NASCAR'S PONY CAR DIVISION  
______________________________________________________________________

         In 1968, NASCAR decided to cash in one the rapidly - growing, widely - popular pony car movement. With all American manufacturers trying to catch up with the success of Ford and its Mustang. NACAR probably felt that they could depend on having Mustang, Camaro, Cougar, Firebird, Javelin, Dart, and Barracuda - a least. Then they planned on letting foreign makes in, at certain races, like Porsche and Alfa Romeo. What they forgot to factor in was that it is almost always cheaper to race with the Chevrolet than it is the other makes - especially at that time. So, the class was always top heavy with Camaros.


Ladabouche Collection
Mark Donhaue pits Roger Penske's Trans Am Camaro. Cars like this probably got the Frances to thinking of having their own.


         Perhaps, in deference to the sports cars they hoped to attract, they first called the class The Grand Touring Division. Later, as the foreign cars seemed to play less of a role, it was called The Grand American Division. At the end of the life of the division, it had only five races of its own and the pony cars simply ran in with the short - lived Grand National East Division.
         The class was typical of the NASCAR major league support division, in the sense that it had both well - financed and shoestring teams which had to contend with invading Grand National drivers with the best equipment money could buy. The regulars [with the exception, at varying times of Lund, Paschal, and Baker] were usually running for second or third place.


Ladabouche Collection
Wayne Andrews leads Al Straub on a dirt track during one of the northern tours of the division.

STRICTLY PONY CAR YEARS


Randy Ayers Model Forum
Bud Moore's earlier
entry, a Mustang
primarily for sports car
races.
 
Al's After White Photo
via Photo Selter.Com
Peter Gregg was a regualr competitor in the earlier years of the division.
 
Courtesy of Robbie Watson
Tiny Lund's Pepsi Cougar is one of the more well - remembered cars in the history of the division. Whether is was Bud Moore's or not I am not sure.
 
Randy Ayers Model Forum
Bud Moore's Cougar.
 
Times Union Photo
Dr. Wilbur Pickett, another sports car regular on the early circuit, leads Jack Ryan in the 36 Porsche. Ryan finished third in points in the first GT season.
 
Courtesy of Robbie Watson
Pete Hamilton raised hell in this Camaro the second season, winning 12 features.

Randy Ayer's Model Forum
 
Pisrtone Website Photo
Tiger Tom Pistone spent considerable time around the division - especially with friend, Tiny Lund.
 
Courtesy of Jeff Gilder
Phil Wills was a regular in the division for most of its existence.
 
Courtesy of Jeff Gilder
Richard Childress began his career in this division. He was, however, not one of the big teams yet.
 
Courtesy of Jeff Gilder
Portrait of Richard
Childress, at that time.
 
Courtesy of Robbie Watsonr
Wayne Andrews came on board, won Rookie of the Year. and became a top runner from then on.
 
Courtesy of Andrews Family
At home with the Reid Shaw Mustang of Andrews [which had a decidedly Moore look to it].
 
Racers' Reunion Site Photo
Lund and Bud Moore with a promo shot featuring the Cougar as top billing.
 
HAMB SIte Photo
Wayne Andrews leads Joe Dean Huss in the 33.
 
HAMB SIte Photo
By the second seasson, the Javelin [well - financed at that] had burst on the scene with Jim Paschal and his Warren Prout 14.
 
Connors Family Photo
Florida sportsman legend Paul Connors had been the first to try a Javelin on the circuit. He didn't have the financing to run the more expensive AMC equipment.

HAMB SIte Photo
Tiny Lund occasionally driove Camaros. Here he passes Paschal in the same sequence as the shot at left.

Randy Ayer's Model Forum
Seiichi Suzuki spent some time in the Daytona races with a Pistone Camaro.
 
Courtesy of Dennis Andrews
Troy,  NY driver Phil Spiak joined the division in the second or third season. Here he runs outside of Phil Wills.
 
Randy Ayer's Model Forum

Parnelli Jones ran some early events for Bud Moore.
 
Randy Ayer's Model Forum
Parnelli Jones, in Bud Moore's Mustang is outrunning Lloyd Ruby in Gene White's Camaro.
 
Randy Ayer's Model Forum
Another familiar - looking car is this Smokey Yunick Camaro, here driven by
Paul Goldsmith.
 
Randy Ayer's Model Forum
Series champ Ken Rush [44] duels with Bill Hemby at the Paul Revere 250.
 
WSJ,Com Photo
Two very rare entries in the division: a Barracuda and a Dart.
 
Randy Ayer's Model Forum
Citrus 250 action. Ed Hinchcliff leads the Camaro of Buck Baker and Peter Gregg's Porsche.
 
Randy Ayer's Model Forum
Daytona action. Buck Baker leads Randy Hutchinson's Camaro 22 and a Mustang whjose number I can't make out.
 
Courtesy of Robbie Watson
Venerable T.C. Hunt spins at Daytona as Joe Huss gets by on the top.
 
Courtesy of Robbie Watson
Two well - financed teams go at it: Bobby Allison in M.L. Joseph's
49 Mustang vs Jim Pascahl in Warren Prout's AMC.
 
 
Randy Ayer's Model Forum
Bill Chevalier leads Frank Sessoms and Richard Childress [3] at Flemington Speedway, NJ.
 
Randy Ayer's Model Forum
An early Bud Moore Cougar.
 
Courtesy of Robbie Watson
Randy Hutchinson spins as Wayne Andrews looks for room.
 
Ladabouche Collection
Ken Rush, 1969 GT
champion.
 
Courtesy of Robbie Watson
Ken Rush and Johnny Wheeler's 44.
 
Source Unknown
Jim Paschal's second
Javelin operation - The Huggins 27.
 
Randy Ayer's Model Forum
A Paschal promo
giveaway postcard.
 
Courtesy of Dennis Andrews
More Paschal / Prout
photos.
 
Randy Ayer's Model Forum
Jimmy Vaughn was always an effective competitor on the circuit.
 
Randy Ayer's Model Forum
Jimmy Capps brings in the Camaro for a pit stop.
 
Florida Stock Cars.Com
Parnelli Jones ran some early events for Bud Moore.
 
Source Unidentified
This car was not identified with the photos other than "Red's Camaro". It could be Bill Hemby's car.
 
Source Unidentified
See photo to left.
 
Source Unidentified
See photo to left.
 
Hemby Site Photo
This actually Bill Hemby. Looks like
the same car.

Felton Collection
Gene Felton's Camaro looks like they barely got it ready in time for this road course race.
 
Felton Collection
Gene Felton's Camaro at speed.
 
Courtesy of Indy Big John
Al Straub was a consistent strong runner.
 
Courtesy of Phil Butler
Big John Sears started
in this division and went on to several years as an independent in the Grand Nationals.
 
Racing One Photo
Bill Ward sported the same sponsor as Elmo Langley here. It could be a Tom Pistone entry.

Apl.ning.com Photo
Bobby Allison and the other good 'ol boys got to do something they didn't ordinarily do at Daytona - race in the rain. Most didn't like it much.

Racers' Reunion Site
Bobby Allison's Mustang at speed.
 
DieCastPub.Com
Bobby Allison with the Potent M.L. Joseph / Coke  Mustang.
|
Courtesy of Ken Adams

This is said to be M.L. Joseph, at Holman _ Moody's with his car.

Randy Ayer's Model Forum
Bob Tullius, shown here trailing Richard Childress and Joie Chitwood Jr, is in a Javelin at Daytona. he also drove a Dart at one time.

Randy Ayer's Model Forum
Bob Tullius, shown here in same race - with a pit stop.

NASCAR Record Book
Bob Williams finished 5th in his rookie season and won Rookie of the Year honors.
 
Randy Ayer's Model Forum
Buck Baker, in the 1968 Atlanta 250 with the Camaro he used before he got into the Firebird program.
 
Legends of NASCAR Site
Texan H.B. Bailey, who
faithfully fielded Pontiacs.
 
Randy Ayer's Model Forum
Buck Baker later switched to Pontiac and had this flashy Firebird.
 
Courtesy of Dennis Andrews
Buck making a pit stop. I think this is still the Camaro.
 
Randy Ayer's Model Forum
Another Buck shot [sorry]
 
Ladabouche Collection
A pose with the Firebird and its sponsor, Pist n Lube.
 
Randy Ayer's Model Forum
Buck in action.
 
Courtesy of Robbie Watson
Bunkie Blackburn, with Smokey Yunick's second GT project, a Mustang.|
 
Courtesy of Robbie Watson
C.B. Gwynn and a nice -
looking Cougar.
 
Randy Ayer's Model Forum
The Gwynn car on the hauler.
 
Randy Ayer's Model Forum
Donnie Allison this potent Mustang at his disposal for a while.
 
Randy Ayer's Model Forum
Don Yenko, shown here at Daytona, was a force when he competed.
 
Randy Ayer's Model Forum
Ed Hinchcliff's Mustang at Daytona.
 
Richard Moser Site
Richard Moser, at speed, with the same number Bill Chevalier sometimes used.
 |
Randy Ayer's Model Forum
Grand Touring drivers heading out for the start of the Atlanta 250 in 1968.
 
Legends of NASCAR Site
Buck Baker and H.B. Bailey's Firebirds pace the field at Daytona.
 
Jerry Melton Photo
H.B. Bailey's "guest driver" Firebird, a team car to his 36.
 
Firebird Gallery.Com
Herb Adams leads his car owner at the Daytona race in 1970.
 
Camaros.Com
Jerry Melton tries out a Bailey car.

Houston Architecture.Com
Herb Adams blows a tranny while leading the Citrus 250 for H.B. Bailey.
 
Ladabouche Collection
James Hylton won a Daytona race with this Camaro.
 
Pinterest.Com Site
More Hylton.

Ladabouche Photo
[In the dusk thru a fence :(]

Catamount Stadium 1970: Ken Rush's crew works as a man in a sports jacket talks to a man who could possibly be T.C. Hunt.

Ladabouche Photo
[In the dusk thru a fence :(]

Catamount Stadium 1970: Bobby Brewer's pit area.

Ladabouche Photo
[In the dusk thru a fence :(]

Catamount Stadium 1970: Through the fence, looking towards Rush's pit.

Ladabouche Photo
[In the dusk thru a fence :(]

Catamount Stadium 1970: Best photo I got. Is this Charlie Blanton ?

Burlington Free Press Photo
Ladabouche Collection

Catamount regular Tom Tiller, a Kentucky native, got a chance to run the Camaro of Stan Starr, Jr.

Ladabouche Collection
Bobby Brewer, 1971
Photo

 
Ladabouche Collection
Bobby Fleming, 1971 Photo
 
Ladabouche Collection
Buck Baker, 1971 Photo
 
Ladabouche Collection
David Boggs, 1971 Photo
 
Ladabouche Collection
Harry Gailey, 1971 Photo
 
Ladabouche Collection
Jerry Hufflin, 1971 Photo
 
Ladabouche Collection
Jimmy Capps, 1971 Photo
 
Ladabouche Collection
Jim Paschal, 1971 Photo
 
Ladabouche Collection
Joe Huss, 1971
Photo
 
Ladabouche Collection
Paul Tyler, 1971
Photo
 
Ladabouche Collection
Phil Gibson, 1971 Photo
 
Ladabouche Collection
Randy Hutchinson, 1971 Photo
 
Ladabouche Collection
Richard Childress, 1971 Photo
 
Ladabouche Collection
T.C. Hunt, 1971
 Photo
 
Ladabouche Collection
1971 Driver Photo
Page
 
Ladabouche Collection
1971 Program Cover

Randy Ayer's Model Forum
Action in the Camp Dogwood 250.
 
Moser Web Site
Richard Moser,
probably 1971
.
 
COurtesy of Robbie Watson
Randy Hutchinson loops it and Wayne Andrews avoids.
 
HAMB Site Photo
Stan Starr, Sr. wrecks
at Flemington. He sustained some injurines in this one.
 
Ladabouche Collection
Wayne Andrews Rookie of the Year Article.
 
Kevin Andrews Photo
Wayne Andrews and Ken Rush ply the high banks of Talledega.

Ladabouche Collection
Tiny Lund, 1971
Photo
 

Courtesy of Jack Anderson
Jack Anderson's entry for Jim Vandiver.
 
Ladabouche Collection
Tommy Andrews, 1971 Photo 
 
Courtesy of Robbie Watson
A formal Hurtubise pose.
 
Courtesy of Robbie Watson
Jim Hurtubise with the Chitwood car.
 
Ladabouche Collection
Tommy Lechlider, 1971 Photo
 
Courtesy of Robbie Watson
Frank Sessoms

Courtesy of Jim Watson
Al Straub
             

 


Al Stilley Photo
Division drivers hold an informal meeting at Springfield, MO after their program was suddenly cancelled.

1969 Grand Touring Division Driver Photos From the 1970 NASCAR Daytona Program.




GRAND NATIONAL EAST YEARS


Grand National East.Com
Max Berrier raised cain in the Carolina with this Mustang. It could be a Bud Moore entry.
 
Randy Ayer's Model Forum
Bobby Allison heads out for the Islip GNE race with the M.L.Joseph entry.
 
Randy Ayer's Model Forum
Bobby Isaac heads out for the Islip GNE race with the
K & K Insurance Mopar.
 
Randy Ayers Model Forum
Ernie Shaw used the same car he had run in the GA's for the GNE.
 
Randy Ayer's Model Forum
Fans watch the parade lap of the GNE race at Islip Speedway, LI, NY
 
Randy Ayer's Model Forum
Jimmy Vaughn at the Islip GNE race.
 
Grand National East.Com
Neil Castles, GN vet a nd part - time stunt driver, was the GNE's first champion.

Grand National East.Com
A. Arnold, one of the several Midwestern drivers who showed the few GNE regulars [who made the trip out west] how it was done at their local tracks in 1973.

Legends of NASCAR Site
H.B. Bailey is said to have used this car a lot on the GNE series.
 
 
Courtesy of Kyle Armstrong
Gene "Stick" Elliott
[no relation to Bill} ran both GA and GNE.
 
Randy Ayer's Model Forum
Tiny Lund, at speed, with a GA - style car at the Islip GNE race.
 
Ladabouche Collection
This Lund ad was done
during the GNE period.

Grand National East.Com
Benny Parsons

Grand National East.Com
Benny, at speed.

Florida Stocks Car.Com
Bob Davis, a possible
GNE runner.

Grand National East.Com
Bobby Allison was using his  top line equipment in GNE races by 1973.

Grand National East.Com
Midwestern driver
Bruce Giuld won three GNE races in 1973 in his home territory.

Grand National East.Com
Buck Baker is said to have used this familiar Firebird in most of his GNE races.

Grand National East.Com
Buddy Baker ran this car for Nord Krausfopf in several GNE races.

Grand National East.Com
Cale Yarborough supposedly used his top line cars in some of the GNE events.

Grand National East.Com
Anyone know this car or the driver ?

Grand National East.Com
Cecil Gordon's 1973 GNE entry.

Grand National East.Com
Charlie Blanton used  this car for both years of the GNE and is said to have used Tiny Lund in the car, as well.

ACTUAL SIZE
Grand National East.Com
Dave Dayton, one of the several Midwestern drivers who showed the few GNE regulars [who made the trip out west] how it was done at their local tracks in 1973.
 

Grand National East.Com
Dave Marcis' 1973
GNE entry.

Grand National East.Com
David Boggs' 1973
GNE entry.
 
Grand National East.Com
Dean Dalton's 1973
GNE entry.
 
Grand National East.Com
D.K. Ulrich's entry for both GNE seasons.
 
Grand National East.Com
"The Earl of Lynchburg" Earl Brooks and his 1973 car.
 
Racing One, Com Photo via
Grand National East.Com

Earl Canavan, Fort Johnson, NY - 1972 car.
 
Grand National East.Com
Car 67 is said to be Earl Canavan. This might be the 1973 entry.
 
Grand National East.Com
Eddie Yarboro's 1973 car - fitted for dirt racing.
 
Grand National East.Com
Ed Negre's car
for 1972.
 
Grand National East.Com
Ed Negre's 1973
entry.
 
Grand National East.Com
Grand Nationa;l veteran E.J. Trivette tried out the GNE in 1972
.

Grand National East.Com
James Hylton's car
for 1972.

Grand National East.Com
Hylton's car
for 1973. Horrible quality - sorry.

Moparts.Com
Dick Brooks displays
some sort of prized
flag in 1973.
 
Grand National East.Com
Richard Brown's car
in action - 1973.
 
Grand National East.Com
Brown pose at Dover - 1973.
 
Randy Ayer's Model Forum
Pete Hamilton, with Richard Brown's 91 at Malta, NY. This is often  mistaken for a Donleavey entry and may have once been.
 
Racing one Photo via
Grand National East.Com

Joe Frasson, seen here in 1973, sometimes raced in the GNE.
 
Hemmings Motor News.Com
Wendell Scott raced
often in GNE.
 
Grand National East.Com
This car was descibed as having been driven by both Scott and Wendell, Jr. in GNE.
 
TachRev.Com
H.B. Bailey had this full - sized Pontiac in 1973. He may have used it in GNE.
 
Fancarente3 Photo
J.D. McDuffie would have run in at least some of the GNE events. Here he runs with Bobby Allison in 1972.
 
ForumAuto.Com
Elmo Langley was runner-up to Castles in the first GNE season, 1972.
 
Grand National East.Com
Elmo's car
for 1973,
outfitted for dirt.
 
Fotki.Com
More Cecil Gordon.
 
Grand National East.Com
More Hylton.
 
Johnny Horne Photo
Bobby Allison and happy admirers after he won a GNE race at Cumberland County Speedway in 1973.
 
Grand National East.Com
Henley Gray's car
that he used in
 some GNE races.
       

 
Grand National East.Com
GN driver Ray Williams attempted to start up a series that would allow the lower - budget GN drivers to compete by themselves.
This poster shows that. He was not successful but it may have led to the formation of Grand National East.

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