16 Facts About Herb Thomas

Herbert Watson Thomas was a stock car racer who was one of NASCAR's most successful drivers in the 1950s.

In 1949, Herb Thomas took part in NASCAR's first Strictly Stock race and made four starts in the series' first year.

Herb Thomas scored his first career win at Martinsville Speedway in a privateer Plymouth.

Herb Thomas started the 1951 season with moderate success in his Plymouth before switching to a Hudson Hornet, at the suggestion of fellow driver Marshall Teague.

Herb Thomas won the Southern 500 rather handily in what was famously dubbed "the Fabulous Hudson Hornet", which would be the first of six wins in two months.

Herb Thomas returned with a vengeance in 1953 and dominated the entire season, winning a series-best twelve races en route to becoming the first two-time series champion.

Herb Thomas won twelve races again in 1954, including a second Southern 500 win, but he was beaten by a more consistent Lee Petty in the championship standings.

Herb Thomas crashed heavily behind the wheel of a Buick at a race in Charlotte, forcing him to miss three months of the season.

Herb Thomas returned to score his third Southern 500 win in his Motoramic Chevy, one of three wins during the season.

Herb Thomas finished 5th in the championship on the strength of his win at Darlington.

Herb Thomas won once for Yunick, after which the two broke ties, and three consecutive races while driving Chryslers for Carl Kiekhaefer, then dominating NASCAR with the first professional team.

Herb Thomas ended his career with 48 victories, which currently ranks 14th all-time.

Herb Thomas was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1994 and was named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998.

Herb Thomas was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame on February 8,2013.

Herb Thomas was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2017.

Herb Thomas was one of the primary inspirations for the character of Doc Hudson in Pixar's Cars series of films.