1958 NASCAR Cup Series Season Recap

Originally published on Feb. 23, 2020

By Zane Miller

On Sunday, October 26th, 1958, the 1958 NASCAR Cup Series season concluded with Lee Petty defeating Buck Baker by 644 points to win the 10th championship in Cup Series history. It was the second Cup Series championship for Petty. These are the top five points finishers for the season.

5. #47 Jack Smith (-4566 points)

Smith took fifth in points as he won two races and took 15 top-fives and 21 top-10s, getting an average finish of 12.5. Smith also led the most laps in three races.

4. #99 Shorty Rollins (-4108)

Rollins claimed the fourth spot, winning one race to go along with 12 top-fives and 22 top-10s for an average finish of 9.4.

3. #46 Speedy Thompson (-3440)

Thompson got third in points, as he scored four victories, 18 top-fives and 23 top-10s for an average finish of 10.4, leading the most laps once.

2. #87 Buck Baker (-644)

Baker took the second spot with three victories, 23 top-fives and 35 top-10 finishes, getting an average finish of 7.8. Baker led the most laps in two races.

1. #42 Lee Petty

Petty claimed his second championship with seven wins, 28 top-fives and 43 top-10s with an average finish of 6.3. Petty also led the most laps in a pair of races that season.

Race Winners (left) & Lap Leaders (right)

 

*Denotes driver led every lap

Link to stats database: https://www.racing-reference.info/yeardet/1958/W