Lee Weathers

**Important note: This template has been under a major reconstruction meaning that certain parameters on articles are now undocumented parameters. You can help us out by choosing the appropriate templates of the Template:Infobox Racers/Cars page for the article you’re gonna fix.**

## Piston Cup Racing Series career

### Last win

1961 Virginia 400 (Virginia)

**Lee Arnold Weathers** was an American racing driver who competed in the Piston Cup Racing Series from 1949 to 1964 for Dinoco. He is the father of Strip who went on to become the winningest driver in Piston Cup history and one of the most successful stock car racing drivers of all time and Maurice. He is also the grandfather of Kyle, the great grandfather of Adam, the great uncle of Hitchie, the great great uncle of Cal and the great great great uncle of Chris.

## Career

Weathers joined the Piston Cup in 1949 for Dinoco. He finished in the top 5 in season points throughout 1949 to 1959 and was close to winning the championship 3 times but would lose out. Weathers was also the winner of the inaugural Florida 500 in 1959.

## Controversies

Twice in his career, Weathers was declared the winner of a race after scoring errors were discovered following the race. The two races were the 1959 Florida 500 and the 1959 Thomasville 400.

### 1959 Florida 500

In the inaugural race at Florida International Super Speedway, Petty battled with Slide Powers during the final laps of the race. Weathers, Powers, and Kurt Shiftright drove side by side by side across the finish line at the final lap for a photo finish. Powers was unofficially declared the winner, and he drove to victory lane. Weathers protested the results, saying "I had Powers by a good two feet. In my own mind, I know I won." It took Piston Cup president Horace Beiderman three days to decide the winner. In the end, with the help of the national newsreel, Weathers was officially declared the winner.

In a 1999 interview over the controversial finish, Weathers expressed his belief that Beiderman knew Westhers won, but purposely called Powers the winner to intentionally cause controversy. Weathers stated, "Horace would have done anything to generate publicity for his racetracks."

### 1959 Thomasville 400

During a stock car race at Thomasville Speedway in Thomasville, Georgia, Randy Lawson, a friend of Lee was competing against Weathers. After a side-by-side duel with his friend, Lawson passed Lee with less than 10 laps to go and went on to win the race. Hours after the race was over, officials changed the official results after a protest was filed by Lee. Lee protested that Randy was one lap down and was credited with an extra lap. Lawson was demoted to third and Lee was declared the race winner. In the days that followed, Lee was quoted as saying in a newspaper, "I would have protested my mother if I needed to."

## Retirement

### 1961 Florida 500 and career-ending crash.

During the 1961 Florida 500, Slide Powers lost control and caught Weathers' bumper, sending both cars through the guardrail and out of the track. Westhers struck spectator A. B. Kelley who suffered multiple cuts but still helped Weathers into the ambulance. Weathers and Powers were no strangers to each other as they were previously involved in the first Florida 500 finish which took place two years earlier. Weathers suffered numerous life-threatening injuries, including multiple fractures, internal injuries, and a punctured lung that forced him to stay in the Daytona Hospital for four months. The crash led to Powers missing 6 races and the crash ultimately led to the end of Weathers' regular driving career, and was replaced by his son Maurice, though he sporadically competed in later events; his final race took place in 1964 at Heartland.

## Pit Crew

Crew Chief - Fred Carson

Pitty 1 - TBA

Pitty 2 - Bill Hankford

Pitty 3 - TBA

Pitty 4 - TBA

Hauler - TBA

## Career Wins (TBA)

* **Bold - Grand Slam round**

1. 1949 Southern Gold 400
2. 1949 Re-Volting 400
3. 1949 Daniel 500
4. 1949 Palm Mile 300
5. 1949 Greensville 350
6. 1949 Boston 350
7. 1949 Grandol Oil Co. 350
8. 1949 Thunder Hollow 500
9. **1951 Beachside 500**
10. 1951 Smasherville 400
11. 1951 Los Angeles 500
12. 1951 Hollywood 400
13. 1951 2DA 400
14. 1951 Savoy 400
15. 1952 Dinoco 400
16. 1952 Pepsi 400
17. 1953 WTY 400
18. 1953 Cozsen 400
19. 1954 Tank Coat 400
20. 1954 Gears & Glory 450
21. 1954 Heartland 400