1964 NASCAR Grand National Series (partially found footage of NASCAR races; 1964)

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Paul Goldsmith famously slides upside down across the track during the 1964 Atlanta 500.

Status: Partially Found

The 1964 NASCAR Grand National Series was the 16th season of NASCAR's top-level stock car series. It was historic for marking Richard Petty's first ever Grand National championship, later winning a further six Cups. Aside from the 1964 Daytona 500, the Atlanta 500, National 400, and World 600 also received national television coverage. Additionally, WRVA-TV aired footage of the 1964 Richmond 250's qualifying session.

1964 Richmond 250

The 1964 Richmond 250 was the 9th race of the 1964 NASCAR Grand National Series. Originally occurring on 8th March at the Atlantic Rural Fairgrounds, the race had to be postponed midway because of heavy rain, resuming on the 10th. When it resumed, the race was ultimately won by David Pearson in a 1964 Dodge. While the race was not televised, it is known that WRVA-TV aired footage of the qualifying session.

It was the 4th running of the event, with the annual race typically lasting around 250 laps or around 125 miles in length.[1] It was one of two 1964 Grand National races at Atlantic Rural Fairgrounds, the other being the Capital City 300,[2] which occurred on 14th September and was won by Cotton Owens in a 1964 Dodge.[3] The race also has ties to the modern Toyota Owners 400, having been expanded to 400 laps since 1976, and having dropped the Richmond title since 1984.[4]

Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with Ned Jarrett winning the pole position in a 1964 Ford with a speed of 69.07 mph.[5][1] Directly behind him was 1964 Mercury driver Billy Wade, with Marvin Panch qualifying third in a 1964 Ford.[5][1] David Pearson qualified 10th out of 27 competitors.[1] Heading into the event, Petty Enterprises decided to enter the 250.[6][5] Originally, the entrants were meant to consist of Richard Petty and Buck Baker, in a 1964 and 1963 Plymouth respectively.[6][5] For unknown reasons, the team opted to have Baker be replaced by Petty's brother, Maurice.[5] Maurice ultimately outqualified his older brother, lining up fourth compared to The King's sixth.[5][1]

The Race

With the starting order decided, the 1964 Richmond 250 commenced on 8th March.[5][1] Jarrett maintained his lead from the start; in fact, he controlled the first 100 laps, building a significant lead, with Wade being his main competition.[5][1] However, the race was suddenly stopped after 100 laps because a shower caused the dirt track to become too slippery to race on.[7][8][5] NASCAR officials were therefore forced to postpone the event until the next clear day.[8][5][7] This ultimately caused the remainder of the race to be delayed until the 10th, because the track was still too muddy and saturated to race on the 9th.[5][8] Thus, the race resumed on the evening of the 10th, becoming Richmond's first under the lights race.[5][8][1] Jarrett admitted that the postponement came at the worst time for him, stating "I'm real sorry about the rain, she was running perfect for the track."[7] Meanwhile, 1964 Dodge driver Junior Johnson had to withdraw from the event in 5th because of other commitments.[5][8] His replacement driver would be Baker.[8][5]

When the race restarted, Jarrett led the first five laps, but ultimately was overtaken by Wade.[8][5][1] Wade would then hold the first position for the next 33 laps before Richard Petty overtook him on lap 138.[5][1] This was the commencement of a duel between the pair, Wade regaining the lead on lap 163 and defending it until Petty regained it on lap 211.[5][8][1] However, both were forced to pit in the midst of the duel, enabling Pearson, who had taken advantage of a caution period to pit and thus minimising time lost, a chance to gain the first position.[8][5] He ultimately achieved this on lap 215, which would be the final lead change of the race.[5][1] Jarrett started climbing back through the order, and engaged in an intense duel with Pearson before his engine suddenly expired after 224 laps.[8][5][1] This enabled Pearson to maintain control of the remainder of the race, crossing the line with a half-a-lap advantage.[1] He therefore claimed victory and $2,300 in prize money.[8][5][1] Petty finished second, Wade took third, while Baker drove Johnson's Dodge to fourth place.[8][5][1]

1964 Atlanta 500

The 1964 Atlanta 500 was the 13th race of the 1964 NASCAR Grand National Series. Occurring on 5th April at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, the race would ultimately be won by pole sitter Fred Lorenzen in a 1964 Ford, his third consecutive victory at the event. The event would be notable for the numerous heavy crashes and engine failures that left only ten competitors by the end.

It was the 5th running of the event, with the race traditionally being around 500 miles in length.[9] It was one of two 1964 Grand National Series races conducted at Atlanta Motor Speedway,[2] the other being the Dixie 500,[9] which in 1964 occurred on 7th June and was won by Ned Jarrett in a 1964 Ford.[10] The Atlanta 500 also has ties to the modern Quaker State 400, which resumed the event at a 400 mile length in 2021 after not being held from 2011-2020.[11][12]

Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with Fred Lorenzen winning the pole position with a speed of 146.47 mph.[13] Fellow 1964 Ford driver A.J. Foyt qualified behind him in second, with Paul Goldsmith placing third in a 1964 Plymouth.[13] Having won the pole position, Lorenzen was now looking to achieve his third consecutive victory at the event.[14][15]

The Race

With the starting order decided, the 1964 Atlanta 500 occurred on 5th April.[13] Goldsmith shot into the lead on the first lap, and was seemingly the favourite to win based on leading the first 55 laps.[13] During the early stages of the race, a few minor crashes occurred, taking out the 1964 Ford of Dan Gurney and the 1964 Mercury of Parnelli Jones, with 1964 Plymouth driver Jimmy Pardue crashing out two laps later.[13] On lap 41, Darel Dieringer in a 1964 Mercury wrecked his vehicle, forcing him to retire.[13] On lap 55, Goldsmith would join the growing list of retirements in spectacular fashion.[13] His car slammed into a retaining barrier, causing it to flip over and result in the Plymouth scraping down the tarmac upside down for a few seconds.[15] Goldsmith was fortunate to escape injury.[15]

With Goldsmith out, Fireball Roberts in a 1964 Ford briefly led, only for Jim Hurtubise in a 1964 Plymouth to overtake him on lap 59.[13] Hurtubise would then be overtaken by 1964 Ford driver Marvin Panch on lap 61.[13] He held the lead for 31 laps, before Lorenzen again moved back into the first position.[13] From that point onwards, lead challenges were generally between himself and the 1964 Dodge of Bobby Isaac.[13] On lap 106, David Pearson's 1964 Dodge suffered a tyre blowout, causing his car to spin and collect Roberts' in the process, resulting in both drivers retiring on the spot.[15][13] This would be the last crash of the race;[13] according to The New York Times, most of the incidents were triggered by tyre blowouts.[15]

Seven other drivers retired because of engine failures, with Panch's expiring on lap 190.[13] By the time Foyt retired on lap 246, just 10 drivers were left to compete.[13][15] On lap 167, Lorenzen overtook Isaac, and faced no further challenges, leading the remaining 168 laps to claim his third consecutive Atlanta 500 victory and earn $18,000 in prize money.[15][13] Isaac held on to finish second, albeit two laps down, while Ned Jarrett in a 1964 Ford finished third, three laps down from Lorenzen.[13] According to The New York Times, Lorenzen's 134.25 mph average speed set a stockcar record.[15]

1964 World 600

Main article: 1964 World 600.

1964 National 400 (FOUND)

The 1964 National 400 was the 59th race of the 1964 NASCAR Grand National Series. Occurring on 18th October at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, the race would ultimately be won by Fred Lorenzen in a 1964 Ford, after 1964 Plymouth driver Richard Petty crashed out from the lead near the event's end.

It was the 5th running of the event, with the race typically being around 400 miles in length during this time period.[16] It was one of two 1964 Grand National Series races conducted at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the other being the World 600,[2] which occurred on 24th May and was won by Jim Paschal in a 1964 Plymouth.[17] The race also has ties to the modern Bank of America Roval 400, having dropped the National name from 1983 onwards.[18] Charlotte Motor Speedway had experienced two tragedies earlier in 1964, when Fireball Roberts was killed following an accident at the World 600,[19] while Jimmy Pardue perished following a crash during a Goodyear tyre test in September.[20][21] Nevertheless, the competitors opted to continue racing at the circuit.[21]

Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with Richard Petty winning the pole position with a speed of 151.101 mph.[22][16][21] Directly behind him was fellow 1964 Plymouth driver Paul Goldsmith, while Fred Lorenzen placed third.[16][21] Petty's pole speed set a record for being the fastest for closed courses around the size of Charlotte International Speedway.[22] Hence, he was considered the clear favourite to win the race, with other drivers accepting he had the fastest car.[22] Nevertheless, speed in general was expected to increase as the circuit had being enhanced with two-inches of asphalt that was laid onto the third and fourth turns.[22] On-paper, this would allow drivers to increase their speed by almost 5mph, with drivers noting they could hold backstretch speeds for longer before slowing down prior to the third turn.[22]

The Race

With the starting order decided, the 1964 National 400 occurred on 18th October.[16] Goldsmith shot into the lead on the first lap, but Petty was able to recapture the first position a lap later, holding onto it for 27 laps before dropping it back to Goldsmith.[16] With the exception of one lap led by 1964 Plymouth driver Jim Paschal, the lead was contested exclusively by Petty, Goldsmith, and Lorenzen.[16] Goldsmith had led 71 laps by the time he was again overtaken by lap 136.[16] Ultimately, he would drop out of contention on lap 202 following an engine failure, also ending up crashing while exiting the second turn.[23][16]

Lorenzen meanwhile had only led five laps as the race entered its closing stages.[16] However, he was a constant presence for leader Petty for the final 65 laps, making numerous attempts to overtake The King.[21] It seemed though that Petty was too quick, and was seemingly set to win the event.[24] However, on lap 265, both cars entered turn 3, only for Petty's Plymouth to suddenly veer to the right after experiencing a right front tyre failure.[24][21] It slammed into the guardrail,[23] which caused the Plymouth to be slammed into the air.[24] This proved to be harrowing for fans in attendance, as Pardue had perished by hitting the same guardrail.[21][25] Ultimately, Petty, while shaken, was unhurt as the Plymouth was not inverted unlike Pardue's car, instead coasting slowly onto the inside track to retire.[21] He later claimed that Lorenzen would not have been able to pass him, stating he was also pulling away from him prior to the crash.[24] Petty ultimately would experience a winless streak at Charlotte events, until his luck changed at 1975 World 600.[21]

Meanwhile, Lorenzen completed the final two laps under caution to claim victory and $11,755 in prize money.[23][24][25][21][16] Post-race, Lorenzen disagreed with Petty's comments, claiming that his car was stronger than Petty's at the finish, and he was just waiting until the final laps to make his move.[24] He also credited the inclusion of double guard-rails, welded joints and closer telephone phones as the reasons how Petty was prevented from going through the guardrail in the same area that claimed the life of Pardue.[24][25] Paschal finished second, a lap down from the winner, while Petty had done well enough to be classified third.[16][21]

Availability

While the race went untelevised, nascarman History detailed in his video Top 10 LOST NASCAR TV Broadcasts that local Richmond, Virginia television station WRVA-TV, like in the previous Richmond 250, presented live coverage of the 1964 Richmond 250's qualifying session. However, no clips of the broadcast are known to have survived.

Meanwhile, NASCAR on TV states 1 hour of highlights from the 1964 Atlanta 500 was broadcast by CBS on 19th April 1964 as part of its CBS Sports Spectacular.[26] However, this broadcast has since not publicly resurfaced. Nevertheless, footage of Goldsmith's crash can be found on YouTube, with other race clips also being said to be included in the 1968 film Speed Lovers.[27] On 16th August 2023, the launch of NASCAR Classics resulted in a 13-minute film of the race being uploaded onto the service.[28] This provides the most substantial available coverage of the event but implies the CBS airing no longer exists within any known archives.

Finally, NASCAR on TV states 45 minutes of highlights of the 1964 National 400 were broadcast by ABC on 24th October 1964 as part of its Wide World of Sports alongside the World Lumberjack Championships.[29] This broadcast did not publicly resurface until it was uploaded to NASCAR Classics as part of the service's launch. Oddly, the service lists the race as the 1964 National 500, most likely in error.

Gallery

Videos

Footage of Goldsmith's crash at the 1964 Atlanta 500.

Top 10 LOST NASCAR TV Broadcasts detailing the 1963 and 1964 broadcasts of the Richmond 250 qualifying sessions.(0:49-1:18).

See Also

External Links

References

  1. ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 Racing-Reference detailing qualifying and race results for the 1964 Richmond 250. Retrieved 18 Apr '22
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Racing-Reference detailing the 1964 NASCAR Grand National Series calendar. Retrieved 18 Apr '22
  3. ↑ Racing-Reference detailing the results of the 1964 Capital City 300. Retrieved 18 Apr '22
  4. ↑ The New York Times Stats detailing the history of Atlantic Rural Fairgrounds (now Richmond Raceway) Cup Series races since 1975. Retrieved 18 Apr '22
  5. ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 5.13 5.14 5.15 5.16 5.17 5.18 5.19 5.20 5.21 Bench-Racing detailing the 1964 Richmond 250 and providing newspaper clippings of it. Retrieved 18 Apr '22
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 The Progress-Index of Petersburg, Virginia reporting on Petty Enterprises entering the 1964 Richmond 250 (report found on Bench-Racing). Retrieved 18 Apr '22
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 The Progress-Index of Petersburg, Virginia reporting on the 1964 Richmond 250 being postponed because of rain (report found on Bench-Racing). Retrieved 18 Apr '22
  8. ↑ 8.00 8.01 8.02 8.03 8.04 8.05 8.06 8.07 8.08 8.09 8.10 8.11 The High Point Enterprise reporting on Pearson winning the 1964 Richmond 250 (report found on Bench-Racing). Retrieved 18 Apr '22
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Racing Circuits documenting the Atlanta 500 and the Dixie 500. Retrieved 5 Mar '22
  10. ↑ Racing-Reference detailing the results of the 1964 Dixie 500. Retrieved 5 Mar '22
  11. ↑ NASCAR linking the Atlanta 500 with the Quaker State 400. Retrieved 5 Mar '22
  12. ↑ Beyond the Flag noting Atlanta 500 being removed from the 2011 schedule. Retrieved 5 Mar '22
  13. ↑ 13.00 13.01 13.02 13.03 13.04 13.05 13.06 13.07 13.08 13.09 13.10 13.11 13.12 13.13 13.14 13.15 13.16 Racing-Reference detailing the qualifying and race results of the 1964 Atlanta 500. Retrieved 5 Mar '22
  14. ↑ Motor Racing Network noting Lorenzen won three consecutive Atlanta 500s. Retrieved 5 Mar '22
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 15.6 15.7 The New York Times reporting on Lorenzen winning the 1964 Atlanta 500 and the various crashes that occurred throughout. Retrieved 5 Mar '22
  16. ↑ 16.00 16.01 16.02 16.03 16.04 16.05 16.06 16.07 16.08 16.09 16.10 Racing-Reference detailing qualifying and race results for the 1964 National 400. Retrieved 11 Mar '22
  17. ↑ Racing-Reference detailing the results of the 1964 World 600. Retrieved 11 Mar '22
  18. ↑ The New York Times Stats detailing the history of the National 400 and when its name was dropped. Retrieved 11 Mar '22
  19. ↑ The New York Times reporting on Roberts' death following his crash at the 1964 World 600. Retrieved 11 Mar '22
  20. ↑ Eugene Register Guard reporting on the death of Pardue (report found on Bench-Racing). Retrieved 11 Mar '22
  21. ↑ 21.00 21.01 21.02 21.03 21.04 21.05 21.06 21.07 21.08 21.09 21.10 Bench-Racing detailing the qualifying and race, and the tragedies heading into the second Charlotte race. Retrieved 11 Mar '22
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 Daytona Beach Morning Journal reporting on Petty winning the pole position for the 1964 National 400 (report found on Bench-Racing). Retrieved 11 Mar '22
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 Spartanburg Herald reporting on Lorenzen winning the 1964 National 400 following Petty's crash and Goldsmith's engine failure (report found on Bench-Racing). Retrieved 11 Mar '22
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 24.4 24.5 24.6 Spartanburg Herald reporting on Lorenzen winning the 1964 National 400 and his and Petty's comments (report found on Bench-Racing). Retrieved 11 Mar '22
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 Spartanburg Herald reporting on Lorenzen winning the 1964 National 400 and Petty's crash (report found on Bench-Racing). Retrieved 11 Mar '22
  26. ↑ NASCAR on TV detailing CBS' broadcast of the 1964 Atlanta 500. Retrieved 5 Mar '22
  27. ↑ DVD Drive-In review of Speed Lovers, with the film said to include footage of the 1964 Atlanta 500. Retrieved 5 Mar '22
  28. ↑ NASCAR announcing NASCAR Classics. Retrieved 16th Aug '23
  29. ↑ NASCAR on TV detailing the ABC broadcast of the 1964 National 400. Retrieved 11 Mar '22
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