02/23/1964 – Daytona 500 – Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL – Pontiac’s withdrawal from NASCAR is very clear as the series visits its crown jewel racetrack. While racking up numerous wins and 2 championships from 1960-1963 (even if 1963 was basically ran devoid of on-going factory support), 1964 was a different story.
Running up against the newer model Plymouths, Dodges, Fords, and Mercurys, the remaining Pontiac teams found themselves overmatched and outspent. 6 Pontiacs entered the race, 1 1962 model, 4 1963 models, and 1 1964 model; the highest qualifier was Bobby Johns (23rd, driving the only 1964 model, owned by Shorty Johns) and the highest finisher was G.C. Spencer (33rd, driving a 1963 model, owned by Cliff Stewart). Pontiacs didn’t lead a single lap, and all fell out due to mechanical problems.
It would be a 17-year absence from the Cup circuit before Pontiac would once again be competitive and winning races.
Pontiac Racing 