1966 Southeastern 500

Race report

Five hundred laps were done on a paved oval track spanning 0.500 mi. The total time of the race was three hours, twenty-four minutes, and twenty-six seconds. There were seven cautions for 92 laps. Speeds were: 69.952 mi/h and 86.248 mi/h for the pole position speed (accomplished by David Pearson). Dick Hutcherson defeated Paul Lewis by outlapping him more than four times; resulting in Ford's 200th win. The Ray Nichels team had also used the #9 for Larry Frank's entry at Daytona earlier in the season. They also had Don White run multiple car numbers in the 1966 season, so they weren't always consistent with them.

Richard Petty had an injured finger and could not participate in this race; Jim Paschal had to take over as the relief driver.

Twenty-five thousand fans saw thirty-two drivers start a race that only seven would complete. Attrition levels were worse in this Bristol race than it is in the 2010 NASCAR Cup Series season; a rare instance where lower speeds on a track are more dangerous than faster speeds. By contrast, the 2010 Food City 500 would see an average speed of 79.618 mi/h and a pole position speed of 124.63 mi/h with only eight drivers not being able to complete the race.

The total winnings for the race were $21,735 in American dollars ($ when inflation is taken into effect). Notable crew chiefs for this race were Bud Hartje, Frankie Scott, Jake Elder, Jack Sullivan and Herman Beam.

Qualifying

Finishing order

Section reference:

1. Dick Hutcherson† (No. 29)
2. Paul Lewis (No. 1)
3. James Hylton (No. 48)
4. Elmo Langley† (No. 64)
5. Sam McQuagg† (No. 98)
6. Gene Black† (No. 74)
7. Bill Seifert (No. 45)
8. Wendell Scott*† (No. 34)
9. Henley Gray* (No. 97)
10. G.C. Spencer*† (No. 49)
11. Clyde Lynn*† (No. 20)
12. Gene Cline* (No. 95)
13. Johnny Allen* (No. 0)
14. Larry Manning*† (No. 63)
15. David Pearson*† (No. 6)
16. Walter Wallace* (No. 73)
17. J. D. McDuffie*† (No. 70)
18. Marvin Panch* (No. 21)
19. Ned Jarrett* (No. 11)
20. Jim Paschal*† (No. 43)
21. Paul Goldsmith* (No. 9)
22. Fred Lorenzen* (No. 28)
23. Bobby Isaac*† (No. 26)
24. Cale Yarborough* (No. 27)
25. Johnny Steele* (No. 2)
26. J.T. Putney*† (No. 19)
27. Buddy Arrington* (No. 67)
28. Bobby Allison* (No. 24)
29. Wayne Smith* (No. 38)
30. John Sears*† (No. 04)
31. Sonny Lamphear* (No. 96)
32. E.J. Trivette* (No. 52) † signifies that the driver is known to be deceased

** Driver failed to finish race*

Timeline

Section reference:

|rowStyle-bordertop=solid 0.1em black |rowStyle-color=lightgrey |rowStyle-texttop=0.6em

|row1-style=rowStyle |row1-1-to=1 |row1-2-colour=white |row1-2-text= David Pearson |row1-2-to= 142 |row1-3-to=500

|row2-style=rowStyle |row2-1-to=143 |row2-2-colour=white |row2-2-text=Fred Lorenzen |row2-2-to=143 |row2-3-to=500

|row3-style=rowStyle |row3-1-to=144 |row3-2-colour=white |row3-2-text= David Pearson |row3-2-to= 242 |row3-3-to=500

|row4-style=rowStyle |row4-1-to=243 |row4-2-colour=white |row4-2-text= Marvin Panch |row4-2-to= 287 |row4-3-to=500

|row5-style=rowStyle |row5-1-to=288 |row5-2-colour=white |row5-2-text= David Pearson |row5-2-to= 331 |row5-3-to=500

|row6-style=rowStyle |row6-1-to=332 |row6-2-colour=white |row6-2-text= Dick Hutcherson |row6-2-to= 337 |row6-3-to=500

|row7-style=rowStyle |row7-1-to=338 |row7-2-colour=white |row7-2-text= Dick Hutcherson |row7-2-to= 500 |row7-3-to=500

References

before = 1966 Peach Blossom 500 | after = 1966 Atlanta 500| title = NASCAR Grand National Season| years = 1966 |

References

1. "1966 Southeastern 500 weather information". The Old Farmers' Almanac.
2. "1966 Southeastern 500 racing results". Racing Reference.
3. "2010 Food City 500 - for comparison study". Racing Reference.
4. "1966 Southeastern 500 crew chief information". Racing Reference.
5. "1966 Southeastern 500 qualifying results". Racing Reference.