Thomas Obrey "Cotton" Priddy (August 29, 1928 – June 10, 1956)[1] was a NASCAR Grand National race car driver from Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
On the 39th lap of the race, his Chevy sideswiped another driver and flipped down the dirt.
Priddy was thrown clear from his car, he suffered multiple fractures and died about an hour after the accident occurred in a West Memphis, Arkansas hospital.
[4] The qualifying of race itself was already marred by the death of another driver, Clint McHugh.
[5][6] Priddy was posthumously awarded $50 in winnings ($560.34 when considering inflation) from his final race.