Racing at the Beach: Daytona Boycotts & Brushes With Greatness, 1965-70
The Hemi Chryslers had dominated the 1964 Daytona Speedweeks, but it was a very different picture when the 1965 event rolled around.
Matt joined Frontstretch in 2007 after a decade of race-writing, paired with the first generation of racing internet sites like RaceComm and Racing One. Now semi-retired, he submits occasional special features while his retrospectives on drivers like Alan Kulwicki, Davey Allison, and other fallen NASCAR legends pop up every summer on Frontstretch. A motorcycle nut, look for the closest open road near you and you can catch him on the Harley during those bright, summer days in his beloved Pennsylvania.
The Hemi Chryslers had dominated the 1964 Daytona Speedweeks, but it was a very different picture when the 1965 event rolled around.
The inaugural Daytona 500 had been a huge success with nary a caution to mar the proceedings, so as the Grand National circuit prepared for their second visit.
To those drivers slated to run in the very first Daytona 500, their first glimpse of the brand new speedway must have been awe inspiring. …
Before the first Daytona 500 was held at Bill France’s magnificent new superspeedway, NASCAR’s Grand National Division ran on the old beach and road course.
Unlike Nextel Cup, TV ratings for the NASCAR Busch Series actually went up this year. That’s despite the fact the series championship was a literal runaway.
2007 may well be a pivotal year in the sport of NASCAR racing. It might takes a few more years down the road and the …
Editor’s Note: In honor of Benny Parsons, who died Tuesday at the age of 65, Matt McLaughlin chooses to remember the life Parsons lived on …