The NASCAR Convertible Division race at Bowman Gray Stadium on May 23, 1959 brought exciting short-track action to the famous quarter-mile paved oval. A field of 22 cars started the 200-lap event, with Glen Wood putting the No. 21 Wood Brothers Ford on the pole position at 47.14 mph. Known for its tight confines and constant traffic, Bowman Gray demanded patience and precision, and the early stages quickly became a duel between Wood and Bob Welborn.
Welborn, who started second, jumped to the lead at the green flag and controlled the opening portion of the race, pacing the field for the first 52 laps. Wood stayed close, waiting for his chance before making the decisive pass to take over the top spot. Once in front, Wood proved untouchable, leading the remaining laps and expertly working through lapped traffic on the narrow stadium oval. The race lasted just 1 hour and 9 minutes, a brisk pace for 200 laps of intense quarter-mile competition.
At the finish, Wood scored an impressive $580 victory, while Welborn held on for second and was the only other driver on the lead lap. Richard Petty finished third, followed by Jim Reed in fourth and Buck Baker in fifth.
