1952 NASCAR Grand National Series


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. Throughout the 1952 season, a total of 261 drivers entered at least one of the 34 events. Virtually every American car manufacturer had at least one of their cars start that season.
This was also the first season that sponsors such as Pure Oil Co, and Champion Spark Plug Inc. started paying contingency award monies in exchange for the publicity they received by drivers sponsoring their products.

1952 season recap

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. 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.
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. 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. Flock captured the pole position for the race in 27.78 seconds, with an average speed of 64.79 mph. 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. 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.
On June 29, NASCAR traveled to Detroit, Michigan, for a scheduled 250-mile event, dubbed the "Motor Sports 250". The race was held at the Michigan State Fairgrounds Speedway; a one-mile dirt oval built in 1899. 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.
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. 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. 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.
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. Thomas claimed the final victory of the season, winning the event with a two lap advantage over second-place Fonty Flock.

1952 Race schedule and results

DateSiteWinnerMake / modelMilesPurse
January 20, 1952W. Palm BeachTim Flock1951 Hudson100$3,580
February 10, 1952Daytona BeachMarshall Teague1952 Hudson152$6,110
March 6, 1952JacksonvilleMarshall Teague1952 Hudson100$3,675
March 30, 1952North WilkesboroHerb Thomas1952 Hudson125$3,550
April 6, 1952MartinsvilleDick Rathmann1951 Hudson100$3,500
April 12, 1952ColumbiaBuck Baker1952 Hudson100$3,500
April 20, 1952AtlantaBill Blair1952 Oldsmobile100$3,645
April 27, 1952MaconHerb Thomas1952 Hudson99$4,815
May 4, 1952LanghorneDick Rathmann1952 Hudson150$4,745
May 10, 1952DarlingtonDick Rathmann1951 Hudson100$3,550
May 18, 1952DaytonDick Rathmann1951 Hudson100$3,325
May 30, 1952CanfieldHerb Thomas1952 Hudson100$3,700
June 1, 1952AugustaGober Sosebee1952 Chrysler77$3,575
June 1, 1952ToledoTim Flock1951 Hudson100$3,550
June 8, 1952HillsboroTim Flock1951 Hudson100$3,425
June 15, 1952CharlotteHerb Thomas1952 Hudson113$3,550
June 29, 1952DetroitTim Flock1951 Hudson250$11,675
July 1, 1952Niagara FallsBuddy Shuman1952 Hudson100$3,375
July 4, 1952OwegoTim Flock1951 Hudson100$3,600
July 6, 1952MonroeTim Flock1952 Hudson100$3,325
July 11, 1952MorristownLee Petty1951 Plymouth100$3,750
July 20, 1952South BendTim Flock1951 Hudson100$3,425
August 15, 1952RochesterTim Flock1952 Hudson88$3,550
August 17, 1952WeavervilleBob Flock1951 Hudson100$3,635
September 1, 1952DarlingtonFonty Flock1952 Oldsmobile500$23,855
September 7, 1952MaconLee Petty1951 Plymouth150$4,865
September 14, 1952LanghorneLee Petty1951 Plymouth250$8,225
September 21, 1952DaytonDick Rathmann1951 Hudson150$5,550
September 28, 1952WilsonHerb Thomas1952 Hudson100$3,500
October 12, 1952HillsboroFonty Flock1952 Oldsmobile150$5,045
October 19, 1952MartinsvilleHerb Thomas1952 Hudson100$3,675
October 26, 1952North WilkesboroHerb Thomas1952 Hudson125$3,625
October 30, 1952W. Palm BeachHerb Thomas1952 Hudson100$3,425
November 16, 1952AtlantaDonald Thomas1952 Hudson100$3,820

Individual races

West Palm Beach, FL.; [Palm Beach Speedway]

;Race Top 10 finishers
  1. 91, Tim Flock
  2. 42, Lee Petty
  3. 14, Fonty Flock
  4. 88, Frankie Schneider
  5. 17, Buddy Shuman
  6. 7, Frank Mundy
  7. 787, Jim Millard
  8. 86, Bill Davis
  9. 9, Ed Samples
  10. 36, Al Funderburk

    Daytona Beach, FL; [Daytona Beach Road Course]

;Race Top 10 finishes
  1. 6, Marshall Teague
  2. 92, Herb Thomas
  3. 99, Pat Kirkwood
  4. 14, Fonty Flock
  5. 51, Gober Sosebee
  6. 2, Bill Blair
  7. 40, Tommy Thompson
  8. 57, Tommy Moon
  9. 42, Lee Petty
  10. 59, Lloyd Moore

    Jacksonville, FL.; [Speedway Park]

;Race Top 10 finishes
  1. 6, Marshall Teague
  2. 92, Herb Thomas
  3. 88, Frankie Schneider
  4. 91, Tim Flock
  5. 57, Tommy Moon
  6. 14, Fonty Flock
  7. 72, Donald Thomas
  8. 47, Jim Reed
  9. 1, Dick Eagan
  10. 78, Bob Moore

    North Wilkesboro, NC; [North Wilkesboro Speedway]

;Race Top 10 finishes; Wilkes County 200
  1. 92 Herb Thomas
  2. 14 Fonty Flock
  3. 2 Bill Blair
  4. 72 Donald Thomas
  5. 126 Dave Terrell
  6. Neil Cole
  7. 17 Buddy Shuman
  8. 60 Jim Paschal
  9. 42 Lee Petty
  10. Otis Martin

    Martinsville, VA; [Martinsville Speedway]

;Race Top 10 finishes
  1. 120 Dick Rathmann
  2. 2 Bill Blair
  3. 22 Perk Brown
  4. 42 Lee Petty
  5. Bobby Courtwright
  6. Neil Cole
  7. 38 Clyde Minter
  8. 92 Herb Thomas
  9. 88 Frankie Schneider
  10. 60 Jim Paschal

    Columbia NC.; [Columbia Speedway]

;Race Top 10 finishes
  1. 89, Buck Baker
  2. 42, Lee Petty
  3. 120, Dick Rathmann
  4. 88, Frankie Schneider
  5. 82, Joe Eubanks
  6. 72, Donald Thomas
  7. 17, Buddy Shuman
  8. 60, Jim Paschal
  9. 77, Jack Smith
  10. 18, Jimmy Florian

    Atlanta, GA.; [Lakewood Speedway]

;Race Top 10 finishes
  1. 2, Bill Blair
  2. 9, Ed Samples
  3. 42, Lee Petty
  4. 89, Buck Baker
  5. 118, Ed Benedict
  6. 128, Charles Gattalia
  7. 4, Fonty Flock
  8. 92, Herb Thomas
  9. 51, Gober Sosebee
  10. 18, Jimmy Florian

    Macon GA.; [Central City Speedway]

;Race Top 10 finishes
  1. 92, Herb Thomas
  2. 14, Fonty Flock
  3. 9, Ed Samples
  4. 89, Buck Baker
  5. 51, Gober Sosebee
  6. 60, Jim Paschal
  7. 42, Lee Petty
  8. 72, Donald Thomas
  9. 91, Tim Flock
  10. 128, Charles Gattalia

    Langhorne, PA; [Langhorne Speedway]

;Race Top 10 finishes
  1. 120, Dick Rathmann
  2. 91, Tim Flock
  3. 42, Lee Petty
  4. 421, Jack Reynolds
  5. 14, Fonty Flock
  6. 89, Buck Baker
  7. Tom Dawson
  8. 126, Dave Terrell
  9. Bud Farrell
  10. 2, Bill Blair

    Darlington, SC; [Darlington Raceway]

;Race Top 10 finishes
  1. 120, Dick Rathmann
  2. 91, Tim Flock
  3. 14, Fonty Flock
  4. 2, Jimmie Lewallen
  5. 82, Joe Eubanks
  6. 72, Donald Thomas
  7. 42, Lee Petty
  8. 11, Fireball Roberts
  9. 41, Jim Paschal
  10. 7, Frank Mundy

    Dayton, OH; [Dayton Speedway]

;Race Top 10 finishes
  1. 120, Dick Rathmann
  2. 59, Lloyd Moore
  3. 91, Tim Flock
  4. 42, Lee Petty
  5. 72, Donald Thomas
  6. 82, Herb Thomas
  7. 41, Jim Paschal
  8. 128, Charles Gattalia
  9. 421, Jack Reynolds
  10. 22, Perk Brown

    Canfield, OH; [Canfield Speedway]

;Race Top 10 finishes; Poor Man's 500
  1. 92, Herb Thomas
  2. 2, Bill Blair
  3. 78, Bob Moore
  4. 91, Tim Flock
  5. 41, Curtis Turner
  6. 82, Joe Eubanks
  7. 44, Jimmie Lewallen
  8. Bill Rexford
  9. 93, Ted Chamberlain
  10. Ernie Boost

    Augusta, GA; [Hayloft Speedway]

;Race Top 10 finishes
  1. 51, Gober Sosebee
  2. 57, Tommy Moon
  3. David Ezell
  4. 17, June Cleveland
  5. Jerry Wimbish
  6. 16, Bill Snowden
  7. 77, Weldon Adams
  8. 126, Dave Terrell
  9. 72, Donald Thomas
  10. 9, Ed Samples

    Toledo, OH.; [Fort Miami Speedway]

;Race Top 10 finishes
  1. 91, Tim Flock
  2. 120, Dick Rathmann
  3. 42, Lee Petty
  4. 44, Ray Duhigg
  5. 14, Fonty Flock
  6. 22, Perk Brown
  7. 82, Joe Eubanks
  8. Bud Farrell
  9. 421, Jack Reynolds
  10. Ralph Liguori

    Hillsboro, NC.; [Occoneechee Speedway]

;Race Top 10 finishes
  1. 91, Tim Flock
  2. 14, Fonty Flock
  3. 120, Dick Rathmann
  4. 2, Bill Blair
  5. Jimmie Lewallen
  6. 42, Lee Petty
  7. 82, Joe Eubanks
  8. 44, Ray Duhigg
  9. Clyde Minter
  10. 72, Donald Thomas

    Charlotte, NC; [Charlotte Speedway]

;Race Top 10 finishes
  1. 92, Herb Thomas
  2. 91, Tim Flock
  3. 2, Bill Blair
  4. 42, Lee Petty
  5. 120, Dick Rathmann
  6. 66, Donald Thomas
  7. 82, Joe Eubanks
  8. 89, Buddy Shuman
  9. 17, June Cleveland
  10. 19, Fred Dove

    Detroit, MI; [Michigan State Fairgrounds Speedway]

;Race Top 10 finishes Motor City 250
  1. 91, Tim Flock
  2. 89, Buddy Shuman
  3. 92, Herb Thomas
  4. 2, Bill Blair
  5. 99, Pat Kirkwood
  6. 77, Dick Passwater
  7. 3, Hershel McGriff
  8. 73, Stewart Joyce
  9. 4, Otis Martin
  10. 34, Ted Chamberlain

    [Niagara Falls, Ontario], Canada; [Stamford Park]

Seventeen cars competed in the event, only three were running at the end.
;Race Top 10 finishes
  1. 89, Buddy Shuman
  2. 92, Herb Thomas
  3. 44, Ray Duhigg
  4. 421, Jack Reynolds
  5. Perk Brown
  6. Neil Cole
  7. Fonty Flock
  8. 118, Bucky Sager
  9. 93, Ted Chamberlain
  10. Albert Lemieux

    Owego, NY; [Shangri-La Speedway]

;Race Top 10 finishes
  1. 91, Tim Flock
  2. 92, Herb Thomas
  3. 120, Dick Rathmann
  4. 118, Bucky Sager
  5. 42, Lee Petty
  6. 59, Lloyd Moore
  7. 44, Ray Duhigg
  8. 421, Jack Reynolds
  9. Neil Cole
  10. Walt Carver

    Monroe, MI; [Monroe Speedway]

;Race Top 10 finishes
  1. 91, Tim Flock
  2. 92, Herb Thomas
  3. 42, Lee Petty
  4. 14, Fonty Flock
  5. 44, Ray Duhigg
  6. 84, Red Duvall
  7. 93, Ted Chamberlain
  8. Iggy Katona
  9. 162, Fred Bethune
  10. Bob Moore

    Morristown, NJ; [Morristown Speedway]

;Race Top 10 finishes
  1. 42, Lee Petty
  2. 91, Tim Flock
  3. Neil Cole
  4. Ralph Liguori
  5. Ronnie Kohler
  6. Pappy Hough
  7. Nelson Applegate
  8. Jim Reed
  9. 93, Ted Chamberlain
  10. Eddie Van Horn

    South Bend, IN; Playland Park">Playland Park (Indiana)">Playland Park

;Race Top 10 finishes
  1. 91, Tim Flock
  2. 42, Lee Petty
  3. 55, Bub King
  4. 4, Herschel Buchanan
  5. 77, Dick Passwater
  6. 8, Gene Comstock
  7. Glen Larsen
  8. 94, J. O. Staton
  9. 118, Bucky Sager
  10. 84, Red Duvall

    Rochester, NY; [Monroe County Fairgrounds]

;Race Top 10 finishes
  1. 91, Tim Flock
  2. 92, Herb Thomas
  3. 120 Dick Rathmann
  4. 42, Lee Petty
  5. 7, Jim Reed
  6. 8, Jimmie Lewallen
  7. Yay Duhigg
  8. 94, J. O. Staton
  9. 118, Bucky Sager
  10. 84, Red Duvall

    Weaverville, NC; [Asheville-Weaverville Speedway]

;Race Top 10 finishes
  1. 7, Bob Flock
  2. 91, Tim Flock
  3. 92, Herb Thomas
  4. 8, Gene Comstock
  5. 1, Herschel Buchanan
  6. Barney Smith
  7. 66, Donald Thomas
  8. 71, Coleman Lawrence
  9. 54, Weldon Adams
  10. 89, Buck Baker

    Darlington, SC; [Darlington Raceway]

;Race Southern 500 Top 10 finishes
  1. 14, Fonty Flock
  2. 58, Johnny Patterson
  3. 92, Herb Thomas
  4. 55, Bub King
  5. 16, Banjo Matthews
  6. 42, Lee Petty
  7. 82, Joe Eubanks
  8. 1, Herschel Buchanan
  9. 87, Buck Baker
  10. 24, Ray Duhigg

    Macon, Ga; [Central City Speedway]

;Race Top 10 finishes
  1. 42, Lee Petty
  2. 92, Herb Thomas
  3. 91, Tim Flock
  4. 82, Joe Eubanks
  5. 1, Herschel Buchanan
  6. 32, Jimmie Lewallen
  7. 66, Donald Thomas
  8. Carson Dyer
  9. 93, Ted Chamberlain
  10. Barney Smith

    Langhorne, PA; [Langhorne Speedway]

;Race Top 10 finishes
  1. 42, Lee Petty
  2. 2, Bill Blair
  3. 1, Herschel Buchanan
  4. 91, Tim Flock
  5. 120, Dick Rathmann
  6. 4, Slick Smith
  7. Neil Cole
  8. 24, Ray Duhigg
  9. Jack Reynolds
  10. 167, Elton Hildreth

    Dayton, OH; [Dayton Speedway]

;Top 10 finishes
  1. 120, Dick Rathmanns
  2. 42, Lee Petty
  3. 24, Ray Duhigg
  4. 59, Lloyd Moore
  5. 92, Herb Thomas
  6. 91, Tim Flock
  7. Iggy Katona
  8. 77, Dick Passwater
  9. 18, Ed Benedict
  10. Herschel White

    Wilson, NC; [Wilson Speedway]

;Race Top 10 finishes
  1. 92, Herb Thomas
  2. 42, Lee Petty
  3. 2, Bill Blair
  4. 12, Jim Paschal
  5. 120, Dick Rathmann
  6. 17, Buddy Shuman
  7. 91, Tim Flock
  8. 4, Slick Smith
  9. 32, Jimmie Lewallen
  10. 71, Coleman Lawrence

    Hillsboro, NC; [Occoneechee Speedway]

;Race Top 10 finishes
  1. 14, Fonty Flock
  2. 9, Donald Thomas
  3. 2, Bill Blair
  4. 91, Tim Flock
  5. 42, Lee Petty
  6. 55, Bub King
  7. 24, Ray Duhigg
  8. 4, Slick Smith
  9. 19, Fred Dove
  10. George Bush

    Martinsville, VA; [Martinsville Speedway]

;Race Top 10 finishes
  1. 92, Herb Thomas
  2. 14, Fonty Flock
  3. 42, Lee Petty
  4. 91, Tim Flock
  5. 42, Lee Petty
  6. 58, Johnny Patterson
  7. 2, Bill Blair
  8. Julian Petty
  9. Clyde Minter
  10. Cotton Owens
  11. Ralph Liguori

    North Wilkesboro, NC; [North Wilkesboro Speedway]

;Race Top 10 finishes
  1. 9, Herb Thomas
  2. 14, Fonty Flock
  3. 92, Donald Thomas
  4. 91, Tim Flock
  5. 120, Dick Rathmann
  6. Jimmie Lewallen
  7. 22, Perk Brown
  8. 19, Fred Dove
  9. 55, Bub King
  10. 71, Coleman Lawrence

    Atlanta, GA; [Lakewood Speedway]

;Race Top 10 finishes
  1. 9, Donald Thomas
  2. 42, Lee Petty
  3. 82, Joe Eubanks
  4. 91, Tim Flock
  5. 51, Gober Sosebee
  6. 120, Jack Smith
  7. George Bush
  8. Ralph Liguori
  9. 8, Gene Comstock
  10. 55, Bub King

    Palm Beach, FL; [Palm Beach Speedway]

;Race Top 10 finishers
  1. 92 Herb Thomas
  2. 14 Fonty Flock
  3. 22 Perk Brown
  4. 42 Lee Petty
  5. Marion Edwards
  6. Rags Carter
  7. 13 Pop McGinnis
  8. Ralph Liguori
  9. 3 Allan Clarke
  10. George Bush

    1952 Grand National final standings

  11. Tim Flock, 8 wins in 34 races, 6,858.5 points, $22,890 in earnings
  12. Herb Thomas, 8 wins in 32 starts, 6,752.5 points
  13. Lee Petty 3 wins in 32 starts, 6,498.5 points
  14. Fonty Flock
  15. Dick Rathmann
  16. Bill Blair
  17. Joe Eubanks
  18. Ray Duhigg
  19. Donald Thomas
  20. Buddy Shuman
  21. Ted Chamberlain
  22. Buck Baker
  23. Perk Brown
  24. Jimmie Lewallen
  25. Bub King
  26. Herschel Buchanan
  27. Johnny Patterson
  28. Jim Paschal
  29. Neil Cole
  30. Lloyd Moore
  31. Gene Comstock
  32. Banjo Matthews
  33. Ralph Liguori
  34. Jack Reynolds
  35. Dick Passwater
  36. Bucky Sager
  37. Frankie Schneider
  38. Otis Martin
  39. Coleman Lawrence
  40. Ed Samples
  41. Fred Dove
  42. Slick Smith
  43. Iggy Katona
  44. Jack Smith
  45. Tommy Moon
Other notable drivers with at least one start include: Speedy Thompson, Curtis Turner, Louise Smith, Frank Mundy, Hershel McGriff, Marshall Teague, Nelson Stacy, Bill Rexford, Bob Welborn, Gober Sosebee, Bill Snowden, Fireball Roberts, George Bush, champ car racer Al Keller, Bob Flock, Cotton Owens, Joe Weatherly, crew chief Smokey Yunick, and Dutch Hoag.