Daytona: 1969 Camaro RS/SS 396 conv Pace Car for NASCAR Firecracker 400 1969

[SMKZ28]

Although it was wearing different decals, the same white with blue interior 1969 Camaro RS/SS 396 convertible that paced the 1969 Daytona 500 was also used as the pace car for the Medal of Honor Firecracker 400 NASCAR Grand National race held at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida on Friday, July 4, 1969.  Lee Roy Yarbrough won the event in his 1969 Ford Torino Talladega. 

This photo of the Camaro on pit lane shows that the decal package for this event was different than what it looked like earlier in February 1969.  It now had a large colored stripe on the side running from the front to the back.  The words "CAMARO OFFICIAL PACE CAR" appeared on the door as well as the NASCAR symbol and "Daytona int. Speedway" appearing in cursive inside the stripe on the rear panel above the wheel well.  A color photo has not surfaced so I'm not sure what color the large stripe was.  While I can't be 100% certain, the words inside the stripe on the front fender probably read "Firecracker 400."  It looks like a military service man was given a ride in the back seat. 

I found the photo here: https://www.classicshoptalk.com/content.php/2052-1969-Chevrolet-Camaro-Convertible-Daytona-500-Pace-Car

Click on the following links to see threads on the same Camaro pacing the following:
1969 Daytona 500: http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=18255.0
1969 Citrus 250: http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=18250.0

[SMKZ28]

I took a few shots of the Camaro as it appeared in ABC's Wide World of Sports tape delayed coverage of the event.  This can be seen on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-jmUFo1a6Y 

The first two show the Camaro heading into pit lane just prior to the waiving of the green flag to start the event and the last two show the Camaro going by a big wreck on the backstretch with the field in tow during the caution laps.

[SMKZ28]

Here are images of the cover of the Souvenir Event program along with the schedule of events and Z28 advertisement that appeared inside.

1) Ebay
2) Jon Mello posted the schedule of events in the Trans Am section of CRG.  Notice that at 9:00am on Friday, July 4th there is a "Parade of visiting pace and track cars."  I wonder how many of those pace cars were the other NASCAR 1969 Camaro RS/SS convertibles???
3) Ebay

[SMKZ28]

1-3) Ebay
4) Jon Mello posted in Trans Am section of CRG.

[SMKZ28]

The NASCAR Grand Touring support race held prior to the main event is interesting because it started at one minute after midnight on Thursday, July 3, 1969.  It was called the Paul Revere 250 and it was probably paced by the same 1969 Camaro RS/SS 396 Camaro, although I haven't been able to find any photographic evidence yet.  This event was held in the dark on the road course portion of Daytona International Speedway.  It was won by Pete Hamilton who was driving his red #25 1969 Camaro.  In addition, four of the top 5 finishers were driving Camaros.  The Grand Touring series was NASCAR's answer to the SCCA's Trans Am and it consisted of pony cars like Camaros, Mustangs, Firebirds, Javelins, and Cougars.

1) shutterstock.com
2/3) Jon Mello posted in Trans Am section of CRG.
4) edflemke.com

[SMKZ28]

Jon Mello posted in Trans Am section of CRG.

[SMKZ28]

While these are not photographic evidence, these newspaper blurbs confirm that this 1969 Camaro RS/SS 396 was definitely used as the pace car for the Paul Revere 250 as well as the Firecracker 400.

"she will lead the start of the GT event in the Camaro pace car."

"The former Palm Beach Junior College student rode in the Camaro pace car at speeds well over 100 miles per hour to start the Paul Revere race....."

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