April 21, 1968
“Gwyn Staley 400”
Top 5 finishers.....
The addition of a second four-barrel carburetor for the “hemi” engines in the Plymouth and Dodge cars was approved by NASCAR just 6 days earlier and made it’s first appearance in the 1968 Gwyn Staley 400 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. The move to do so was in response to Ford’s new “tunnel port” engine that was supposedly dominating in 1968, or so it was claimed. Ford/Mercury had won 5 straight Grand National races from late January thru the end of March, but the Plymouth/Dodge cars were currently on a three race win streak entering the North Wilkesboro race. According to Richard Petty, “Two-four barrel carburetors should be a big help to us, especially on the shorter tracks. It might not mean too much to us in the top speed ranges on the big speedways, but it will help a lot to accelerate off the turns. That’s very important on the smaller tracks.” In response, Ford owner Junior Johnson remarked, “I’m not expecting the rule change to make that much difference. I don’t think any hemi’s will run off and hide from us at North Wilkesboro.” Let’s see what happened.....
The top 10 consisted of 5 Ford/Mercury’s and 5 Plymouth/Dodge’s. At the end of the day, the Holman-Moody Ford driven by “The Silver Fox” was the victor. David Pearson started on the pole (21.43seconds/104.993mph) and led 181 of the 400 laps on his way to his first NWS victory. It was career win #33. Pearson would find victory lane at NWS yet another time in the future.
Elzie Wyle Baker’s name was part of the top five once again, but this time it was Elzie Jr, “Buck’s” son “Buddy” Baker. Buddy started from the 12th spot and finished 2nd in a Dodge. Baker finished better than a lap behind Pearson.
Also finishing a lap off the pace was 3rd place finisher Robert Vance “Bobby” Isaac in a Dodge. Isaac started third and was credited with leading one lap in the race. It was Isaac’s first top five showing in a Grand National race at NWS. He would make some noise at the track in the years to come.
Starting 4th and finishing 4th was the reigning Gwyn Staley Champion, Darel Dieringer. Dieringer’s ’68 Plymouth fininshed four laps down. It would be Dieringer’s last top five finish at the speedway.
Gaining his second straight top five finish at North Wilkesboro was LeeRoy Yarbrough in a ’68 Ford. Yarbrough led 132 laps during the day. He lost an engine with less than ten laps to go and finished 5th, nine laps behind the winner. Yarbrough started the race on the outside pole.
A large crowd was on hand—a reported 13,500. They witnessed 13 lead changes among 6 different drivers. Others who led laps during the race were Richard Petty (39—lost an engine and finished 26th), Paul Goldsmith (26—engine, 27th) and Bobby Allison (20—engine, 29th). There were 67 laps run under caution. The yellow flag came out 10 times. The race lasted 2 hours, 45 minutes, 33 seconds. Clarence Henley Gray finished 12th after a 29th place starting position. The 17 spots he gained were most by any driver in the race. Running for the last time in a Grand National race were Paul Goldsmith (27th) and “Frog” Fagan (17th)—once again, I just love that name.
One of the 35 drivers in the field was a man named Jim Hurtubise. Hurtubise was a well know driver who raced U.S.A.C. stock cars, champ and Indy cars. He was the 1960 rookie of the year at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He surprised many southerners when he showed up for NASCAR’s 1966 Atlanta 500 and won the race. It was Hurtubise’s only appearance at NWS. A crash forced him to a 24th place finish. He completed 243 of the 400 laps.
In the 37 races following the NWS race in 1968, Ford/Mercury won 20 times and Plymouth/Dodge won 16 times. Chevrolet had one win.