Pete Hamilton, 1970
Pete Hamilton, 1970

NASCAR’s Most Surprising Upsets – Part 2

National Speed Sport News' coverage of Lennie Pond's victory at Talladega.
National Speed Sport News’ coverage of Lennie Pond’s victory at Talladega.

Lennie Pond

Best known as a journeyman driver, Virginia’s Lennie Pond wasn’t typically a contender to win races at NASCAR’s top level. However, on Aug. 6, 1978, at Talladega Superspeedway, Pond made the most of an opportunity.

Driving for Harry Ranier, Pond bested a field full of stars to secure his first and only NASCAR Cup Series victory. Pond led 22 laps that day, including the final five, to give Ranier the first of 24 victories as a Cup Series team owner.