1953 NASCAR Grand National Series

The 1953 NASCAR Grand National Series began on February 1 and ended on November 1.[1] Future NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Herb Thomas, driving his own No. 92 Hudson Hornet, won the championship and became the first repeat champion of the series. It is also the season with the most one-off races. 9 of the 37 races took place on racetracks that only held a cup race in the 1953 season.

Season recap

  • Races marked with * took place exclusively in the 1953 season.
No. Date Event Circuit Winner
1 February 1, 1953 1953–01 Palm Beach Speedway Lee Petty[2]
2 February 15, 1953 1953–02 Daytona Beach Road Course Bill Blair
3 March 8, 1953 1953–03 Harnett Speedway* Herb Thomas
4 March 29, 1953 Wilkes County 200 North Wilkesboro Speedway Herb Thomas
5 April 5, 1953 1953–05 Charlotte Speedway Dick Passwater
6 April 19, 1953 Richmond 200 Atlantic Rural Exposition Fairgrounds Lee Petty
7 April 26, 1953 1953-07 Central City Speedway Dick Rathmann
8 May 3, 1953 1953–08 Langhorne Speedway Buck Baker
9 May 9, 1953 1953-09 Columbia Speedway Buck Baker
10 May 16, 1953 1953–10 Hickory Speedway Tim Flock
11 May 17, 1953 1953–11 Martinsville Speedway Lee Petty
12 May 24, 1953 1953–12 Powell Motor Speedway* Herb Thomas
13 May 30, 1953 Raleigh 300 Raleigh Speedway Fonty Flock
14 June 7, 1953 1953–14 Louisiana Fairgrounds* Lee Petty
15 June 14, 1953 1953–15 Five Flags Speedway* Herb Thomas
16 June 21, 1953 International 200 Langhorne Speedway Dick Rathmann
17 June 26, 1953 1953–17 Tri-City Speedway Herb Thomas
18 June 28, 1953 1953–18 Wilson Speedway Fonty Flock
19 July 3, 1953 1953–19 Monroe County Fairgrounds Herb Thomas
20 July 4, 1953 1953-20 Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds* Lee Petty
21 July 10, 1953 1953–21 Morristown Speedway Dick Rathmann
22 July 12, 1953 1953–22 Lakewood Speedway Herb Thomas
23 July 22, 1953 1953–23 Rapid Valley Speedway* Herb Thomas
24 July 26, 1953 1953–24 Lincoln City Fairgrounds* Dick Rathmann
25 August 2, 1953 1953–25 Davenport Speedway Herb Thomas
26 August 9, 1953 1953–26 Occoneechee Speedway Curtis Turner
27 August 16, 1953 1953–27 Asheville-Weaverville Speedway Fonty Flock
28 August 23, 1953 1953–28 Princess Anne Speedway* Herb Thomas
29 August 29, 1953 1953–29 Hickory Speedway Fonty Flock
30 September 7, 1953 Southern 500 Darlington Raceway Buck Baker
31 September 13, 1953 1953–31 Central City Speedway Speedy Thompson
32 September 20, 1953 1953–32 Langhorne Speedway Dick Rathmann
33 October 3, 1953 1953–33 Bloomsburg Fairgrounds* Herb Thomas
34 October 4, 1953 1953–34 Wilson Speedway Herb Thomas
35 October 11, 1953 Wilkes 160 North Wilkesboro Speedway Speedy Thompson
36 October 13, 1953 1953-36 Martinsville Speedway Jim Paschal
37 November 1, 1953 1953–37 Lakewood Speedway Buck Baker

Race summaries

1953-01

The first race of the 1953 season was run on February 1 at the Palm Beach Speedway in West Palm Beach, Florida. Dick Rathmann won the pole position.

Top ten results

  1. 42- Lee Petty
  2. 41- Jimmie Lewallen
  3. 91- Tim Flock
  4. 1- Herschel Buchanan
  5. 86- Don Oldenberg
  6. 55- Bub King
  7. 60- Dub Livingston
  8. 13- Pop McGinnis
  9. 9- Donald Thomas
  10. 67- Sam DiRusso

1953-02

The second race of the 1953 season was run on February 15 at the Daytona Beach Road Course in Daytona Beach, Florida. Bob Pronger won the pole. Fonty Flock dominated throughout the race, leading every lap until running of fuel on the last lap. Flock was then pushed across the finish line by teammate Slick Smith. Officials ruled that this move was illegal, and Flock was awarded with second place, while Bill Blair was declared the winner.

Top ten results

  1. 2- Bill Blair
  2. 14- Fonty Flock
  3. 40- Tommy Thompson
  4. 92- Herb Thomas
  5. 91- Tim Flock
  6. 77- Dick Passwater
  7. 41- Curtis Turner
  8. 9- Donald Thomas
  9. 38- Tom Cherry
  10. 4- Slick Smith

•This was the third and final win for Blair.

1953-03

The third race of the 1953 season was run on March 8 at Harnett Speedway in Spring Lake, North Carolina. Herb Thomas won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 92- Herb Thomas
  2. 120- Dick Rathmann
  3. 42- Lee Petty
  4. 78- Dick Passwater
  5. 1- Herschel Buchanan
  6. 18- Mike Klapak
  7. 91- Tim Flock
  8. 24- Ray Duhigg
  9. ??- Don Oldenberg
  10. 71- Keith Hamner

Wilkes County 200

The fourth race of the season was run on March 29 at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Herb Thomas won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 92- Herb Thomas
  2. 120- Dick Rathmann
  3. 14- Fonty Flock
  4. 42- Lee Petty
  5. 43- Jimmie Lewallen
  6. 87- Buck Baker
  7. 82- Joe Eubanks
  8. 4- Slick Smith
  9. 78- Dick Passwater
  10. 55- Bub King

1953-05

The fifth race of the season was run on April 5 at Charlotte Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina. Tim Flock won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 78- Dick Passwater
  2. 51- Gober Sosebee
  3. 1- Herschel Buchanan
  4. 91- Tim Flock
  5. 13- Pop McGinnis
  6. 100- Otis Martin
  7. 19- Fred Dove
  8. 18- Mike Klapak
  9. 55- Bub King
  10. 3- Coleman Lawrence

This race stands as Passwater’s lone win out of 20 starts from 1952-53.

Richmond 200

The sixth race of the season was run on April 19 at the Atlantic Rural Exposition Fairgrounds in Richmond, Virginia. Buck Baker won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 42- Lee Petty
  2. 120- Dick Rathmann
  3. 87- Buck Baker
  4. 78- Dick Passwater
  5. 2- Bill Blair
  6. 44- Ray Duhigg
  7. 9- Donald Thomas
  8. 8- Gene Comstock
  9. 19- Fred Dove
  10. 92- Herb Thomas

1953-07

The seventh race of the season was run on April 26 at Central City Speedway in Macon, Georgia. Dick Rathmann won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 120- Dick Rathmann
  2. 92- Herb Thomas
  3. 43- Jimmie Lewallen
  4. 14- Fonty Flock
  5. 78- Dick Passwater
  6. 91- Tim Flock
  7. 82- Joe Eubanks
  8. 87- Buck Baker
  9. 93- Ted Chamberlain
  10. 66- Virgil Livengood

1953-08

The eighth race of the season was run on May 3 at Langhorne Speedway in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. Tim Flock captured the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 87- Buck Baker
  2. 42- Lee Petty
  3. 14- Fonty Flock
  4. 1- Herschel Buchanan
  5. 91- Tim Flock
  6. 44- Ray Duhigg
  7. 92- Herb Thomas
  8. 18- Bill Adams
  9. 46- Ralph Liguori
  10. 93- Ted Chamberlain

1953-09

The ninth race of the season was run on May 9 at Columbia Speedway in Columbia, South Carolina. Herb Thomas won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 87- Buck Baker
  2. 91- Tim Flock
  3. 43- Jimmie Lewallen
  4. 44- Ray Duhigg
  5. 42- Lee Petty
  6. 51- Gober Sosebee
  7. 2- Bill Blair
  8. 92- Herb Thomas
  9. ??- Bill Jennings
  10. 11- Ralph Dyer

1953-10

The tenth race of the season was run on May 16 at Hickory Speedway in Hickory, North Carolina. Herb Thomas won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 91- Tim Flock
  2. 82- Joe Eubanks
  3. 44- Ray Duhigg
  4. 78- Dick Passwater
  5. 120- Dick Rathmann
  6. ??- Bob Welborn
  7. 100- Otis Martin
  8. 1- Herschel Buchanan
  9. 13- Pop McGinnis
  10. 3- Clyde Minter

1953-11

The eleventh race of the season was run on May 17 at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia. Joe Eubanks won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 42- Lee Petty
  2. 92- Herb Thomas
  3. 120- Dick Rathmann
  4. 44- Ray Duhigg
  5. 46- Ralph Liguori
  6. 78- Dick Passwater
  7. 87- Buck Baker
  8. 45- Bob Welborn
  9. 3- Clyde Minter
  10. 98- Lyle Scott

1953-12

The twelfth race of the season was run on May 24 at Powell Motor Speedway in Columbus, Ohio. Fonty Flock captured the pole position for the race.

Top ten results

  1. 92- Herb Thomas
  2. 120- Dick Rathmann
  3. 87- Buck Baker
  4. 41- Curtis Turner
  5. 13- Pop McGinnis
  6. 11- Ralph Dyer
  7. ??- Ed Benedict
  8. 42- Lee Petty
  9. 8- Gene Comstock
  10. 55- Bub King

Raleigh 300

The thirteenth race of the season was run on May 30 at Raleigh Speedway in Raleigh, North Carolina. Slick Smith won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 14- Fonty Flock
  2. 12- Speedy Thompson
  3. 91- Tim Flock
  4. 92- Herb Thomas
  5. 78- Dick Passwater
  6. 120- Dick Rathmann
  7. 4- Slick Smith
  8. 42- Lee Petty
  9. 44- Ray Duhigg
  10. 82- Joe Eubanks

1953-14

The fourteenth race of the season was run on June 7 at the Louisiana Fairgrounds in Shreveport, Louisiana. Herb Thomas won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 42- Lee Petty
  2. 120- Dick Rathmann
  3. 92- Herb Thomas
  4. 91- Tim Flock
  5. 87- Buck Baker
  6. 1- Herschel Buchanan
  7. 51- Gober Sosebee
  8. 11- Ralph Dyer
  9. ??- Elbert Allen
  10. 4- Slick Smith

1953-15

The fifteen race of the season was run on June 14 at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida. Dick Rathmann won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 92- Herb Thomas
  2. 120- Dick Rathmann
  3. 42- Lee Petty
  4. 87- Buck Baker
  5. 91- Tim Flock
  6. 78- Dick Passwater
  7. 82- Joe Eubanks
  8. 4- Slick Smith
  9. 51- Gober Sosebee
  10. 191- Fred Moore

International 200

The sixteenth race of the season was run on June 21 at Langhorne Speedway in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. Lloyd Shaw won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 120- Dick Rathmann
  2. 42- Lee Petty
  3. 80- Jim Paschal
  4. 92- Herb Thomas
  5. 2- Bill Blair
  6. 15- Dick Allwine
  7. 91- Tim Flock
  8. 10- Nick Fornono
  9. 23- Billy Oswald
  10. 60- Bill Rexford

1953-17

The seventeenth race of the season was run on June 26 at Tri-City Speedway in High Point, North Carolina. Herb Thomas won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 92- Herb Thomas
  2. 120- Dick Rathmann
  3. 82- Joe Eubanks
  4. 87- Buck Baker
  5. 42- Lee Petty
  6. 80- Jim Paschal
  7. 78- Slick Smith
  8. 41- Jimmie Lewallen
  9. ??- Buck Smith
  10. 34- Andy Winfree

1953-18

The eighteenth race of the season was run on June 28 at Wilson Speedway in Wilson, North Carolina. Buck Baker earned the pole position for the event.

Top ten results

  1. 14- Fonty Flock
  2. 120- Dick Rathmann
  3. 92- Herb Thomas
  4. 82- Joe Eubanks
  5. 87- Buck Baker
  6. 12- Speedy Thompson
  7. 91- Tim Flock
  8. 19- Fred Dove
  9. 42- Lee Petty
  10. 41- Jimmie Lewallen

1953-19

The nineteenth race of the season was run on July 3 at the Monroe County Fairgrounds in Rochester, New York. Tim Flock won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 92- Herb Thomas
  2. 120- Dick Rathmann
  3. 42- Lee Petty
  4. 91- Tim Flock
  5. 60- Bill Rexford
  6. ??- Bob Cameron
  7. ??- John Meggers
  8. ??- Jerry Earl
  9. ??- Russ Truelove
  10. 167- Elton Hildreth

1953-20

The twentieth race of the season was run on July 4 at the Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Buck Baker won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 42- Lee Petty
  2. 87- Buck Baker
  3. 92- Herb Thomas
  4. 14- Fonty Flock
  5. 58- Johnny Patterson
  6. 82- Joe Eubanks
  7. ??- Elbert Allen
  8. 51- Gober Sosebee
  9. 108- Arden Mounts
  10. 120- Dick Rathmann

1953-21

The twenty-first race of the season was run on July 10 at Morristown Speedway in Morristown, New Jersey. Herb Thomas won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 120- Dick Rathmann
  2. 92- Herb Thomas
  3. 42- Lee Petty
  4. 80- Jim Paschal
  5. 53- Ronnie Kohler
  6. ??- Eddie Riker
  7. 167- Elton Hildreth
  8. ??- Charles Barry
  9. ??- John Meggers
  10. ??- Bill Cleveland

1953-22

The twenty-second race of the season was run on July 12 at Lakewood Speedway in Atlanta, Georgia. Herb Thomas won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 92- Herb Thomas
  2. 120- Dick Rathmann
  3. 42- Lee Petty
  4. 82- Joe Eubanks
  5. ??- Jerry Wimbish
  6. 50- Gober Sosebee
  7. 87- Buck Baker
  8. ??- Neil Roberts
  9. ??- C. H. Dingler
  10. 33- Gordon Bracken

1953-23

The twenty-third race of the season was run on July 22 at Rapid Valley Speedway in Rapid City, South Dakota. Herb Thomas captured the pole for the event.

Top ten results

  1. 92- Herb Thomas
  2. 120- Dick Rathmann
  3. 14- Fonty Flock
  4. 42- Lee Petty
  5. 87- Buck Baker
  6. 9- Bill Harrison
  7. 28- Eddie Skinner
  8. ??- Leo Ray
  9. ??- Dick Fellows
  10. ??- C. H. Dingler

1953-24

The twenty-fourth race of the season was run on July 26 at the Lincoln City Fairgrounds in North Platte, Nebraska. Herb Thomas won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 120- Dick Rathmann
  2. 92- Herb Thomas
  3. 42- Lee Petty
  4. 87- Buck Baker
  5. ??- Marvin Copple
  6. 9- Bill Harrison
  7. ??- Byron Clouse
  8. ??- C. H. Dingler
  9. ??- Tubby Harrison
  10. ??- Sandy Slack

1953-25

The twenty-fifth race of the season was run on August 2 at Davenport Speedway in Davenport, Iowa. Buck Baker won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 92- Herb Thomas
  2. 87- Buck Baker
  3. 42- Lee Petty
  4. 120- Dick Rathmann
  5. 14- Fonty Flock
  6. 9- Bill Harrison
  7. ??- Mel Krueger
  8. ??- Johnny Beauchamp
  9. ??- Tubby Harrison
  10. ??- Keith Lucas

1953-26

The twenty-sixth race of the season was run on August 9 at Occoneechee Speedway in Hillsboro, North Carolina. Curtis Turner won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 41- Curtis Turner
  2. 92- Herb Thomas
  3. 42- Lee Petty
  4. 82- Joe Eubanks
  5. 2- Bill Blair
  6. 80- Jim Paschal
  7. 4- Slick Smith
  8. 167- Elton Hildreth
  9. 22- Jimmie Lewallen
  10. ??- Jimmy Ayers

1953-27

The twenty-seventh race of the season was run on August 16 at Asheville-Weaverville Speedway in Weaverville, North Carolina. Curtis Turner won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 14- Fonty Flock
  2. 92- Herb Thomas
  3. 2- Bill Blair
  4. 87- Buck Baker
  5. 22- Jimmie Lewallen
  6. 4- Slick Smith
  7. 42- Lee Petty
  8. 8- Gene Comstock
  9. 3- Jimmy Ayers
  10. 91- Tim Flock

1953-28

The twenty-eighth race of the season was run on August 23 at Princess Anne Speedway in Norfolk, Virginia. Curtis Turner captured the pole position.

Top ten results

  1. 92- Herb Thomas
  2. 14- Fonty Flock
  3. 42- Lee Petty
  4. 120- Dick Rathmann
  5. 80- Jim Paschal
  6. 87- Buck Baker
  7. ??- Andy Winfree
  8. ??- John Meggers
  9. ??- Ralph Rose
  10. 51- Gober Sosebee

1953-29

The twenty-ninth race of the season was run on August 29 at Hickory Speedway in Hickory, North Carolina. Tim Flock won the pole. This was the first Grand National race for the 1961 and 1965 champion and future NASCAR Hall of Fame member Ned Jarrett. He finished 11th.

Top ten results

  1. 14- Fonty Flock
  2. 92- Herb Thomas
  3. 82- Joe Eubanks
  4. 42- Lee Petty
  5. 22- Jimmie Lewallen
  6. 4- Slick Smith
  7. 91- Tim Flock
  8. 19- Fred Dove
  9. ??- Ralph Rose
  10. ??- Buck Baker

Southern 500

Main article: 1953 Southern 500

The thirtieth race of the season was run on September 7 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina. Fonty Flock won the pole. Buck Baker won the event by three laps. This race also marked the first Grand National race for future NASCAR Hall of Fame member Junior Johnson. Johnson finished 38th after being involved in a wreck.

Top ten results

  1. 87- Buck Baker
  2. 14- Fonty Flock
  3. 44- Curtis Turner
  4. 49- Dick Meyer
  5. 92- Herb Thomas
  6. 80- Jim Paschal
  7. 46- Speedy Thompson
  8. 29- Donald Thomas
  9. 00- Dick Passwater
  10. 91- Tim Flock

1953-31

The thirty-first race of the season was run on September 13 at Central City Speedway in Macon, Georgia. Joe Eubanks won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 12- Speedy Thompson
  2. 42- Lee Petty
  3. 51- Gober Sosebee
  4. 82- Joe Eubanks
  5. 91- Tim Flock
  6. 92- Herb Thomas
  7. 87- Buck Baker
  8. Bob Walden
  9. 4- Slick Smith
  10. 34- Andy Winfree

• This was the first of twenty victories for Thompson.

1953-32

The thirty-second race of the season was run on September 20 at Langhorne Speedway in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. Herb Thomas won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 120- Dick Rathmann
  2. 92- Herb Thomas
  3. 46- Speedy Thompson
  4. 9 Jim Reed
  5. 80- Jim Paschal
  6. 42- Lee Petty
  7. 41- Curtis Turner
  8. 82- Joe Eubanks
  9. 22- Jimmie Lewallen
  10. 18- Bobby Myers

1953-33

The thirty-third race of the season was run on October 3 at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. Jim Paschal won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 92- Herb Thomas
  2. 120- Dick Rathmann
  3. 87- Buck Baker
  4. 167- Elton Hildreth
  5. 24- Bob Welborn
  6. 42- Lee Petty
  7. 93- Ted Chamberlain
  8. ??- Bob Walden
  9. ??- Wimpy Ervin
  10. ??- Ed DeWolff

1953-34

The thirty-fourth race of the season was run on October 4 at Wilson Speedway in Wilson, North Carolina. Herb Thomas won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 92- Herb Thomas
  2. 46- Speedy Thompson
  3. 14- Fonty Flock
  4. 42- Lee Petty
  5. 45- Ralph Liguori
  6. 120- Dick Rathmann
  7. 87- Buck Baker
  8. 167- Elton Hildreth
  9. 22- Jimmie Lewallen
  10. 51- Gober Sosebee

Wilkes 160

Main article: 1953 Wilkes 160

The thirty-fifth race of the season was run on October 11 at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Buck Baker won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 46- Speedy Thompson
  2. 17- Fonty Flock
  3. 44- Ray Duhigg
  4. 24- Bob Welborn
  5. 42- Lee Petty
  6. 87- Buck Baker
  7. 2- Bill Blair
  8. 82- Joe Eubanks
  9. 22- Jimmie Lewallen
  10. 55- Bub King

1953-36

The thirty-sixth race of the season was run on October 13 at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia. Fonty Flock won the pole.

Top ten results

  1. 80- Jim Paschal
  2. 42- Lee Petty
  3. 2- Bill Blair
  4. 42- Fonty Flock
  5. ??- Carl Burris
  6. 13- Emory Lewis
  7. 24- Bob Welborn
  8. ??- Bill Morgan
  9. ??- Clyde Minter
  10. 111- Joe Bill O'Dell

•Pascal’s win was the first of 25 wins over a 23 year career.

1953-37

The thirty-seventh and final race of the season was run on November 1 at Lakewood Speedway in Atlanta, Georgia. Tim Flock started on the pole but finished 20th due to an overheating problem. Herb Thomas, the 1953 champion, finished 14th.

Top ten results

  1. 87- Buck Baker
  2. 14- Fonty Flock
  3. 42- Lee Petty
  4. 80- Jim Paschal
  5. 22- Jimmie Lewallen
  6. 58- Johnny Patterson
  7. 13- Pop McGinnis
  8. 82- Joe Eubanks
  9. 25- Bob Welborn
  10. ??- Ewell Weddle

1953 Grand National final standings

Further information: List of NASCAR points scoring systems
Pos. Driver Pts. St W T5 T10 Poles
1 Herb Thomas 8460 37 12 27 31 12
2 Lee Petty 7814 36 5 26 32 0
3 Dick Rathmann 7362 35 5 21 24 3
4 Buck Baker 6713 33 4 16 25 5
5 Fonty Flock 6174 33 4 17 17 3
6 Tim Flock 5011 26 1 11 18 3
7 Jim Paschal 4211 23 1 6 9 1
8 Joe Eubanks 3603 24 0 7 15 2
9 Jimmie Lewallen 3208 22 0 7 13 0
10 Curtis Turner 3373 19 1 3 5 3
11 Speedy Thompson 2958 7 2 5 7 0
12 Slick Smith 2670 23 0 0 10 1
13 Elton Hildreth 2625 25 0 1 5 0
14 Gober Sosebee 2525 17 0 2 9 0
15 Bill Blair 2457 21 1 6 8 0
16 Fred Dove 1997 20 0 0 4 0
17 Bub King 1624 14 0 0 5 0
18 Gene Comstock 1519 13 0 0 3 0
19 Donald Thomas 1408 17 0 0 4 0
20 Ralph Liguori 1336 12 0 2 3 0

References

  1. ^ "1953 NASCAR Grand National Results". ESPN. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
  2. ^ "1953 West Palm Beach NASCAR". Motor Sport Magazine. February 1, 1953. Retrieved August 28, 2022.

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