BACK TO GALLERIES

Vintage racers, ‘Winged Warriors’ and muscle cars take over Talladega

By Zack Albert | Published: October 14, 2019 32

Zack Albert | NASCAR Digital Media

BACK TO GALLERIES

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Zack Albert | NASCAR Digital Media

As part of Talladega Superspeedway's 50th anniversary celebration, a sprawling collection of "Winged Warriors," vintage racers and other muscle cars from its earliest days returned to the track. Here is a photo tour of the racing history and cool iron from the garage.

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Winged Mopar racers once driven by Marty Robbins (42) and Ramo Stott (7) in the Talladega Superspeedway garage. Four cars that competed in the first Talladega 500 in 1969 were on hand.

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The No. 71 Dodge of Bobby Isaac, with Richard Petty's No. 43 Superbird in the background.

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Former racer Dave Marcis told stories from this golden era of stock-car racing alongside Isaac's old No. 71.

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The No. 98 driven by Lee Roy Yarbrough was Ford and Mercury's answer to the Dodge/Plymouth cars of the day.

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A tribute sticker to Buddy Baker, who became the first to break the 200-mph barrier on a closed course at Talladega in one of Chrysler's famed winged cars.

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The Road Runner/Superbird marketing of the day had a strong tie-in to the Warner Bros. Looney Tunes cartoons from the era.

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The marketing was prominent with the Road Runner logo on the spoilers and nose of the winged cars.

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Several cars, including this Dan Gurney No. 42, retreated to the covered garage when Sunday's rain hit.

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The hood indicates the 426 cubic-inch engine underneath that enjoyed a brief reign in NASCAR. Bobby Allison's No. 22 sits in the background.

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Another look at Lee Roy Yarbrough's No. 98 back deck.

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The aerodynamic Mercury Cyclone Spoiler II.

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Several owners of the highway-going versions of these powerful classics went the custom route with their choice of license plates.

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