Other NASCAR Track 1969 Camaro Pace Cars at Speedweeks in Daytona 1969

[SMKZ28]

Several of the white 1969 Camaro RS/SS 396 convertible NASCAR pace cars were present at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida during Speedweeks in February 1969.  It seems that they were used in some official capacity at the track in addition to being paraded around prior to the events to promote the upcoming NASCAR events at other race tracks.   

In addition to the Daytona 500 Camaro RS/SS 396 convertible on the right, this great picture shows at least four other NASCAR Camaro pace cars.  The one in the front is the Camaro RS/SS 396 convertible that would be used to pace the 1969 World 600 NASCAR Grand National event at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, May 25, 1969.  Notice that the Charlotte Camaro has the chrome "dog dish" hub caps as well as chrome trim rings.  Unlike the Daytona Camaro, the Charlotte Camaro has a roll bar installed.  Color photos show that the side stripe is light blue and black.  (stay tuned for a separate thread on this event)

Also notice that not all of the pace cars in the picture are Camaros.  Other smaller tracks on the NASCAR circuit employed other makes of cars for their pacing duties.

The picture came from the 2014 auction page of the Daytona Camaro pace car at russoandsteele.com

[SMKZ28]

This color pictures shows the Charlotte Motor Speedway 1969 Camaro RS/SS 396 convertible pace car in pit lane at Daytona International Speedway during what I believe to be Thursday, February 20, 1969 which was the day the Daytona 500 qualifying races and practice for the Citrus 250 took place.

These photos can be found on page 22 here: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/historic-stock-car-photos.289913/page-22

The 3rd & 4th photos shows the Daytona Camaro with the yellow flags in the grass, the Charlotte Camaro behind the wall and the front of a third Camaro on the very left of the picture.

[SMKZ28]

More of the Charlotte Camaro from jalopyjournal.com...

Photo #1 shows Richard Petty in his #43 1969 Ford Torino Talladega NASCAR Grand National stock car.

Photo #3 shows Rusty Jowett in his #92 1968 Camaro and Les Covey in his #56 1968 Camaro.  They are both NASCAR Grand Touring race cars.

[SMKZ28]

more of the Charlotte Camaro from jalopyjournal.com...

The third photo not only shows the pace car and the Camaro of Rusty Jowett but you also get to see a Hugger Orange 1969 Camaro coupe parked behind the wall.  Notice that it has "dog dish" hub caps and a black vinyl top.  There is also a yellow Camaro race car out on the road course portion of the track at the top of the photo.

[SMKZ28]

These photos show the Charlotte Camaro on the apron of the track during the parade/pace laps prior to the start of the Permatex 300 NASCAR Late Model Sportsman event held on Saturday, February 22, 1969.

Use the magnification tools for a close up view here: https://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/custom/single-image?id=20565&collection=p17257coll1

[SMKZ28]

Here the Charlotte Camaro can be identified by its roll bar.  It is the Camaro to the left of the Daytona Camaro pace car seen in these photos from Home Movie footage and the ABC Wide World of Sports broadcast of the Daytona 500.

Photos 1-3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ap_3lGSuoV4
Photo 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgEkoQKtq2Q

[SMKZ28]

Here is a photo taken at the Permatex 300 showing what could possibly be the same Hugger Orange 1969 Camaro coupe shown in one of the earlier posted color photos.  It has the same "dog dish" hub caps and vinyl top so it probably is.  I wonder if it was used by a track official or something.

Use the magnification tools to enlarge it here: https://library.revsinstitute.org/digital/custom/single-image?id=18073&collection=p17257coll1

[BULLITT65]

Camaros? what about that red wagon with the fuel in it with all the race decals...😁

J/k. Very cool pics, I wonder how many of these cars are still out there? Or if any got repainted. Would these have had a - - trim tag, or been ordered 50 white?

[69Z28-RS]

You haven't lived until you've pulled a little red wagon like that to / from the fueling station to the pits with two of those (8 gallon?) tanks in it...  up and down the old hill at Road Atlanta was pretty exhausting (before they changed the track layout), and then hoisting the tanks vertical to dump them!       (I haven't done it since the 1978 IMSA races at Road Atlanta, and I wouldn't be too quick to volunteer doing it again!) - I was a bunch younger then!

[KurtS]

I'm still impressed on how you can find the pacer in some of these pics. It's like a Where's Waldo test!!

[SMKZ28]

I'm still impressed on how you can find the pacer in some of these pics. It's like a Where's Waldo test!!

Thanks, I've been researching this stuff for years and I guess I just have developed an eagle eye.

[Oldtimer]

You haven't lived until you've pulled a little red wagon like that to / from the fueling station to the pits with two of those (8 gallon?) tanks in it...  up and down the old hill at Road Atlanta was pretty exhausting (before they changed the track layout), and then hoisting the tanks vertical to dump them!       (I haven't done it since the 1978 IMSA races at Road Atlanta, and I wouldn't be too quick to volunteer doing it again!) - I was a bunch younger then!

Eleven Gallons, and I've still got one of mine from back in my '69 Camaro road racer days.

20180621_180020 by Jim Forte, on Flickr

[69Z28-RS]

Thanks Oldtimer...  I didn't remember how many gallons (was guessing , but I do remember they were HEAVY and it was all I could do to get it 'vertical' over the fill in one swoop!   Fortunately the fuel empties out in a hurry!