Grand American
Encyclopedia
Grand American was a NASCAR
sanctioned series of pony car
stock cars
. The series ran from 1968 until 1971. The series was called "Grand Touring" from 1968 to 1969. It was sometimes nicknamed the Baby Grand series.
stock car division and SCCA's
Trans Am Series. It held 19 events in 1968. It was renamed Grand American after hosting 35 events the 1969 season. After running another full season in 1970, it dropped to many less events in 1971 with many event being combined with Grand National cars.
In 1972, NASCAR completely changed its structure. Winston
took title sponsorship for the Grand National Series which was renamed the Winston Cup Series. All races at Grand National tracks under a 1/2 mile in length or 250 miles in event length were moved to a new division called the Grand National East Division. Grand American, Grand National (then Winston Cup), and 1969 model cars were allowed to race in the new division. That series lasted from 1972 until 1973. The Grand American series held four events in 1972, its final season.
s, Chevrolet Camaro
s, AMC Javelin
s, Mercury Cougar
s, and Pontiac Trans Ams. Several Grand American cars were former SCCA Trans-Am cars, extensively modified to meet the NASCAR safety rules and weight limits.
The motors were initially restricted to a 305 cubic inch (5.0 liter) engine displacement. The 305 cubic inch limit eventually was increased to 366 cubic inch to help with performance and reliability of the Grand American cars.
(Camaro) and Bobby Allison
(Mustang) were winners of Grand National races. These victories have not been added to either driver's NASCAR total wins, and there is a debate whether or not they should be added. NASCAR
had dictated that if a Grand American car won it would not be credited with the victory; first place points would not be awarded. Despite this, the wins were counted as constructors victories for Chevrolet
and starts for Lund.
. Lund won 41 races in the 109 races in the series' history. Lund won three of the four championship, with the other one won by Ken Rush
of High Point, NC. Pete Hamilton won 12 of 26 events in 1969.
Other notable drivers who were regular competitors in the Grand American Series include: Jim Paschal, Buck Baker, Dan Gurney
, Parnelli Jones
, Mark Donohue
and Jim Hall
.
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
sanctioned series of pony car
Pony car
Pony car is an American class of automobile launched and inspired by the Ford Mustang in 1964. The term describes an affordable, compact, highly styled car with a sporty or performance-oriented image.-Origins of the breed:...
stock cars
Stock car racing
Stock car racing is a form of automobile racing found mainly in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Great Britain, Brazil and Argentina. Traditionally, races are run on oval tracks measuring approximately in length...
. The series ran from 1968 until 1971. The series was called "Grand Touring" from 1968 to 1969. It was sometimes nicknamed the Baby Grand series.
History
The series formed in 1968 under the name "Grand Touring" as a competitor to USAC'sUnited States Automobile Club
The United States Auto Club is one of the sanctioning bodies of auto racing in the United States. From 1956 to 1979, the USAC sanctioned the United States National Championship, and from 1956 to 1997 the organization sanctioned the Indianapolis 500...
stock car division and SCCA's
Sports Car Club of America
The Sports Car Club of America is a club and sanctioning body supporting road racing, rallying, and autocross in the United States. Formed in 1944, it runs many programs for both amateur and professional racers.-History:...
Trans Am Series. It held 19 events in 1968. It was renamed Grand American after hosting 35 events the 1969 season. After running another full season in 1970, it dropped to many less events in 1971 with many event being combined with Grand National cars.
In 1972, NASCAR completely changed its structure. Winston
Winston (cigarette)
Winston cigarettes are manufactured by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company or its newer incarnation as RJR Nabisco and/or its affiliates.The brand was introduced in 1954, and became the best-selling brand of cigarettes in the United States...
took title sponsorship for the Grand National Series which was renamed the Winston Cup Series. All races at Grand National tracks under a 1/2 mile in length or 250 miles in event length were moved to a new division called the Grand National East Division. Grand American, Grand National (then Winston Cup), and 1969 model cars were allowed to race in the new division. That series lasted from 1972 until 1973. The Grand American series held four events in 1972, its final season.
Cars
The series featured Ford MustangFord Mustang
The Ford Mustang is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. It was initially based on the second generation North American Ford Falcon, a compact car. Introduced early on April 17, 1964, as a "1964½" model, the 1965 Mustang was the automaker's most successful launch since the Model A...
s, Chevrolet Camaro
Chevrolet Camaro
The Chevrolet Camaro is an automobile manufactured by General Motors under the Chevrolet brand, classified as a pony car and some versions also as a muscle car. It went on sale on September 29, 1966, for the 1967 model year and was designed as a competing model to the Ford Mustang...
s, AMC Javelin
AMC Javelin
The Javelin was a production version of one of the AMC AMX prototypes shown during the 1966 AMX project nationwide tour. Intended to rival other pony cars such as the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro. American Motor's Javelin debuted on 22 August 1967, for the 1968 model year...
s, Mercury Cougar
Mercury Cougar
The Mercury Cougar is an automobile which was sold under the Mercury brand of the Ford Motor Company's Lincoln-Mercury Division from 1967 to 2002. The name was first used in 1967 and was carried by a diverse series of cars over the next three decades. As is common with Mercury vehicles, the Cougar...
s, and Pontiac Trans Ams. Several Grand American cars were former SCCA Trans-Am cars, extensively modified to meet the NASCAR safety rules and weight limits.
The motors were initially restricted to a 305 cubic inch (5.0 liter) engine displacement. The 305 cubic inch limit eventually was increased to 366 cubic inch to help with performance and reliability of the Grand American cars.
Win controversies
In 1971, the money invested by American auto makers began to lessen as marketing and perceived consumer demand caused funds to shift away from NASCAR. The car entries for some of the Grand National (now Sprint Cup) events with smaller payouts shrank to the point that NASCAR allowed the Grand American cars to race in certain Grand National events. Grand American drivers Tiny LundTiny Lund
DeWayne Louis "Tiny" Lund was a NASCAR driver. He was ironically nicknamed "Tiny" due to his rather large and imposing size.-Background:...
(Camaro) and Bobby Allison
Bobby Allison
Robert Arthur Allison is a former NASCAR Winston Cup driver and was named one of NASCAR's 50 greatest drivers. His two sons, Clifford Allison and Davey Allison followed him into racing, and both died within a year of each other....
(Mustang) were winners of Grand National races. These victories have not been added to either driver's NASCAR total wins, and there is a debate whether or not they should be added. NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
had dictated that if a Grand American car won it would not be credited with the victory; first place points would not be awarded. Despite this, the wins were counted as constructors victories for Chevrolet
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
and starts for Lund.
Drivers
The series was dominated by Tiny LundTiny Lund
DeWayne Louis "Tiny" Lund was a NASCAR driver. He was ironically nicknamed "Tiny" due to his rather large and imposing size.-Background:...
. Lund won 41 races in the 109 races in the series' history. Lund won three of the four championship, with the other one won by Ken Rush
Ken Rush
Ken Rush was a NASCAR Cup Series driver whose career spanned from 1957 to 1972.-Summary:He would win the 1969 'Bama 400 Grand Touring race on Saturday, September 13, 1969 - arguably the first race held at Talladega Superspeedway sanctioned by any motorsports body - in his Chevrolet Camaro...
of High Point, NC. Pete Hamilton won 12 of 26 events in 1969.
List of champions
- 1968 Tiny LundTiny LundDeWayne Louis "Tiny" Lund was a NASCAR driver. He was ironically nicknamed "Tiny" due to his rather large and imposing size.-Background:...
- 1969 Ken RushKen RushKen Rush was a NASCAR Cup Series driver whose career spanned from 1957 to 1972.-Summary:He would win the 1969 'Bama 400 Grand Touring race on Saturday, September 13, 1969 - arguably the first race held at Talladega Superspeedway sanctioned by any motorsports body - in his Chevrolet Camaro...
- 1970 Tiny Lund
- 1971 Tiny Lund
Other notable drivers who were regular competitors in the Grand American Series include: Jim Paschal, Buck Baker, Dan Gurney
Dan Gurney
Daniel Sexton Gurney is an American racing driver, race car constructor, and team owner.The son of a Metropolitan Opera star, he was born in Port Jefferson, New York, but moved to California as a teenager...
, Parnelli Jones
Parnelli Jones
Rufus Parnell "Parnelli" Jones , is a retired American racing driver and racecar owner. He is most remembered for his 1963 Indianapolis 500 win, and almost winning the 1967 Indy 500 in a turbine car...
, Mark Donohue
Mark Donohue
Mark Neary Donohue, Jr. , nicknamed "Captain Nice", was an American racecar driver known for his ability to set up his own race car as well as driving it to victories. Donohue is probably best known as the driver of the 1500+ bhp “Can-Am Killer” Porsche 917-30 and as the winner of the 1972...
and Jim Hall
Jim Hall (race car driver)
Jim Hall is a former racecar driver and constructor from the United States. He competed in Formula One from to , participating in 12 World Championship Grands Prix and numerous non-Championship races....
.