| Charley Griffith | |
| Birth Date: | 4 September 1929 |
| Birth Place: | Chattanooga, Tennessee |
| Total Cup Races: | 17 |
| Years In Cup: | 5 |
| Best Cup Pos: | 40th (1960) |
| First Cup Race: | 1958 Race 43 (Birmingham) |
| Last Cup Race: | 1963 Race 1 (Birmingham) |
| Cup Wins: | 0 |
| Cup Top Tens: | 3 |
| Cup Poles: | 0 |
Charley Griffith (September 4, 1929November 22, 1999) was a NASCAR Grand National Series driver. He finished 3rd at the 1959 Daytona 500.[1] It is controversial that he finished 3rd, he was still a lap down from race winner Lee Petty. According to NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Allison as well as other drivers who were there, Charley Griffith and car owner Paul Hudson, won the race. It is said that due to Charley’s lack of familiarity and popularity, NASCAR changed the result of the race, to more popular Lee Petty. [2] This finish was in only his third Grand National start.[3] Griffith is part of NASCAR lore as his car was involved in the famous photo finish of the race.[4]
He attempted to race in the 1960 Daytona 500, but did not qualify.[5]
Charlie Griffith won the first asphalt race event held at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway on July 19, 1958. He drove a car owned by Hart Hastings, Brooks Tune and George Tune from Shelbyville, TN. Griffith also won the first asphalt event held at Alabama's Birmingham International Raceway (1962) driving for Harry Mewbourne.