Most of the fans in the early years of the sport saw the track as notorious for being a great venue to watch races between the legendary racers of the time.

Twenty-one-year-old Fireball Roberts qualified with a lap speed of 73.266 mph on the dirt track for his first ever Grand National pole, but engine problems dropped him out of the running.

Ultimately, Leon Sales led eight of the 200 laps to become the victor, the fourth NASCAR driver to win an event in his debut race.

Herb Thomas, driving his 1952 "Fabulous" Hudson Hornet, won the pole, led 192 of the 200 laps, and grabbed the victory.

Fonty Flock managed to work his way up from the fourth starting position to the front and led three laps before dropping back and finishing third.

Baker ran strong and led the most laps in the race with 80 out front before falling back into sixth position at the finish.

The race was called three laps early because of a serious crash involving Lou Figaro; his car flipped, and the roof caved in.

Figaro was transported to a hospital in Winston-Salem, but he died the following day from a skull fracture and brain damage suffered in the crash.

[2] Other notable drivers who participated included Lee Petty, Herb Thomas, Dink Widenhouse, Fonty Flock, and Junior Johnson.

[2] Twelve drivers failed to finish the race due to axle, spindle, coil, wheel, frame, vapor lock, tire, gasket, and bearing problems.

Carl Kiekhaefer was the only notable crew chief to appear at this race; he was also the owner of the #300 Chrysler vehicle driven by Tim Flock.