Marvin Panch sat out the 1966 World 600 in Charlotte when Ford Motor Co. boycotted NASCAR that season over a rules dispute. Panch got an offer from the Petty organization to drive Richard’s year-old dirt machine that did sport. (NASCAR photo)
Editor’s note: NASCAR will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2023. Founded in 1934, SPEED SPORT was already on its way to becoming America’s motorsport governing body when NASCAR was formed. As a result, we bring you Part 19 of a 75-part series covering the history of NASCAR as told through the pages of National Speed Sport News and SPEED SPORT Magazine.
Ford began planning to use a 427 cubic inch “Lo-Rise” engine in 1966 after its single overhead cam engine was classified by NASCAR as “strictly raceable.” Undeterred, Dan Gurney blasted a Lo-Rise powered Ford to his fourth straight Motor Trend 500 road race win at Riverside.
A month later, Ford driver Dick Hutcherson set a fast time in the second of two 100-mile Daytona 500 qualifying races before winning the 250-mile race in Bristol, Tennessee in March. In April, Ford clinched pole in three consecutive races, but then the black flag flew over Ford’s season.
NASCAR sanctioned Ford’s single overhead camshaft engine, but with an adjacent one that put Ford at a weight disadvantage.
At NASCAR Cup events like this, the pit area at Darlington Raceway was always packed. Among the cars seen in the foreground are LeeRoy Yarbrough (#12), Jim Paschal (#14) and David Pearson (#6). (NASCAR photo)
The new rules dictate that cars using the SOHC engine must weigh at least 10.36 pounds per cubic inch, compared to the 9.36 pounds for all other units. This effectively put Ford at a £400 disadvantage versus Chrysler cars and prompted the automaker to pull out of NASCAR after five years.
In a role reversal, Chrysler drivers now found themselves with little competition from disadvantaged Ford drivers. During the season, Plymouths and Dodges won 33 of the 49 races, with 13 going to Ford drivers and three to Chevrolet owners.
David Pearson led the Chrysler stampede in Cotton Owen’s 1966 Dodge Charger. The 1960 Rookie of the Year didn’t start in seven races but led 3,174 laps en route to a division lead with 15 wins and 33 top 10 finishes.
Rookie of the Year James Hylton, Ned Jarrett’s former crew chief, pushed Pearson all season but finished second in points. Richard Petty returned to full-time NASCAR competition, earning 16 poles and eight wins while earning $94,666 to lead the series.
Fuel cells were in development before Fireball Roberts’ death in 1964, but were mandatory in NASCAR Grand National cars. The fuel cell was described in NSSN as a rubberized gas tank filled with a foam baffle and covered with a layer of flexible Vithane coating that retained fuel in the event of a fuel tank rupture. NASCAR mandated fuel cells in all cars effective September 1, 1966.
Don MacTavish won the late model sportsman title while Ernie Gahan was the modified champion.
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