What Is 1968 NASCAR Grand National Series

Overview

The 1968 NASCAR Grand National Series marked the 20th season of NASCAR's top-level racing competition, a pivotal year in stock car history before the series transitioned into the modern era. It featured intense competition between legendary drivers like David Pearson, Richard Petty, and Bobby Isaac, with manufacturers like Ford, Dodge, and Chevrolet battling for dominance on the track.

This season is remembered for its close championship battle, evolving car technology, and the growing popularity of stock car racing across the United States. As the final years of the 'Grand National' branding before the Winston Cup sponsorship began, 1968 captured the essence of classic NASCAR.

• David Pearson claimed the championship with 15 victories, driving for Cotton Owens Garage, despite missing several races due to injuries.
• Richard Petty won 16 races—the most in the season—but finished second in the standings due to inconsistent finishes and missed events.
• The season began on January 21, 1968, with the Riverside 500, a road course event won by Petty.
• There were 48 races held across the U.S., from January to November, including superspeedways, short tracks, and road courses.
• The final race, the Georgia 500, took place on November 17, 1968, at Atlanta Motor Speedway, won by Bobby Isaac.

How It Works

The NASCAR Grand National Series operated under a season-long points system where drivers earned points based on race finishes, consistency, and laps led. Each race contributed to a cumulative standings board, with the highest total at season’s end claiming the championship.

• Points System: NASCAR used a structured scoring method where first place earned 180 points, decreasing incrementally. Consistency and top-10 finishes were crucial for the title.
• Car Eligibility: Vehicles had to be production-based models from Ford, Dodge, Chevrolet, or other OEMs, modified to meet NASCAR’s strict 1968 technical regulations.
• Manufacturer Competition: Automakers invested heavily in aerodynamics; Dodge Charger Daytona prototypes debuted late in the season, foreshadowing 1969’s aero wars.
• Driver Participation: Top drivers competed in most races, but injuries—like Pearson’s back issues—could disrupt full-season efforts and impact standings.
• Race Formats: Events ranged from 100-mile short track races to 500-mile superspeedway marathons, testing durability and strategy.
• Prize Money: Winnings varied; victors earned between $2,000 and $20,000 per race, with the champion receiving a substantial season bonus.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the top contenders compared in the 1968 NASCAR Grand National Series:

The table highlights how Pearson’s superior consistency—39 top-10 finishes—overcame Petty’s single-season record of 16 wins. Despite Petty’s dominance on race day, Pearson’s ability to finish strong in nearly every event secured the title by just 35 points. This narrow margin underscored the importance of endurance and reliability in NASCAR’s grueling schedule.

Why It Matters

The 1968 season was a turning point in NASCAR history, bridging the sport’s grassroots origins with its emerging national prominence. It showcased fierce rivalries, technological innovation, and the beginning of manufacturer-driven performance wars that would define the 1970s.

• The championship battle between Petty and Pearson became one of the most debated in NASCAR lore, illustrating how points systems reward consistency over sheer wins.
• Dodge’s entry of the Charger Daytona in late 1968 signaled a shift toward aerodynamic engineering, influencing future car designs.
• Television coverage expanded, with ABC’s Wide World of Sports broadcasting select races, increasing NASCAR’s national exposure.
• The season highlighted the physical toll on drivers, as injuries to Pearson and others emphasized the need for improved safety standards.
• It marked the last full season before R.J. Reynolds took over sponsorship, leading to the Winston Cup rebrand in 1971.
• Historians view 1968 as the end of NASCAR’s "pre-modern" era, setting the stage for the sport’s commercial boom in the 1970s.

Today, the 1968 NASCAR Grand National Series stands as a benchmark for competitive balance, driver resilience, and the evolution of American stock car racing into a nationally recognized sport.