John Robert Fish ( – May 11, 1958) was a NASCAR Grand National Series race car owner whose career spanned from 1955 to 1958.[1]
Bob Fish | |
|---|---|
 This is the historic business of Mr. John Robert "Bob" Fish, known as "Fish Carburetor Corporation." | |
| Born | John Robert Fish |
| Died | May 11, 1958 |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | NASCAR car owner |
| Known for | Inventing the "Fish Carburetor" |
| Children | 1 |
Career
editHe was the possible inventor of the "Iron Lung" (formally known as a negative pressure ventilator) for his wife who was suffering from circulation problems.[2] Another occasion had Fish cable the President of the United States on a lecture about using a simple pressure box to rescue sailors on a submarine.[2]
He employed Fireball Roberts and Tommy Thompson as his main drivers.[1] They started an average of 11th place and finished an average of 45th place.[1] Fish's drivers would lead only 4 laps out of 106.[1] However, they did manage one finish in the top ten while driving only a grand total of 352.8 miles or 567.8 kilometres.[1] Fireball Roberts' 11th place championship finish in 1958 was the best accomplishment in Fish's career.[1] Mr. Fish would eventually walk away from his NASCAR career earning a meager $390 ($4,118.62 when adjusted for inflation).[1] Fish would also be the inventor of the famous "Fish Carburetor" which was first made in the early 1930s.[2]
However, the "Original Equipment" establishment felt that it was an intolerable threat, and Mr. Fish would suffer many years of dirty tricks, harassment and persecution.[2] Fish would eventually move to Florida where he could sell his products to wealthy game fishermen without the harassment he had back in California.[2] Compared to the standard carburetors of that time, Fish's carburetor helped to stop the needless waste of fuel on cornering, braking, and hard acceleration.[2]
For the time, it was considered to be "environmentally friendly" for that reason alone. Today, NASCAR uses fuel injection, which has made carburetors obsolete in the Sprint Cup Series.[3][4][5]
Fish died on May 11, 1958 after suffering a stroke the previous month.[6][7]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g "Career information for Bob Fish". Racing Reference. Retrieved 2012-04-24.
- ^ a b c d e f "Stories about the Fish Carburetor". FireballRoberts.com. Retrieved 2012-04-24.
- ^ Ryan, Nate (2011-02-11). "NASCAR sets fuel injection for '12 but keeping restrictor plates". USA Today. Retrieved 2012-04-24.
- ^ "NASCAR Moves to Fuel Injection, Bosch First Approved Supplier". Auto Service World. Archived from the original on 2014-02-01. Retrieved 2012-04-24.
- ^ "Bosch to provide oxygen sensors for fuel injection". NASCAR. Archived from the original on 2011-12-25. Retrieved 2012-04-24.
- ^ "Bob Fish has passed away". The Charlotte News. 21 May 1958. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
- ^ "Speed sport quickies". The Charlotte News. 23 April 1958. Retrieved 1 June 2023.