Larry Frank was a poster boy for HIS United States Marines. Crew cut. Sinewy muscles. Thirty-inch waist. Square jaw. Deep, coarse voice. Take no prisoners attitude.
For those who are too young to remember, or not well-versed in NASCAR history, Larry Frank made an indelible mark on the sport in 1962 when he was eventually named the rightful winner of Darlington Raceway’s Southern 500. Hall of Famer Junior Johnson received the checkered flag on Sunday afternoon but an overnight scoring recheck revealed Frank as the winner.
It was the only race Larry would win during his colorful, but abbreviated career. To writers of Larry’s day, stock car racing was still trying to gain acceptance in newspapers, on radio and television (there was no internet at the time), he was probably one of the most popular drivers on the circuit. He always had time for the media in a period when stock car drivers, other than Richard Petty, didn’t have much to say.
Larry Frank, winner of the 1962 Southern 500. (Photo by RacingOne/Getty Images)
Larry died Tuesday in the little town of Piedmont, S.C. He was 80.
It was only fitting his lone victory came at NASCAR’s toughest track because Larry Frank set the standard for toughness in a sport that definitely required it during Larry’s racing days.
I just ran across this article on my late husband, Larry Frank. It was very well written and paid tribute to the great man and great personality that he was. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Thank you! Margaret Frank