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Date September 14, 1969 (1969-September-14) Course Permanent racing facility2.660 mi (4.280 km) Distance 188 laps, 500.1 mi (804.8 km) Weather Warm with temperatures approaching 82.9 °F (28.3 °C); wind speeds up to 5.1 miles per hour (8.2 km/h) | ||
The inaugural race in the Talladega 500 (now Alabama 500) series was held on September 14, 1969, at Alabama International Motor Speedway in Talladega, Alabama, USA.
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Background
Talladega Superspeedway, originally known as Alabama International Motor Superspeedway (AIMS), is a motorsports complex located north of Talladega, Alabama. It is located on the former Anniston Air Force Base in the small city of Lincoln. The track is a Tri-oval and was constructed by International Speedway Corporation, a business controlled by the France Family, in the 1960s. Talladega is most known for its steep banking and the unique location of the start/finish line - located just past the exit to pit road. The track currently hosts the NASCAR series such as the Monster Energy Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and the Camping World Truck Series. Talladega Superspeedway is the longest NASCAR oval with a length of 2.66 miles (4.28 km), and the track at its peak had a seating capacity of 175,000 spectators.
Summary
It was the 44th event of the 1969 season. It is primarily remembered because all of the NASCAR stars from the PDA (Professional Driver Association), led by Richard Petty, boycotted the race due to a major lack of tire grip. The field was replaced by other drivers, which introduced future championship winning owner Richard Childress. It also introduced the Dodge Charger Daytona cars for the first in the series. Richard Brickhouse won the race, it was his only victory in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. The tire company Firestone dropped out of the sport before race day due to the tire problems.
The transition to purposely-built racers began in the early 1960s and occurred gradually over that decade. Changes made to the sport by the late 1960s brought an end to the "strictly stock" vehicles of the 1950s; most of the cars were trailered to events or hauled in by trucks.
Ray Fox and Jim Vandiver, whose No. 99 car finished second, were convinced that they actually lapped Brickhouse and won, but the win stood. The PDA disbanded soon after their boycott. Bobby Isaac won the pole for the race.
Drivers involved in the 1969 boycott
Results
- Richard Brickhouse – No. 99
- Jim Vandiver – No. 3
- Ramo Stott – No. 14
- Bobby Isaac – No. 71
- Dick Brooks – No. 32
- Earl Brooks – No. 26
- Jimmy Vaughn – No. 7
- Billy Hagan – No. 52
- Tiny Lund – No. 53
- Coo Coo Marlin – No. 07