Jack Walker
Darlington M-S Results, July 4, 1952
Leading up to the July 4th, 1952 Modified-Sportsman race at Darlington there were 4 days on time trials. Each qualifying run consisted of 5 laps. Bill Snowden turned the fastest 5 laps on day 1 in a Sportsman Ford, and won the pole position. Snowden turned the driving duties over to Curtis Turner for the race. Only 50 cars actually made qualifying runs, but there were 58 drivers in the race. The first row for the 3-wide start at Darlington was: Curtis Turner, Billy Carden, and Bobby Myers. Jack Smith, and Curtis Turner battled for the lead in the fist part of the race. Also, challenging were Bobby Johns, Buddy Shuman, and David Ezell. With 2 laps to go Shuman blew a tire, and still managed to finish second behind Turner. Unfortunately there was one fatality from a lap 135 wreck involving Rex Stansell of Greenville, SC. Stansell died over night at McLeod Infirmary in Florence. Turner received $1000 for the victory before 12000 fans. Note: Double click to enlarge
Spartanburg Herald's race report was intertwined with a preview of the July 5 M-S race at Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds.