Cause of death Advanced age Name Gene Comstock | Role NASCAR Driver Died February 1, 1981 | |
Born February 20, 1910
Chesapeake, Ohio ( 1910-02-20 ) Best finish 18th – 1953 Grand National Series season Last race 1955 Southern 500 (Darlington Raceway) First race 1950 Southern 500 (Darlington Raceway) | ||
Eugene H. "Gene" Comstock (born February 21, 1910 – died February 1, 1981) was a NASCAR Grand National (now Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series) driver from Chesapeake, Ohio, USA.
Gene is the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Pearle Francis (P.F.) Comstock and was associated with operating gas-powered vehicles for the majority of his life.
Career
In his career spanning from 1950 to 1955, Gene racked up one top-five position, six top-ten positions, 3038.6 miles of racing experience, and $2,549 ($22,789.01 when adjusted for inflation) in take home pay. He competed in the 1955 Southern 500 in a 1954 Hudson Hornet as a driver/owner.
Gene Comstock was one of the drivers who raced in the first Darlington race in 1950. He competed in a new Oldsmobile purchased by a bootlegger from Ironton, Ohio. Gene finished 18th in the race. According to the Darlington newspaper at 125 miles, Johnny Mantz was leading with Fireball Roberts in second and Comstock in third. Harold Brasington (Track Owner) was reported to have told Comstock after the race that he thought he was going to win the race until he broke the right front hub around the 425th mile of the race. Gene Comstock started driving race cars in the 1930s and drove to the late 1960s. Comstock was a multi-talented driver who drove midgets, sprint cars, super-modify and stock cars. He had many wins on the short tracks around the country and was considered by many to be one of the top drivers from his area.