On January 23, 1966, there were 73,331 fans sitting in the stands and infield at Riverside International Raceway for just over 5 hours watching Dan Gurney absolutely dominate the race and Curtis Turner provide some of the excitement missing with Gurney's clear dominance.
David Pearson qualified a Cotton Owens 1965 Dodge on the pole with a speed of 106.078 mph. Dan Gurney in the Wood Brothers Ford would start second, Curtis Turner in another Wood Brothers Ford third, Marvin Panch in yet another Wood Brothers entry fourth. Fifth place starter Don White would roll off in a Ray Nichels Dodge.
David Pearson led the first nine laps before Gurney showed the power and handling of the Wood Brothers car to take over the number one slot. Gurney led through lap 37 before Curtis Turner showed the secondWood Brothers car to be competitive and he took over until lap 55 before Gurney slipped by to lead another lap. Gurney lost the lead to Turner again on lap 66 but regained it on lap 73. On lap 83, David Pearson led a lap before Gurney moved back in front where he would stay until lap 185 and the checkered flag.
Curtis Turner provided the thrills for the fans as he was battling with Pearson and got bumped into the fence bending the fender onto the tire. He pitted, had the fender pulled out and set out in hot pursuit of Pearson and/or the lead, whichever came first. However, several laps later, Turner spun and backed the Ford into the wall, rupturing the gas tank. NASCAR threw the black flag as Turner tried to continue so back to the pits he went. The Wood Brothers patched the tank and Turner was once more in the race to win. He would, after all those problems, finish in fourth place, only two laps behind the winner.
Junior Johnson had entered two Fords, one driven by Bobby Isaac, the other by A. J. Foyt. A.J. lost the transmission in his Ford on lap 45 and was out, only to be followed by Isaac ten laps later when the head gasket blew on his Ford. Cale Yarborough lost a transmission on lap 103 and Richard Petty lost an engine on lap 105.
After the race, Gurney had high praise for the Wood Brothers crew. Gurney had made 6 pit stops during the race with a total time of 2 minutes flat for the entire 6 stops. Second place finisher, Pearson, had made 7 stops and his Cotton Owens crew took 3 minutes and 51 seconds, clearly giving Gurney the edge in the pits. Gurney was able to finish the race at an average speed of 97.952 mph.
Finishing Order:
1. Dan Gurney, Wood Brothers Ford, winning $18,445.00
2. David Pearson, Cotton Owens Dodge, winning $8,395.00 (1 minute 10 secs back)
3. Paul Goldsmith, Ray Nichels Plymouth, winning $5,055.00 (2 laps down)
4. Curtis Turner, Wood Brothers Ford, winning $3,440.00 (2 laps down)
5. Dick Hutcherson, Holman-Moody Ford, winning $2,120.00 (3 laps down)
6. Jim Hurtibise
7. Billy Foster
8. Ned Jarrett
9. Norm Nelson
10. Ron Hornaday
11. Jerry Grant
12. Bobby Allison
13. John Steele
14. Don White
15. Don Walker
16. Mario Andretti
17. Walt Price
18. J.D. Putney
19 Bob Derrington
20. Jerry Oliver
21. James Hylton
22. Jack McCoy
23. Carl Cardey
24. Clem Proctor
25. Richard Petty
26. Cale Yarborough
27. Cliff Garner
28. Dick Gulstrand
29. Bobby Isaac
30. Marvin Panch
31. A. J. Foyt
32. Eddie Gray
33. Carl Joiner
34. Tiny Lund
35. Skip Hudson
36. Scotty Cain
37. Bruce Worrell
38. Jim Cook
39. Clyde Pickett
40. Gene Black
41. Dave James
42. Joe Clark
43. Arley Scranton
44. Charles Powell
PERSONAL NOTE: Recalling those days when I was such a fan of Richard Petty and the Plymouths, I was sick and tired of Dan Gurney winning all the Riverside races. The event we discuss today was Gurney's TENTH NASCAR start and his FOURTH NASCAR win. Pretty good average. I am very happy that I learned to appreciate each and every competitor who helped to build this sport. Everytime I am able to be around folks like Bobby Allison and his brother Donnie, both of whom I strongly disliked back in my younger days, I am pleased to be included in programs with them. I have learned that both those guys are really very nice guys and it is a pleasure to be around them. I feel the same way about Gurney today. True, he "cherry picked" the Riverside event as he was really good on that track, but that certainly should not distract from his overall accomplishments. So, as they say, "live and learn". I'm glad I have been capable of that.
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
