Carrell Speedway in Gardena, California was open only a few short years. As best I can tell, it opened around 1948 and hosted its last event - a NASCAR Grand National / Pacific Coast late model division race - on Memorial Day, May 30, 1954.
On January 31, 1954, promoter J.C. Agajanian hosted a American Automobile Association (AAA) sanctioned stock car event. The race was slated for 200-laps, 100-miles on the 1/2 mile dirt oval.
Program from Motor Racing Programme Covers
Race preview from the Long Beach Independent Press Telegram
With five laps to go, Johnny Mantz - the winner of the inaugural Southern 500 in 1950 - had the race well in hand. But as is so often the case, the money is paid to the driver leading with 5 to go. It's paid to the driver who actually takes the checkered flag.
Mantz had issues with the win seemingly in his grasp. He faded to a fourth place finish. Mantz's misfortune became the good fortunes for someone else. Chuck Stevenson inherited the lead and was flagged the winner. But as Lee Corso often says on ESPN's College Football Game Day...
After reviewing tape and scoring records, it was found Stevenson was behind another driver. Unheralded racer George Fleming from way back east in Pennsylvania was then recognized as the winner of the race.
Stevenson was scored as finishing second. Lou Figaro was third followed by Mantz and Marshall Teague to round out the top 5 finishers. I don't yet know the rest of the running order. Based on the race preview articles, however, it seems 19-20 cars were in the race.
Race report from the San Bernardino Sun Telegram.
For more about Carrell Speedway and NASCARs GN race in November 1951, see Dave Fulton's reply to Tim Leeming's post here:
http://racersreunion.com/community/forum/stock-car-racing-history/28634/racing-history-minute-november-11-1951
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Schaefer: It's not just for racing anymore.
updated by @tmc-chase: 01/31/18 04:54:17PM