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

[HOGDADDY]

This is very cool indeed especially being that I'm an Alabama native. I have also been on those banks before and what an experience that was!

[MO]

This is very cool indeed especially being that I'm an Alabama native. I have also been on those banks before and what an experience that was!

How cool is that! I've been to Talladega, but never driven on the track. Someday hopefully.

[SMKZ28]

This is very cool indeed especially being that I'm an Alabama native. I have also been on those banks before and what an experience that was!

How cool is that! I've been to Talladega, but never driven on the track. Someday hopefully.

I was at the race where Carl Edwards crashed and flew through the air and hit the fence on the last lap and then proceeded to run across the finish line like Ricky Bobby in the movie Talladega Nights.  Crazy!

[william]

It is believed there were 7 NASCAR Pace Cars. They were identical white/blue custom SS-RS convertibles.

5 are known to exist; 4 are 396/autos one 4-speed.

[David K]

Fantastic pictures! Thanks! I see the Pace car has the “ZL1” hubcaps. 🫤😆😆

[MO]

I was at the race where Carl Edwards crashed and flew through the air and hit the fence on the last lap and then proceeded to run across the finish line like Ricky Bobby in the movie Talladega Nights.  Crazy!
[/quote]

LOL!

[SMKZ28]

It is believed there were 7 NASCAR Pace Cars.

I'm not entirely sure about this number.  I have read multiple different sources claiming that 7, 9, 10 and 11 cars were built for NASCAR pace duties in 1969.  Which is it?  As far as I know there is no conclusive evidence but I have located pictures of 13 different white 1969 Camaro RS/SS 396 convertibles used at 12 different race tracks during the 1969 NASCAR season.  Images show that the Daytona International Speedway used two different Camaros to pace the multiple events held during Speedweeks.  So, unless a few of these cars were used at multiple different tracks, the total might be at least 13. 

In addition, an article entitled, "Camaro Pace Car for Major Events" appeared in the Thursday, November 14, 1968 edition of the Daytona Beach Morning Journal.  It talks about how the Camaro was chosen by NASCAR to be used as the pace car for all "major events on its 1969 calendar."  This announcement was made Wednesday, November 13, 1968 in New York City by William C. France, Vice-President of NASCAR, at a "press luncheon honoring the Union Oil Co. of California, recipient of NASCAR's Industrial Award of Excellence."  It also lists a total of 11 major tracks where the Camaro will be used as the pace car.  Interestingly, they did not mention the newly constructed Michigan International Speedway or Texas International Speedway in their list even know they would use white 1969 Camaro RS/SS 396 convertibles as their pace cars.  See thread on article here: http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=18124.0

See the list below and click on the links to see the threads I have created for each one of the NASCAR 1969 Camaro RS/SS 396 convertible pace cars:

1)   Riverside International Raceway: http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=18185.0

2)   Daytona International Speedway (2 different cars):
          a) 24 Hours/Permatex 300: http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=18213.0
          b) Citrus 250/Daytona 500: http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=18255.0

3)   Charlotte Motor Speedway: http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=18381.0

4)   Darlington International Speedway: http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=18361.msg166569#msg166569

5)   Atlanta International Raceway: http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=18308.0

6)   North Carolina Motor Speedway (Rockingham): http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=18263.0

7)   Martinsville Speedway: http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=20462.0

8   North Wilkesboro Speedway: http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=18414.0

9)   Bristol International Speedway: http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=18306.0

10)   Ashville-Weaverville Speedway: http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=18332.0

11)   Michigan International Speedway: http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=18984.0

12)   Texas International Speedway: Thread on this Camaro coming in the near future.

Most of these tracks had a second NASCAR event later in the year where their 1969 Camaro RS/SS 396 convertibles would again be put into service as the pace car. 

   

[Z10Mike]

Hey, SMKZ28 -
Regarding your prior post in this thread "It is parked at the very top of the photo above the man standing next to the guardrail ".  Something struck me about that guy in the hat next to the guardrail.  He reminds me lot of Smokey Yunick.  Especially the hat style, tall, lanky etc.  It's a long shot, but it's a major race event and he wouldn't be out of place there.  Anyone else see the resemblance? 

[SMKZ28]

Hey, SMKZ28 -
Regarding your prior post in this thread "It is parked at the very top of the photo above the man standing next to the guardrail ".  Something struck me about that guy in the hat next to the guardrail.  He reminds me lot of Smokey Yunick.  Especially the hat style, tall, lanky etc.  It's a long shot, but it's a major race event and he wouldn't be out of place there.  Anyone else see the resemblance?

Mike I think you might be right.  That picture was taken at the Atlanta 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday, March 30, 1969 and he did have a car entered in that particular NASCAR Grand National race.  At the time, Smokey was working with Ford and he entered a black 1969 Ford Torino Talladega in the race for driver Swede Savage.  The car he entered was #13 but the odd thing about the picture is that the car looks as though it has three numerals on the door.  Unfortunately, the roof of the other Talladega in the foreground blocks it.  The second picture, also taken at Atlanta Motor Speedway, shows that there is something before the numeral 13 on the door but because it is behind the left shoulder of Swede Savage I just can't tell what it is.  This second picture proves that the car in the first picture is the Talladega that Smokey entered, so it is quite possible that the man in the hat looking at the car is Smokey Yunick.  Good catch!

Atlanta 500 results: http://www.ultimateracinghistory.com/race.php?raceid=9346

1st image: https://library.revsinstitute.org/nascar-race-,-atlanta-500,-march,-1969/212646

2nd image: gettyimages.com

[group/7]

We are getting thread drift here but these  are two images I have in my files of the Yunick Torino. The fellow crouched by the car

 is I believe John Todd (Todco Racing) Camaro link there ! Jon can probably put an i.d. to him.

Mike

Didn't Swede savage drive the Yunick Camaro at Watkins Glen in '71 ?

[group/7]

Scott, reposting your image, is what you think is another number marked by the arrow, the faired in door handle ? ? see

 the two images I've posted above.

Mike

[SMKZ28]

Scott, reposting your image, is what you think is another number marked by the arrow, the faired in door handle ? ? see

 the two images I've posted above.

Mike

Thanks Mike, I think you are correct.

[MO]

Hey, SMKZ28 -
Regarding your prior post in this thread "It is parked at the very top of the photo above the man standing next to the guardrail ".  Something struck me about that guy in the hat next to the guardrail.  He reminds me lot of Smokey Yunick.  Especially the hat style, tall, lanky etc.  It's a long shot, but it's a major race event and he wouldn't be out of place there.  Anyone else see the resemblance?

Mike I think you might be right.  That picture was taken at the Atlanta 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday, March 30, 1969 and he did have a car entered in that particular NASCAR Grand National race.  At the time, Smokey was working with Ford and he entered a black 1969 Ford Torino Talladega in the race for driver Swede Savage.  The car he entered was #13 but the odd thing about the picture is that the car looks as though it has three numerals on the door.  Unfortunately, the roof of the other Talladega in the foreground blocks it.  The second picture, also taken at Atlanta Motor Speedway, shows that there is something before the numeral 13 on the door but because it is behind the left shoulder of Swede Savage I just can't tell what it is.  This second picture proves that the car in the first picture is the Talladega that Smokey entered, so it is quite possible that the man in the hat looking at the car is Smokey Yunick.  Good catch!

Atlanta 500 results: http://www.ultimateracinghistory.com/race.php?raceid=9346

1st image: https://library.revsinstitute.org/nascar-race-,-atlanta-500,-march,-1969/212646

2nd image: gettyimages.com

I think both photos are the same car, but significant differences may preclude them from being from the same race, but still possible.
I believe the numbers are the same from the limited view of the top of the numerals. The quarter and hood decals are the same, but from what is visible, the tire manufacturer decals are different on the front fender. Also, the taping/shading on the windshield are different.

Another notable is the number on the RF headlight. One is clearly 13, the other is impossible for me to say for sure. I'd bet that every image posted is the same car though.