1969 SCCA National Championship - American Road Race of Champions

  From Daytona Speedway Archives

PACE LAP                                                

1969 American Road Race of Champions, G-Production National Championship Race. This shot was taken by the speedway photographer as we turned left off the Continental Course and the "short course" used by the SCCA . This segment something like 100 yards long. This short cut to the back straight reduced the Daytona road course by about a mile and slowed the entry speed onto the back straight for SCCA club racing. This short stretch contained a wicked "S" turn leading onto the back straight.

The front row was Don Devindorf, the National Champ from the 1968 ARRC at Riverside CA, in his factory sponsored Triumph Spitfire and Dr. Wilbur Pickett, The Daytona Beach neurosurgeon and speedway physician, who was the popular favorite to win in his Horst Kwech prepared Alfa Romeo Spider. The year before Pickett had raced Devendorf to the wire for second place on the podium at Riverside. Second row was Dan O'Connor in the Huffacer MG MIdget.and yours truly checking out the marbles that would become a factor on lap five. Note the pavement change leaving the Continental Course onto the Short Course. The third row was Dick Jenkins in his Horst Kwech prepared Alfa Giulietta Spider and Bob Krocas in the Group 44 Triumph Spitfire. The only other competitive car in the remainder of the field was Gordon Smiley, then current European Formula Ford Champion, back on the fifth row in his Triumph Spitfire.

  Photo by Danny Waggoner

PASS FOR THE LEAD                                  

1969 ARRC, G-Production National Championship Race. The Spruell Alfa had come from dead last after a spin in turn one and caught up with the flying Huffacker MG Midget of Dan O'Connor. This photo catches the pass for the lead in the Dog Leg (turn four) on lap three.

Photo from Speedway Archives

After taking the lead back on lap three, I had to bank the car off the wall exiting the infield on lap six and catch the draft as Picket, Jenkins and O,Connor slipped by and dropped me to fourth place with that unknown spitfire lurking not far behind. The Huffaker MG and Kwech Alfa engine of Jenkins were beginning to smoke and lose power. By turn one (lap eight) I was closing on Pickett. Jenkins and O'Connor tucked in behind but would not be able to challenge for the lead again.