On October 17, 1954, the NASCAR Grand National Series held a scheduled 200-lap, 100-mile event on the half-mile dirt track at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia, drawing an estimated attendance of 8,500 and a large field of 44 cars. Lee Petty captured the pole in his Petty Enterprises Chrysler with a qualifying speed of 53.191 mph and went on to dominate the race, which was shortened to 165 laps (82.5 miles) due to darkness.
Petty and Hershel McGriff swapped the lead five times during the afternoon, with Petty leading a total of 157 laps and McGriff briefly taking over for eight circuits. The race was slowed by three cautions and finished in 1 hour, 51 minutes, and 7 seconds at an average speed of 44.547 mph. Petty collected the $1,000 winner’s share from a total purse of $3,800 and, with the victory, clinched the 1954 NASCAR Grand National championship. Hershel McGriff finished second on the lead lap in the #14 Frank Christian Oldsmobile, followed by Buck Baker (two laps down), Dick Rathmann, and Jim Reed. The event marked the 36th race of the 37-race 1954 season.
