My Daddy knows his NASCAR history.He traveled to a many of track and can recall  historical events from NASCAR’S early year.Recently a picture of drivers from back in the day was published in our local newspaper, “The Star”, here in Shelby, N.C. Of course he was right on it, with a story as well. The following is an excerpt from that article, and an article published in 1957, that features a statement the senior Mr.France made about my Granddaddy’s work with NASCAR. Many thanks to “The Star” and a special thanks to Jackie Bridges for publishing the story and recognizing my family’s contribution to the sport.

Roby S. Combs remembers his father, a NASCAR flagman

Tuesday, Dec 15 2009, 10:13 am

Jackie Bridges

bridges@shelbystar.com

While a handful of people guessed about the identity of the race car drivers in this photo submitted by Don Blanton, Roby S. Combs of Shelby had the best memory and the mementos to back it.

The son of Roby Combs Sr., Combs has been around racing since he was 3 years old. His father was a car owner for Buck Baker and then served as a NASCAR flagman from 1953-1972. His mother was chief steward, the person who signs in the drivers at the race track.

“I’ve seen these people so much, because we have so much memorabilia,” he said. “I was going to racing when this picture was made.”He thinks the photo is from the early years of NASCAR, because the flagman is Alvin Hawkins and he was one of the first flagmen for NASCAR. He’s not sure where it was made but could have been Hillsboro, Wilson or the Charlotte track on Wilkinson Boulevard. Also in the photo is Joe Eubanks in the front with the dark helmet, dark shirt and goggles hanging around his neck. Next to him is Buddy Shuman. Combs said that Shuman was killed Nov. 13, 1955, at a hotel fire in Hickory. The guy in the back wearing sunglasses is Red Byron. Steve Philbeck of Shelby also identified Byron by comparing the photo with one in his copy of “40 Years of Stock Car Racing” by Greg Fielden.

“He was the first NASCAR champion,” Combs said. “His car owner was Raymond Parks from Atlanta. Raymond is 95 years old and my brother, Phil, and I go to his birthday party every year in Greenville, S.C. Raymond was the Hendricks of the early years.”

Roby and Phil are still involved in racing, working go-cart races 10 months out of the year. Their father died in May 1984. He was 61 and “too young,” his son said“

“Roby’ll be there when the flag goes down”

Here are some excerpts from an article Roby S. Combs shared about his dad that was published June 18, 1957, in The Star.

“When spectators view a race, they don’t watch the flagman or official starter often. Their gaze is riveted on the whirling cars that tear screeching into a turn or roar past the stands.”

“But behind every big stock car race is the flagman or official starter, a symbol of organized racing authority. The whole show is in his hands, and it is a tremendous responsibility. Shelby’s Roby S. Combs is a familiar sight at every big NASCAR race on southern stock car tracks. He is an official steward and starter for all the major southern races sanctioned by NASCAR, the National Association for Stock Car Racing. His swirling flags have kept order and discipline on hundreds of tracks from Martinsville, Va., to Daytona Beach, Fla., over a period of seven years.

“Roby has covered 100,000 miles in the last two years alone, traveling to and from races. With him on practically all of his trips go his family: his wife, Irma, and their son, Steve, 10 … A regular bed or pallet for Steve had been standard equipment on all their weekend journeys to far-flung stock car tracks from Weaverville to Fayetteville.

“Said NASCAR President Bill France of the Shelby starter: ‘Roby is a shining example of safety-mindedness. His quick thinking and presence of mind have saved many a driver and they trust his judgment implicitly. I always feel that a race is in good hands when I see Roby on the flagstand. He’s the best in the business.’”