1951 Season Recap

After finishing the 1950 season with his first NASCAR Grand National (now known as the NASCAR Winston Cup Series) victory and an 11th place finish in the final point standings, many in the racing world expected big things out of Herb Thomas. Thomas exceeded all expectations, winning seven races and capturing his first championship.

Herb Thomas built a large lead over his competitors during the 41-race season, and while it dwindled during the final stretch of the season, Thomas had enough of a margin to walk away with the title.

FIVE RACES TO GO: Hanford, CA - None of the leading contenders in the points race were entered in the West Coast race at Hanford Motor Speedway. Fonty Flock, who was second in the point standings with five races remaining in the 1951 season, had won last week at North Wilkesboro to trim Herb Thomas' lead to 322.2 points

FOUR RACES TO GO: Jacksonville, FL - Herb Thomas, the points leader, came into Jacksonville with a large lead over Fonty Flock. When Thomas had mechanical problems, it looked as if Flock, his brother Tim, Lee Petty, and Frank Mundy were going to gain ground in the standings. However, Thomas got a replacement car from Marshall Teague and drove it to victory, boosting his points lead to 362.2 points. Each of Thomas' challengers had solid runs as well. Fonty Flock finished third, Mundy fifth, Petty seventh, and Tim Flock came in 13th.

THREE RACES TO GO: Atlanta, GA - Frank Mundy took the pole at Lakewood Speedway and points leader Herb Thomas started on the outside, hoping to jump out to an early lead and seal the title. Thomas lost his spindle, however, and finished 19th. Tim Flock, who trailed only his brother Fonty and Thomas in the points standings, took the lead at lap 14 and led the remainder of the race for his seventh victory of the season. Lee Petty ran in 12th place and remained in fourth place in the point standings.

TWO RACES TO GO: Gardena, CA - Fonty Flock, making a final bid for the 1951 championship, entered a race in California that took place on the same day as the race at Lakewood Speedway. Avoiding the other points contenders, Flock won the pole and led the first 71 laps of the 200 lap event. However, his Oldsmobile broke down and he salvaged an 11th place finish. Herb Thomas had all but wrapped up the title at Carrell Speedway, and he wasn't even on hand.

FINAL RACE: Mobile, AL - Herb Thomas celebrated his 1951 championship with a rear end failure and a next-to-last-place finish of 21st in the season finale at Lakeview Speedway in Mobile, AL. He had a large enough lead over Fonty Flock that Flock's fourth place finish in the event was no threat to Thomas, as he clinched the championship by 146.2 points over Fonty. Frank Mundy won the event and secured a top five finish in the final standings. Tim Flock followed Mundy across the finish line to give the Flock family a two-three finish in the final standings. Lee Petty, who finished the season in fourth place, completed his year with a 16th place finish at Mobile. Although he faded at the end, Thomas had a solid season, winning seven races and $21,025.