Ethel Mobley
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Ethel Mobley blazed trails as NASCAR’s pioneering female driver from the legendary Flock racing family, earning recognition as the top woman driver in the Southeast.
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FULL BIO: Ethel Mobley
Ethel Mobley was a pioneering NASCAR driver from the legendary Flock racing family who blazed trails for women in motorsports during the late 1940s and early 1950s. She became the first woman to compete on numerous Georgia tracks and earned recognition as the top female driver in the southeastern United States.
EARLY YEARS
Born March 8, 1914, in Fort Payne, Alabama, Ethel Ann Flock grew up surrounded by racing royalty. Her brothers Bob, Fonty, and Tim Flock were all destined to become prominent NASCAR drivers, creating a household where racing wasn’t just a hobby—it was the family business. When she married Charles “Charley” Mobley, who would become instrumental in fielding cars for both her and her brother Tim’s racing careers, Ethel found herself with both the support system and the opportunity to turn her natural racing instincts into a groundbreaking career. She cut her teeth in women-only “powder puff derbies” before making the leap to compete directly against men, a bold move that would define her legacy.
OTHER INTERESTS
Information about Ethel’s interests outside of racing remains undocumented in available records.
EARLY SUCCESS
Mobley’s transition from powder puff derbies to serious NASCAR competition was swift and impressive. By the late 1940s, she was regularly racing her husband’s 1948 Cadillac bearing number #92 on tracks throughout the Southeast, including the prestigious Daytona Beach road course. Her breakthrough moment came in June 1949 when she finished an impressive 8th place against 57 male competitors in a Florida race—a result that announced to the racing world that this Alabama native wasn’t just making up the numbers. She quickly established herself as a formidable competitor who could hold her own against seasoned male drivers, earning respect not through novelty but through pure skill and determination.
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
- 1948: Began competing in NASCAR Strictly Stock and Modified series with husband’s support
- 1949: Finished 8th against 57 male competitors in Florida race
- 1949: Became first woman to compete on multiple Georgia tracks
- 1949: Participated in historic family racing event with four Flock family members competing simultaneously at Daytona Beach
- 1950s: Earned title “Top Woman Driver in the Southeastern area”
- 1952: Completed over 100 NASCAR Modified Series starts before retiring
INSPIRATIONS
Ethel drew her primary inspiration from the racing dynasty that surrounded her daily life. Her brothers’ success and competitive spirit, combined with her husband Charley’s unwavering support and business acumen in fielding competitive cars, created the perfect storm for her own racing ambitions. The Flock family’s deep racing culture wasn’t just about individual achievement—it was about pushing each other to excel and breaking barriers together, which perfectly aligned with Ethel’s pioneering spirit.
REPUTATION
Within NASCAR circles, Mobley is remembered as one of the sport’s essential pioneers alongside Sara Christian and Louise Smith. Industry historians often cite her as the second woman to race in NASCAR history, and her reputation was built on genuine competitive ability rather than publicity stunts. She was known for her fearless driving style and her role in supporting her brother Tim’s entry into NASCAR after World War II. Peers respected her not just as a novelty act but as a legitimate competitor who earned her place on the track through skill and determination. Her contributions to breaking down gender barriers in motorsports continue to be celebrated by racing historians and women’s sports advocates alike.
FUTURE GOALS/PLANS
Ethel Mobley passed away on June 26, 1984.
References:
Motorsport Memorial
Wikipedia
Encyclopedia of Alabama
Georgia Racing Hall of Fame
Motorsport Magazine
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