On January23rd, Broward Speedway hosted an early stock-car race under NASCAR promotion, drawing an estimated 6,000 spectators to the Fort Lauderdale-Davie Airport. The event featured a 24-car field, including many of the top drivers in the Southeast, competing in a 100-mile race around the fast, paved oval.
The race was competitive from the start, with 8 lead changes throughout the event. Drivers pushed their cars to the limit over the 1 hour, 7 minutes, and 2 seconds it took to complete the 100 miles. In the final laps, Fonty Flock emerged in front, taking the checkered flag and $1,000, by three car lengths over second place finisher Bill Frick. Finishing third was Bob Flock followed by Marshell Teague and Red Byron.
This race was significant because it represented one of the earliest high-profile events promoted by Bill France Sr. and NASCAR, months before the official Strictly Stock championship began in June 1949. It demonstrated the appeal of stock-car racing in the Southeast, showcased close, competitive wheel-to-wheel racing, and helped establish NASCAR’s credibility as an organizing body capable of staging professional, large-scale events. For drivers like Fonty Flock, these early races provided a platform to gain recognition and lay the groundwork for the sport’s rapid growth in the 1950s.
