# 1953 NASCAR Grand National Series

The 1953 NASCAR Grand National Series began on February 1 and ended on November 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 | 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
* 42- Lee Petty
* 41- Jimmie Lewallen
* 91- Tim Flock
* 1- Herschel Buchanan
* 86- Don Oldenberg
* 55- Bub King
* 60- Dub Livingston
* 13- Pop McGinnis
* 9- Donald Thomas
* 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
* 2- Bill Blair
* 14- Fonty Flock
* 40- Tommy Thompson
* 92- Herb Thomas
* 91- Tim Flock
* 77- Dick Passwater
* 41- Curtis Turner
* 9- Donald Thomas
* 38- Tom Cherry
* 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
* 92- Herb Thomas
* 120- Dick Rathmann
* 42- Lee Petty
* 78- Dick Passwater
* 1- Herschel Buchanan
* 18- Mike Klapak
* 91- Tim Flock
* 24- Ray Duhigg
* ??- Don Oldenberg
* 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
* 92- Herb Thomas
* 120- Dick Rathmann
* 14- Fonty Flock
* 42- Lee Petty
* 43- Jimmie Lewallen
* 87- Buck Baker
* 82- Joe Eubanks
* 4- Slick Smith
* 78- Dick Passwater
* 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
* 78- Dick Passwater
* 51- Gober Sosebee
* 1- Herschel Buchanan
* 91- Tim Flock
* 13- Pop McGinnis
* 100- Otis Martin
* 19- Fred Dove
* 18- Mike Klapak
* 55- Bub King
* 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
* 42- Lee Petty
* 120- Dick Rathmann
* 87- Buck Baker
* 78- Dick Passwater
* 2- Bill Blair
* 44- Ray Duhigg
* 9- Donald Thomas
* 8- Gene Comstock
* 19- Fred Dove
* 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
* 120- Dick Rathmann
* 92- Herb Thomas
* 43- Jimmie Lewallen
* 14- Fonty Flock
* 78- Dick Passwater
* 91- Tim Flock
* 82- Joe Eubanks
* 87- Buck Baker
* 93- Ted Chamberlain
* 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
* 87- Buck Baker
* 42- Lee Petty
* 14- Fonty Flock
* 1- Herschel Buchanan
* 91- Tim Flock
* 44- Ray Duhigg
* 92- Herb Thomas
* 18- Bill Adams
* 46- Ralph Liguori
* 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
* 87- Buck Baker
* 91- Tim Flock
* 43- Jimmie Lewallen
* 44- Ray Duhigg
* 42- Lee Petty
* 51- Gober Sosebee
* 2- Bill Blair
* 92- Herb Thomas
* ??- Bill Jennings
* 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
* 91- Tim Flock
* 82- Joe Eubanks
* 44- Ray Duhigg
* 78- Dick Passwater
* 120- Dick Rathmann
* ??- Bob Welborn
* 100- Otis Martin
* 1- Herschel Buchanan
* 13- Pop McGinnis
* 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
* 42- Lee Petty
* 92- Herb Thomas
* 120- Dick Rathmann
* 44- Ray Duhigg
* 46- Ralph Liguori
* 78- Dick Passwater
* 87- Buck Baker
* 45- Bob Welborn
* 3- Clyde Minter
* 98- Lyle Scott
* This race marked the NASCAR debut of Wood Brothers Racing, with co-owner Glen Wood driving. Wood would finish 30th.

### 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
* 92- Herb Thomas
* 120- Dick Rathmann
* 87- Buck Baker
* 41- Curtis Turner
* 13- Pop McGinnis
* 11- Ralph Dyer
* ??- Ed Benedict
* 42- Lee Petty
* 8- Gene Comstock
* 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
* 14- Fonty Flock
* 12- Speedy Thompson
* 91- Tim Flock
* 92- Herb Thomas
* 78- Dick Passwater
* 120- Dick Rathmann
* 4- Slick Smith
* 42- Lee Petty
* 44- Ray Duhigg
* 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
* 42- Lee Petty
* 120- Dick Rathmann
* 92- Herb Thomas
* 91- Tim Flock
* 87- Buck Baker
* 1- Herschel Buchanan
* 51- Gober Sosebee
* 11- Ralph Dyer
* ??- Elbert Allen
* 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
* 92- Herb Thomas
* 120- Dick Rathmann
* 42- Lee Petty
* 87- Buck Baker
* 91- Tim Flock
* 78- Dick Passwater
* 82- Joe Eubanks
* 4- Slick Smith
* 51- Gober Sosebee
* 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
* 120- Dick Rathmann
* 42- Lee Petty
* 80- Jim Paschal
* 92- Herb Thomas
* 2- Bill Blair
* 15- Dick Allwine
* 91- Tim Flock
* 10- Nick Fornono
* 23- Billy Oswald
* 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
* 92- Herb Thomas
* 120- Dick Rathmann
* 82- Joe Eubanks
* 87- Buck Baker
* 42- Lee Petty
* 80- Jim Paschal
* 78- Slick Smith
* 41- Jimmie Lewallen
* ??- Buck Smith
* 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
* 14- Fonty Flock
* 120- Dick Rathmann
* 92- Herb Thomas
* 82- Joe Eubanks
* 87- Buck Baker
* 12- Speedy Thompson
* 91- Tim Flock
* 19- Fred Dove
* 42- Lee Petty
* 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
* 92- Herb Thomas
* 120- Dick Rathmann
* 42- Lee Petty
* 91- Tim Flock
* 60- Bill Rexford
* ??- Bob Cameron
* ??- John Meggers
* ??- Jerry Earl
* ??- Russ Truelove
* 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
* 42- Lee Petty
* 87- Buck Baker
* 92- Herb Thomas
* 14- Fonty Flock
* 58- Johnny Patterson
* 82- Joe Eubanks
* ??- Elbert Allen
* 51- Gober Sosebee
* 108- Arden Mounts
* 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
* 120- Dick Rathmann
* 92- Herb Thomas
* 42- Lee Petty
* 80- Jim Paschal
* 53- Ronnie Kohler
* ??- Eddie Riker
* 167- Elton Hildreth
* ??- Charles Barry
* ??- John Meggers
* ??- 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
* 92- Herb Thomas
* 120- Dick Rathmann
* 42- Lee Petty
* 82- Joe Eubanks
* ??- Jerry Wimbish
* 50- Gober Sosebee
* 87- Buck Baker
* ??- Neil Roberts
* ??- C. H. Dingler
* 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
* 92- Herb Thomas
* 120- Dick Rathmann
* 14- Fonty Flock
* 42- Lee Petty
* 87- Buck Baker
* 9- Bill Harrison
* 28- Eddie Skinner
* ??- Leo Ray
* ??- Dick Fellows
* ??- 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
* 120- Dick Rathmann
* 92- Herb Thomas
* 42- Lee Petty
* 87- Buck Baker
* ??- Marvin Copple
* 9- Bill Harrison
* ??- Byron Clouse
* ??- C. H. Dingler
* ??- Tubby Harrison
* ??- 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
* 92- Herb Thomas
* 87- Buck Baker
* 42- Lee Petty
* 120- Dick Rathmann
* 14- Fonty Flock
* 9- Bill Harrison
* ??- Mel Krueger
* ??- Johnny Beauchamp
* ??- Tubby Harrison
* ??- 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
* 41- Curtis Turner
* 92- Herb Thomas
* 42- Lee Petty
* 82- Joe Eubanks
* 2- Bill Blair
* 80- Jim Paschal
* 4- Slick Smith
* 167- Elton Hildreth
* 22- Jimmie Lewallen
* ??- 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
* 14- Fonty Flock
* 92- Herb Thomas
* 2- Bill Blair
* 87- Buck Baker
* 22- Jimmie Lewallen
* 4- Slick Smith
* 42- Lee Petty
* 8- Gene Comstock
* 3- Jimmy Ayers
* 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
* 92- Herb Thomas
* 14- Fonty Flock
* 42- Lee Petty
* 120- Dick Rathmann
* 80- Jim Paschal
* 87- Buck Baker
* ??- Andy Winfree
* ??- John Meggers
* ??- Ralph Rose
* 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
* 14- Fonty Flock
* 92- Herb Thomas
* 82- Joe Eubanks
* 42- Lee Petty
* 22- Jimmie Lewallen
* 4- Slick Smith
* 91- Tim Flock
* 19- Fred Dove
* ??- Ralph Rose
* ??- Buck Baker

### 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
* 87- Buck Baker
* 14- Fonty Flock
* 44- Curtis Turner
* 49- Dick Meyer
* 92- Herb Thomas
* 80- Jim Paschal
* 46- Speedy Thompson
* 29- Donald Thomas
* 00- Dick Passwater
* 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
* 12- Speedy Thompson
* 42- Lee Petty
* 51- Gober Sosebee
* 82- Joe Eubanks
* 91- Tim Flock
* 92- Herb Thomas
* 87- Buck Baker
* Bob Walden
* 4- Slick Smith
* 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
* 120- Dick Rathmann
* 92- Herb Thomas
* 46- Speedy Thompson
* 9 Jim Reed
* 80- Jim Paschal
* 42- Lee Petty
* 41- Curtis Turner
* 82- Joe Eubanks
* 22- Jimmie Lewallen
* 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
* 92- Herb Thomas
* 120- Dick Rathmann
* 87- Buck Baker
* 167- Elton Hildreth
* 24- Bob Welborn
* 42- Lee Petty
* 93- Ted Chamberlain
* ??- Bob Walden
* ??- Wimpy Ervin
* ??- 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
* 92- Herb Thomas
* 46- Speedy Thompson
* 14- Fonty Flock
* 42- Lee Petty
* 45- Ralph Liguori
* 120- Dick Rathmann
* 87- Buck Baker
* 167- Elton Hildreth
* 22- Jimmie Lewallen
* 51- Gober Sosebee

### 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
* 46- Speedy Thompson
* 17- Fonty Flock
* 44- Ray Duhigg
* 24- Bob Welborn
* 42- Lee Petty
* 87- Buck Baker
* 2- Bill Blair
* 82- Joe Eubanks
* 22- Jimmie Lewallen
* 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
* 80- Jim Paschal
* 42- Lee Petty
* 2- Bill Blair
* 42- Fonty Flock
* ??- Carl Burris
* 13- Emory Lewis
* 24- Bob Welborn
* ??- Bill Morgan
* ??- Clyde Minter
* 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
* 87- Buck Baker
* 14- Fonty Flock
* 42- Lee Petty
* 80- Jim Paschal
* 22- Jimmie Lewallen
* 58- Johnny Patterson
* 13- Pop McGinnis
* 82- Joe Eubanks
* 25- Bob Welborn
* ??- Ewell Weddle

## 1953 Grand National final standings

| 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 |