainville, Connecticut, USA (1968).

Richard Petty drives a Dodge Charger to victory in the NASCAR Winston Cup Firecracker 400 at Daytona, Florida, USA (1977).

July 5
Delano Wood, of NASCAR's Wood Brothers, born (1932).

Jim Richards drives a BWW M3 to victory in the ATCC race at Oran Park, Australia (1987).

July 6
Matra MS80-Fords finish 1-2 in the French Grand Prix at Charade. Jackie Stewart wins with J-P Beltoise second (1969).