1969 CITRUS 250

Dennis Andrews
@dennis-andrews
10 years ago
835 posts

Need to catch up one race for the '68 and '69 season of the Grand Touring division.

CITRUS 250 1968

Daytona International Speedway

February 21, 1969

The first Grand Touring race of 1969 would take place on the 3.81 mile road course at Daytona International Speedway. The first annual Citrus 250 featured American Sports Sedans (Group 2) and under two liter International Sports Cars but only 5 of the 37 cars were in the under two liter class. It would be the last time that we see the under two liter class in 1969.

Best I can tell Jim Murphy, Richard Crebs, Bobby Mausgrover and Ed Hessert did not make the starting grid. Wilbur Pickett, Al Straub, Dennis Wherrell, Jimmy Vaughan, Sandy Smith, Bob Grossman, Tiny Lund and Ray Putnam did not make qualifying runs and started in the rear of the field in the order they signed in at registration.

Coming off the grid

Parade lap

#15 Parnelli Jones, #4 John Martin, #41 Richard Childress

Dan Moore with large pit board and Seiichi Suzuki getting buckled in.

#87 Buck Baker, #22 Larry Wallace, #76 Ed Hinchcliff

1969 Citrus 250 Results

Fin. St.Driver# Owner CarLaps

1 1 Don Yenko11 Mike Sommers69 Camaro67

3 23 Larry Wallace 2268 Camaro64

4 14 Seiichi Suzuki 16 Bud Moore68 Cougar64

5 18 Peter Gregg 59 Brumos68 Porsche63

6 10 Bob Tullius 94Hurst Performance 69 Javelin 62

7 Wilbur Pickett 8667 Porsche61

8 3 Larry Brock 0568 Camaro 60

9 Al Straub 74Al Straub69 Mustang 59

10 15 Jack Ryan 3667 Porsche 59

11 25 William Lowell 50Lowell Racing 68 Mustang 59

12 16 C. B. Gwyn 04C. B. Gwyn 68 Cougar 58

13 8 Richard Childress 41 Judy Childress 68 Camaro 57

14 26 T. C. Hunt 88T. C. Hunt 68 Camaro 56

15 24 Les Covey 56Jack Mercer 68 Camaro 54

16 Dennis Wherrell 49Richard Crepps 67 Alfa Romeo 52

17 27 Bill Hemby 37Kenneth Hairlston68 Camaro 51

18 29 Frank Sessoms 2168 Camaro 50

19 17 Ken Rush 44 68 Camaro49

20 13 Billy Yuma 08 Billy Yuma 68 Camaro49

21 33 Johnny Lawrence 38 Holiday Car Rental 69 Fiat 48

22 7 Lloyd Ruby 25 69 Camaro 46

23 Jimmy Vaughan 7Jim Vaughan 68 Camaro 44

24 Sandy Smith 6668 Camaro 42

25 22 Ed Hinchcliff 76Sonny Hall 68 Mustang 37

26 Bob Grossman 5C. O. Pendly 68 Camaro 32

27 6 Don White 2 69 Javelin 23

28 21 Ernie Shaw 17 Ernie Shaw 68 Mustang 22

29 11 Charlie Blanton 10Byers & Appling 69 Camaro 21

30 2 Parnelli Jones 15Bud Moore 69 Mustang 20

31 Tiny Lund 0168 Mustang 11

32 20 Buck Baker 87Buck Baker 67 Camaro 9

33 4 John Martin 469 Javelin 8

34 9 Joie Chitwood Jr. 67Joie Chitwood 69 Camaro 8

35 31 Joe Childress 23 68 Camaro 8

36 Ray Putnam 19 67 Chevy II 5

37 12 Jim Paschal 27 Ross Huggins 69 Javelin 3


updated by @dennis-andrews: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM
Dennis Andrews
@dennis-andrews
10 years ago
835 posts

Second place finishers was

2 5 Rusty Jowett 92 68 Camaro 66

#92 Rusty Jowett and #56 Les Covey on pit road

Tim Leeming
@tim-leeming
10 years ago
3,119 posts

Dennis, great report and absolutely outstanding photos!!!! Thanks for adding this part of our racing history to the site. All I want to say is "more, more, more". I attended several of the Grand American races when there was time but I honestly have very few memories of the races. I was racing myself at the time and was going to the Grand National races too so all that began to run together. Although there are races of which I have vivid memories, I just can't seem to put a handle on many of the Grand American. I do remember the Tiny Lund Camaro and definitely those Cougars.




--
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.

Dennis Andrews
@dennis-andrews
10 years ago
835 posts

Thanks Perry,

I thought when I wrote it that I should check it out in your last book but did not take the time. Thanks for the correction.

Dave Fulton
@dave-fulton
10 years ago
9,137 posts

Thanks, Dennis.




--
"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"
Dave Fulton
@dave-fulton
10 years ago
9,137 posts

Coverage from the Daytona paper of 1969 Citrus 250:




--
"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"
Dave Fulton
@dave-fulton
10 years ago
9,137 posts

Preview story from Daytona paper:




--
"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"
Dave Fulton
@dave-fulton
10 years ago
9,137 posts

Associated Press story:




--
"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"
Dave Fulton
@dave-fulton
10 years ago
9,137 posts




--
"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"
TMC Chase
@tmc-chase
9 years ago
4,073 posts

Just found this good article from RR member Don Smyle on NSSN's site re: 1969 Citrus 250.

http://www.nationalspeedsportnews.com/featured/recalling-the-1969-florida-citrus-250/




--
Schaefer: It's not just for racing anymore.
Tim Leeming
@tim-leeming
9 years ago
3,119 posts

Great to see this post re-appear this year. It was great the first time around and even better to have my memory refreshed this morning. Thanks, Dennis.




--
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.

Sandeep Banerjee
@sandeep-banerjee
9 years ago
360 posts

Here's a pic I had of Suzuki from this event.

TMC Chase
@tmc-chase
6 years ago
4,073 posts

Bump




--
Schaefer: It's not just for racing anymore.