The 1961-06 was a Grand National (now Nextel Cup) event held at Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds on March 4, 1961. Junior Johnson dominated the event, leading the first 175 laps. But fuel issues for Johnson sidelined him to 10th, allowing Cotton Owens to win his first race of the year by one lap over Richard Petty. Eventual 1961 champion Ned Jarrett finished 16th. Stats