The next NASCAR race was a modified event on July 27, 1952. In the star-studded field were Billy Carden, the Flocks, Jack Smith, Buck Baker, Gober Sosebee, Buddy Shuman, Curtis Turner, Jack Etheridge, Charlie Bagwell, and Sonny Black. Ed Samples of Atlanta won the rain-shortened main event.

The last race of the 1952 season was held on November 16 and was won by Herb Thomas driving the Hudson Hornet of his brother, Don. Herb's own car broke down near the end of the 100 mile event, and he flagged down his brother and swapped places. The official NASCAR record book says, "Herb and Don Thomas combine to win race," but Herb received the trophy. Herb was followed by Lee Petty, joe Eubanks, Tim Flock and Gober Sosebee.

Cotton Owens of Spartanburg won the April 1953 modified race, and Herb Thomas won the July race in his Hudson Hornet. [Admission was $2.00 plus $1.00 if you wanted a grandstand seat. My how times have changed!] Roscoe Thompson won the August modified race with Sosebee second and Owens third.

In the final 1953 race Darlington winner Buck Baker edged out Fonty Flock by less than a lap.

(reproduced with permission from Pioneer Pages, the official newsletter of the Georgia Automobile Racing Hall of Fame Association

Lakewood action - 1953