Monday 7th September 1953

Buck Baker took lead with 10 laps remaining to win the Southern 500 at Darlington, South Carolina (US) in the most competitive event in NASCAR Grand National history; four drivers swapped the lead a record 35 times. Junior Johnson made his NASCAR Cup Series debut in this event; amongst a long list of other rookie drivers. Bob Weatherly, Lonnie Bragg, and Elmer Cooper would race their only NASCAR event here along with several others.