Two different 1969 Camaro RS/SS convertibles were used in official capacities during the Southern 500 NASCAR Grand National event that took place at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina on Monday, September 1, 1969 (Labor Day). One of the Camaros was the 1969 Camaro RS/SS 396 that was used at the track to pace the Rebel 400 NASCAR Grand National race earlier in the Spring. The other looks to be a 1969 RS/SS Z11 convertible that was used as the pace car for the Southern 500. LeeRoy Yarbrough won the rain shortened event in his Junior Johnson owned Ford Torino Talladega.
In the month leading up to the event the Coastal Coca-Cola bottling company ran a contest called the the Southern 500 Sweepstakes where the Grand Prize was a "Camaro Pace Car." Notice that the advertisements show images of the pace car that was used to pace the Rebel 400 at Darlington Raceway in the Spring of 1969. I'm not sure if the Grand Prize was the white 1969 Camaro RS/SS 396 convertible used by Darlington Raceway to pace the Rebel 400 or if they were giving away the 1969 Camaro RS/SS Z11 convertible that would be used to pace the Southern 500.
If anyone has more info please share.
"Your local Coca-Cola Bottler presents The Southern 500 Sweepstakes"
"Grand Prize: A Camaro Pace Car
"Sweepstakes begins August 1st and ends August 27th"
"Enter the Southern 500 Sweepstakes and win a Chevrolet Camaro Pace Car"
"Enjoy Coca-Cola"
Images:
1) August 14, 1969 edition of the Greenville News (newspapers.com)
2-3) Poster (worthpoint.com)
4) August 6, 1969 Florence Morning News (newspapers.com)
