The 1955 Mid-South 250 was a NASCAR Grand National (now Sprint Cup Series) race that took place on August 14, 1955 at the Memphis-Arkansas Speedway located just west of West Memphis in the American community of LeHi, Arkansas.[1]
One hundred and sixty-seven laps were done on a dirt oval track spanning 1.500 miles (2.414 km).[1] There were no cautions and the time of the race was two hours, forty-seven minutes, and twelve seconds.[1] The average speed was 89.982 miles per hour (144.812 km/h) while the pole position speed was 99.944 miles per hour (160.844 km/h).[1] Fifteen thousand people attended this live and completely untelevised race.[1] Total winnings for this race were $10,625 ($87,146.2 in today's money) with the winner receiving $2,950 ($24,195.89 in today's money).[2]
Fonty Flock managed to break his brother's eight-race pole streak. However, Tim Flock qualified in second place for this race. Fonty would eventually win the race in his 1955 Chrysler C-300[1] but Tim would finish in third place (one position worse than he started in). None of the speed records from qualifying portion of this race survive today. This is due NASCAR's tendency to throw away data during that era instead of tabulating it into a more permanent form at the end of each season. Records that survive from the earlier years of NASCAR are often spared from being burned or shredded. Lee Petty was knocked out of the race due to problem with his car's U joint and Jimmie Lewallen was forced out of the race due to a broken gas line.
* Driver failed to finish race
† signifies that the driver is known to be deceased
| Preceded by 1954 Mid-South 250 |
Mid-South 250 races 1954-1955 |
Succeeded by none |