When the 1952 NASCAR

NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...

 season was concluded, driver Tim Flock

Tim Flock

Julius Timothy Flock was one of NASCAR's early pioneers, and a two time series champion. He was a brother to NASCAR's second female driver Ethel Mobley and NASCAR pioneers Bob Flock and Fonty Flock.- NASCAR career :...

 was crowned the Grand National Champion after winning 8 of the 33 events that he competed in. This was the first year that NASCAR scheduled its events to avoid the conflicts of having two races, at two different tracks, on the same day. The only exception was on June 1, when races were held at both Toledo Speedway

Toledo Speedway

Toledo Speedway is a racetrack located in Toledo, Ohio. It is owned jointly by Roy Mott and ARCA President Ron Drager. It is operated by ARCA and run as the sister track to Flat Rock Speedway in Flat Rock, Michigan.-Weekly program:...

 in Ohio, and Hayloft Speedway in Augusta, Georgia. Herb Thomas

Herb Thomas

Herbert Watson Thomas was a NASCAR pioneer who was one of the series' most successful drivers in the 1950s.-Background:...

 finished second to Flock after competing in 32 races, and Lee Petty

Lee Petty

Lee Arnold Petty was an American stock car driver in the 1950s and 1960s. He was one of the pioneers of NASCAR, and one of its first superstars. He was born near Randleman, North Carolina.-Career:...

 finished third in the standings that year. Throughout the 1952 season, a total of 261 drivers entered at least one of the 34 events. Every American car manufacturer (at the time) had at least one of their cars start that season.

1952 was also the first season that sponsors such as Pure Oil Co (which later became Union 76, and eventually Unocal), and Champion Spark Plug Inc.

Champion (spark plug)

Champion is an American brand of spark plugs.Originally Champion was a Fortune 500 Company founded by Robert A. Stranahan and Frank D. Stranahan in 1908 in Boston, MA and then moved to Toledo, OH in 1910 to be close to the Willys-Overland Auto Company....

 started paying contingency award monies in exchange for the publicity they would receive by drivers sponsoring their products.

1952 Season recap

The 1952 NASCAR Grand National season was dominated by Hudson automobiles, winning 27 of the scheduled 34 races. No other make won more than three times. The reason the Hudson Hornet was so successful, winning over 80 NASCAR races between 1951 and 1955, has been attributed to its low center of gravity, 'mono-built body' and center point steering system. The center point steering system contributed to the car's superior handling and cornering abilities; allowing the vehicle to excel on the dirt covered race tracks

Dirt track racing

Dirt track racing is a type of auto racing performed on oval tracks. It began in the United States before World War I and became widespread during the 1920s and 30s. Two different types of racecars predominated—open wheel racers in the Northeast and West and stock cars in the South...

 of the day.

Palm Beach Speedway in West Palm Beach, Florida was a half-mile, dirt track that saw its first NASCAR event when it opened the 1952 NASCAR season on January 20, 1952. The 100 mile event was slowed by two caution flags, and was won by driver Tim Flock. 6,000 fans flocked, to see Flock, capture his first of 8 victories in the 1952 season. Flock started on the pole, and drove his #91 1951 Hudson, sponsored by Ted Chester, to victory. He claimed his $1,025 winnings with only five drivers still running at the end of the race. Flock captured the pole position for the race in 27.78 seconds, with an average speed of 64.79 mph. The second event of the 1952 season took place on the famed 4.1 mile road course of Daytona Beach Speedway

Daytona Beach Road Course

Daytona Beach Road Course was a race track that was instrumental in the formation of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, or NASCAR. It originally became famous as the location where fifteen world land speed records were set...

, and driver Marshall Teague

Marshall Teague

Marshall Teague was an American race car driver.He was nicknamed by NASCAR fans as the "King of the Beach" for his performances at the Daytona Beach Road Course....

 took the victory in a 1952 Hudson. Herb Thomas

Herb Thomas

Herbert Watson Thomas was a NASCAR pioneer who was one of the series' most successful drivers in the 1950s.-Background:...

 led the first lap of the event, but Teague managed to lead laps 2 to 37. 20,000 spectators witnessed 61 drivers start the event; but at the end of the scheduled 200 mile race, only 10 cars were still running. The race was eventually halted on lap 37 due to the incoming tide which encroached on the beachfront straight of the track. The third event of the season took place at the half-mile dirt track of Speedway Park in Jacksonville, Florida. Marshall Teague won his second race in a row in the 200 lap, 100 mile contest, defeating the other 28 drivers who entered the contest.

On June 29, NASCAR traveled to the US auto manufacturing center in Detroit Michigan for a scheduled 250 mile event, dubbed the Motor Sports 250. The race was held at the Michigan State Fairgrounds; a one mile dirt oval built in 1899. NASCAR offered its first 5-figured purse of $11,675 to the contestants, and driver Tim Flock came away with the winners share of $5,050. Fans watched as Flock led laps 88 - 110, until driver Buddy Shuman took the lead for one lap on the 111th circuit. Flock retook the fourth and final lead change on the next lap, and went on to lead the remaining laps of the event. Shuman finished the event in second place, capturing a total of $2,225. The 4-plus hour event concluded with over half of the 47 contestants still running at the drop of the checkered flag.

For the 25th race of the season, fans and drivers assembled at the Darlington Raceway

Darlington Raceway

Darlington Raceway is a race track built for NASCAR racing located near Darlington, South Carolina. It is nicknamed the "Lady in Black" and "The Track Too Tough to Tame" by many NASCAR fans and drivers and advertised as "A NASCAR Tradition"...

 on September 1. The purse for the 400 lap, 500 mile event was $23,855; after six lead changes, and seven caution flags, Fonty Flock

Fonty Flock

Truman Fontello "Fonty" Flock of Fort Payne, Alabama was an early NASCAR driver.-Flock family:He was the brother of NASCAR pioneers Tim Flock and Bob Flock, and the second female NASCAR driver Ethel Mobley...

 took home the winners trophy with an average speed of 74.5 mph. 32,400 fans watched as Flock's victory in his number 14, 1952 Oldsmobile, netted him a $9,430 check for 6.5+ hours of driving. Flock started on the pole, and lead the first 17 laps before the first lead change between 4 drivers. Flock recaptured the lead for the final time on lap 185. Eventual season champion Tim Flock and his #91 Hudson were involved in an accident on lap 321, but Flock stepped in and replaced driver Jack Smith in the number 9. While Flock drove the #9 Hudson to an 11th place finish, he was credited with finishing 34th of the 66 starters, and Smith was awarded the 11th place points.

Palm Beach Speedway both opened and closed the 1952 NASCAR season when it held the 34th and final event on October 30, 1952. Herb Thomas won three of the final four races in the '52 season to finish second in the final standings. Thomas claimed the final victory of the season, winning the event by a two lap advantage over second-place Fonty Flock.

1952 Grand National final standings

1. Tim Flock
   Tim Flock
   Julius Timothy Flock was one of NASCAR's early pioneers, and a two time series champion. He was a brother to NASCAR's second female driver Ethel Mobley and NASCAR pioneers Bob Flock and Fonty Flock.- NASCAR career :...
   
   , 8 wins in 34 races, 6,858.5 points, $22,890 in earnings
2. Herb Thomas
   Herb Thomas
   Herbert Watson Thomas was a NASCAR pioneer who was one of the series' most successful drivers in the 1950s.-Background:...
   
   , 8 wins in 32 starts, 6,752.5 points
3. Lee Petty
   Lee Petty
   Lee Arnold Petty was an American stock car driver in the 1950s and 1960s. He was one of the pioneers of NASCAR, and one of its first superstars. He was born near Randleman, North Carolina.-Career:...
   
    3 wins in 32 starts, 6,498.5 points
4. Fonty Flock
   Fonty Flock
   Truman Fontello "Fonty" Flock of Fort Payne, Alabama was an early NASCAR driver.-Flock family:He was the brother of NASCAR pioneers Tim Flock and Bob Flock, and the second female NASCAR driver Ethel Mobley...
   
   
5. Dick Rathmann
   Dick Rathmann
   Dick Rathmann was an American racecar driver....
   
   
6. Bill Blair
   Bill Blair (NASCAR)
   Bill Blair was an American stock car driver in the 1940s and the 1950s. He was one of the pioneers of NASCAR.-Wins:...
   
   
7. Joe Eubanks
   Joe Eubanks
   Joe Eubanks was a NASCAR Grand National driver from Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA. Eubanks raced from 1950 to 1961 collecting one win, thirty-seven finishes in the top five, and eighty-one finishes in the top ten along the way. His total career earnings were $35,338 and he successfully...
   
   
8. Ray Duhigg
9. Donald Thomas
   Donald Thomas
   Donald Serrell Thomas is an English author of Victorian-era historical, crime and detective fiction, as well as books on factual crime and criminals, in particular several academic books on the history of crime in London...
   
   
10. Buddy Shuman
    Buddy Shuman
    Buddy Shuman was a stock car driver for NASCAR when it was known as the Grand National Series. He raced between 1951 through 1955, achieving one victory, four top 5s, and 16 Top 10s....
    
    
11. Ted Chamberlain
12. Buck Baker
    Buck Baker
    Elzie Wylie Baker Sr. , better known as Buck Baker, was an American race car driver.-Racing career:...
    
    
13. Perk Brown
14. Jimmie Lewallen
    Jimmie Lewallen
    Jimmie Lewallen was an American racecar driver from High Point, North Carolina, USA. He competed in NASCAR's Strictly Stock/Grand National division from its first race at Charlotte Speedway in 1949 until 1960.-Racing career:Lewallen began his racing career in motorcycles in 1934...
    
    
15. Bub King
16. Herschel Buchanan
17. Johnny Patterson
18. Jim Paschal
    Jim Paschal
    James Roy "Jim" Paschal, Jr. was a NASCAR Grand National and Winston Cup driver. He won twenty-five races and twelve poles over his career. Elected to the "Stock Car Racing Hall of Fame" in 1977, he won the World 600 in 1964 and the 1967 Charlotte Motor Speedway...
    
    
19. Neil Cole
    Neil Cole
    Neil Cole is an English television presenter, comedian, radio broadcaster and actor.-Early life:Cole was born in Bristol in 1972, and attended King Edward Grammar School in Chelmsford...
    
    
20. Lloyd Moore
    Lloyd Moore
    Lloyd D. Moore was a NASCAR Grand National Series driver from 1949 to 1955, recording 13 top-5 and 23 top-10 finishes. He was born in Frewsburg, New York, USA. At the time of his death, he was the oldest living former NASCAR driver.In 1950, Moore was a teammate of NASCAR champion Bill Rexford...
    
    
21. Gene Comstock
    Gene Comstock
    Gene Comstock was a NASCAR Grand National driver from Chesapeake, Ohio, USA. 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 in take home pay...
    
    
22. Banjo Matthews
    Banjo Matthews
    Edwin Keith "Banjo" Matthews was a NASCAR driver, car owner and builder.-Driver:...
    
    
23. Ralph Liguori
    Ralph Liguori
    Ralph Liguori is a former American racing driver from New York City.-Indycar career:He competed in the USAC Championship Car series from 1957 to 1971 making 61 starts. His best finish was 2nd place at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Speedway in 1970. 1966 was his most active year, when he made 7...
    
    
24. Jack Reynolds
25. Dick Passwater
    Dick Passwater
    Richard "Dick" Passwater is a retired American racecar driver who raced in NASCAR and USAC.Born in Indianapolis, Passwater started racing after World War II, and was active in the 1950s and 1960s. He won the fifth race of the 1953 NASCAR Grand National season at Charlotte Speedway in his 1953...
    
    
26. Bucky Sager
27. Frankie Schneider
    Frankie Schneider
    Frankie Schneider of Lambertville, New Jersey was a stock car, modified, midget, and sprint car racer. He had one NASCAR Grand National victory at Old Dominion Speedway in 1958 driving a 1957 Chevrolet. He also won the 1952 NASCAR modified title, where it is suspected that he scored at least 100...
    
    
28. Otis Martin
29. Coleman Lawrence
30. Ed Samples
31. Fred Dove
    Fred Dove
    Fred Dove was a NASCAR Grand National driver from Martinsville, Virginia, USA.He competed in 47 races from with one finish in the top-five, 12 top-ten finishes, and 3919 laps of racing experience - the equivalent of . In his entire four-year career, Dove never won a race, led a lap, or started...
    
    
32. Slick Smith
33. Iggy Katona
    Iggy Katona
    Egnatius "Iggy" Katona was an American stock car racer from Willis, Michigan. He is most famous for his performance in the ARCA series in the 1950s, 60s and 70s, where he won six championships and a series record 79 races...
    
    
34. Jack Smith
35. Tommy Moon

Other notable drivers with at least one start include: Speedy Thompson

Speedy Thompson

Alfred Bruce "Speedy" Thompson was a NASCAR pioneer and driver in the Grand National series from 1950 to 1971; capturing 20 wins along the way.-Racing career:...

, Curtis Turner

Curtis Turner

Curtis Turner was an early NASCAR driver. In addition to his success in racing, he made a fortune, lost it, and remade it buying and selling timberlands. Throughout his life he developed a reputation for drinking and partying...

, Louise Smith

Louise Smith

Louise Smith was tied for the second woman to race in NASCAR at the top level. She was known as "the first lady of racing."...

, Frank Mundy

Frank Mundy

Frank "Rebel" Mundy was an American stock car racer. He competed in the American Automobile Association stock cars, winning the 1955 national championship, before the series changed to United States Auto Club sanction...

, Hershel McGriff

Hershel McGriff

Hershel McGriff won four races during his brief career in the NASCAR Grand National series, and later in the NASCAR Winston West Series.-Racing career:...

, Marshall Teague

Marshall Teague

Marshall Teague was an American race car driver.He was nicknamed by NASCAR fans as the "King of the Beach" for his performances at the Daytona Beach Road Course....

, Nelson Stacy

Nelson Stacy

Nelson Stacy was an American race car driver from Maysville, Kentucky. He won the 1958, 1959, and 1960 MARC Series Nelson Stacy (December 28, 1921 – May 14, 1986) was an American race car driver from Maysville, Kentucky. He won the 1958, 1959, and 1960 MARC Series Nelson Stacy (December 28, 1921 –...

, Bill Rexford

Bill Rexford

Bill Rexford was a stock car driver in the early 1950s.Born in Conewango Valley, New York, he made his name driving stock cars in the region...

, Bob Welborn

Bob Welborn

Robert "Bob" Joe Welborn of Denton, North Carolina, USA is a former NASCAR Grand National driver. He was named to NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers list in 1998...

, Gober Sosebee

Gober Sosebee

Gober Sosebee was an American racecar driver. He won on the Daytona Beach Road Course in 1949, 1950 and 1951. He was born in Dawson County, Georgia, and began his career in 1940 at Atlanta's Lakewood Speedway....

, Bill Snowden

Bill Snowden

Bill Snowden was a NASCAR driver from St. Augustine, Florida, USA. He was one of the racers whose career was interrupted by World War II. He was nicknamed "Wild Bill" and the "Florida Hurricane"....

, Fireball Roberts

Fireball Roberts

Edward Glenn Roberts, Jr. , nicknamed "Fireball", was one of the pioneering race car drivers of NASCAR.-Background:...

, George Bush

George Bush (NASCAR)

George Bush was an American racecar driver.Bush competed in five NASCAR Grand National races in 1952. He picked up Top 10 finishes with a tenth place finish at Occoneechee Speedway, a career-best seventh place finish at Lakewood Speedway, and a tenth place finish at Palm Beach Speedway.-...

, champ car racer Al Keller

Al Keller

Al Keller was an American racecar driver.Keller participated in the NASCAR "Strictly Stock"/"Grand National" series from 1949 to 1956 with 29 career starts...

, Bob Flock

Bob Flock

Robert Newman Flock of Fort Payne, Alabama, USA was an early NASCAR driver. He qualified on the pole position for NASCAR's first Strictly Stock race.-Flock family:...

, Cotton Owens

Cotton Owens

Everett "Cotton" Owens "the King of the Modifieds" was a NASCAR driver. For five straight years , Owens captured at least one Grand National series win.-Modified driving career:...

, Joe Weatherly

Joe Weatherly

Joseph "Joe" Weatherly was a two-time NASCAR championship driver. Weatherly was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2009 after winning NASCAR's Grand National championships in 1962 and 1963, three A.M.A...

, crew chief Smokey Yunick

Smokey Yunick

Henry "Smokey" Yunick was an American mechanic and car designer associated with motorsports. Yunick was deeply involved in the early years of NASCAR, and he is probably most associated with that racing genre...

, and Dutch Hoag

Dutch Hoag

Donald "Dutch" Hoag is an American racing driver who won the Langhorne National Open five times when it was the most prestigious event for Modified and Sportsman racers....

.

1952 Race schedule and results

• Date	Site	Winner	Make / Model	Miles	Purse
  January 20, 1952	W. Palm Beach	Tim Flock	'51 Hudson	100	$3,580
  February 10, 1952	Daytona Beach	Marshall Teague	'52 Hudson	152	$6,110
  March 6, 1952	Jacksonville	Marshall Teague	'52 Hudson	100	$3,675
  March 30, 1952	North Wilkesboro	Herb Thomas	'52 Hudson	125	$3,550
  April 6, 1952	Martinsville	Dick Rathmann	'51 Hudson	100	$3,500
  April 12, 1952	Columbia	Buck Baker	'52 Hudson	100	$3,500
  April 20, 1952	Atlanta	Bill Blair	'52 Oldsmobile	100	$3,645
  April 27, 1952	Macon	Herb Thomas	'52 Hudson	99	$4,815
  May 4, 1952	Langhorne	Dick Rathmann	'52 Hudson	150	$4,745
  May 10, 1952	Darlington	Dick Rathmann	'51 Hudson	100	$3,550
  May 18, 1952	Dayton	Dick Rathmann	'51 Hudson	100	$3,325
  May 30, 1952	Canfield	Herb Thomas	'52 Hudson	100	$3,700
  June 1, 1952	Augusta	Gober Sosebee	'52 Chrysler	77	$3,575
  June 1, 1952	Toledo	Tim Flock	'51 Hudson	100	$3,550
  June 8, 1952	Hillsboro	Tim Flock	'51 Hudson	100	$3,425
  June 15, 1952	Charlotte	Herb Thomas	'52 Hudson	113	$3,550
  June 29, 1952	Detroit	Tim Flock	'51 Hudson	250	$11,675
  July 1, 1952	Niagara Falls	Buddy Shuman	'52 Hudson	100	$3,375
  July 4, 1952	Owego	Tim Flock	'51 Hudson	100	$3,600
  July 6, 1952	Monroe	Tim Flock	'52 Hudson	100	$3,325
  July 11, 1952	Morristown	Lee Petty	'51 Plymouth	100	$3,750
  July 20, 1952	South Bend	Tim Flock	'51 Hudson	100	$3,425
  August 15, 1952	Rochester	Tim Flock	'52 Hudson	88	$3,550
  August 17, 1952	Weaverville	Bob Flock	'51 Hudson	100	$3,635
  September 1, 1952	Darlington	Fonty Flock	'52 Oldsmobile	500	$23,855
  September 7, 1952	Macon	Lee Petty	'51 Plymouth	150	$4,865
  September 14, 1952	Langhorne	Lee Petty	'51 Plymouth	250	$8,225
  September 21, 1952	Dayton	Dick Rathmann	'51 Hudson	150	$5,550
  September 28, 1952	Wilson	Herb Thomas	'52 Hudson	100	$3,500
  October 12, 1952	Hillsboro	Fonty Flock	'52 Oldsmobile	150	$5,045
  October 19, 1952	Martinsville	Herb Thomas	'52 Hudson	100	$3,675
  October 26, 1952	North Wilkesboro	Herb Thomas	'52 Hudson	125	$3,625
  November 16, 1952	Atlanta	Donald Thomas	'52 Hudson	100	$3,820
  October 30, 1952	W. Palm Beach	Herb Thomas	'52 Hudson	100	$3,425

West Palm Beach, FL.; Palm Beach Speedway 

Race (1) Top 10 finishers

1. 91, Tim Flock
2. 42, Lee Petty
3. 14, Fonty Flock
4. 88, Frankie Schneider
5. 17, Buddy Shuman
6. 7, Frank Mundy
7. 787, Jim Millard
8. 86, Bill Davis
9. 9, Ed Samples
10. 36, Al Funderburk

Daytona Beach, FL; Daytona Beach Road Course

Daytona Beach Road Course

Daytona Beach Road Course was a race track that was instrumental in the formation of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, or NASCAR. It originally became famous as the location where fifteen world land speed records were set...

 

Race (2) Top 10 finishes

1. 6, Marshall Teague
2. 92, Herb Thomas
3. 99, Pat Kirkwood
4. 14, Fonty Flock
5. 51, Gober Sosebee
6. 2, Bill Blair
7. 40, Tommy Thompson
8. 57, Tommy Moon
9. 42, Lee Petty
10. 59, Lloyd Moore

Jacksonville, FL.; Speedway Park 

Race (3) Top 10 finishes

1. 6, Marshall Teague
2. 92, Herb Thomas
3. 88, Frankie Schneider
4. 91, Tim Flock
5. 57, Tommy Moon
6. 14, Fonty Flock
7. 72, Donald Thomas
8. 47, Jim Reed
9. 1, Dick Eagan
10. 78, Bob Moore

North Wilkesboro, NC; North Wilkesboro Speedway

North Wilkesboro Speedway

North Wilkesboro Speedway was a short track that held races in NASCAR's top three series from NASCAR's inception in 1949 until its closure in 1996...

 

Race (4) Top 10 finishes; Wilkes County 200

1. 92 Herb Thomas
2. 14 Fonty Flock
3. 2 Bill Blair
4. 72 Donald Thomas
5. 126 Dave Terrell
6. Neil Cole
7. 17 Buddy Shuman
8. 60 Jim Paschal
9. 42 Lee Petty
10. Otis Martin

Martinsville, VA; Martinsville Speedway

Martinsville Speedway

Martinsville Speedway is an International Speedway Corporation-owned NASCAR stock car racing track located in Henry County, near Ridgeway, Virginia, just to the south of Martinsville. At in length, it is the shortest track in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The track was also one of the first paved...

 

Race (5) Top 10 finishes

1. 120 Dick Rathmann
2. 2 Bill Blair
3. 22 Perk Brown
4. 42 Lee Petty
5. Bobby Courtwright
6. Neil Cole
7. 38 Clyde Minter
8. 92 Herb Thomas
9. 88 Frankie Schneider
10. 60 Jim Paschal

Columbia NC.; Columbia Speedway

Columbia Speedway

Columbia Speedway was an oval racetrack located in Cayce, a suburb of Columbia, South Carolina. It was the site of auto races for NASCAR's top series from 1951 through 1971. For most of its history, the racing surface was dirt. The races in April and August 1970 were two of the final three Grand...

 

Race (6) Top 10 finishes

1. 89, Buck Baker
2. 42, Lee Petty
3. 120, Dick Rathmann
4. 88, Frankie Schneider
5. 82, Joe Eubanks
6. 72, Donald Thomas
7. 17, Buddy Shuman
8. 60, Jim Paschal
9. 77, Jack Smith
10. 18, Jimmy Florian

Atlanta, GA.; Lakewood Speedway

Lakewood Speedway

Lakewood Speedway was a race track located south of Atlanta, Georgia, in Lakewood, Georgia, just north of the eastern arm of Langford Parkway . The track held many kinds of races between 1919 and 1979, including events sanctioned by AAA/USAC, IMCA, and NASCAR. It was a one-mile dirt track which...

 

Race (7) Top 10 finishes

1. 2, Bill Blair
2. 9, Ed Samples
3. 42, Lee Petty
4. 89, Buck Baker
5. 118, Ed Benedict
6. 128, Charles Gattalia
7. 4, Fonty Flock
8. 92, Herb Thomas
9. 51, Gober Sosebee
10. 18, Jimmy Florian

Macon GA.; Central City Speedway 

Race (8) Top 10 Finishes

1. 92, Herb Thomas
2. 14, Fonty Flock
3. 9, Ed Samples
4. 89, Buck Baker
5. 51, Gober Sosebee
6. 60, Jim Paschal
7. 42, Lee Petty
8. 72, Donald Thomas
9. 91, Tim Flock
10. 128, Charles Gattalia

Langhorne, PA; Langhorne Speedway

Langhorne Speedway

Langhorne Speedway was an automobile racetrack in Middletown Township, Bucks County, near the borough of Langhorne, Pennsylvania, a northern suburb of Philadelphia....

 

Race (9) Top 10 Finishes

1. 120, Dick Rathmann
2. 91, Tim Flock
3. 42, Lee Petty
4. 421, Jack Reynolds
5. 14, Fonty Flock
6. 89, Buck Baker
7. Tom Dawson
8. 126, Dave Terrell
9. Bud Farrell
10. 2, Bill Blair

Darlington, SC; Darlington Raceway

Darlington Raceway

Darlington Raceway is a race track built for NASCAR racing located near Darlington, South Carolina. It is nicknamed the "Lady in Black" and "The Track Too Tough to Tame" by many NASCAR fans and drivers and advertised as "A NASCAR Tradition"...

 

Race (10) Top 10 Finishes

1. 120, Dick Rathmann
2. 91, Tim Flock
3. 14, Fonty Flock
4. 2, Jimmie Lewallen
5. 82, Joe Eubanks
6. 72, Donald Thomas
7. 42, Lee Petty
8. 11, Fireball Roberts
9. 41, Jim Paschal
10. 7, Frank Mundy

Dayton, OH; Dayton Speedway

Dayton Speedway

The Dayton Speedway is a race track in Dayton, Ohio, United States.It has been called the "Fastest 1/2 mile in the world".The track has held events for NASCAR, AAA, MARC, ARCA, ASA, USAC, etc.-History:...

 

Race (11) Top 10 Finishes

1. 120, Dick Rathmann
2. 59, Lloyd Moore
3. 91, Tim Flock
4. 42, Lee Petty
5. 72, Donald Thomas
6. 82, Herb Thomas
7. 41, Jim Paschal
8. 128, Charles Gattalia
9. 421, Jack Reynolds
10. 22, Perk Brown

Canfield, OH; Canfield Speedway

Canfield Speedway

- Canfield Speedway :Canfield Speedway hosted sanctioned auto racing from 1950 to 1964, but other associations ran until the late 1970s. The track is a half mile dirt oval that was on the Nascar Grand National Schedule for three years from 1950-1952 hosting one event annually over that time period...

 

Race (12) Top 10 Finishes; Poor Man's 500

1. 92, Herb Thomas
2. 2, Bill Blair
3. 78, Bob Moore
4. 91, Tim Flock
5. 41, Curtis Turner
6. 82, Joe Eubanks
7. 44, Jimmie Lewallen
8. Bill Rexford
9. 93, Ted Chamberlain
10. Ernie Boost

Augusta, GA; Hayloft Speedway 

Race (13) Top 10 Finishes

1. 51, Gober Sosebee
2. 57, Tommy Moon
3. David Ezell
4. 17, June Cleveland
5. Jerry Wimbish
6. 16, Bill Snowden
7. 77, Weldon Adams
8. 126, Dave Terrell
9. 72, Donald Thomas
10. 9, Ed Samples

Toledo, OH.; Fort Miami Speedway 

Race (14) Top 10 Finishes

1. 91, Tim Flock
2. 120, Dick Rathmann
3. 42, Lee Petty
4. 44, Ray Duhigg
5. 14, Fonty Flock
6. 22, Perk Brown
7. 82, Joe Eubanks
8. Bud Farrell
9. 421, Jack Reynolds
10. Ralph Liguori

Hillsboro, NC.; Occoneechee Speedway

Occoneechee Speedway

Occoneechee Speedway was one of the first two NASCAR tracks to open. It closed in 1968 and is the only dirt track remaining from the inaugural 1949 season.It is located just outside the town of Hillsborough, North Carolina.-Site history:...

 

Race (15) Top 10 Finishes

1. 91, Tim Flock
2. 14, Fonty Flock
3. 120, Dick Rathmann
4. 2, Bill Blair
5. Jimmie Lewallen
6. 42, Lee Petty
7. 82, Joe Eubanks
8. 44, Ray Duhigg
9. Clyde Minter
10. 72, Donald Thomas

Charlotte, NC; Charlotte Speedway

Charlotte Speedway

For the current NASCAR track in Charlotte, North Carolina, see Charlotte Motor Speedway.Charlotte Speedway was the site of NASCAR's first Strictly Stock series race on June 19, 1949. The Daytona Beach Road Course held the first race sanctioned by NASCAR in 1948...

 

Race (16) Top 10 Finishes

1. 92, Herb Thomas
2. 91, Tim Flock
3. 2, Bill Blair
4. 42, Lee Petty
5. 120, Dick Rathmann
6. 66, Donald Thomas
7. 82, Joe Eubanks
8. 89, Buddy Shuman
9. 17, June Cleveland
10. 19, Fred Dove

Detroit, MI; Michigan State Fairgrounds 

Race (17) 7Top 10 Finishes Motor City 250

1. 91, Tim Flock
2. 89, Buddy Shuman
3. 92, Herb Thomas
4. 2, Bill Blair
5. 99, Pat Kirkwood
   Pat Kirkwood (NASCAR driver)
   Patrick "Pat" Kirkwoood was a NASCAR Grand National Driver from 1949 to 1957.-As a driver:...
   
   
6. 77, Dick Passwater
   Dick Passwater
   Richard "Dick" Passwater is a retired American racecar driver who raced in NASCAR and USAC.Born in Indianapolis, Passwater started racing after World War II, and was active in the 1950s and 1960s. He won the fifth race of the 1953 NASCAR Grand National season at Charlotte Speedway in his 1953...
   
   
7. 3, Hershel McGriff
   Hershel McGriff
   Hershel McGriff won four races during his brief career in the NASCAR Grand National series, and later in the NASCAR Winston West Series.-Racing career:...
   
   
8. 73, Stewart Joyce
9. 4, Otis Martin
10. 34, Ted Chamberlain

Niagara Falls, Ontario

Niagara Falls, Ontario

Niagara Falls is a Canadian city on the Niagara River in the Golden Horseshoe region of Southern Ontario. The municipality was incorporated on June 12, 1903...

, Canada; Stamford Park 

17 cars competed in the event, only three were running at the end.

Race (18) Top 10 Finishes

1. 89, Buddy Shuman
2. 92, Herb Thomas
3. 44, Ray Duhigg
4. 421, Jack Reynolds
5. Perk Brown
6. Neil Cole
7. Fonty Flock
8. 118, Bucky Sager
9. 93, Ted Chamberlain
10. Albert Lemieux
    Albert Lemieux
    -Political career:Lemieux ran as a Bloc Populaire Canadien candidate in the provincial district of Beauharnois in the 1944 election and won against Union Nationale incumbent Delpha Sauvé. He did not run for re-election in the 1948 election.-Retirement:...
    
    

Oswego, NY; Wine Creek Race Track 

Race (19) Top 10 Finishes

1. 91, Tim Flock
2. 92, Herb Thomas
3. 120, Dick Rathmann
4. 118, Bucky Sager
5. 42, Lee Petty
   Lee Petty
   Lee Arnold Petty was an American stock car driver in the 1950s and 1960s. He was one of the pioneers of NASCAR, and one of its first superstars. He was born near Randleman, North Carolina.-Career:...
   
   
6. 59, Lloyd Moore
   Lloyd Moore
   Lloyd D. Moore was a NASCAR Grand National Series driver from 1949 to 1955, recording 13 top-5 and 23 top-10 finishes. He was born in Frewsburg, New York, USA. At the time of his death, he was the oldest living former NASCAR driver.In 1950, Moore was a teammate of NASCAR champion Bill Rexford...
   
   
7. 44, Ray Duhigg
8. 421, Jack Reynolds
9. Neil Cole
   Neil Cole
   Neil Cole is an English television presenter, comedian, radio broadcaster and actor.-Early life:Cole was born in Bristol in 1972, and attended King Edward Grammar School in Chelmsford...
   
   
10. Walt Carver

Monroe, MI; Monroe Speedway 

Race (20) Top 10 Finishes

1. 91, Tim Flock
2. 92, Herb Thomas
3. 42, Lee Petty
   Lee Petty
   Lee Arnold Petty was an American stock car driver in the 1950s and 1960s. He was one of the pioneers of NASCAR, and one of its first superstars. He was born near Randleman, North Carolina.-Career:...
   
   
4. 14, Fonty Flock
5. 44, Ray Duhigg
6. 84, Red Duvall
7. 93, Ted Chamberlain
8. Iggy Katona
   Iggy Katona
   Egnatius "Iggy" Katona was an American stock car racer from Willis, Michigan. He is most famous for his performance in the ARCA series in the 1950s, 60s and 70s, where he won six championships and a series record 79 races...
   
   
9. 162, Fred Bethune
10. Bob Moore
    Bob Moore
    Bob Loyce Moore is an American session musician, orchestra leader, and bassist who was a member of the legendary Nashville A-Team during the 1950s and 60s.-Biography:...
    
    

Morristown, NJ; Morristown Speedway 

Race (21) Top 10 Finishes

1. 42, Lee Petty
   Lee Petty
   Lee Arnold Petty was an American stock car driver in the 1950s and 1960s. He was one of the pioneers of NASCAR, and one of its first superstars. He was born near Randleman, North Carolina.-Career:...
   
   
2. 91, Tim Flock
3. Neil Cole
   Neil Cole
   Neil Cole is an English television presenter, comedian, radio broadcaster and actor.-Early life:Cole was born in Bristol in 1972, and attended King Edward Grammar School in Chelmsford...
   
   
4. Ralph Liguori
   Ralph Liguori
   Ralph Liguori is a former American racing driver from New York City.-Indycar career:He competed in the USAC Championship Car series from 1957 to 1971 making 61 starts. His best finish was 2nd place at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Speedway in 1970. 1966 was his most active year, when he made 7...
   
   
5. Ronnie Kohler
6. Pappy Hough
7. Nelson Applegate
8. Jim Reed
   Jim Reed (racer)
   Jim Reed is a retired NASCAR Grand National driver.-Summary:From 1951 to 1963, Reed has raced 16299 laps - the equivalent of . His total career earnings is $16,299 . Reed's biggest win came in the 1959 Southern 500 driving a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air...
   
   
9. 93, Ted Chamberlain
10. Eddie Van Horn

South Bend

Race (22) Top 10 Finishes

1. 91, Tim Flock
   Tim Flock
   Julius Timothy Flock was one of NASCAR's early pioneers, and a two time series champion. He was a brother to NASCAR's second female driver Ethel Mobley and NASCAR pioneers Bob Flock and Fonty Flock.- NASCAR career :...
   
   
2. 42, Lee Petty
3. 55, Bub King
4. 4, Herschel Buchanan
5. 77, Dick Passwater
   Dick Passwater
   Richard "Dick" Passwater is a retired American racecar driver who raced in NASCAR and USAC.Born in Indianapolis, Passwater started racing after World War II, and was active in the 1950s and 1960s. He won the fifth race of the 1953 NASCAR Grand National season at Charlotte Speedway in his 1953...
   
   
6. 8, Gene Comstock
   Gene Comstock
   Gene Comstock was a NASCAR Grand National driver from Chesapeake, Ohio, USA. 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 in take home pay...
   
   
7. Glen Larsen
8. 94, J. O. Staton
9. 118, Bucky Sager
10. 84, Red Duvall

Rochester, NY; Monroe County Fairgrounds 

Race (23) Top 10 Finishes

1. 91, Tim Flock
   Tim Flock
   Julius Timothy Flock was one of NASCAR's early pioneers, and a two time series champion. He was a brother to NASCAR's second female driver Ethel Mobley and NASCAR pioneers Bob Flock and Fonty Flock.- NASCAR career :...
   
   
2. 92, Herb Thomas
3. 120 Dick Rathmann
   Dick Rathmann
   Dick Rathmann was an American racecar driver....
   
   
4. 42, Lee Petty
   Lee Petty
   Lee Arnold Petty was an American stock car driver in the 1950s and 1960s. He was one of the pioneers of NASCAR, and one of its first superstars. He was born near Randleman, North Carolina.-Career:...
   
   
5. 7, Jim Reed
   Jim Reed (racer)
   Jim Reed is a retired NASCAR Grand National driver.-Summary:From 1951 to 1963, Reed has raced 16299 laps - the equivalent of . His total career earnings is $16,299 . Reed's biggest win came in the 1959 Southern 500 driving a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air...
   
   
6. 8, Jimmie Lewallen
   Jimmie Lewallen
   Jimmie Lewallen was an American racecar driver from High Point, North Carolina, USA. He competed in NASCAR's Strictly Stock/Grand National division from its first race at Charlotte Speedway in 1949 until 1960.-Racing career:Lewallen began his racing career in motorcycles in 1934...
   
   
7. Yay Duhigg
8. 94, J. O. Staton
9. 118, Bucky Sager
10. 84, Red Duvall

Weaverville, NC; Asheville-Weaverville Speedway

Asheville-Weaverville Speedway

The Asheville-Weaverville Speedway near Weaverville, North Carolina, USA was considered to be site for the old-school NASCAR races in both the Grand National and the Winston Cup eras . None of the active drivers that are in the Sprint Cup Series today have ever raced at Asheville-Weaverville Speedway...

 

Race (24) Top 10 Finishes

1. 7, Bob Flock
2. 91, Tim Flock
3. 92, Herb Thomas
4. 8, Gene Comstock
5. 1, Herschel Buchanan
6. Barney Smith
7. 66, Donald Thomas
8. 71, Coleman Lawrence
9. 54, Weldon Adams
10. 89, Buck Baker
    Buck Baker
    Elzie Wylie Baker Sr. , better known as Buck Baker, was an American race car driver.-Racing career:...
    
    

Darlington, SC; Darlington Raceway

Darlington Raceway

Darlington Raceway is a race track built for NASCAR racing located near Darlington, South Carolina. It is nicknamed the "Lady in Black" and "The Track Too Tough to Tame" by many NASCAR fans and drivers and advertised as "A NASCAR Tradition"...

 

Race (25) Southern 500

Southern 500

The Showtime Southern 500 is the annual spring NASCAR Sprint Cup race held at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina, USA, and is the second such event at Darlington to bear the name. It began in 1957 as a race in the Convertible Division, known as the Rebel 300. In 1966, the race was...

 Top 10 Finishes

1. 14, Fonty Flock
2. 58, Johnny Patterson
3. 92, Herb Thomas
4. 55, Bub King
5. 16, Banjo Matthews
6. 42, Lee Petty
7. 82, Joe Eubanks
8. 1, Herschel Buchanan
9. 87, Buck Baker
   Buck Baker
   Elzie Wylie Baker Sr. , better known as Buck Baker, was an American race car driver.-Racing career:...
   
   
10. 24, Ray Duhigg

Macon, Ga; Central City Speedway 

Race (26) Top 10 Finishes

1. 42, Lee Petty
2. 92, Herb Thomas
3. 91, Tim Flock
4. 82, Joe Eubanks
5. 1, Herschel Buchanan
6. 32, Jimmie Lewallen
7. 66, Donald Thomas
8. Carson Dyer
9. 93, Ted Chamberlain
10. Barney Smith

Langhorne, PA; Langhorne Speedway

Langhorne Speedway

Langhorne Speedway was an automobile racetrack in Middletown Township, Bucks County, near the borough of Langhorne, Pennsylvania, a northern suburb of Philadelphia....

 

Race (27) Top 10 Finishes

1. 42, Lee Petty
2. 2, Bill Blair
3. 1, Herschel Buchanan
4. 91, Tim Flock
5. 120, Dick Rathmann
6. 4, Slick Smith
7. Neil Cole
   Neil Cole
   Neil Cole is an English television presenter, comedian, radio broadcaster and actor.-Early life:Cole was born in Bristol in 1972, and attended King Edward Grammar School in Chelmsford...
   
   
8. 24, Ray Duhigg
9. Jack Reynolds
10. 167, Elton Hildreth

Dayton, OH; Dayton Speedway

Dayton Speedway

The Dayton Speedway is a race track in Dayton, Ohio, United States.It has been called the "Fastest 1/2 mile in the world".The track has held events for NASCAR, AAA, MARC, ARCA, ASA, USAC, etc.-History:...

 

Top 10 Finishes

1. 120, Dick Rathmanns
2. 42, Lee Petty
3. 24, Ray Duhigg
4. 59, Lloyd Moore
   Lloyd Moore
   Lloyd D. Moore was a NASCAR Grand National Series driver from 1949 to 1955, recording 13 top-5 and 23 top-10 finishes. He was born in Frewsburg, New York, USA. At the time of his death, he was the oldest living former NASCAR driver.In 1950, Moore was a teammate of NASCAR champion Bill Rexford...
   
   
5. 92, Herb Thomas
6. 91, Tim Flock
7. Iggy Katona
8. 77, Dick Passwater
   Dick Passwater
   Richard "Dick" Passwater is a retired American racecar driver who raced in NASCAR and USAC.Born in Indianapolis, Passwater started racing after World War II, and was active in the 1950s and 1960s. He won the fifth race of the 1953 NASCAR Grand National season at Charlotte Speedway in his 1953...
   
   
9. 18, Ed Benedict
   Ed Benedict
   Ed Benedict was an American animator and layout artist. He is best known for his work with Hanna-Barbera Studios, where he helped design Fred Flintstone, Yogi Bear, and Ruff and Ready....
   
   
10. Herschel White

Wilson, NC; Wilson Speedway 

Race (29) Top 10 Finishes

1. 92, Herb Thomas
2. 42, Lee Petty
3. 2, Bill Blair
4. 12, Jim Paschal
5. 120, Dick Rathmann
6. 17, Buddy Shuman
7. 91, Tim Flock
8. 4, Slick Smith
9. 32, Jimmie Lewallen
10. 71, Coleman Lawrence

Hillsboro,NC ;Occoneechee Speedway

Occoneechee Speedway

Occoneechee Speedway was one of the first two NASCAR tracks to open. It closed in 1968 and is the only dirt track remaining from the inaugural 1949 season.It is located just outside the town of Hillsborough, North Carolina.-Site history:...

 

Race (30) Top 10 Finishes

1. 14, Fonty Flock
2. 9, Donald Thomas
3. 2, Bill Blair
4. 91, Tim Flock
5. 42, Lee Petty
6. 55, Bub King
7. 24, Ray Duhigg
8. 4, Slick Smith
9. 19, Fred Dove
10. George Bush
    George Bush (NASCAR)
    George Bush was an American racecar driver.Bush competed in five NASCAR Grand National races in 1952. He picked up Top 10 finishes with a tenth place finish at Occoneechee Speedway, a career-best seventh place finish at Lakewood Speedway, and a tenth place finish at Palm Beach Speedway.-...
    
    

Martinsville, VA; Martinsville Speedway

Martinsville Speedway

Martinsville Speedway is an International Speedway Corporation-owned NASCAR stock car racing track located in Henry County, near Ridgeway, Virginia, just to the south of Martinsville. At in length, it is the shortest track in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The track was also one of the first paved...

 

Race (31) Top 10 Finishes

1. 92, Herb Thomas
2. 14, Fonty Flock
3. 42, Lee Petty
4. 91, Tim Flock
5. 42, Lee Petty
6. 58, Johnny Patterson
7. 2, Bill Blair
8. Julian Petty
9. Clyde Minter
10. Cotton Owens
    Cotton Owens
    Everett "Cotton" Owens "the King of the Modifieds" was a NASCAR driver. For five straight years , Owens captured at least one Grand National series win.-Modified driving career:...
    
    
11. Ralph Liguori
    Ralph Liguori
    Ralph Liguori is a former American racing driver from New York City.-Indycar career:He competed in the USAC Championship Car series from 1957 to 1971 making 61 starts. His best finish was 2nd place at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Speedway in 1970. 1966 was his most active year, when he made 7...
    
    

North Wilkesboro, NC; North Wilkesboro Speedway

North Wilkesboro Speedway

North Wilkesboro Speedway was a short track that held races in NASCAR's top three series from NASCAR's inception in 1949 until its closure in 1996...

 

Race (32) Top 10 Finishes

1. 9, Herb Thomas
2. 14, Fonty Flock
3. 92, Donald Thomas
4. 91, Tim Flock
5. 120, Dick Rathmann
6. Jimmie Lewallen
7. 22, Perk Brown
8. 19, Fred Dove
   Fred Dove
   Fred Dove was a NASCAR Grand National driver from Martinsville, Virginia, USA.He competed in 47 races from with one finish in the top-five, 12 top-ten finishes, and 3919 laps of racing experience - the equivalent of . In his entire four-year career, Dove never won a race, led a lap, or started...
   
   
9. 55, Bub King
10. 71, Coleman Lawrence

Atlanta, GA; Lakewood Speedway

Lakewood Speedway

Lakewood Speedway was a race track located south of Atlanta, Georgia, in Lakewood, Georgia, just north of the eastern arm of Langford Parkway . The track held many kinds of races between 1919 and 1979, including events sanctioned by AAA/USAC, IMCA, and NASCAR. It was a one-mile dirt track which...

 

Race (33) Top 10 Finishes

1. 9, Donald Thomas
2. 42, Lee Petty
3. 82, Joe Eubanks
4. 91, Tim Flock
5. 51, Gober Sosebee
6. 120, Jack Smith
7. George Bush
   George Bush (NASCAR)
   George Bush was an American racecar driver.Bush competed in five NASCAR Grand National races in 1952. He picked up Top 10 finishes with a tenth place finish at Occoneechee Speedway, a career-best seventh place finish at Lakewood Speedway, and a tenth place finish at Palm Beach Speedway.-...
   
   
8. Ralph Liguori
   Ralph Liguori
   Ralph Liguori is a former American racing driver from New York City.-Indycar career:He competed in the USAC Championship Car series from 1957 to 1971 making 61 starts. His best finish was 2nd place at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Speedway in 1970. 1966 was his most active year, when he made 7...
   
   
9. 8, Gene Comstock
10. 55, Bub King

Palm Beach, FL; Palm Beach Speedway 

Race (34) Top 10 finishers

1. 92 Herb Thomas
   Herb Thomas
   Herbert Watson Thomas was a NASCAR pioneer who was one of the series' most successful drivers in the 1950s.-Background:...
   
   
2. 14 Fonty Flock
   Fonty Flock
   Truman Fontello "Fonty" Flock of Fort Payne, Alabama was an early NASCAR driver.-Flock family:He was the brother of NASCAR pioneers Tim Flock and Bob Flock, and the second female NASCAR driver Ethel Mobley...
   
   
3. 22 Perk Brown
4. 42 Lee Petty
   Lee Petty
   Lee Arnold Petty was an American stock car driver in the 1950s and 1960s. He was one of the pioneers of NASCAR, and one of its first superstars. He was born near Randleman, North Carolina.-Career:...
   
   
5. Marion Edwards
6. Rags Carter
7. 13 Pop McGinnis
8. Ralph Liguori
   Ralph Liguori
   Ralph Liguori is a former American racing driver from New York City.-Indycar career:He competed in the USAC Championship Car series from 1957 to 1971 making 61 starts. His best finish was 2nd place at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Speedway in 1970. 1966 was his most active year, when he made 7...
   
   
9. 3 Allan Clarke
10. George Bush
    George Bush (NASCAR)
    George Bush was an American racecar driver.Bush competed in five NASCAR Grand National races in 1952. He picked up Top 10 finishes with a tenth place finish at Occoneechee Speedway, a career-best seventh place finish at Lakewood Speedway, and a tenth place finish at Palm Beach Speedway.-...