The 1953 Wilkes 160, the 35th race of the 37-race 1953 NASCAR Grand National Series season, was held on Sunday, October 11 at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina.
A modest crowd of just 2,000 spectators turned out to watch 31 cars compete on the rough 0.625-mile dirt oval for 160 laps (100 miles). Buck Baker earned the pole position with a qualifying speed of 78.288 mph and led a race-high 80 laps, but it was Speedy Thompson who stole the show. Driving the #46 Buckshot Morris Oldsmobile, Thompson led 25 laps and pulled away to win by a full two laps over runner-up Fonty Flock.
Ray Duhigg finished third in a strong comeback drive—his first start since suffering a broken neck in a violent crash at Langhorne Speedway on June 21. Bob Welborn placed fourth and Lee Petty fifth. Thompson’s victory came at an average speed of 71.202 mph, with three cautions for 16 laps and 13 lead changes among several drivers (including Curtis Turner with 18 laps led). He earned $1,000 for the win.
