There is more to racing than engine power. Herb Thomas and Richard Teague had their best year on the track with Hudsons in 1954 even though the field included a number of Oldsmobile Rocket 88's, Chrysler Hemi's and Ford Y-Block engines. It was a combination of power, weight distribution (and center of gravity), suspension and steering plus the driver's ability to handle and control the vehicle. Also worth considering were the tire size, condition and surface. The sand-to-asphalt turn (with its uphill aspect) at the original Daytona Beach track in the early 1950's gave drivers from outside the area fits (the local boys had more time to practice) and flipped more than one stock car (one of those being the 1952 HJ Vagabond Joie Ray drove to roll-over in the 1952 Daytona Grand Nationals).
