Larry Frank
Encyclopedia
Larry Frank was an American NASCAR
Grand National (now Sprint Cup Series) driver. He is best known for winning the 1962 Southern 500
.
. He began racing motorcycles and subsequently moved up to Sprint Cars and Midget Cars
. Frank made 38 starts in the 47 event 1956 NASCAR Convertible Series
. On October 28, 1956, Frank made his debut in the NASCAR Grand National Division in the Old Dominion 400 at Martinsville, Virginia
driving Lonnie Fish’s No. 76 Chevrolet
finishing 38th after losing oil pressure on lap 77. In 1957 Frank spent most of his time competing in the Convertible Series racing in all but one race. Frank also made four starts in the NASCAR Grand National Division during the 1957 season driving Fish’s No. 76 Chevrolet. His best finish of the season was 13th at Langhorne Speedway
. In the 1958 NASCAR Grand National Division, Frank competed in 11 events. He finished third in the Nashville 200, recording one top five and four top tens. The next few years Frank had average runs in both the Grand National and the Convertible Series. The high point of Frank's career occurred in 1962 when he qualified 10th for the Southern 500. He led 85 laps and lapped the entire field finishing the race with two blown tires. After a scoring issue, Junior Johnson
was declared the winner. Frank filed a protest and after a review he was declared the winner of the Southern 500. In 1966 Frank decided it was time to call it quits. He subsequently opened Larry Frank’s Auto Body Shop in Greenville, South Carolina
.
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) driver. He is best known for winning the 1962 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...
.
Career
Frank was born in Indianapolis, IndianaIndianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
. He began racing motorcycles and subsequently moved up to Sprint Cars and Midget Cars
Midget car racing
Midget cars, also Speedcars in Australia, are very small race cars with a very high power-to-weight ratio and typically use four-cylinder engines.-Cars:Typically, these cars have 300 to 400 horsepower and weigh...
. Frank made 38 starts in the 47 event 1956 NASCAR Convertible Series
NASCAR Convertible Division
The NASCAR Convertible Division was a division of convertible cars early in NASCAR's history.-History:NASCAR purchased SAFE 's all-convertible Circuit of Champions “All Stars” circuit late in 1955. Most drivers did not make the transition to NASCAR's sanction. NASCAR ran the division from 1956...
. On October 28, 1956, Frank made his debut in the NASCAR Grand National Division in the Old Dominion 400 at Martinsville, Virginia
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...
driving Lonnie Fish’s No. 76 Chevrolet
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
finishing 38th after losing oil pressure on lap 77. In 1957 Frank spent most of his time competing in the Convertible Series racing in all but one race. Frank also made four starts in the NASCAR Grand National Division during the 1957 season driving Fish’s No. 76 Chevrolet. His best finish of the season was 13th at 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....
. In the 1958 NASCAR Grand National Division, Frank competed in 11 events. He finished third in the Nashville 200, recording one top five and four top tens. The next few years Frank had average runs in both the Grand National and the Convertible Series. The high point of Frank's career occurred in 1962 when he qualified 10th for the Southern 500. He led 85 laps and lapped the entire field finishing the race with two blown tires. After a scoring issue, Junior Johnson
Junior Johnson
Robert Glenn Johnson, Jr. , better known as Junior Johnson, is a retired moonshiner in the rural South who became one of the early superstars of NASCAR in the 1950s and 1960s. He won 50 NASCAR races in his career before retiring in 1966...
was declared the winner. Frank filed a protest and after a review he was declared the winner of the Southern 500. In 1966 Frank decided it was time to call it quits. He subsequently opened Larry Frank’s Auto Body Shop in Greenville, South Carolina
Greenville, South Carolina
-Law and government:The city of Greenville adopted the Council-Manager form of municipal government in 1976.-History:The area was part of the Cherokee Nation's protected grounds after the Treaty of 1763, which ended the French and Indian War. No White man was allowed to enter, though some families...
.