Larry Mann (born Lawrence Harold Zuckerman;[1] April 3, 1924 – September 14, 1952) was an American stock car driver born in Yonkers, New York. Mann was the first driver to be killed in a NASCAR Grand National race; he died from a pulmonary hemorrhage caused by a crash at Langhorne Speedway.[2]

Larry Mann
BornLawrence Harold Zuckerman
(1924-04-03)April 3, 1924
Yonkers, New York
DiedSeptember 14, 1952(1952-09-14) (aged 28)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cause of deathPulmonary hemorrhage, massive head wounds from racing accident
NASCAR Cup Series career
6 races run over 1 year
First race1952 - 9th race of season (Langhorne)
Last race1952 - 27th race of season (Langhorne)
Wins Top tens Poles
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NASCAR career

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He participated in six races in the 1952 season. Overall, after his appearance in the 9th race of the season, Mann began racing more commonly after the 19th race, appearing in every other event; his best finish (11th) came at Monroe County Fairgrounds in Rochester, New York.

Death

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Mann was killed during the 27th race of the 1952 season, which took place in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. On the 211th lap, he crashed through a fence at the track, thereby flipping his Hudson Hornet. After being rushed to Nazareth Hospital in nearby Philadelphia, he died in the evening of a pulmonary hemorrhage and massive head wounds.[2] Mann had been defying a superstition among NASCAR drivers by painting his vehicle green.[3]

Mann would become the first of three drivers to be killed at Langhorne within five years; Frank Arford and John McVitty also perished while racing at the track in 1953 and 1956, respectively.

References

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  1. ^ "Motorsport Memorial - Larry Mann". Motorsport Memorial. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Larry Mann dies of auto crash injuries". The Fresno Bee. United Press. September 15, 1952. Archived from the original on July 31, 2018.
  3. ^ "NASCAR little known facts". Angelfire.com/nj2/nascar. Archived from the original on February 27, 2014. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
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