1950-03
The third race of the 1950 season was run on April 16 at Langhorne Speedway in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. Tim Flock won the pole.-- Curtis Turner prevailed in an intense struggle at the Langhorne Speedway and won the 150-miler on the one-mile dirt track. His second career Grand National win came at an average speed of 69.399 mph. The lead changed hands seven times as five drivers waged a furious duel. Tim Flock led the opening two laps from the pole position. Bill Blair pushed his Cadillac past Flock in the third lap and led until Flock assumed command again on lap eight. Flock led for 35 laps while 23 year-old rookie Bill Rexford moved into second. The two toured the circular oval in bumper-to-bumper fashion. Rexford sneaked past Flock in the 43rd lap and paced the action for 18 laps. Rexford's Olds began sputtering, which allowed Turner to take the lead on lap 61. Ray Erickson moved into the spotlight when he gunned his Mercury past Turner in the 84th lap. He was bidding for his first Grand National triumph when a rock pierced his radiator, forcing him behind the wall after 114 laps. Turner took the lead at that point and led the rest of the way. Lloyd Moore, Jimmy Florian, Tim-Flock and Lee Petty rounded out the top five. Flock was running third when a wheel came off his Lincoln and bounced into the path of hardluck Blair, who struck the errant wheel. The steering column in Blair's Caddy snapped, came up through the driver's compartment and hit the driver. The High Point, NC, star spent one night in the hospital.Turner won $1,500 for his efforts as only six cars finished after 28 started. Point leader Red Byron did not enter the race. Tim Flock took over the point lead ijut the strength of his fourth place finish. Turner's John Eanes-owned Oldsmobile was •pipped with Dunlop tires. Dunlop had plenty of space on Turner's car — placing its name on the hood and side doors. Erickson's appearance was his last start of the year. A short time later, he lost an arm in a hot-rod crash. Also following the race, the FBI began investigating some "characters" who were trying to introduce racketeering and gambling into stock car racing.
Top Ten Results
- Curtis Turner
- Lloyd Moore
- Jimmy Florian
- Tim Flock
- Lee Petty
- Frank Mundy
- Pappy Hough
- Bob Dickson
- Dick Linder
- Pepper Cunningham
Read more about this topic: 1950 In NASCAR