1966 Season Recap

A new champion was crowned in 1966 and a star was born. "The Silver Fox," David Pearson, broke through in 1966 with one of the greatest seasons in NASCAR Grand National (now NASCAR Winston Cup Series) history with 15 wins in 42 starts.

David Pearson's winning ways assured him of a points lead during most of the season, but he did not clinch as early as one would think.

FIVE RACES TO GO: Hillsborough, NC - With five races remaining on the 1966 schedule, David Pearson held a sizable lead in the point standings over James Hylton. However, 4 drivers were contending for three spots in the top five in the standings. 1964 champion Richard Petty was amongst them but was not entered in the event at Orange Speedway. Wendell Scott threw his hat in the ring with a sixth place finish, while Henley Gray, another contender, was 11th. Paul Goldsmith was in the mix but did not enter the race. The two leaders in the standings showed why they were ahead with their second and fourth place finishes, respectively.

FOUR RACES TO GO: Martinsville, VA - James Hylton took advantage of David Pearson's misfortune at Martinsville with a fifth place finish, while Pearson was 35th after losing oil pressure. The other contenders struggled as well. Henley Gray was 15th, Richard Petty was 23rd, Paul Goldsmith succumbed to brake problems to come in 27th, and Wendell Scott finished 38th.

THREE RACES TO GO: North Wilkesboro, NC - Points leader David Pearson followed Dick Hutcherson across the finish line at North Wilkesboro while his closest competition, James Hylton, registered another fifth place finish. Wendell Scott led the other points contenders with an 11th place effort while Henley Gray was 13th and Richard Petty was 26th. Paul Goldsmith did not enter the event.

TWO RACES TO GO: Charlotte, NC - James Hylton finished ahead of David Pearson, but only two spots ahead, as both registered top ten finishes. Paul Goldsmith, Wendell Scott, Henley Gray, and Richard Petty were still in a heated battle for third in the standings and finished third, 17th, 18th, and 31st respectively.

FINAL RACE: Rockingham, NC - David Pearson came in seventh in the season finale at North Carolina Motor Speedway and won his first NASCAR Grand National championship. With James Hylton finishing 10th, Pearson took the title by a margin of 1950 points. Third place through sixth place shaped up in the season finale as well. Wendell Scott's 35th place finish could not help him break the top five in the standings and Paul Goldsmith's 37th left him in fifth place. Henley Gray came in 18th, missing an opportunity to overtake third in the standings as Richard Petty stumbled to a 28th place finish. Third place in the standings was separated from sixth place by only 1250 points.