The Historic First

Entry
The Inaugural Southern 500 – September 4, 1950

NASCAR Founder Bill France, Sr. watches Bobby Griffin complete Entry Form #1
for the first Southern 500 on the hood of the actual car to be raced while Mrs.
Harold Brasington, Sr, (left) and a track employee look on.

Regardless the endeavor, there can only be one “First,” one “original pioneer,” a single
individual that breaks the ice and sets the stage for more to follow. For the future to
happen.
And when the dreams and visions that we as humans have the capacity to share our
passion for--and the stars--align, sometimes like-minded and determined individuals get
together and a tradition truly timeless in nature is set in motion.
Such was the case in 1933 when Harold Brasington Sr., enthralled and enthused by the
growing new sport of Auto Racing, decided, after a visit to attend the Indy 500, to convert
a row-crop, farm-field in rural Darlington, South Carolina into the South's first
Superspeedway. And rather than the folly some considered it to be over the ensuing years,
instead it became fabled, known even today ever more widely as one of the most iconic
and challenging tracks on the NASCAR circuit, and recognized by the single mention of

Early NASCAR racers gather on the beach at

the Daytona Beach-Road Course, prior to
construction of the Darlington Superspeedway.
“Darlington” throughout the world.

The First Entry Replica car on track and

displayed at Darlington Raceway's Start/Finish
line, ready for another Green Flag!

But it takes racers to make a race, and a key component to Darlington's early success was
shared commitment and determination to seeing Brasington's idea come to fruition, and
none moreso than Bobby Griffin, of the local Griffin Motors Oldsmobile dealership, who so
believed in the growing sport and the local track that he was the signer of Entry #1 for that
inaugural Southern 500. Then had noted painter Francis Haney hand-number and letter his
car to advertise the race and spent weeks traveling the state using the brightly-painted
Chariot Red w/Canto Cream Top stock race car as a rolling billboard promoting the
upcoming event. He also later went on to serve on the track's Board of Directors and help
guide it through its early growth.

Local painter Francis Haney hand-numbered and lettered the First Entry, which was driven around
South Carolina as a rolling billboard advertising the first Southern 500 on September 4, 1950.
But commitment to a purpose was nothing new to Bobby Griffin,
a U.S. Army vet who served in WW II in the European Theatre
under Patton, fighting in the ferocious Battle of the Bulge and
earning a battlefield commission during a particularly vicious
Christmas Day engagement during the Battle of the Ardennes.
And if his commitment was ever in doubt, it only needs be noted
that he was a German POW not once, but TWICE. There was no
“quit” in Lt. Robert Griffin, as four Purple Hearts, a Silver Star,
two Bronze Stars, and numerous other military medals and
recognitions can attest. And that commitment carried forward
post-war as he served as State Commander of the South Carolina

CPT. Robert P. Griffin

VFW for a time, and was consistently active in state and local VFW and Veteran-related
events and efforts.

The First Entry was a 1950 Oldsmobile “Rocket 88” Club Coupe, powered by an Olds Rocket
V-8 303 C.I., locally ordered by and prepped at the Griffin Motor Company dealership in
Florence--which was, coincidentally, recently added to the National Registry of Historic
Places—and co-sponsored by Griffin Motors and Darlington International Raceway. It was
driven by future NASCAR Hall of Famer Buck Baker, who qualified 28 th at a speed of 74.301
MPH for the race—in a field of what eventually grew to 75 cars! Ironically, the First Entry
and ol' Buck shared another less illustrious first, that of being involved in the first crash in
Southern 500 history when he hit a spinning car on Lap 176, ending his chance at Victory.

The Griffin Motors-provided Rocket 88 Convertible Oldsmobile Pace Car. driven by Harold
Brasington, Sr. leads a massive 75-car field to the Green Flag on September 4, 1950 to
commence the running of the inaugural Southern 500.

The First Entry Replica has been created to match, in every way possible, the original
equipment, power plant, and materials used during the original car's days of thunder on
the track, right down to matching paint colors and era-correct decaling, with the only
exceptions made out of considerations for safety or modern reliability and efficiency.
One-of-a-kinds are just that: uniquely incomparable. Without peer or parallel. And this car
represents the very beginnings of the legend of “The Lady in Black” and “The Track Too
Tough To Tame”, a tradition that seems to have become even more beloved and embraced
over the past decade, and a tradition that continues to grow, generation-to-generation,
even today. And with nostalgia all the rage and Darlington now known as the “Throwback
Track,” where special old-school paint schemes and wardrobes are celebrated, a legend
certain to grow larger and ever more dear to our aging hearts.
We are extremely honored to be associated with this car and Darlington Raceway. And seek
to honor the vision of those who came before us—especially those who served under our
National Flag—and welcome inquiries about the vehicle or incorporating it into your event,
especially to see these colors run, to let this old-school Beast roar, and, once again, savor
those feelings from so long ago.
 For more information about the Historic First Entry Replica please feel free to
contact:
Gray Bostick at:: GrayBostick@gmail.com or 843-544-5056.