1952 NASCAR Grand National Series

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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]

Contents

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 Hudson Coupe.jpg
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

No.DateSiteWinnerMake / modelMilesPurse
1January 20, 1952W. Palm Beach Tim Flock 1951 Hudson100$3,580
2February 10, 1952Daytona Beach Marshall Teague 1952 Hudson152$6,110
3March 6, 1952Jacksonville Marshall Teague 1952 Hudson100$3,675
4March 30, 1952North Wilkesboro Herb Thomas 1952 Hudson125$3,550
5April 6, 1952Martinsville Dick Rathmann 1951 Hudson100$3,500
6April 12, 1952Columbia Buck Baker 1952 Hudson100$3,500
7April 20, 1952Atlanta Bill Blair 1952 Oldsmobile100$3,645
8April 27, 1952Macon Herb Thomas 1952 Hudson99$4,815
9May 4, 1952Langhorne Dick Rathmann 1952 Hudson150$4,745
10May 10, 1952Darlington Dick Rathmann 1951 Hudson100$3,550
11May 18, 1952Dayton Dick Rathmann 1951 Hudson100$3,325
12May 30, 1952Canfield Herb Thomas 1952 Hudson100$3,700
13June 1, 1952Augusta Gober Sosebee 1952 Chrysler77$3,575
14June 1, 1952Toledo Tim Flock 1951 Hudson100$3,550
15June 8, 1952Hillsboro Tim Flock 1951 Hudson100$3,425
16June 15, 1952Charlotte Herb Thomas 1952 Hudson113$3,550
17June 29, 1952Detroit Tim Flock 1951 Hudson250$11,675
18July 1, 1952Niagara Falls Buddy Shuman 1952 Hudson100$3,375
19July 4, 1952Owego Tim Flock 1951 Hudson100$3,600
20July 6, 1952Monroe Tim Flock 1952 Hudson100$3,325
21July 11, 1952Morristown Lee Petty 1951 Plymouth100$3,750
22July 20, 1952South Bend Tim Flock 1951 Hudson100$3,425
23August 15, 1952Rochester Tim Flock 1952 Hudson88$3,550
24August 17, 1952Weaverville Bob Flock 1951 Hudson100$3,635
25September 1, 1952Darlington Fonty Flock 1952 Oldsmobile500$23,855
26September 7, 1952Macon Lee Petty 1951 Plymouth150$4,865
27September 14, 1952Langhorne Lee Petty 1951 Plymouth250$8,225
28September 21, 1952Dayton Dick Rathmann 1951 Hudson150$5,550
29September 28, 1952Wilson Herb Thomas 1952 Hudson100$3,500
30October 12, 1952Hillsboro Fonty Flock 1952 Oldsmobile150$5,045
31October 19, 1952Martinsville Herb Thomas 1952 Hudson100$3,675
32October 26, 1952North Wilkesboro Herb Thomas 1952 Hudson125$3,625
33November 16, 1952Atlanta Donald Thomas 1952 Hudson100$3,820
34November 30, 1952W. Palm Beach Herb Thomas 1952 Hudson100$3,425

Individual races

1952 Grand National final standings

Pos.DriverPts.StWT5T10Poles
1 Tim Flock 6858.533822254
2 Herb Thomas 6752.5328192210
3 Lee Petty 6498.532321270
4 Fonty Flock 5183.529214177
5 Dick Rathmann 3952.527514142
6 Bill Blair 349919110131
7 Joe Eubanks 3090.5190490
8 Ray Duhigg 2986.51804100
9 Donald Thomas 25742115141
10 Buddy Shuman 2483151370
11 Ted Chamberlain 2208180060
12 Buck Baker 2159141362
13 Perk Brown 2151.5190361
14 Jimmie Lewallen 2033200270
15 Bub King 1993100250
16 Herschel Buchanan 186850450
17 Johnny Patterson 170850220
18 Jim Paschal 1694150170
19 Neil Cole 1618110170
20 Lloyd Moore 1513.580240

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

36. Rollin Smith

37. Speedy Thompson

38. Jimmy Thompson

39. Bud Farrell

40. Weldon Adams

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

[1]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 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. 1 2 3 "Grand National standings for 1952". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on 2021-04-23. 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. Archived from the original on 2011-04-23. Retrieved 2009-05-04.
  6. ↑ "1952 Hudson Hornet NASCAR: NASCAR Information and History". Conceptcarz.com. Archived from the original on 2012-02-21. Retrieved 2009-05-04.
  7. 1 2 "Palm Beach Speedway: W. Palm Beach, FL". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on 2007-03-02. Retrieved 2009-05-03.
  8. ↑ "1952-01". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on 2012-03-02. Retrieved 2009-05-03.
  9. ↑ "NASCAR 1952 Round 1 Starting Grid". motorsportsalmanac.com; BM Web Services. Archived from the original on 2024-05-24. Retrieved 2009-05-04.
  10. 1 2 "1952-02". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on 2021-04-23. Retrieved 2009-05-03.
  11. 1 2 "1952-03". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on 2012-03-02. Retrieved 2009-05-03.
  12. 1 2 "1952 Motor City 250". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on 2007-03-31. 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. Archived from the original on 2007-03-23. 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. 1 2 "1952-34". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on 2007-07-01. Retrieved 2009-05-03.
  17. ↑ "1952 Grand National Results". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on 2007-03-02. Retrieved 2009-05-03.
  18. ↑ "1952-04". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on 2012-03-02. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
  19. ↑ "1952-05". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on 2012-03-02. Retrieved 2009-05-03.
  20. ↑ "1952-06". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on 2007-03-08. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
  21. ↑ "1952-07". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on 2012-03-02. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
  22. ↑ "1952-08". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on 2012-03-02. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
  23. ↑ "1952-09". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on 2012-03-02. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
  24. ↑ "1952-10". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
  25. ↑ "1952-11". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on 2012-03-02. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
  26. ↑ "1952-12". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on 2012-03-02. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
  27. ↑ "1952-13". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on 2007-03-25. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
  28. ↑ "1952-14". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on 2012-03-02. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
  29. ↑ "1952-15". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on 2012-03-02. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
  30. ↑ "1952-16". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on 2012-03-02. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
  31. ↑ "1952-17". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on 2007-03-31. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
  32. 1 2 "1952-18". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on 2007-04-01. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
  33. ↑ "1952-19". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on 2007-03-16. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
  34. ↑ "1952-20". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on 2012-03-02. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
  35. ↑ "1952-21". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on 2007-03-05. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
  36. ↑ "1952-22". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on 2007-03-25. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
  37. ↑ "1952-23". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on 2012-03-02. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
  38. ↑ "1952-24". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on 2007-03-25. Retrieved 2009-05-09.
  39. ↑ "1952-25". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on 2007-03-23. Retrieved 2009-05-09.
  40. ↑ "1952-26". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on 2007-03-25. Retrieved 2009-05-09.
  41. ↑ "1952-27". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on 2007-03-30. Retrieved 2009-05-09.
  42. ↑ "1952-28". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on 2012-03-02. Retrieved 2009-05-09.
  43. ↑ "1952-29". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on 2012-03-02. Retrieved 2009-05-09.
  44. ↑ "1952-30". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on 2007-03-31. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
  45. ↑ "1952-31". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on 2012-03-02. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
  46. ↑ "1952-32". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on 2007-04-01. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
  47. ↑ "1952-33". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on 2012-03-02. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
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