The NASCAR Grand National Series returned to Martinsville Speedway on May 15, 1955, with a crowd of approximately 11,000 fans on hand to watch a 27-car field tackle the famous half-mile paperclip. Jim Paschal earned the pole position with a qualifying speed of 52.544 mph, but the early stages of the 200-lap race belonged to Junior Johnson, who set the pace for much of the afternoon. The race featured just two caution periods, allowing the leaders to maintain a steady rhythm around the tight Virginia oval. Tim Flock found his opportunity to take the lead on lap 108 when Johnson blew a tire and had to pit. Once out front, Flock controlled the remainder of the event for his fifth win of the year.
Flock crossed the finish line ahead of Lee Petty to win the $1,000 winners share, with Junior Johnson settling for third after leading the race’s opening half. Jimmie Lewallen finished fourth, followed by Bob Welborn in fifth to complete a strong showing by many of NASCAR’s top competitors.
