In some years, the Labor Day Southern 500 fell as late as September 7. In other years such as 1952, the race fell on the 1st of the month. By the time September 7 rolled around, the GN cars were ready for another race.
On September 7, 1952, Lee Petty followed up his 6th place finish in the Southern 500 win a win at Central City Speedway in Macon, GA. From an average finish perspective, Herb Thomas was even better. He finished 3rd at Darlington and 2nd at Macon.
Tim Flock dominated the race leading 210 of the 300 laps. Thomas got by Flock with about 40 to go and was sitting in the catbird's seat with 5 to go. He was about to back-up his 3rd at Darlington with a win at Macon. But he blew a tire and watched Lee pass him by as Herb drove the final laps helplessly on the rim of the blown tire.
Read on for more.
http://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2013/09/september-7-1952-lee-whoops-em-in-macon.html
| Fin | Driver | Car |
| 1 | Lee Petty | Plymouth |
| 2 | Herb Thomas | Hudson |
| 3 | Tim Flock | Hudson |
| 4 | Joe Eubanks | Hudson |
| 5 | Herschel Buchanan | Nash |
| 6 | Jimmie Lewallen | Hudson |
| 7 | Carson Dyer | Hudson |
| 8 | Donald Thomas | Plymouth |
| 9 | Ted Chamberlain | Plymouth |
| 10 | Barney Smith | Plymouth |
| 11 | Bub King | Hudson |
| 12 | Dick Passwater | Oldsmobile |
| 13 | Roscoe Thompson | Studebaker |
| 14 | Olin Allen | Oldsmobile |
| 15 | Banjo Matthews | Hudson |
| 16 | Stan Parnell | Oldsmobile |
| 17 | Bill Snowden | Hudson |
| 18 | Cotton Owens | Ford |
| 19 | Lamar Crabtree | Plymouth |
| 20 | Jim Paschal | Ford |
| 21 | Tommy Moon | Hudson |
| 22 | Pete Kelly | Hudson |
| 23 | Jerry Wimbish | Oldsmobile |
| 24 | Fonty Flock | Oldsmobile |
| 25 | Ray Duhigg | Plymouth |
| 26 | June Cleveland | Chrysler |
| 27 | Buck Baker | Hudson |
--
Schaefer: It's not just for racing anymore.
updated by @tmc-chase: 09/07/17 10:48:10AM
