SAVANNAH GT 200 July 11, 1969

SAVANNAH GT 200

Savannah Speedway

Savannah, Ga.

July 11, 1969

Race #17 of 1969 was held at Savannah Speedway, a mile paved oval. Butch Harden qualified on the pole but Charlie Blanton came from the 14^th starting spot to lead the first 44 laps. Jim Paschal moved to the point and stayed there until a water pump failure ended his day on lap 164. From there Pete Hamilton inherited the lead and led the rest of the way to capture win number 7.

There were 2 cautions for 17 laps with 13 of the 20 starters running at the finish. T.C. Hunt takes over the point lead.

Fin Srt Car # Driver Car Laps Reason out

1 12 25 Pete Hamilton 69 Camaro 200 Running

2 3 88 T. C. Hunt 68 Camaro 199 Running

3 14 10 Charlie Blanton 68 Camaro 199 Running

4 2 44 Ken Rush 68 Camaro 199 Running

5 20 15 Wayne Andrews 68 Cougar 198 Running

6 5 3 Jim Vandiver 68 Camaro 195 Running

7 4 87 Buck Baker 69 Firebird 194 Running

8 18 17 Ernie Shaw 68 Mustang 182 Running

9 6 21 Frank Sessoms 68 Camaro 180 Running

10 10 36 Wilbur Pickett 67 Porsche 179 Running

11 13 16 Tiny Lund 69 Cougar 165 Running

12 15 27 Jim Paschal 69 Javelin 164 Wtr. Pump

13 19 4 Steve Ervin 68 Camaro 139 Running

14 16 41 Richard Childress 68 Camaro 111 Running

15 8 54 Bobby Fleming 68 Camaro 110 Rear End

16 17 74 Al Straub 68 Mustang 83 Clutch

17 9 8 Phil Wills 68 Camaro 72 Ball Joint

18 4 04 C.B. Gwyn 68 Cougar 25 Oil Press.

19 1 95 Butch Harden 68 Camaro 13 Oil Line

20 11 23 Jim Frost 68 Camaro 9 Tranny

I really liked that Savannah track. I would like to have seen that charge Charlie Blanton made on the first lap to come from 14th to lead 44 laps. That was a great series and I have much remorse that I didn't attend more of the races than I did. Thanks for the report, Dennis.

Dennis, I'm not familiar with the pole sitter, Butch Harden. Anybody have information to share about Butch?

Excerpt from [ Sumter Item ] article by RR's own Dargan Watts with current state of GT series and mention of upcoming race at Savannah. Haven't found clipping of race report yet.

Dave, Butch was from Gainesville, Georgia. He ran 8 races in 1969 and 3 in 1970. I think he drove a #95 Camaro in all of them. That's about all I know except I think his name is spelled wrong here. I think it should be Butch Harbin. I've also seen it spelled Harben but I think all 3 of these spellings are in reference to the same person. Harden is how it was spelled in the NASCAR Newsletter I got the results from so that is how I listed it.

Dennis, There is a report from the 1969 Bama 400 on Sept. 13th that shows Butch Harbin drove a 1969 Camaro ,started 32 and finished 34th after blowing an engine on the 18th lap.

Great Story lov it

Thanks, Dennis & Bill.