Alabama Int. Motor Speedway: 1969 Camaro RS/SS 396 Conv. Pace Car for NASCAR

[SMKZ28]

A white with blue interior 1969 Camaro RS/SS 396 convertible was used as the pace car for the inaugural weekend of racing at the Alabama International Motor Speedway (currently known as Talladega Superspeedway).  This brand new palace of speed, located in Talladega, Alabama, would host the 'Bama 400 NASCAR Grand Touring event on Saturday, September 13, 1969 and the Talladega 500 NASCAR Grand National event on Sunday, September 14, 1969. The 'Bama 400 was won by Ken Rush in his yellow 1968 Camaro.  Richard Brickhouse was the victor of the Talladega 500 in his 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona.  The Talladega 500 is notable in NASCAR history because this was the event where most of the regular Grand National drivers boycotted the race due to problems with the Goodyear tires and the speeds the cars were achieving.  Some drivers stayed and the rest of the field was filled by drivers and their ponycars that participated in the 'Bama 400 the previous day.  Click here for more info: https://theathletic.com/1279513/2019/10/10/we-are-going-home-an-oral-history-of-the-1969-talladega-500-driver-boycott/

Notice that the car has very large and colorful graphics on the sides promoting the track and the race, Uniroyal tires and a front license plate that states Cheaha Motors, Talladega, Alabama. 

autopaper.com

[SMKZ28]

The Camaro pace car appeared on the cover of the August 1969 edition of a regional Birmingham, Alabama magazine.  Notice the car is at the bottom of the as yet unpaved banking.  It also looks like the tires have been changed to Goodyears.  Also, the word "Camaro" has been added twice to the hood. 

pinterest

[SMKZ28]

Here is an image showing that the Talladega Camaro pace car attended the NASCAR event held at the Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 30, 1969.  It is parked at the very top of the photo above the man standing next to the guardrail.  In fact, you can see the nose of another white Camaro RS/SS parked next to it.  It is probably another NASCAR pace car from a different track.

https://library.revsinstitute.org/

[SMKZ28]

Here is the Camaro pace car parked on the track in front of a gathering of 1969 model supercars.  Perhaps this was a photoshoot for a magazine article, I'm just not sure.  I found the image on page 3 of the April 1983 edition of Classic Sixties Magazine.  Notice that the track is now paved but they are still doing construction.

99wspeedshop.com

[SMKZ28]

Pace lap for the 'Bama 400 NASCAR Grand Touring event (ponycars)

worthpoint
https://library.revsinstitute.org/
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[SMKZ28]

'Bama 400 Winner Ken Rush and his yellow 1968 Camaro

gettyimages.com
racersreunion.com

[SMKZ28]

Camaro pace car parked on pit lane behind the band during pre-race festivities for Talladega 500


https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/

[SMKZ28]

Pace lap for Talladega 500

https://goldmine.charlotte.edu/index/render/pid/motorsports:1?display=list
gettyimages.com

[SMKZ28]

Pace lap for Talladega 500

https://archive.petersen.org/pages/home.php?login=true

[SMKZ28]

The same base model, 307 Camaro Sport Coupe used for advertising Falstaff beer at several of the previous NASCAR events also made an appearance at the Alabama International Motor Speedway.  Notice the Firestone Wide Oval F 70-14's on the car.

https://goldmine.charlotte.edu/index/render/pid/motorsports:1?display=list

[SMKZ28]

Cover of souvenir program, brochure, and two different tickets for the Talladega 500

worthpoint.com

[SMKZ28]

On what I believe to be November 8, 1969 the Alabama International Motor Speedway 1969 Camaro RS/SS 396 convertible pace car was used in the Jacksonville State University Homecoming parade.  Riding inside the car is Miss Talladega 500, Miss Lana Dial.  Notice that the car has different side graphics at this later date.  Jacksonville is 32 miles northeast of Talladega.

al.com

[SMKZ28]

From these images you can see that at least five different Camaro convertibles participated in this Homecoming parade.  They include a 1969 Z11, two 1968's, a 1967 and the Alabama International Motor Speedway RS/SS 396.

https://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/

[MO]

Outstanding post Scott! Thanks!

[SMKZ28]

Outstanding post Scott! Thanks!

Your welcome, glad you enjoyed it.