Daytona: 1969 Camaro RS/SS 396 Conv. Pace Car for NASCAR Daytona 500 1969

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The same white 1969 Camaro RS/SS 396 convertible that paced the Citrus 250 was also used to pace the 1969 Daytona 500 NASCAR Grand National event held at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida on Sunday, February 23, 1969.  Interestingly, these first two photos demonstrate that the car was originally delivered to NASCAR with white steel wheels and chrome "dog dish" hub caps.  Subsequent photos will show that sometime prior to Speedweeks these wheels were swapped out for the optional Rally Wheel.

LeeRoy Yarbrough won the race in his 1969 Ford Torino Cobra.

1) Pinterest
2) Jon Mello photo, possibly from event program.  Interesting that the ad mentions "Services" because to me it looks like the front spoiler is broken and hanging off on the drivers side.  I wonder if it was damaged during shipping??
3) cropped version of #2

 

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Here is a color picture of the Camaro sitting in front of several NASCAR Grand National race cars prior to the start of the first qualifying race held at the track on Thursday, February 20, 1969.  Notice that the Rally Wheels have been added by this date.  You can tell the picture wasn't taken on the day of the Daytona 500 because of the empty infield devoid of parked cars and spectators. 

I found it on Flickr.  The second is a cropped version.

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1) Appeared in November/December 1990 issue of Muscle Cars of the 60's/70's magazine.
2) russoandsteele.com (2014 auction)
3) russoandsteele.com (2014 auction)  This picture shows the former (1963-1967) and future (1971-1979 & 1983-1987) Alabama Governor, George Wallace riding in the back seat (drivers side).  I'm not sure who the man in the sunglasses to his right is.

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Several photos from the Petersen Automotive Museum Digitization Project show the Camaro pace car: archive.petersen.org

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More of the pace lap from the Petersen...

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These photos of the pace lap came from the Revs Digital Library.  Notice the second 1969 Camaro RS/SS convertible off to the side down below the race cars.  It is probably being used to take photos and film of the pace lap.

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This photo shows the Camaro on the pace lap.  It appeared on the cover of the February 1970 edition of Speedway Special magazine.  It came from worthpoint.com

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These photos show the Camaro pace car sitting in a break in the pit lane wall waiting to be summoned for a caution period.  They came from the Petersen...

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This photo shows the Camaro behind the winning car of LeeRoy Yarbrough after the race.  It came from Getty Images.

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Some great color home movie footage of the 1969 Daytona 500 can be found on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ap_3lGSuoV4

The Camaro pace car and the Camaro used for taking photographs and films appear several times in the footage.

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More from the home movies...

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Footage from the ABC Wide World of Sports coverage of the event can also be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgEkoQKtq2Q

Footage shows that there was a possible third 1969 Camaro convertible used during the parade laps.  You can see it just as the field is exiting pit lane.  It is probably the car that was used to pace the 24 Hours of Daytona and the Permatex 300 earlier in the month.

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Apparently a base model 1969 Camaro coupe lettered up to promote Falstaff beer was also paraded around the track during the pre-race festivities.  This picture came from Flickr.

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Here is the front cover for the souvenir event program as well as a Z28 ad that appeared inside.  They came from worthpoint.com

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The cool thing about the 1969 Camaro RS/SS 396 convertible Daytona 500 pace car is that it still exists!  An article documenting the car appeared in the Spring 2000 issue of Super Chevy - Camaro Performers magazine.