In NASCAR, before there was fan favorite Dale Earnhardt, Jr. there was fan favorite “Fireball” Roberts, Jr., considered the first superstar of the sport. Born Edward Glenn Roberts, Jr., the nickname “fireball” was given because of Roberts’ fastball as a starting pitcher on his American Legion baseball team not because he was so fast on the race track. On May 24, 1964, on lap seven of the World 600 in Charlotte, NC, “Fireball” was trying to avoid a collision; he hit the wall and his car burst into flames in front of the crowd. Driver Ned Jarrett pulled the “folk hero” from the wreckage with second- and third-degree burns. “Fireball” Roberts died in a coma shortly after on July 2, 1964.

i-bits "Sports & Games" Category