1964 National 400 (lost footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1964)

The critical moment in the race where Richard Petty crashes out, handing the win to Fred Lorenzen.

Status: Lost

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.

Background

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

Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with Richard Petty winning the pole position with a speed of 151.101 mph. Directly behind him was fellow 1964 Plymouth driver Paul Goldsmith, while Fred Lorenzen placed third. Petty's pole speed set a record for being the fastest for closed courses around the size of Charlotte International Speedway. Hence, he was considered the clear favourite to win the race, with other drivers accepting he had the fastest car. 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. On-paper, this would allow drivers to increase their speed by almost 5mph, with drivers noting they could hold backstretch speeds for longer before they had to slow down prior to the third turn.

The Race

With the starting order decided, the 1964 National 400 occurred on 18th October. 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. With the exception of one lap led by 1964 Plymouth driver Jim Paschal, the lead was contested exclusively by Petty, Goldsmith, and Lorenzen. Goldsmith had led 71 laps by the time he was again overtaken by lap 136. Ultimately, he would drop out of contention on lap 202 following an engine failure, also ending up crashing while exiting the second turn.

Lorenzen meanwhile had only led five laps as the race entered its closing stages. However, he was a constant presence for leader Petty for the final 65 laps, making numerous attempts to overtake The King. It seemed though that Petty was too quick, and was seemingly set to win the event. 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. It slammed into the guardrail, which caused the Plymouth to be slammed into the air. This proved to be harrowing for fans in attendance, as Pardue had perished by hitting the same guardrail. Ultimately, Petty, while shaken, was unhurt as the Plymouth was not inverted and coasted slowly onto the inside track to retire. He later claimed that Lorenzen would not have been able to pass him, stating he was also pulling away prior to the crash. Petty ultimately would experience a winless streak at Charlotte events, eventually winning one when he succeeded at the 1975 World 600.

Meanwhile, Lorenzen completed the final two laps under caution to claim victory and $11,755 in prize money. 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 his move. 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. Paschal finished second, a lap down from the winner, while Petty had done well enough to be classified third.

Availability

According to NASCAR on TV, highlights of the race were broadcast by ABC on 24th October 1964 as part of its Wide World of Sports alongside the World Lumberjack Championships. However, this broadcast has yet to publicly resurface, and no footage of the race is currently available. However, photos and newspaper clippings help to document the event.

Gallery

Images

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  Program for the race.

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  A disappointed Petty exits the race.

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  Lorenzen crosses the line to win the race.

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  Lorenzen receiving kisses from Mary Frances Kelly and Linda Vaughan following the race.

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  Daytona Beach Morning Journal reporting on Petty winning the pole position.

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  Spartanburg Herald reporting on Lorenzen's win following Petty and Goldsmith's retirements.

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  Spartanburg Herald reporting on Lorenzen's win and his and Petty's comments.

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  Spartanburg Herald reporting on Lorenzen's win and the improved guardrail that saved Petty's life.

See Also

• 1960 Daytona 500 (partially found footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1960)
• 1960 Daytona Races (lost CBS and NBC televised footage of NASCAR prelude events to Daytona 500; 1960)
• 1961 Firecracker 250 (lost ABC footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1961)
• 1962 Daytona 500 (partially found footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1962)
• 1962 Firecracker 250 (lost ABC footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1962)
• 1963 Firecracker 400 (partially found footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1963)
• 1963 Richmond 250 (partially found footage of NASCAR Grand National Series qualifying session and race; 1963)
• 1964 Atlanta 500 (partially found footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1964)
• 1964 Richmond 250 (lost footage of NASCAR Grand National Series qualifying session; 1964)
• 1965 Daytona 500 (partially found footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1965)
• 1965 Rebel 300 (partially found footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1965)
• 1966 National 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1966)
• 1966 Southern 500 (partially found footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1966)
• 1967 Firecracker 400 (partially found footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1967)
• 1967 Rebel 400 (partially found footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1967)
• 1970 Alabama 500 (found footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1970)
• 1970 National 500 (partially found footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1970)
• 1970 Wilkes 400 (lost footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1970)
• 1970 World 600 (lost footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1970)
• 1971 Atlanta 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1971)
• 1971 Medal of Honor Firecracker 400 (partially found footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1971)
• 1971 Myers Brothers 250 (lost footage and official documents of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1971)
• 1971 National 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1971)
• 1971 Rebel 400 (partially found footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1971)
• 1971 Twin 125s (lost footage of NASCAR Daytona 500 qualifying races; 1971)
• 1972 Atlanta 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1972)
• 1972 Bowman-Gray 100 (lost footage of NASCAR Grand American Series race; 1972)
• 1972 Carolina 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1972)
• 1972 Daytona 500 (partially found footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1972)
• 1972 Firecracker 400 (lost ABC footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1972)
• 1972 National 500 (partially found footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1972)
• 1972 Rebel 400 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1972)
• 1973 Atlanta 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1973)
• 1973 Medal of Honor Firecracker 400 (partially found footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1973)
• 1974 Mason-Dixon 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1974)
• 1974 National 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1974)
• 1974 Twin 125s (lost footage of NASCAR Daytona 500 qualifying races; 1974)
• 1975 Champion Spark Plug 400 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1975)
• 1975 Dixie 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1975)
• 1975 Firecracker 400 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1975)
• 1975 National 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1975)
• 1975 Twin 125s (lost footage of NASCAR Daytona 500 qualifying races; 1975)
• 1975 World 600 (partially found footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1975)
• 1976 Atlanta 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1976)
• 1976 Champion Spark Plug 400 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1976)
• 1976 Dixie 500 (lost CBS footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1976)
• 1976 Firecracker 400 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1976)
• 1976 National 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1976)
• 1976 Rebel 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1976)
• 1976 Riverside 400 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1976)
• 1976 Talladega 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1976)
• 1976 Winston 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1976)
• 1976 World 600 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1976)
• 1978 NAPA National 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1978)
• 1979 Daytona ARCA 200 (lost footage of ARCA Racing Series race; 1979)
• 1979 Dixie 500 (lost ABC footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; existence unconfirmed; 1979)
• 1979 Southeastern 500 (partially found footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1979)
• 1981 Coca-Cola 500 (partially found footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1981)
• 1981 CRC Chemicals 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1981)
• 1982 CRC Chemicals 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1982)
• 1982 Eastern 150 (lost footage of NASCAR Budweiser Late Model Sportsman Series race; 1982)
• 1982 Goody's Sportsman 300 (partially found footage of NASCAR Budweiser Late Model Sportsman Series race; 1982)
• 1982 Twin 125s race 1 (lost footage of NASCAR Daytona 500 qualifying race; existence unconfirmed; 1982)
• 1982 Winston Western 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; existence unconfirmed; 1982)
• 1983 Goody's Sportsman 300 (partially found footage of NASCAR Budweiser Late Model Sportsman Series race; 1983)
• 1983 Mason-Dixon 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1983)
• 1983 Southern 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; existence unconfirmed; 1983)
• 1984 Delaware 500 (partially found footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1984)
• 1984 Goody's Sportsman 300 (lost footage of NASCAR Busch Grand National Series race; 1984)
• 1984 Warner W. Hodgdon Carolina 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; existence unconfirmed; 1984)‎
• 1985 Twin 125s (lost footage of NASCAR Daytona 500 qualifying races; existence unconfirmed; 1985)
• 1986 Twin 125s (lost footage of NASCAR Daytona 500 qualifying races; existence unconfirmed; 1986)
• 1989 Busch Clash (lost footage of pre-season NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1989)
• 1992 Atlanta 300 (lost footage of NASCAR Busch Grand National Series race; 1992)
• 1996 DeVilbiss SuperFinish 200 (partially found televised footage of NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race; 1996)
• Jeff Gordon's 2008 UAW-Dodge 400 crash (lost on-board footage of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race crash; 2008)
• NASCAR (partially found uncut footage of stock car races; 1960-present)