1965-1966 NASCAR Grand National Series (partially lost footage of NASCAR races; 1965-1966)

From The Lost Media Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
Merch
Discord
Patreon
Forums
1965daytona5002.jpg

Program for the 1965 Daytona 500.

Status: Partially Lost

The 1965 and 1966 NASCAR Grand National Series were respectively the 17th and 18th seasons of NASCAR's top-level stock car series. Ned Jarrett won the 1965 edition, while David Pearson claimed the first of his three championships in 1966. A few of the eight races aired on television during this period have since become lost media.

1965 Races

1965 Daytona 500 (FOUND)

The 1965 Daytona 500 was the 4th race of the 1965 NASCAR Grand National Series. Occurring on 14th February at the Daytona International Speedway, the race would ultimately be won by Fred Lorenzen in a 1965 Ford, with the race being shortened to 133 laps because of rain.

It was the 7th running of the event, with the annual race typically lasting 500 miles in length.[1] Since its inception in 1959, the Daytona 500 has become the most prestigious race on the Cup Series calendar, including being defined as "The Great American Race", offering the largest prize pot and generally defining a driver's career.[2] The race would be one of four 1965 Grand National races at Daytona International Speedway to award points.[3] The others included the Firecracker 400, which occurred on 4th July and was won by A.J. Foyt in a 1965 Ford;[4] and the Twin 100s,[5][6] which also helped determine who qualified for the Daytona 500, as well as its starting order.[7]

Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with Darel Dieringer winning the pole position in a 1964 Mercury with a speed of 171.151 mph.[1] The Twin 100s then commenced; in the first, Ned Jarrett led the first 31 laps, before he was overtaken by fellow 1965 Ford driver Bobby Johns.[8][5] Dieringer then moved into the first position on lap 35, and would duel with Jarrett for the win, forcing the latter high on the final turn to claim $1,000 in prize money.[8][5] Jarrett finished second, with Johns taking third.[5] Jarrett would then claim post-race that he could have potentially forced Dieringer down the track to claim victory, but decided not to because he "doesn't race like that."[8]

In the second event, a massive crash occurred on the opening lap, when Rud Eulenfield spun his 1963 Ford and was collected by 12 other cars.[8][6] Some ended up being flipped over, while Buck Baker suffered broken ribs as a result of his 1965 Oldsmobile being involved in the crash.[8] Following this, a duel between Lorenzen and Junior Johnson's 1965 Ford occurred with several lead changes, Earl Balmer also being involved in the action by leading from laps 25 to 26.[8][6] Johnson won the race and the $1,000 after passing Lorenzen on the final lap, Lorenzen holding on to finish second, with Marvin Panch finishing third, also in a 1965 Ford.[6][8] Most of the final field for the 500 would consist of Fords, with some Mercurys also present, with Chrysler having boycotted the season due to the new regulations that forbid its Hemi engine.[9][10][8] Almost half of the field also consisted of rookies.[9][8] Lorenzen meanwhile aimed to replicate his 1963 season success, while also setting the goal of surpassing the $113,000 he earned.[10]

The Race

With the starting order decided, the 1965 Daytona 500 commenced on 14th February.[1] Johnson shot into the lead, and defended it for the first 27 laps.[1][8] During this time period, 15 of the 43 runners would retire due to a variety of component failures.[9][8][1] Nevertheless, some have suspected that because each driver received at least $1,000, some of the retiring drivers committed a start and park tactic.[8][1] Meanwhile, Johnson retired from the lead after a tyre blew,[1] resulting in his Ford crashing into the outside wall.[8] The resulting debris needed 14 caution laps to be cleared up,[1] while Johnson had to hospitalised as he suffered from a cut to his eye.[8] Panch took over as the race leader, defending it for 41 laps only for Lorenzen to take the lead on lap 69.[8][1] Panch re-took it on lap 79, where on lap 81 rain forced a caution period for 23 laps.[1][8]

When the race resumed on lap 104, Panch maintained the lead until Johns briefly led on lap 113.[1] Panch moved back into the first position a lap later however, before Lorenzen made the final lead change on lap 119.[1] Lorenzen and Panch continued to duel until a collision between them occurred as Panch tried an overtake on the high side, causing the latter to spin.[11][8] Lorenzen claimed he was unable to see Panch because of the massive downpour, the crash resulting in the latter being forced to pit.[8] Panch ultimately refused to blame Lorenzen for the crash, dropping to sixth in the race.[8][1] Lorenzen continued to lead, albeit with a car whose fender was bent and rubbing against a tyre.[11] He was encouraged to drive on by his crew chief, Herb Nab, on the suspicions that heavy rain would bring proceedings to an end.[11] This proved correct on lap 133, when the extent of rain forced NASCAR officials to wave the red flag,[1] and the race did not restart because rain continued to occur for the next three hours.[8][11] Thus, Lorenzen was declared the winner, his 20th victory, earning $27,100 in prize money.[8][1][9] Dieringer overtook Johns prior to the red flag to finish second, with Johns finishing third, both drivers a lap down from Lorenzen.[1][9][8]

1965 Rebel 300 (FOUND)

The 1965 Rebel 300 was the 15th race of the 1965 NASCAR Grand National Series. Occurring on 8th May at the Darlington Raceway, the race would ultimately be won by Junior Johnson in a 1965 Ford, but not before a protest was filed claiming his vehicle was serviced illegally during a pit stop.

It was the 9th running of the event, with the annual race typically lasting around 300 miles in length.[12] Its name is a reference to the race typically being held near Confederate Memorial Day,[13] with Confederate flags often being featured on race programs and within the stands.[14] It was one of two 1965 Grand National Series races conducted at Darlington Raceway, the other being the Southern 500,[3] which in 1965 occurred on 6th September and was won by Ned Jarrett in a 1965 Ford.[15] After the two Darlington races were merged into one 400 mile race for 2005,[16] the Rebel 400's legacy would continue in 2020 under the current name of the Goodyear 400.[17]

Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with Fred Lorenzen winning the pole position in a 1965 Ford with a speed of 138.133 mph.[12] Directly behind him was Marvin Panch in a 1965 Ford, with Johnson qualifying third.[12]

The Race

With the starting order decided, the 1965 Rebel 300 commenced on 8th May.[12] Lorenzen held onto the lead for the first lap, only for Johnson to take it in the second. Throughout much of the race, Johnson proved dominant,[18] leading from lap 2 to 42.[12] While Panch and 1964 Ford driver Cale Yarborough were able to lead briefly, Johnson again took over to lead another 40 laps.[12] Dick Hutcherson also challenged in a 1965 Ford, but only held onto the lead for one lap before Johnson yet again moved back into the first position, this time for 49 laps.[12] Elsewhere, Lorenzen and Yarborough retired, Lorenzen on lap 56 because of a ignition failure, while Yarborough crashed out on lap 82.[12] On lap 125, 1964 Ford driver Bub Strickler experienced a major accident, with his car being inverted.[12] He was able to escape the wreck uninjured.

As the race reached its final stages, it appeared only Panch and 1964 Mercury driver Dieringer could challenge Johnson for the win.[18] With 18 laps to go, Panch retired following a spectacular crash,[12] caused by a tyre blowout while negotiating turn 1 that led to a loss of control.[18] Dieringer remained competitive however, and overtook Johnson on lap 203.[12] He was able to defend it until lap 208, when Johnson made the final lead overtake, and powered ahead to claim victory and $10,940 in prize money.[18][12] However, Dieringer's race crew were unhappy, lodging a protest after believing that Johnson's car was serviced illegally during a pit stop.[18] Ultimately, the protest was dismissed, with Johnson officially being declared the winner, with Dieringer second and 1965 Ford driver Ned Jarrett taking third.[12]

1965 National 400 (FOUND)

Main article: 1965 National 400.

1966 Races

1966 Southern 500 (FOUND)

The 1966 Southern 500 was the 42nd race of the 1966 NASCAR Grand National Series. Occurring on 5th September at the Darlington Raceway, the race would ultimately be won by Darel Dieringer in a 1966 Mercury, following a duel with 1966 Plymouth driver Richard Petty that culminated when the latter crashed into a guardrail with a few laps remaining.

It was the 17th running of the event, with the annual race typically lasting 500 miles in length.[19] It was one of two 1966 Grand National Series races conducted at Darlington Raceway, the other being the Rebel 400,[20] which in 1966 occurred on 30th April and was won by Richard Petty.[21] The Southern 500 was typically held around Labor Day weekend; after the two Darlington races were merged into one 400 mile race for 2005,[22] the Southern 500's legacy would continue in modern times under the current name of the Cook Out Southern 500,[23] having returned back to its Labor Day weekend date from 2015.[22]

Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with LeeRoy Yarbrough winning the pole position in a 1966 Dodge with a then-record speed of 140.058 mph.[24][19] Directly behind him was Petty, with Dieringer qualifying third.[19] The event was hyped because the $95,000 prize pot was the largest for motor racing in the South back then, and how six of the top eight starters, including Yarbrough, were deemed inexperienced, with more experienced drivers starting further back.[24] Thus, there was no clear favourite for this race.[24]

The Race

With the starting order decided, the 1966 Southern 500 commenced on 5th September.[19] 1966 Plymouth driver Paul Goldsmith had a great start, moving from fourth to first within the first lap, and held onto it until lap 5, when Petty took over.[19] Yarbrough managed to move back into the first position on lap 7 however, leading for 35 consecutive laps.[19] Nevertheless, the race's early stages were an open affair, with Curtis Turner, Sam McQuagg, Dick Hutcherson, Cale Yarborough, Marvin Panch, and Dieringer also leading considerable numbers of laps.[19]

On lap 185, Petty was still in contention, but ending up being involved in an accident also involving 1965 Dodge driver Earl Balmer.[25][19] While The King escaped after a collision with Balmer in turn 1, the latter ended up bouncing up onto the guardrail, which knocked it out and hit a now-unprotected television camera, throwing it more than 200 yards into a car park. Additionally, motorsports writer Tom Higgins, who was covering action in the pits for The Observer, wrote that only chicken wire "protected" the area, noting that small parts were thrown into the box and petrol leaked out from the ruptured fuel tank.[26] Thus, it caused the area to be evacuated,[25] with Higgins stating that "sports writers dived for cover like soldiers seeking the sanctuary of a fox hole.[26] While Balmer escaped with minor cuts and bruises that were treated at the infield hospital,[25] the accident angered the media present at the event, demanding that for future races, Darlington Raceway moves the press box so that it has better safety facilities and view of the race track.[27] This occurred, with a new press box being enclosed and situated much higher above the track, being being nicknamed "Balmer's Box".[28][26]

On lap 203, Petty overtook Panch's 1966 Plymouth to move back into the first position.[19] From there, it became a duel between Petty and Dieringer, with the two continually overtaking each other.[25][19] It seemed that Petty was gaining the upper hand from lap 293 onwards however, as he led for 65 consecutive laps.[19] With 30 laps to go however, Petty's Plymouth began to experience several issues, including an inoperable clutch and a lack of fuel, which resulted in a mandatory pit stop.[25] Dieringer closed the gap to five seconds, but it still seemed that The King was going to hold onto to victory.[25] But on lap 358, he brushed a guardrail, slowing him down considerably and allowing Dieringer to achieve the final lead change.[25][19] He extended said lead by 41 seconds by the time he crossed the line to claim victory and $19,200 in prize money.[25][19] Petty finished second, while 1966 Dodge driver David Pearson claimed third, three laps down from the leaders.[19][25] As he crossed the line, Dieringer received a standing ovation from the crowd, estimated to be around 60,000.[25]

1966 National 500

The 1966 National 500 was the penultimate race of the 1966 NASCAR Grand National Series. Occurring on 16th October at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, the race would ultimately be won by LeeRoy Yarbrough in a 1966 Dodge, after having led 301 of the 334-lap race.

It was the 7th running of the event, with the race now expanded from 400 to 500 miles in length.[29] It was one of two 1966 Grand National Series races conducted at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the other being the World 600,[20] which in 1966 occurred on 22nd May and was won by Marvin Panch in a 1965 Plymouth.[30] The race also has ties to the modern Bank of America Roval 400, having dropped the National name from 1983 onwards and reverting to 400 miles from 2018.[31][32]

Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with Fred Lorenzen in a 1966 Ford winning the pole position with a speed of 150.533 mph.[33][29] Directly behind him was fellow 1966 Ford driver Gordon Johncock, with Curtis Turner in a 1966 Chevrolet starting third.[29] LeeRoy Yarbrough qualified 17th out of 44 runners with a speed of 151.101 mph after experiencing engine issues on the first two days of qualifying.[33][29] Notably, he had not finished a single major event throughout the season, and was aiming to end the dubious streak at this race.[33] Meanwhile, the race set a Charlotte Motor Speedway attendance record, at 55,000.[33][29]

The Race

With the starting order decided, the 1966 National 500 occurred on 16th October.[29] Turner managed to beat Lorenzen to the first position on lap 1, holding onto it until being overtaken by Cale Yarborough in a 1966 Ford on lap 10.[29] Neither driver finished the race, with Turner out on lap 93 following an engine failure, with Yarborough retiring due to a wheel bearing issue.[29]

However, it became clear according to The New York Times that Yarbrough had the fastest car.[33] Despite his poor starting position, Yarbrough quickly climbed the order, and overtook Yarborough for the lead on lap 19.[29][33] With the exception of a few leads from Paul Goldsmith in a 1966 Plymouth, 1966 Ford driver Darel Dieringer, and Johncock, Yarbough dominated the event, leading 301 of the 334 laps.[29][33] On lap 203, he took the lead from Johncock, and led for 100 straight laps.[29] After losing it to Dieringer for one lap, Yarbrough moved back into the first position on lap 304, holding onto it for the remaining 34 laps to claim victory and $17,705 in prize money.[33][29] Dieringer held on to finish second, while Goldsmsith overtook Johncock to finish third.[29][33]

Availability

Of eight races televised between 1965 and 1966, the 1965 Firecracker 400, 1966 Daytona 500, and 1966 Rebel 400 have since resurfaced on YouTube.[34][35] As for the 1965 Daytona 500, NASCAR on TV states 45 minutes of highlights from the 1965 Daytona 500 were televised by ABC on 27th February 1965, alongside speed-skating.[36] This broadcast did not resurface until 16th August 2023 as part of NASCAR Classics' launch.[37] Lasting for 35 minutes, it is presumed the removal of advertisements explains the reduced runtime. All Daytona 500s have other highlights that are publicly available courtesy of the DVD set Daytona 500: 50 Years The Greatest American Race.[38] Additionally, footage from the VHS set called The Golden Era of Racing is also available to view.

Meanwhile, NASCAR on TV claims 30 minutes of highlights from the 1965 Rebel 300 were televised by ABC on 22nd May 1965 as part of its Wide World of Sports, alongside the Miami-Nassau Power Boat Race and reports on boxing.[39] Prior to 2023, only footage of Stickler's crash, as well as photos of the event, were publicly viewable. But on 25th September 2023, NASCAR Classics uploaded the full ABC coverage to YouTube, rendering it found.

For 1966, 45 minutes of highlights from the 1966 Southern 500 were televised by ABC on 17th September 1966 as part of its Wide World of Sports, alongside the Ireland hurling championships.[40] Prior to November 2023, only six minutes of silent race footage was available courtesy of a Team SC Midlands RacersReunion Chapter video. The full coverage was finally made publicly available again thanks to NASCAR Classics.

Finally, NASCAR on TV cited that 30 minutes of highlights from the 1966 National 500 were broadcast by ABC on 29th October 1966 as part of its Wide World of Sports alongside a football game in Japan.[41] However, the broadcast has yet to resurface publicly, and no footage of the race is currently available.

Gallery

Videos

1965 Daytona 500.

1965 Rebel 500.

Footage of the 1966 Southern 500.

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 1965 Daytona 500. Retrieved 14 Apr '22
  2. ↑ Sportskeeda detailing the Daytona 500 and its importance to NASCAR. Retrieved 14 Apr '22
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Racing-Reference detailing the 1965 NASCAR Grand National calendar. Retrieved 14 Apr '22
  4. ↑ Racing-Reference detailing the results of the 1965 Firecracker 400. Retrieved 14 Apr '22
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Racing-Reference detailing the results of the first Twin 100s race. Retrieved 14 Apr '22
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Racing-Reference detailing the results of the second Twin 100s race. Retrieved 14 Apr '22
  7. ↑ Draftkings Nation detailing the purpose of the Twin races. Retrieved 14 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 8.12 8.13 8.14 8.15 8.16 8.17 8.18 8.19 8.20 8.21 RacersReunion detailing the 1965 Daytona 500 and providing photos and newspaper clippings of it. Retrieved 14 Apr '22
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Archived How Stuff Works summarising the 1965 Daytona 500. Retrieved 14 Apr '22
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 The New York Times reporting on Lorenzen's ambitions for 1965. Retrieved 14 Apr '22
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Fox News detailing the 1965 Daytona 500, including the Lorenzen-Panch collision. Retrieved 14 Apr '22
  12. ↑ 12.00 12.01 12.02 12.03 12.04 12.05 12.06 12.07 12.08 12.09 12.10 12.11 12.12 Racing-Reference detailing qualifying and race results for the 1965 Rebel 300. Retrieved 31 Mar '22
  13. ↑ Yahoo! News noting the Rebel races were typically held near Confederate Memorial Day. Retrieved 31 Mar '22
  14. ↑ SB Nation detailing the extent of Confederate flags and celebrations during the Rebel races. Retrieved 31 Mar '22
  15. ↑ Racing-Reference detailing the results of the 1965 Southern 500. Retrieved 31 Mar '22
  16. ↑ Fantasy Racing Cheat Sheet detailing the history of Darlington Raceway and how both races were merged into one from 2005. Retrieved 31 Mar '22
  17. ↑ Jayski noting the race carries on as the Goodyear 400. Retrieved 31 Mar '22
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 The New York Times reporting on Johnson winning the 1965 Rebel 300 and a protest being lodged. Retrieved 31 Mar '22
  19. ↑ 19.00 19.01 19.02 19.03 19.04 19.05 19.06 19.07 19.08 19.09 19.10 19.11 19.12 19.13 Racing-Reference detailing qualifying and race results for the 1966 Southern 500. Retrieved 31 Mar '22
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Racing-Reference detailing the 1966 NASCAR Grand National Series calendar. Retrieved 31 Mar '22
  21. ↑ Racing-Reference detailing the results of the 1966 Rebel 400. Retrieved 31 Mar '22
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Fantasy Racing Cheat Sheet detailing the history of Darlington Raceway and how both races were merged into one from 2005. Retrieved 31 Mar '22
  23. ↑ Darlington Raceway detailing the Cook Out Southern 500. Retrieved 31 Mar '22
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 The New York Times reporting on Yarbrough winning the pole position at the 1966 Southern 500. Retrieved 31 Mar '22
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 25.4 25.5 25.6 25.7 25.8 25.9 The New York Times reporting on Dieringer winning the 1966 Southern 500. Retrieved 31 Mar '22
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 RacersReunion providing the report from Tom Higgins on Balmer's crash and photos of the 1966 Southern 500. Retrieved 31 Mar '22
  27. ↑ The Official NASCAR Trivia Book detailing the media protest following Balmer's crash at the 1966 Southern 500. Retrieved 31 Mar '22
  28. ↑ Bleacher Report noting the press box was renamed to "Balmer's Box" following Balmer's crash at the 1966 Southern 500. Retrieved 31 Mar '22
  29. ↑ 29.00 29.01 29.02 29.03 29.04 29.05 29.06 29.07 29.08 29.09 29.10 29.11 29.12 Racing-Reference detailing qualifying and race results for the 1966 National 500. Retrieved 12 Mar '22
  30. ↑ Racing-Reference detailing the results of the 1966 World 600. Retrieved 12 Mar '22
  31. ↑ The New York Times Stats detailing the history of the National 500. Retrieved 12 Mar '22
  32. ↑ Motorsport reporting on the Charlotte Roval being reduced to 400 miles. Retrieved 12 Mar '22
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 33.3 33.4 33.5 33.6 33.7 33.8 The New York Times reporting on Yarbrough winning the r1966 National 500. Retrieved 12 Mar '22
  34. ↑ NASCAR on TV listing race broadcasts in 1965.
  35. ↑ NASCAR on TV listing race broadcasts in 1966.
  36. ↑ NASCAR on TV detailing the ABC broadcast of the 1965 Daytona 500. Retrieved 14 Apr '22
  37. ↑ NASCAR announcing NASCAR Classics. Retrieved 16th Aug '23
  38. ↑ Daytona 500: 50 Years The Greatest American Race 2008 containing highlights of the race. Retrieved 14 Apr '22
  39. ↑ NASCAR on TV detailing the ABC broadcast of the 1965 Rebel 300. Retrieved 31 Mar '22
  40. ↑ NASCAR on TV detailing the ABC broadcast of the 1966 Southern 500. Retrieved 31 Mar '22
  41. ↑ NASCAR on TV detailing the ABC broadcast of the 1966 National 500. Retrieved 12 Mar '22
Retrieved from "https://lostmediawiki.com/w/index.php?title=1965-1966_NASCAR_Grand_National_Series_(partially_lost_footage_of_NASCAR_races;_1965-1966)&oldid=244334"