Random Recap: The 1951 Southern 500
Welcome to Random Recaps, a weekly feature at From The Marbles. In this space, we’ll recap a random race from the past at the track the where Sprint Cup Series is racing next.This week’s race is the 1951 Southern 500. As always, Random Recap is truly random thanks to Random.org. And stunningly, this race is not on YouTube.
Herb Thomas won the Southern 500 at Darlington by leading the first five laps and the final 306.
Thomas, who started from the pole, relinquished the lead to Jesse James Taylor on lap 6. He got it back for the second – and final – time on lap 95 when he took the lead from Curtis Turner, who had led the previous 43 laps.
Taylor ended up being the only car within a lap of Thomas. He finished one lap down. Buddy Shuman, who finished third, was eight laps down. Turner was forced to retire because of engine failure.
The race had four cautions for 26 laps. It also featured 82 participants. Yes, you read that correctly, 82. Thomas received $8,800 for winning while John Barker, who finished 60th, got $50. Believe it or not, one driver failed to qualify. Joe Weatherly didn’t make the field.
Johnny Mantz, the man who won the inaugural Southern 500, finished 76th, a spot behind Joe Eubanks.
Epilogue: 82 cars! 82!
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Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
