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/
Facebook

[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.

[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.