1958 Season Recap

NASCAR pioneer Lee Petty became the second driver in history to win multiple NASCAR Grand National (now NASCAR Winston Cup Series) championships as he pulled away from two-time defending champion and rival Buck Baker from the start of the 1958 season. Not only did Petty add another title to his trophy case, he had finished in the top five in the final standings in every year of NASCAR Grand National racing to date.

By turning in one of the most consistent seasons in NASCAR history, Lee Petty had a firm grip on the points race heading down the stretch.

FIVE RACES TO GO: Hillsboro, NC - As the NASCAR Grand National circuit came to Orange Speedway, 1954 champion Lee Petty was ahead of two-time defending champion Buck Baker by over 1,000 points in the point standings. It was just a matter of time before Petty clinched his second title as he finished fifth in the race at Hillsboro. Buck Baker had a strong day in third place, but it was of no help to him in the standings as Petty was on the verge of clinching. Speedy Thompson was in the championship mix again in 1958, but rear end trouble brought him a 19th place finish. Title contender Shorty Rollins finished sixth and fellow title-hopeful Jack Smith was not entered in the event.

FOUR RACES TO GO: Salisbury, NC - As his lead increased to 1,112 points over Buck Baker, Lee Petty clinched his second NASCAR Grand National title with a victory at Salisbury Super Speedway. Fittingly enough, Buck Baker finished the race in second place. Speedy Thompson battled faulty oil pressure and finished 29th in the field of 30 drivers. Shorty Rollins also struggled, coming home 21st. Jack Smith, firmly planted in fifth place in the point standings, was not entered in the race.

THREE RACES TO GO: Martinsville, VA - Speedy Thompson, who was trying to solidify his third place position in the point standings, finished as runner-up at Martinsville Speedway to budding superstar Fireball Roberts. The race was shortened due to darkness and Roberts ran the last few laps with a flat tire. Had the race gone the full 500 laps, the outcome would have likely been different. Newly crowned champion Lee Petty finished 7th and with the runner-up position in the standings being decided, Buck Baker placed 5th. Shorty Rollins finished the race in 17th position and his main competition in the points race, Jack Smith, turned in a 13th place performance.

TWO RACES TO GO: North Wilkesboro, NC - With the top five in the point standings pretty much decided, the contenders all ran to top 10 finishes at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Speedy Thompson finished third, Jack Smith fifth, champion Lee Petty ninth and runner-up Buck Baker was tenth. Shorty Rollins did not participate in the event.