THE TOM KIRKLAND COLLECTION

IN MEMORY OF LARRY FRANK

It might have been Junior Johnson who visited victory lane following the 1962 Southern 500 at Darlington, but the win eventually went to Larry Frank, who passed away Jan. 5 in Piedmont, S.C. at the age of 80.

Originally, Frank was not officially credited with leading even a single lap. However, most in attendance felt that he had been at the front of the field for at least 80 laps when the checkered flag fell.

Frank suffered from dehydration and blisters on his eyes, and immediately left the track. A protest was filed by Lee Petty, and following a check of scorecards and independent records kept by Morris Metcalfe, the win went to Frank. He's shown here with his trophies from the event, which he received the day after the event.

It was the only career Grand National win for Frank, a former United States Marine.

In an humorous footnote, the 1962 edition of the race was the 13th Southern 500 to be run. However, according to author Greg Fielden's book "Forty Years of Stock Car Racing Volume 2," the ultra-superstitious Joe Weatherly was reluctant to run a race that had anything to do with the number 13. As a result, track president Bob Colvin promoted it was the "12th renewal" of the Southern 500.