The #52 City of Roses Oldsmobile was fielded by Hershel McGriff in the first Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on Sept. 4, 1950. This entry was one of 75 cars in the lineup, starting 44th and finishing ninth. Early in McGriff’s career that has spanned 40-plus years,
Long the dream of Darlington resident Harold Brasington, the realization of it was more than even he could have anticipated. Still a challenge for Winston Cup participants each May, the first race drew 25,000 fans. Bleacher seats sold out quickly, and tickets were sold for infield space. There were traffic jams coming to and leaving the track.
Johnny Mantz won the first race, with an average speed of 76 mph and no tire changes. The paved surface was a success, the racing was exciting, even though the speeds were considerably less than those attained today. Harold Brasington put a lot of hard work and himself into the Darlington Raceway, and he succeeded at building a track that competitors must race while racing each other. In the end, Brasington won over the skeptics and is responsible for taking a risk that paid off in stimulating interest in stock car racing that has taken it beyond all expectations.