1964 Nascar Grand National Series
In 1964, the Savannah 200 was the final race of the NASCAR Grand National Series, held at Savannah Speedway in Georgia. Andy Buffington won a top-10 plate, and was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The Savannah Speedway was closed due to lack of funds. This article will look at the race’s significance and what happened to it in 1964.
At Darlington, NC, David Pearson wins the Rebel 400, but Richard Petty is injured when his Plymouth flips on the front chute. ABC Sports broadcasts the accident live. Donnie Allison wins Charlotte’s World 600 and ends a three-year-long retirement. Buddy Baker wins the Southern 500 over Bobby Isaac. The race is halted after 198 laps when a thunderstorm strikes.
Chrysler was loaded for bear during the 1964 NASCAR Grand National season. The Plymouths and Dodges were aerodynamic, powerful and fast, while Chrysler developed the 426 Hemi engine, which could reach 175 MPH. Higher speeds meant that there was a greater risk of an accident. While a few drivers were injured, the 1964 NASCAR Grand National series ended with a heavy toll. Nevertheless, the first African-American to win the premier division of NASCAR came home with the victory.
The NASCAR Grand National Series’ first race was the 1964 Firecracker 400. It was held on 1 dezembro 1963 and won by Wendell Scott. The track was originally called Speedway Park and was operated by Jacksonville Motor Speedway between 1945 and 1969. In 1964, it was renamed to the Jacksonville Speedway. It also won the NASCAR National Series Championship.
1964 is also known by the name “the year of the crash”. 1964 is the first year that a driver could win NASCAR’s Grand National Series race without owning a car. A car accident in Spartanburg, S.C. results in the destruction of all but one car and a huge pileup. The race resumes on July 15 with a 100-mile event in Shelby, N.C. Ultimately, Frank Mundy wins the race and takes the championship.
The 1964 season ended in controversy when the NASCAR Grand National Series changed its rules for the next season. New safety measures were implemented to help prevent accidents. Richard Petty was one of the many drivers who resigned from the series in protest of the new rules. Paul Goldsmith, David Pearson, Bobby Isaac and David Pearson were unable to defend their championships. Bobby Isaac, David Pearson, and Jim Paschal would be forced to retire from the series in protest. However, despite the new rules, the drivers were able to finish the season, with the exception of Billy Wade who died at Daytona during a tire test.
The 1960 NASCAR Grand National season saw construction of super-tracks in Atlanta, Charlotte, and Hanford, Calif. The series also saw the debut on CBS Sports of telecasts, with three preliminary races being shown on the network. Bud Palmer is the anchor and broadcasts the first live NASCAR stock cars telecast. Herman Beam becomes Daytona International Speedway’s first black-flagged driver during the season.