Those of us who were fans of NASCAR in 1965, if we were MOPAR fans, were very angry that NASCAR had outlawed our Hemi Engines which resulted in folks like Richard Petty and David Pearson, along with the rest of the Chrysler Corporation factory drivers sitting on the sidelines or off racing other circuits. Ford fans were ecstatic because they beloved blue ovals had no competition in NASCAR's Grand National division. General Motors fans didn't care either way as there just weren't any competitve GM teams at the time. But, in July, 1965, suffering from the MOPAR fan's absence from the track, which equated to absence of dollars in NASCAR's piggy bank, Big Bill lifted the Hemi ban just before the Firecracker 400. The caveat was that any track longer than a mile would require the Chrysler teams to use the big Plymouth Furys and Dodge Polaras which Chrysler refused to do. However, the Hemi MOPARS with the Belvedere and Coronet bodies were allowed to race on tracks one mile or less. Thus it was that the Volunteer 500 at Bristol International Speedway, a half-mile paved track, would welcome the return of Richard Petty and David Pearson and the rest of the Chrysler drivers.
Thirty-six cars were entered in the event but only five were Chrysler products. Twenty-six starters were either Fords or Mercurys. The FoMoCo teams were ready while the Chrysler teams were there with a little more than two week's notice from NASCAR that they could return. The return of the Chrysler drivers brought out more than 27,000 fans on a day that promised inclement weather and delivered on that promise.
Fred Lorenzen put his Holman-Moody Ford on the pole with Richard Petty qualifying his one year old Plymouth on the outside front row. Junior Johnson, Ford, was third fastest, Cale Yarborough, Ford, in fourth to start. Marvin Panch would start the Wood Brothers Ford in fifth.
Junior Johnson managed to grab the lead on the green flag and would lead the first 81 laps before yeilding to Ned Jarrett. Jarrett led four circuits before Darel Dieringer took over. Darel led until lap 133 and then it was Johnson back out front. On lap 156, Dieringer would take over the front spot again and stay there until lap 309. Jarrett took over on lap 310 but gave up the lead to Dieringer again on lap 346. On lap 401,it was Jarrett back out front and he would stay there until the end of the 500 laps.
Now that we have the lap leaders listed, let's go back and talk about the EIGHT caution flags and FOUR red flags, for wrecks and rain. The threatening weather delivered rain four different times which resulted in red flags and the race took more than six hours to complete although NASCAR counted only the time on the track, either under green or the 167 caution laps, and did not include the time parked for red flags, which is customary for timing purposes.
Interesting information from the race, at least in my opinion, is the incident between Marvin Panch and David Pearson which resulted in Pearson's encounter with Glen Wood on pit road. Pearson started his Cotton Owens Dodge in 12th, but by lap 8 he was challenging Panch for fifth place when the two cars got "fused together" resulting in both crashing, thus ending their day. As Pearson walked from his wrecked car back to the pits, Glen Wood confronted Pearson in a very antimated "discussion" which resulted in Wood throwing a punch at Pearson. As Pearson drew back his arm to deliver a "haymaker" to Wood, someone grabbed his arm and ended the confrontation. Looking back, and knowing what success David and the Wood Brothers would come to enjoy in the 70s, this is almost comical to imagine.
Richard Petty's return to competition was ended when he parked it for differential problems. Tiny Lund had blown an engine which resulted in five cars, including Richard, being involved in a crash sequence. I remember the back of Richard's Plymouth looked as though it had been hit by a missle. That ended his day and he would be credited with 17th position after parking it on lap 338.
Dick Hutcherson was competing with Jarrett for the win until the waning laps when he just couldn't keep up with Jarrett's Bondy Long Ford. Dick would finish some 20 seconds behind in second place. Jarrett said, after the race, that he almost didn't make the finish as the fumes in his car made him so sick on his stomach. But he did make it, and he left Bristol with a 28 point lead over Dick Hutcherson in the race for the Championship. This was Ford's 32nd consecutive victory in race 34 of the 1965 season.
Top five finishers were:
1. Ned Jarrett, Bondy-Long Ford, winning $4,315.00
2. Dick Hutcherson, Holman-Moody Ford, winning $2,275.00
3. Sam McQuagg, Betty Lilly Ford, winning $1,650.00 (Sam was a rookie)
4. Jim Paschal Friedkin Enterprises Chevrolet, winning $1,125.00
5. Buck Baker, Baker Chevrolet, winning $1,025.00
Sixth through tenth were Junior Spencer, Wendell Scott, Donald Tucker, Bob Derrington and J.T. Putney.
Buddy Arrington would finish 12th, Reb Wickersham 15th, PAUL LEWIS 16th, G.C. Spencer 19th and Fred Lorenzen 20th.
Twenty-first went to Neil Castles, Cale Yarborough 22nd, Junior Johnson 23rd, Tiny Lund 24th and Stick Elliott 25th. Jimmy Helms was 29th Buddy Baker 30th and Jabe Thomas 31st. Bobby Allison was 32nd and Elmo Langley33rd.
Honor the past, embrace the present, dream for the future
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What a change! It's been awhile since I've checked in and I'm quite surprised. It may take me awhile to figure it our but first look it's really great.
updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM
