1966 NASCAR Grand National Series

18th season of NASCAR stock-car racing

1966 Grand National Series

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1967

David Pearson, winner of the 1966 NASCAR Championship, here pictured in 2008.

The 1966 NASCAR Grand National Series evolved into the first of three NASCAR Grand National championships for David Pearson, whose 15 wins through the season was second only to Tim Flock's 18 victories in 1955 at that time.[1] NASCAR allowed the return of the Chrysler Hemi engine in 1966, and at the same time Ford decided to boycott NASCAR for the season.[2] The season marked series first visit to the state of Maine. Pearson captured the championship with 35,638 points over second place James Hylton who finished the season with no wins, but 33,638 points for his consistency and efforts.[3]

## Schedule

[edit]

No.  | Race Title  | Track | Date

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1  | Georgia Cracker 300  | Augusta Speedway, Augusta | November 14, 1965
2  | Motor Trend 500 | Riverside International Raceway, Riverside | January 23, 1966
3  | 100 Mile Qualifying Races | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach | February 25, 1966

5  | Daytona 500 | February 27, 1966
6  | Peach Blossom 500 | North Carolina Motor Speedway, Rockingham | March 14, 1966
7  | Southeastern 500 | Bristol International Speedway, Bristol | March 20, 1966
8  | Atlanta 500 | Atlanta International Raceway, Hampton | March 27, 1966
9  | Hickory 250 | Hickory Speedway, Hickory | April 3, 1966
10  | Columbia 200 | Columbia Speedway, Columbia | April 7, 1966
11  | Greenville 200 | Greenville-Pickens Speedway, Greenville | April 9, 1966
12  | 1966-12  | Bowman Gray Stadium, Winston-Salem | April 11, 1966
13  | Gwyn Staley 400 | North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro | April 17, 1966
14  | Virginia 500 | Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway | April 24, 1966
15  | Rebel 400 | Darlington Raceway, Darlington | April 30, 1966
16  | Tidewater 250  | Langley Speedway, Hampton | May 7, 1966
17  | Speedy Morelock 200  | Middle Georgia Raceway, Macon | May 10, 1966
18  | Independent 250  | Starlite Speedway, Monroe | May 13, 1966
19  | Richmond 250 | Atlantic Rural Fairgrounds, Richmond | May 15, 1966
20  | World 600 | Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord | May 22, 1966
21  | 1966-21  | Dog Track Speedway, Moyock | May 29, 1966
22  | Asheville 300 | New Asheville Speedway, Asheville | June 2, 1966
23  | 1966-23  | Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds, Spartanburg | June 4, 1966
24  | East Tennessee 200 | Smoky Mountain Raceway, Maryville | June 9, 1966
25  | Fireball 300 | Asheville-Weaverville Speedway, Weaverville | June 12, 1966
26  | Beltsville 200 | Beltsville Speedway, Beltsville | June 15, 1966
27  | Pickens 200 | Greenville-Pickens Speedway, Greenville | June 25, 1966
28  | Firecracker 400 | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach | July 4, 1966
29  | 1966-29  | Old Dominion Speedway, Manassas | July 7, 1966
30  | 1966-30  | Bridgehampton Raceway, Bridgehampton | July 10, 1966
31  | Maine 100 | Oxford Plains Speedway, Oxford | July 12, 1966
32  | 1966-32  | Fonda Speedway, Fonda | July 14, 1966
33  | 1966-33  | Islip Speedway, Islip | July 16, 1966
34  | Volunteer 500 | Bristol International Speedway, Bristol | July 24, 1966
35  | Smoky Mountain 200 | Smoky Mountain Raceway, Maryville | July 28, 1966
36  | Nashville 400 | Nashville Speedway, Nashville | July 30, 1966
37  | Dixie 400 | Atlanta International Raceway, Hampton | August 7, 1966
38  | Sandlapper 200 | Columbia Speedway, Columbia | August 18, 1966
39  | Western North Carolina 500 | Asheville-Weaverville Speedway, Weaverville | August 21, 1966
40  | Maryland 200 | Beltsville Speedway, Beltsville | August 24, 1966
41  | Myers Brothers 250 | Bowman Gray Stadium, Winston-Salem | August 27, 1966
42  | Southern 500 | Darlington Raceway, Darlington | September 5, 1966
43  | Buddy Shuman 276 | Hickory Speedway, Hickory | September 9, 1966
44  | Capital City 300 | Atlantic Rural Fairgrounds, Richmond | September 11, 1966
45  | Joe Weatherly 150 | Orange Speedway, Hillsborough | September 18, 1966
46  | Old Dominion 500 | Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway | September 25, 1966
47  | Wilkes 400 | North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro | October 2, 1966
48  | National 500 | Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord | October 16, 1966
49  | American 500 | North Carolina Motor Speedway, Rockingham | October 30, 1966

## Season recap

[edit]

The 1966 NASCAR season was affected by Ford's withdrawal of financial support from the series (though teams continued to race Fords), and NASCAR allowing Chrysler drivers to run the Hemi engine. While Ford's departure had the effect of lowering attendance, the strong Hemi engine coupled with reduced competition meant that Chrysler drivers were particularly successful during the season.[2] David Pearson in his Dodges took a total of 15 victories, Richard Petty in his Plymouth captured another 8, and Paul Goldsmith, Jim Paschal, Earl Balmer, LeeRoy Yarbrough, Jim Hurtubise, Marvin Panch, Paul Lewis, and Sam McQuagg all reached pole position in MoPar powered equipment. By the end of the 1966 NASCAR season, Chrysler vehicles drove to victory lane a total of 34 times in 49 events, after winning only six races in the 1965 season.[1] Pearson, nicknamed "The Silver Fox", won his 15 events in 42 starts that season with a total of 35,638 points over second place Hylton (33,688 points), and 1964 season champion Richard Petty (22,952 points). While newcomer Hylton was unable to win an event in 1966, his 20 top five finishes, and 32 top ten finishes earned him not only second place in the point standings,[1] but NASCAR Rookie of the Year honors as well.[4] When the season was concluded Ford won the "NASCAR Manufacturers' Championship" with 1,047 points over Plymouth (633 points) and third place Dodge (632 points).

Mid-size cars would first be implemented for this NASCAR Grand National Cup Series season. Ten years later, the rising price of gas for passenger vehicles caused all car classes to shrink. Automakers moved previously "full-size" nameplates to smaller platforms.[5]

## Race summaries

[edit]

A 1966 Dodge Charger displays the 426 c.i. Hemi engine which dominated the 1966 NASCAR season

The 1966 NASCAR season opened at Augusta Speedway on November 14, 1965, with Richard Petty winning the season opening event in a 1965 Plymouth. NASCAR then ventured to Riverside International Raceway where Dan Gurney took the checkered flag in a 1965 Ford.[6] After the January 23rd Riverside event, the drivers and teams traveled to Daytona International Speedway in Florida for the 1966 Daytona 500. Paul Goldsmith and Early Balmer took the qualifying events, while Richard Petty notched his first and only Daytona 500 pole position.[7] Petty came from two laps down during the competition to win by more than a full lap when the race was halted 2 laps shy of scheduled 500-mile (800 km) event due to thunderstorms.[2][8] In March Paul Goldsmith won at Rockingham Speedway, Dick Hutcherson at Bristol, and Jim Hurtubise captured the checkered flag at Atlanta Motor Speedway.[7] Hutcherson's victory at Bristol was by more than 4 laps over the closest competitor, Paul Lewis, when crashes and attrition left only seven cars of the 38 starters running at the end of the Southeastern 500 (now known as Food City 500).[2] On April 3, Pearson finally found his way to victory lane in the first of four consecutive victories at Hickory Motor Speedway. He followed up with wins at Columbia Speedway, Greenville, and Winston-Salem, before Jim Paschal broke his streak at North Wilksboro and repeated at Martinsville Speedway. On May 7, Richard Petty started a string of three consecutive wins at Darlington Raceway, Hampton, and Macon.[7] After Ford's announcement of their boycott of NASCAR on April 7, only 2.500 fans attend the May 13th event in which Darel Dieringer captures the win at Monroe in a 125-mile (201 km) contest.

Even though Ford had withdrawn their financial support from NASCAR in April, the series opened June at Spartanburg, S.C. with a resounding domination of the event by Ford vehicles. The Fords led every lap of the 100-mile (160 km) event, and Elmo Langley found victory lane at the .5-mile (0.80 km) venue when promoters refused to allow the Chrysler cars to run; because of the Ford boycott.[2] Pearson then won a 100-mile (160 km) event at Maryville, followed by another Petty victory at Weaverville. Tiny Lund broke into the winners circle at Beltsville, and Pearson notched another checkered flag at the Greenville in his 1964 Dodge to close out the month of June.[7]

On July 4, 1966 the fans, drivers, and teams returned to Daytona for the Firecracker 400 (now Coke Zero 400), and second year driver Sam McQuagg drove his Dodge 400-mile (640 km) to capture his first NASCAR win. McQuaggs Dodge Charger was equipped with an aluminum strip attached to the decklid of his car, and the rear spoiler makes its debut in NASCAR racing. The following weekend NASCAR legend Bobby Allison drives 100-mile (160 km) to victory lane in Oxford, Maine. The win is Allison's first major NASCAR win, and Chevrolet's first visit to victory circle since October 13, 1963.[2] Pearson grabbed another win the following week at Fonda Speedway in New York, and Allison captured a second win at Islip NY. Paul Goldsmith and Paul Lewis garnered wins at Bristol and Maryville respectively, and Richard Petty closed out the month of July with a win at Nashville.[7]

NASCAR started the month of August at the Atlanta International Raceway, but not without controversy. David Pearson was disqualified from the Dixie 400 prior to the start of the race; with the explication that his Dodge was illegal. Fred Lorenzen was allowed to run, even though it was determined that some of the aerodynamic enhancements made to his Junior Johnson Ford were not approved. NASCAR Bill France admitted that the "rules were bent"[2] in order to lure Ford back to competition.[2] Petty won the event over second-place finisher Buddy Baker, with Wendell Scott taking the seventh-place finish and the highest for the Ford drivers in the 400-mile (640 km) event at the 1.5-mile (2.4 km) paved venue in Atlanta.[9] Pearson returned to the track, and victory lane for the twelfth time in 1966 at the next event on August 18 at Columbia; an event that witnessed driver Curtis Turner finish third while wearing a three-piece business suit as a promotion for his sponsor Holly Farms. Turner said they: "wanted me to wear a suit, but they didn't specify what kind. So I wore my best."[2] Darel Dieringer won the next event at Weaverville in his 1966 Mercury, followed by another win by Allison at Beltsville. Pearson got another victory to finish off the month of August at Winston-Salem.[7]

The first event of September was held at Darlington, and Darel Dieringer roped in the victory in his 1966 Mercury. Pearson gathered up another two wins at Hickory and Richmond in the following events, followed by Hutcherson's win at Hillsboro on the 18th. The last September event was held at Martinsville, and the record books show that Lorenzen won the event.[7] The Martinsville race was noteworthy in its final outcome, due to a controversy once again. Originally Lorenzen was declared the winner; but, he was disqualified for having a fuel tank larger than the rules permitted. Three days after the event, NASCAR restored Lorenzen's victory with the justification that the fuel tank was purchased from Firestone, and thus within the spirit of the rules.[2]

The final three events of the 1966 NASCAR season held in October were won by Dick Hutcherson, LeeRoy Yarbrough, and Fred Lorenzen winning the season finale. Hutcherson won at North Wilkesboro, Yarbrough at Charlotte, and Lorenzen took the final victory at Rockingham.[7] The 500-mile (800 km) Rockingham event was filled with popular drivers, and proved to be the final race for 2 legends of the sport. Both Ned Jarrett, and Junior Johnson made their final appearances as drivers at the event. Jarrett finished third, and Johnson came home in a respectful fifth-place finish on October 30, 1966.

## Season statistics

[edit]

Further information: List of NASCAR points scoring systems

Finish  | Driver  | Races  | Wins  | Poles  | Top 5  | Top 10  | Laps Led  | Points | Earnings

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1 | David Pearson | 42 | 15 | 7 | 26 | 33 | 3174 | 35638 | $78,194
2 | James Hylton
(Rookie OTY) | 41 | 0 | 1 | 20 | 32 | 155 | 33688 | $38,722
3 | Richard Petty | 39 | 8 | 15 | 20 | 22 | 2924 | 22952 | $94,666
4 | Henley Gray | 45 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 18 | 0 | 22468 | $21,901
5 | Paul Goldsmith | 21 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 11 | 452 | 22078 | $54,609
6 | Wendell Scott | 45 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 17 | 0 | 21702 | $23,052
7 | John Sears | 46 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 30 | 74 | 21432 | $25,191
8 | J. T. Putney | 39 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 32 | 21208 | $18,653
9 | Neil Castles | 41 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 17 | 0 | 20446 | $19,034
10 | Bobby Allison | 33 | 3 | 4 | 10 | 15 | 714 | 19910 | $23,419
11 | Elmo Langley | 47 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 20 | 308 | 19116 | $22,455
12 | Darel Dieringer | 25 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 9 | 515 | 18214 | $52,529
13 | Ned Jarrett | 21 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 167 | 17616 | $23,254
14 | Jim Paschal | 18 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 759 | 16404 | $30,984
15 | Sam McQuagg | 16 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 175 | 16068 | $29,529
16 | Paul Lewis | 21 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 14 | 67 | 15352 | $17,826
17 | Marvin Panch | 14 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 183 | 15308 | $38,431
18 | Cale Yarborough | 14 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 252 | 15188 | $28,130
19 | G. C. Spencer | 20 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 2 | 15028 | $26,721
20 | Clyde Lynn | 40 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 0 | 14856 | $13,221
21 | Buck Baker | 36 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 14504 | $14,900
22 | Buddy Baker | 41 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 142 | 14302 | $21,335
23 | Fred Lorenzen | 11 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 782 | 12454 | $37,305
24 | Curtis Turner | 21 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 385 | 12266 | $16,920
25 | Roy Mayne | 18 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 11074 | $10,390

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c Fleischman, Bill; Al Pearce (2004). "At A Glance: Year-by-Year Summaries; 1966". The Unauthorized NASCAR Fan Guide: 2004 (10 ed.). Canton, MI: Checkered Flag Press; Visible Ink Press. pp. 154 of 576. ISBN 978-0-681-27587-4.
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "1966 NASCAR Grand National Recap". HowStuffWorks. Archived from the original on 2011-06-12. Retrieved 2009-08-16.
3. ^ "Grand National standings for 1966". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
4. ^ Adamczyk, Jay. "#58 Team News and Links Page". ESPN; Jayski. Archived from the original on November 30, 2008. Retrieved 2009-09-09.
5. ^ Dunne, Jim (September 1975). "Detroit Report: an intermediate step". Popular Science. 207 (3): 40. Retrieved 24 December 2012.
6. ^ staff. "1966 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing Reference Info. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
7. ^ a b c d e f g h "1966 Grand National Results". racing-reference.info. Archived from the original on 2012-10-18. Retrieved 2009-09-09.
8. ^ "Countdown to the Daytona 500; Countdown Archive". NASCAR; Turner Entertainment. February 19, 2005. Archived from the original on October 3, 2012. Retrieved 2019-10-13.
9. ^ "1966 Dixie 400". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2009-09-17.

## See also

[edit]

* Sports portal

* 1966 American 500
* 1966 Daytona 500
* 1966 Myers Brothers 250
* 1966 Nashville 400
* 1966 Smoky Mountain 200
* 1966 Southern 500

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