1952 Wilkes County 200
Encyclopedia
The 1952 Wilkes County 200 was a NASCAR
Grand National (now Sprint Cup Series) race that took place on March 30, 1952 at the North Wilkesboro Speedway
in the American community of North Wilkesboro
, North Carolina
.
Two hundred laps were done on a dirt oval track spanning 0.625 miles (1 km); making a grand total of 125 miles (201.2 km). The race took two hours and eight minutes to reach completion and twenty-four drivers competed. Out of these twenty-four drivers, only seven managed to complete the race. Herb Thomas
managed to defeat Fonty Flock
in the race by an unknown amount in front of ten thousand people. A Hudson Hornet
was used in order to win the race. The pole speed was 75.075 mi/h while the average speed was 58.597 mi/h. Marshall Teague
would run his only race at the North Wilkesboro Speedway; losing his life at a practice session for the 1959 Daytona 500
around seven years later. However, he would only run for 57 laps before withdrawing himself from the race due to reasons unknown.
Total winnings for the race was $3,550 USD ($ in today's money).
* Driver failed to finish race
† signifies that the driver is known to be deceased
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...
Grand National (now Sprint Cup Series) race that took place on March 30, 1952 at the 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...
in the American community of North Wilkesboro
North Wilkesboro, North Carolina
North Wilkesboro is a town in Wilkes County, North Carolina, United States. The population was approximately 4,116 at the 2000 census and is now 4,245 as of the 2010 census. North Wilkesboro is the birthplace and original home of Lowe's Home Improvement, which continues to have a major presence in...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
.
Summary
Due to lax scoring and preservations methods used by NASCAR in the 1950s, only the most vital information of the race was not thrown away after the racing event was over. Only the first two starting positions, all of the finishing positions, and the racing numbers of the most notable drivers were kept.Two hundred laps were done on a dirt oval track spanning 0.625 miles (1 km); making a grand total of 125 miles (201.2 km). The race took two hours and eight minutes to reach completion and twenty-four drivers competed. Out of these twenty-four drivers, only seven managed to complete the race. Herb Thomas
Herb Thomas
Herbert Watson Thomas was a NASCAR pioneer who was one of the series' most successful drivers in the 1950s.-Background:...
managed to defeat 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...
in the race by an unknown amount in front of ten thousand people. A Hudson Hornet
Hudson Hornet
The Hudson Hornet is an automobile that was produced by the Hudson Motor Car Company of Detroit, Michigan between 1951 and 1954. The Hornet was also built by American Motors Corporation in Kenosha, Wisconsin and marketed under the Hudson brand between 1955 and 1957.The first-generation Hudson...
was used in order to win the race. The pole speed was 75.075 mi/h while the average speed was 58.597 mi/h. 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....
would run his only race at the North Wilkesboro Speedway; losing his life at a practice session for the 1959 Daytona 500
1959 Daytona 500
The 1959 First Annual 500 Mile NASCAR International Sweepstakes at Daytona was the second race of the 1959 NASCAR Grand National season. It was held on February 22, 1959, in front of 41,921 spectators...
around seven years later. However, he would only run for 57 laps before withdrawing himself from the race due to reasons unknown.
Total winnings for the race was $3,550 USD ($ in today's money).
Results
- Herb Thomas†
- Fonty Flock†
- Bill Blair†
- Donald Thomas
- Dave TerrellDave TerrellDave Terrell is a retired NASCAR Grand National driver/owner who participated from 1952 to 1957....
- Neil ColeNeil ColeNeil 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...
- Buddy ShumanBuddy ShumanBuddy 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....
*† - Jim PaschalJim PaschalJames 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...
*† - Lee PettyLee PettyLee 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:...
*† - Otis Martin
- Joe EubanksJoe EubanksJoe 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...
*† - Leonard Tippett*
- Shorty Gibbs*
- Charles Gattalia*
- Buck BakerBuck BakerElzie Wylie Baker Sr. , better known as Buck Baker, was an American race car driver.-Racing career:...
* - Marshall Teague*†
- Bobby Courtwright*
- Frankie SchneiderFrankie SchneiderFrankie 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...
* - Perk Brown*
- Curtis TurnerCurtis TurnerCurtis 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...
*† - Tim FlockTim FlockJulius 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 :...
*† - Jimmie LewallenJimmie LewallenJimmie 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...
*† - Dick RathmannDick RathmannDick Rathmann was an American racecar driver....
*† - Harold Mays*
* Driver failed to finish race
† signifies that the driver is known to be deceased