1954 NASCAR Cup Series Season Recap

Originally published on Feb. 19, 2020

By Zane Miller

On Sunday, October 24th, 1954, the 1954 NASCAR Cup Series season concluded with Lee Petty defeating Herb Thomas by 283 points to win the sixth championship in Cup Series history. It was the first Cup Series championship for Petty. These are the top five points finishers for the season.

5. #82 Joe Eubanks (-3182)

Eubanks took fifth place in points with 11 top-fives and 24 top-10s for an average finish of 9.9.

4. #3 Dick Rathman (-1889)

Rathman got fourth in points, as he scored three victories, 23 top-fives and 26 top-10s with an average finish of 5.8, leading the most laps in three races.

3. #87 Buck Baker (-1756)

Baker took the third spot with four wins, 23 top-fives and 28 top-10s as he got an average finish of 6.7. Baker also led the most laps in three races.

2. #92 Herb Thomas (-283)

Thomas got second place as he scored 12 wins, 19 top-fives and 27 top-10s for an average finish of 7.7. Thomas led the most laps nine times during the season.

1. #42 Lee Petty

Petty claimed the championship as he got seven victories, 24 top-fives and 32 top-10s, getting an average finish of 5.6 and leading the most laps in six races.

Race Winners (left) & Lap Leaders (right)

*Denotes driver led every lap

Link to stats database: https://www.racing-reference.info/yeardet/1954/W