60th Anniversary of NASCAR race at Davenport Speedway

DAVENPORT, Ia. (July 31, 2013) – This Friday marks a special anniversary for the Davenport Speedway.

Sixty years ago, in 1953, the first–ever NASCAR points race in the State of Iowa, was held at the Davenport Speedway, on the historic half-mile track. The 200-lap, Grand National (now, known as the Sprint Cup) race was held on August 2, 1953, was won by Herb Thomas in “the Fabulous Hudson Hornet”.

Thomas completed the 100 mile run in one hour and 36 minutes, at an average speed of 62.5 mph. He also grabbed the $1,000 purse. Herb lapped the field and his gas tank went dry just after the completion of the race. Buck Baker finished second behind Thomas. Lee Petty finished third.

Just like today’s NASCAR events, it was the drivers that made the event special.

Herb Thomas was one of NASCAR’s first superstars. He was the first to win two NASCAR championships. His first came in 1951, and the second in ’53. Herb won 48 times in series competition, a number that has him tied for 13th all-time. His 48 victories in 228 starts equates to a winning percentage of 21.05. Thomas and “The Fabulous Hudson Hornet” were the inspiration for the character ‘Doc Hudson’ in the movie Cars. Herb Thomas was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in February 2013.

Buck Baker who finished second, was a city bus driver in Charlotte, who went on to win back-to-back NASCAR championships in 1956-57. Baker won 46 times in a career that spanned 26 years. He later went on to start the Buck Baker Racing School. Baker entered the NASCAR Hall of Fame along with Thomas, this past February.

Lee Petty was a dominant force in the early years of NASCAR. He was a three time NASCAR Grand National Champion. Petty won 54 times and recorded over 300 top ten finishes. Lee Petty was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2011.

Additional information on the history of the Davenport Speedway can be found at our website “davenportspeedway.com” .

Stock car racing action returns to the Davenport Speedway, August 9th. The 4-Stock class will be on center stage, as $2,000 awaits the winner of this year’s 4-Stock 50.

The Davenport Speedway is located at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds, on West Locust Street in Davenport, Iowa. For additional information on DRT TRAK Racing events, visit our new website at davenportspeedway.com, or call (563) 652-5302. Raceday weather information can be found at (563) 326-5338.

Category: Davenport Speedway, Iowa