The NASCAR Grand National Series returned to Martinsville Speedway on May 16, 1954, for the season’s twelfth race, drawing a crowd of approximately 8,500 fans. A field of 24 cars took the green flag after rain washed out qualifying, forcing the starting lineup to be determined by a draw. Ralph Liguori drew the pole position, while Bill Blair started alongside him on the front row. Blair quickly moved to the front and led the opening laps before Jim Paschal, driving the #87 Griffin Motors Oldsmobile 88, took command from Bill Baird on lap eight. From that point forward, Paschal was untouchable, leading the final 193 laps of the 200-lap event and navigating three caution periods without ever surrendering the lead.
Paschal crossed the finish line one full lap ahead of Lee Petty to earn his second career Grand National victory and the $1,000 winner’s purse. Curtis Turner finished third, followed by Al Keller and Laird Bruner to complete the top five. Paschal’s dominant performance produced an average race speed of 46.153 mph despite the caution flags, and his 193 laps led accounted for nearly the entire race distance. Behind the winner, Petty’s consistent runner-up finish allowed him to extend his advantage in the championship standings to 74 points over Buck Baker.
