1964 Season Recap

The 1964 NASCAR Grand National (now the NASCAR Winston Cup Series) season was likely the most tragic in the history of the sport, as two-time defending champion Joe Weatherly and consistent contenders and stars Fireball Roberts and Jimmy Pardue all lost their lives on the racetrack. The loss of three of the most talented drivers in the sport had a huge impact on the 1964 race for the championship, of course, and on the point standings for many years down the road. One bright spot shone threw the dark season, however. Richard Petty captured the first of his seven NASCAR Winston Cup Series championships.

Richard Petty ruled the 1964 like no one had seen to that point. He clinched the NASCAR Grand National championship with an amazing seven races remaining on the schedule.

FIVE RACES TO GO: North Wilkesboro, NC - With his first NASCAR Grand National championship clinched already, Richard Petty was trying to add money to his checkbook and trophies to his collection. It would not happen at North Wilkesboro, however, where a broken rear end relegated the champion to a 19th place finish. 1961 champion Ned Jarrett, who found himself in second place in the points race, also had problems and came in 29th. Rising star David Pearson blew a head gasket and finished 17th. Bill Wade, the only other driver in the top five in points who could make up some ground, finished fourth.

FOUR RACES TO GO: Charlotte, NC - New champion Richard Petty was leading at Charlotte Motor Speedway when he blew a tire and crashed within site of the white flag, opening the door for Fred Lorenzen to win the race. Ned Jarrett came in fourth, following Petty who was credited with a third place finish. David Pearson was seventh while Billy Wade struggled with his windshield and came home 37th.

THREE RACES TO GO: Harris, NC - Richard Petty, with the title in tow, won his ninth race of the season with a victory at Harris Speedway. Ned Jarrett was the runner-up, finishing a lap behind. David Pearson found engine trouble and turned in a 15th place finish. Billy Wade looked like he was going to make up ground on Pearson after winning the pole but rear end failure sidelined him. Pearson then took the lead before blowing out his engine.

TWO RACES TO GO: Augusta, GA - 1964 champion Richard Petty crashed on lap 109 at Augusta Speedway and was 25th. David Pearson also crashed - on the ninth lap - and finished 29th in the field of 30 drivers. Billy Wade was competitive in fourth place while Ned Jarrett had engine trouble and was 19th.

FINAL RACE: Jacksonville, NC - The season finale saw Ned Jarrett edge Richard Petty by one lap at Jacksonville Speedway, making the official points margin 5302. Third place David Pearson finished third in the final standings with his 10th place finish at Jacksonville. Billy Wade did not race but had used a string of great finishes late in the year to take fourth in the standings. The late Jimmy Pardue had garnered enough points in his 50 starts to finish fifth in the standings.