1952 NASCAR Grand National Series

The 1952 NASCAR Grand National Series was the fourth season of the premier stock car racing championship sanctioned by NASCAR. Once the season was concluded, driver Tim Flock 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 in Ohio, and Hayloft Speedway in Augusta, Georgia. Herb Thomas finished second to Flock after competing in 32 races, and Lee Petty finished third in the standings that year.[1] Throughout the 1952 season, a total of 261 drivers entered at least one of the 34 events.[2] Virtually every American car manufacturer had at least one of their cars start that season.[3]

1952 Grand National Series
Previous:	1951	Next:	1953

This 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. started paying contingency award monies in exchange for the publicity they received by drivers sponsoring their products.[1][4]

1952 season recap

a Hudson Hornet, outfitted for racing, circa early 1950s

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.[5] 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 of the day.[6]

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. Six-thousand fans were on hand to see Flock capture his first of eight victories in the 1952 season.[7] Flock started on the pole, and drove his No. 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.[8] Flock captured the pole position for the race in 27.78 seconds, with an average speed of 64.79 mph.[9] The second event of the 1952 season took place on the famed 4.1 mile road course of Daytona Beach Speedway, and driver Marshall Teague took the victory in a 1952 Hudson. Herb Thomas led the first lap of the event, but Teague managed to lead laps 2 to 37. Twenty-thousand spectators witnessed 61 drivers start the event; but at the end of the 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.[10] 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.[11]

On June 29, NASCAR traveled to Detroit, Michigan, for a scheduled 250-mile event, dubbed the "Motor Sports 250".[12] The race was held at the Michigan State Fairgrounds Speedway; a one-mile dirt oval built in 1899.[13] NASCAR offered its first five-figured purse, of $11,675, to the contestants, and driver Tim Flock came away with the winner's 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, with the fourth and final lead change, on the next lap, went on to lead the remaining laps of the event. Shuman finished the event in second place, capturing a total of $2,225. The event concluded after four hours, with over half of the 47 contestants still running at the drop of the checkered flag.[12]

For the 25th race of the season, fans and drivers assembled at the Darlington Raceway 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 took home the winner's trophy with an average speed of 74.5 mph.[2] Over 32,000 fans watched as Flock's victory in his number 14, 1952 Oldsmobile, netted him a $9,430 check for over 6.5 hours of driving. Flock started on the pole, and led the first 17 laps before the first lead change between four drivers. Flock recaptured the lead for the final time on lap 185.[14] Eventual season champion Tim Flock and his No. 91 Hudson were involved in an accident on lap 321, but Flock stepped in and replaced driver Jack Smith in the No. 9. While Flock drove the No. 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.[15]

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 season to finish second in the final standings.[2] Thomas claimed the final victory of the season, winning the event with a two lap advantage over second-place Fonty Flock.[16]

1952 Race schedule and results

• [17]

Date	Site	Winner	Make / model	Miles	Purse
January 20, 1952	W. Palm Beach	Tim Flock	1951 Hudson	100	$3,580
February 10, 1952	Daytona Beach	Marshall Teague	1952 Hudson	152	$6,110
March 6, 1952	Jacksonville	Marshall Teague	1952 Hudson	100	$3,675
March 30, 1952	North Wilkesboro	Herb Thomas	1952 Hudson	125	$3,550
April 6, 1952	Martinsville	Dick Rathmann	1951 Hudson	100	$3,500
April 12, 1952	Columbia	Buck Baker	1952 Hudson	100	$3,500
April 20, 1952	Atlanta	Bill Blair	1952 Oldsmobile	100	$3,645
April 27, 1952	Macon	Herb Thomas	1952 Hudson	99	$4,815
May 4, 1952	Langhorne	Dick Rathmann	1952 Hudson	150	$4,745
May 10, 1952	Darlington	Dick Rathmann	1951 Hudson	100	$3,550
May 18, 1952	Dayton	Dick Rathmann	1951 Hudson	100	$3,325
May 30, 1952	Canfield	Herb Thomas	1952 Hudson	100	$3,700
June 1, 1952	Augusta	Gober Sosebee	1952 Chrysler	77	$3,575
June 1, 1952	Toledo	Tim Flock	1951 Hudson	100	$3,550
June 8, 1952	Hillsboro	Tim Flock	1951 Hudson	100	$3,425
June 15, 1952	Charlotte	Herb Thomas	1952 Hudson	113	$3,550
June 29, 1952	Detroit	Tim Flock	1951 Hudson	250	$11,675
July 1, 1952	Niagara Falls	Buddy Shuman	1952 Hudson	100	$3,375
July 4, 1952	Owego	Tim Flock	1951 Hudson	100	$3,600
July 6, 1952	Monroe	Tim Flock	1952 Hudson	100	$3,325
July 11, 1952	Morristown	Lee Petty	1951 Plymouth	100	$3,750
July 20, 1952	South Bend	Tim Flock	1951 Hudson	100	$3,425
August 15, 1952	Rochester	Tim Flock	1952 Hudson	88	$3,550
August 17, 1952	Weaverville	Bob Flock	1951 Hudson	100	$3,635
September 1, 1952	Darlington	Fonty Flock	1952 Oldsmobile	500	$23,855
September 7, 1952	Macon	Lee Petty	1951 Plymouth	150	$4,865
September 14, 1952	Langhorne	Lee Petty	1951 Plymouth	250	$8,225
September 21, 1952	Dayton	Dick Rathmann	1951 Hudson	150	$5,550
September 28, 1952	Wilson	Herb Thomas	1952 Hudson	100	$3,500
October 12, 1952	Hillsboro	Fonty Flock	1952 Oldsmobile	150	$5,045
October 19, 1952	Martinsville	Herb Thomas	1952 Hudson	100	$3,675
October 26, 1952	North Wilkesboro	Herb Thomas	1952 Hudson	125	$3,625
October 30, 1952	W. Palm Beach	Herb Thomas	1952 Hudson	100	$3,425
November 16, 1952	Atlanta	Donald Thomas	1952 Hudson	100	$3,820

Individual races

West Palm Beach, FL.; Palm Beach Speedway Race (1) Top 10 finishers[7] 91, Tim Flock 42, Lee Petty 14, Fonty Flock 88, Frankie Schneider 17, Buddy Shuman 7, Frank Mundy 787, Jim Millard 86, Bill Davis 9, Ed Samples 36, Al Funderburk Daytona Beach, FL; Daytona Beach Road Course Race (2) Top 10 finishes[10] 6, Marshall Teague 92, Herb Thomas 99, Pat Kirkwood 14, Fonty Flock 51, Gober Sosebee 2, Bill Blair 40, Tommy Thompson 57, Tommy Moon 42, Lee Petty 59, Lloyd Moore Jacksonville, FL.; Speedway Park Race (3) Top 10 finishes[11] 6, Marshall Teague 92, Herb Thomas 88, Frankie Schneider 91, Tim Flock 57, Tommy Moon 14, Fonty Flock 72, Donald Thomas 47, Jim Reed 1, Dick Eagan 78, Bob Moore North Wilkesboro, NC; North Wilkesboro Speedway Race (4) Top 10 finishes; Wilkes County 200[18] 92 Herb Thomas 14 Fonty Flock 2 Bill Blair 72 Donald Thomas 126 Dave Terrell Neil Cole 17 Buddy Shuman 60 Jim Paschal 42 Lee Petty Otis Martin Martinsville, VA; Martinsville Speedway Race (5) Top 10 finishes[19] 120 Dick Rathmann 2 Bill Blair 22 Perk Brown 42 Lee Petty Bobby Courtwright Neil Cole 38 Clyde Minter 92 Herb Thomas 88 Frankie Schneider 60 Jim Paschal Columbia NC.; Columbia Speedway Race (6) Top 10 finishes[20] 89, Buck Baker 42, Lee Petty 120, Dick Rathmann 88, Frankie Schneider 82, Joe Eubanks 72, Donald Thomas 17, Buddy Shuman 60, Jim Paschal 77, Jack Smith 18, Jimmy Florian Atlanta, GA.; Lakewood Speedway Race (7) Top 10 finishes[21] 2, Bill Blair 9, Ed Samples 42, Lee Petty 89, Buck Baker 118, Ed Benedict 128, Charles Gattalia 4, Fonty Flock 92, Herb Thomas 51, Gober Sosebee 18, Jimmy Florian Macon GA.; Central City Speedway Race (8) Top 10 finishes[22] 92, Herb Thomas 14, Fonty Flock 9, Ed Samples 89, Buck Baker 51, Gober Sosebee 60, Jim Paschal 42, Lee Petty 72, Donald Thomas 91, Tim Flock 128, Charles Gattalia Langhorne, PA; Langhorne Speedway Race (9) Top 10 finishes[23] 120, Dick Rathmann 91, Tim Flock 42, Lee Petty 421, Jack Reynolds 14, Fonty Flock 89, Buck Baker Tom Dawson 126, Dave Terrell Bud Farrell 2, Bill Blair Darlington, SC; Darlington Raceway Race (10) Top 10 finishes[24] 120, Dick Rathmann 91, Tim Flock 14, Fonty Flock 2, Jimmie Lewallen 82, Joe Eubanks 72, Donald Thomas 42, Lee Petty 11, Fireball Roberts 41, Jim Paschal 7, Frank Mundy Dayton, OH; Dayton Speedway Race (11) Top 10 finishes[25] 120, Dick Rathmann 59, Lloyd Moore 91, Tim Flock 42, Lee Petty 72, Donald Thomas 82, Herb Thomas 41, Jim Paschal 128, Charles Gattalia 421, Jack Reynolds 22, Perk Brown Canfield, OH; Canfield Speedway Race (12) Top 10 finishes; Poor Man's 500[26] 92, Herb Thomas 2, Bill Blair 78, Bob Moore 91, Tim Flock 41, Curtis Turner 82, Joe Eubanks 44, Jimmie Lewallen Bill Rexford 93, Ted Chamberlain Ernie Boost Augusta, GA; Hayloft Speedway Race (13) Top 10 finishes[27] 51, Gober Sosebee 57, Tommy Moon David Ezell 17, June Cleveland Jerry Wimbish 16, Bill Snowden 77, Weldon Adams 126, Dave Terrell 72, Donald Thomas 9, Ed Samples Toledo, OH.; Fort Miami Speedway Race (14) Top 10 finishes[28] 91, Tim Flock 120, Dick Rathmann 42, Lee Petty 44, Ray Duhigg 14, Fonty Flock 22, Perk Brown 82, Joe Eubanks Bud Farrell 421, Jack Reynolds Ralph Liguori Hillsboro, NC.; Occoneechee Speedway Race (15) Top 10 finishes[29] 91, Tim Flock 14, Fonty Flock 120, Dick Rathmann 2, Bill Blair Jimmie Lewallen 42, Lee Petty 82, Joe Eubanks 44, Ray Duhigg Clyde Minter 72, Donald Thomas Charlotte, NC; Charlotte Speedway Race (16) Top 10 finishes[30] 92, Herb Thomas 91, Tim Flock 2, Bill Blair 42, Lee Petty 120, Dick Rathmann 66, Donald Thomas 82, Joe Eubanks 89, Buddy Shuman 17, June Cleveland 19, Fred Dove Detroit, MI; Michigan State Fairgrounds Speedway Race (17) Top 10 finishes Motor City 250[31] 91, Tim Flock 89, Buddy Shuman 92, Herb Thomas 2, Bill Blair 99, Pat Kirkwood 77, Dick Passwater 3, Hershel McGriff 73, Stewart Joyce 4, Otis Martin 34, Ted Chamberlain

Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada; Stamford Park Seventeen cars competed in the event, only three were running at the end.[32] Race (18) Top 10 finishes[32] 89, Buddy Shuman 92, Herb Thomas 44, Ray Duhigg 421, Jack Reynolds Perk Brown Neil Cole Fonty Flock 118, Bucky Sager 93, Ted Chamberlain Albert Lemieux Owego, NY; Shangri-La Speedway Race (19) Top 10 finishes[33] 91, Tim Flock 92, Herb Thomas 120, Dick Rathmann 118, Bucky Sager 42, Lee Petty 59, Lloyd Moore 44, Ray Duhigg 421, Jack Reynolds Neil Cole Walt Carver Monroe, MI; Monroe Speedway Race (20) Top 10 finishes[34] 91, Tim Flock 92, Herb Thomas 42, Lee Petty 14, Fonty Flock 44, Ray Duhigg 84, Red Duvall 93, Ted Chamberlain Iggy Katona 162, Fred Bethune Bob Moore Morristown, NJ; Morristown Speedway Race (21) Top 10 finishes[35] 42, Lee Petty 91, Tim Flock Neil Cole Ralph Liguori Ronnie Kohler Pappy Hough Nelson Applegate Jim Reed 93, Ted Chamberlain Eddie Van Horn South Bend, IN; Playland Park Race (22) Top 10 finishes[36] 91, Tim Flock 42, Lee Petty 55, Bub King 4, Herschel Buchanan 77, Dick Passwater 8, Gene Comstock Glen Larsen 94, J. O. Staton 118, Bucky Sager 84, Red Duvall Rochester, NY; Monroe County Fairgrounds Race (23) Top 10 finishes[37] 91, Tim Flock 92, Herb Thomas 120 Dick Rathmann 42, Lee Petty 7, Jim Reed 8, Jimmie Lewallen Yay Duhigg 94, J. O. Staton 118, Bucky Sager 84, Red Duvall Weaverville, NC; Asheville-Weaverville Speedway Race (24) Top 10 finishes[38] 7, Bob Flock 91, Tim Flock 92, Herb Thomas 8, Gene Comstock 1, Herschel Buchanan Barney Smith 66, Donald Thomas 71, Coleman Lawrence 54, Weldon Adams 89, Buck Baker Darlington, SC; Darlington Raceway Race (25) Southern 500 Top 10 finishes[39] 14, Fonty Flock 58, Johnny Patterson 92, Herb Thomas 55, Bub King 16, Banjo Matthews 42, Lee Petty 82, Joe Eubanks 1, Herschel Buchanan 87, Buck Baker 24, Ray Duhigg Macon, Ga; Central City Speedway Race (26) Top 10 finishes[40] 42, Lee Petty 92, Herb Thomas 91, Tim Flock 82, Joe Eubanks 1, Herschel Buchanan 32, Jimmie Lewallen 66, Donald Thomas Carson Dyer 93, Ted Chamberlain Barney Smith Langhorne, PA; Langhorne Speedway Race (27) Top 10 finishes[41] 42, Lee Petty 2, Bill Blair 1, Herschel Buchanan 91, Tim Flock 120, Dick Rathmann 4, Slick Smith Neil Cole 24, Ray Duhigg Jack Reynolds 167, Elton Hildreth Dayton, OH; Dayton Speedway Top 10 finishes[42] 120, Dick Rathmanns 42, Lee Petty 24, Ray Duhigg 59, Lloyd Moore 92, Herb Thomas 91, Tim Flock Iggy Katona 77, Dick Passwater 18, Ed Benedict Herschel White Wilson, NC; Wilson Speedway Race (29) Top 10 finishes[43] 92, Herb Thomas 42, Lee Petty 2, Bill Blair 12, Jim Paschal 120, Dick Rathmann 17, Buddy Shuman 91, Tim Flock 4, Slick Smith 32, Jimmie Lewallen 71, Coleman Lawrence Hillsboro, NC; Occoneechee Speedway Race (30) Top 10 finishes[44] 14, Fonty Flock 9, Donald Thomas 2, Bill Blair 91, Tim Flock 42, Lee Petty 55, Bub King 24, Ray Duhigg 4, Slick Smith 19, Fred Dove George Bush Martinsville, VA; Martinsville Speedway Race (31) Top 10 finishes[45] 92, Herb Thomas 14, Fonty Flock 42, Lee Petty 91, Tim Flock 42, Lee Petty 58, Johnny Patterson 2, Bill Blair Julian Petty Clyde Minter Cotton Owens Ralph Liguori North Wilkesboro, NC; North Wilkesboro Speedway Race (32) Top 10 finishes[46] 9, Herb Thomas 14, Fonty Flock 92, Donald Thomas 91, Tim Flock 120, Dick Rathmann Jimmie Lewallen 22, Perk Brown 19, Fred Dove 55, Bub King 71, Coleman Lawrence Atlanta, GA; Lakewood Speedway Race (33) Top 10 finishes[47] 9, Donald Thomas 42, Lee Petty 82, Joe Eubanks 91, Tim Flock 51, Gober Sosebee 120, Jack Smith George Bush Ralph Liguori 8, Gene Comstock 55, Bub King Palm Beach, FL; Palm Beach Speedway Race (34) Top 10 finishers[16] 92 Herb Thomas 14 Fonty Flock 22 Perk Brown 42 Lee Petty Marion Edwards Rags Carter 13 Pop McGinnis Ralph Liguori 3 Allan Clarke George Bush

1952 Grand National final standings

1. Tim Flock, 8 wins in 34 races, 6,858.5 points, $22,890 in earnings
2. Herb Thomas, 8 wins in 32 starts, 6,752.5 points
3. Lee Petty 3 wins in 32 starts, 6,498.5 points
4. Fonty Flock
5. Dick Rathmann
6. Bill Blair
7. Joe Eubanks
8. Ray Duhigg
9. Donald Thomas
10. Buddy Shuman
11. Ted Chamberlain
12. Buck Baker
13. Perk Brown
14. Jimmie Lewallen
15. Bub King
16. Herschel Buchanan
17. Johnny Patterson
18. Jim Paschal
19. Neil Cole
20. Lloyd Moore
21. Gene Comstock
22. Banjo Matthews
23. Ralph Liguori
24. Jack Reynolds
25. Dick Passwater
26. Bucky Sager
27. Frankie Schneider
28. Otis Martin
29. Coleman Lawrence
30. Ed Samples
31. Fred Dove
32. Slick Smith
33. Iggy Katona
34. Jack Smith
35. Tommy Moon

Other notable drivers with at least one start include: Speedy Thompson, Curtis Turner, Louise Smith, Frank Mundy, Hershel McGriff, Marshall Teague, Nelson Stacy, Bill Rexford, Bob Welborn, Gober Sosebee, Bill Snowden, Fireball Roberts, George Bush, champ car racer Al Keller, Bob Flock, Cotton Owens, Joe Weatherly, crew chief Smokey Yunick, and Dutch Hoag.

[1]

References

1. Fleischman, Bill; Pearce, Al (2004). "At a Glance: Year-By-Year Summaries". In Visible Ink Press (ed.). The Unauthorized NASCAR Fan Guide 2004 (10 ed.). Canyon, Michigan: Checkered Flag Press. pp. 139–141. ISBN 0-681-27587-1.
2. "Grand National standings for 1952". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-05-03.
3. Auto Editors of Consumer Guide. "1952 NASCAR Grand National Recap". HowStuffWorks. Archived from the original on June 1, 2009. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
4. "Driver: Marshall Teague". LegendsofNascar.com. Archived from the original on 2006-08-19. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
5. the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide. "1952 NASCAR Grand National Results". HowStuffWorks. Publications International, Ltd. Retrieved 2009-05-04.
6. "1952 Hudson Hornet NASCAR: NASCAR Information and History". Conceptcarz.com. Archived from the original on 2009-05-14. Retrieved 2009-05-04.
7. "Palm Beach Speedway: W. Palm Beach, FL". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on 2009-05-14. Retrieved 2009-05-03.
8. "1952-01". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-05-03.
9. "NASCAR 1952 Round 1 Starting Grid". motorsportsalmanac.com; BM Web Services. Archived from the original on 2009-05-14. Retrieved 2009-05-04.
10. "1952-02". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-05-03.
11. "1952-03". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-05-03.
12. "1952 Motor City 250". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-05-04.
13. "Michigan State Fairgrounds History in NASCAR". motorsportsalmanac.com; BM Web Services. Archived from the original on 2012-03-02. Retrieved 2009-05-04.
14. "1952 Southern 500". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
15. "NASCAR 1952 Round 25 Race Result". Motorsports Almanac; BM Web Services. Archived from the original on 2012-03-02. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
16. "1952-34". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-05-03.
17. "1952 Grand National Results". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-05-03.
18. "1952-04". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
19. "1952-05". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-05-03.
20. "1952-06". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
21. "1952-07". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
22. "1952-08". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
23. "1952-09". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
24. "1952-10". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
25. "1952-11". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
26. "1952-12". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
27. "1952-13". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
28. "1952-14". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
29. "1952-15". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
30. "1952-16". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
31. "1952-17". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
32. "1952-18". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
33. "1952-19". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
34. "1952-20". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
35. "1952-21". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
36. "1952-22". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
37. "1952-23". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
38. "1952-24". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-05-09.
39. "1952-25". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-05-09.
40. "1952-26". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-05-09.
41. "1952-27". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-05-09.
42. "1952-28". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-05-09.
43. "1952-29". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-05-09.
44. "1952-30". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
45. "1952-31". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
46. "1952-32". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
47. "1952-33". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-05-05.