May 16, 1953: Hickory (N.C.) Speedway hosts its first Grand National/Cup race. Tim Flock leads all 200 laps on the half-mile dirt track to grab the victory. Twenty-seven cars start the race, but only five are running at the end. Joe Eubanks finishes second, followed by Ray Duhigg, Dick Passwater and Dick Rathmann. When the last Cup race is run there in 1971, Hickory is paved and .363 miles long.