Video: 1968 Daytona 500

[pettycash]

This is a great vid clip I just found. I've always known about Richard's black roof in the 68 Daytona 500. There has always been a question about whether it was vinyl or just dimpled metal. There have also been questions about whether it was a psych job by Dale Inman to worry the other drivers or distract NASCAR inspectors from other "fudging" elements on the car.

What is not questionable is the ruse didn't work. Something hit Richard's windshield at the roof line & tore up the roof a bit. I've seen pics of the crew working on the roof - but I never knew the driver had a role until now.

[ricklou]

The roof on Petty's car was textured paint. The roof came apart because of a missed weld near the front.

The car was not illegal as Richard illuded to. Nascar allowed alot of room to the teams at that time. Bodies being acid dipped, cropped bodywork and a huge rake.

Take a real good look at the Youtube of this race. They had to drive these cars and I mean drive them. The cars were loose as opposed to the tight condition we see now. Which is more frustrating ? I would take a loose setup any day cuz it's more fun.

NASCAR is looking at the quotation marks instead of real racing and bringing back the spoiler is not going to fix it entirely.

[pmossberg]

Great video!

Here's a post with lots of pictures and the full story on the black-topped car.

richardpettyfans.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=judith&thread=840&page=1