Racing History Minute - 1965 Motor Trend 500 from Riverside Raceway
Stock Car Racing History
Fritz Wilson in the 43W former Petty Plymouth. 
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Stock Car Racing History
Racing History Minute - 1965 Motor Trend 500 from Riverside Raceway
Stock Car Racing History
And for the record - even though the Plymouth factory teams didn't race and even though Richard Petty didn't drive the pace car, The King WAS in Riverside for the race. NSSN's Chris Economaki's camera provided the proof. Thanks to Russ Thompson for advancing me NSSN cover images to check this one out.
Racing History Minute - 1965 Motor Trend 500 from Riverside Raceway
Stock Car Racing History
6-1/2 min video of race highlights
Racing History Minute - 1965 Motor Trend 500 from Riverside Raceway
Stock Car Racing History
DOH! Getting my years mixed up re: Jarrett. Referenced Fireball's accident that happened a few months after the January 64 Riverside race. But this one obviously happened a few months AFTER it. Still - the fire in Jarrett's car at Riverside in January 65 had to have notched yet another "its time" marker in Ned's decision to call it a career.
Racing History Minute - 1965 Motor Trend 500 from Riverside Raceway
Stock Car Racing History
Tim - You were understandably saddened and frustrated by the absence of Richard Petty in the 65 Riverside race. However, a 43 Plymouth DID race in the event. Fritz Wilson finished 21st in a #43 Plymouth in the last of his 12-race GN career. Photo searches thus far haven't been successful, but I do wonder if Fritz raced a purchased/loaned, hand-me-down, PE Plymouth.
Racing History Minute - 1965 Motor Trend 500 from Riverside Raceway
Stock Car Racing History
Ha! I remember some comedian several years ago closed his set with the advice "Folks, question EVERYTHING...except what's on a patty melt. Good night!"
Racing History Minute - 1965 Motor Trend 500 from Riverside Raceway
Stock Car Racing History
Once again, the Henry Ford Arte House has some fantastic pictures amongst its on-line collection of 400+ photos from this race.
http://thehenryford.artehouse.com/perl/collection.pl?collectionID=2828&productTypeID=62
Here are just a few.
Pre-race parade
Hey - that's not Linda Vaughn! What's up with that??
The little old Dodge lady's hemi of the 50s became racing's dominant powerplant of the 60s.
Wonder if the parade was on a Wednesday.
Chris Economaki multi-tasking with recorded interviews, reporting and snapping photos for National Speed Sport News
Caution lap perhaps?
The distant scene from Ned Jarrett's pit looked eerily similar to what folks could see from the frontstretch at Charlotte just 5 months later. Ned having been involved in both adds to the freaky factor.
Winner Dan Gurney with Glen and Leonard Wood
CBS claims the first in-car camera was in Cale Yarborough's car for the 1983 Daytona 500. But Larry Frank perhaps was among the first to have an ON-car camera during a race.
Jerry Grant in Tom Friedken's #12 Ford. Was his 1st of a 19-race GN career.
Sam Stanley in 17 - first of only two career GN starts
Chrysler may not have had any FACTORY cars in the race. But that doesn't mean Mopar wasn't represented. Buck Baker in #88 Dodge.
Dick Gulstrand - his 1st start of a 7-race GN career.
The Indian - Roy Tyner
updated by @tmc-chase: 01/17/17 03:28:05PM
Racing History Minute - 1965 Motor Trend 500 from Riverside Raceway
Stock Car Racing History
Richard apparently had hoped to be at Riverside in January anyway. He was going to drive the pace car. I'm guessing Riverside officials thought it would help sell tickets. From News And Courier .
But a few days before the race, the announcement was made that RP would NOT be driving the pace car. I'm also guessing Plymouth pulled the plug on the deal thinking his appearance might compromise their squabble with Bill France. From Daytona paper .
updated by @tmc-chase: 01/17/17 03:26:43PM
Racing History Minute - 1964 Motor Trend 500 from Riverside, California
Stock Car Racing History
By Jove, I think he's got it! Good recall Tim.
Here is the 43 at the 1963 Daytona 500 - Petty blue top to bottom.
And here it is before the 1963 Firecracker 400.
Look again at the car raced at the 64 Riverside race. I think they re-used more than just the hood. I think its the same car. White lines extend down the window edge of the doors. Same cubic inch notation on the hood. And sheet metal work around the grill looks the same. Only difference is the painted Plymouth script on the rear quarter. Pettys probably didn't roll out their 1964 Plymouth gear until the next month's Speed Weeks.
updated by @tmc-chase: 01/03/17 09:46:21PM