64 Barracuda pace car?

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I'm not an expert on stock car racing but don't pace cars run much slower than racing speeds?
With the right gearing a 273 should be able to hold up for at least the race i would think.
Yes they run slower than race speeds, but I’d guess a 273 would need some engine mods and maybe gearing changes to run a decent pace speed.
Does anybody know what typical pace speeds were back in the mid 60’s?
 
Yes they run slower than race speeds, but I’d guess a 273 would need some engine mods and maybe gearing changes to run a decent pace speed.
Does anybody know what typical pace speeds were back in the mid 60’s?


A quick search indicates that Pace Car speed is only 45 MPH (???)

Average race speed for A.J. Foyt (winner) was 151 MPH
 
I was reading this thread again and had a thought,
(It hurt a bunch too.)
The first pictures of the Barracuda have a lot of items a 65 Formula S would have. What are the odds that is an early 65 Formula S build to show off the new High Performance 273 4 barrel 235 hp model and the Formula S package?
 
A Commando 273 could hit 140 mph with 3.23 gears in a 64 or 65 Barracuda. You were allowed to hop up the motor to make speed. I don't think 45 mph was required speed in the 60's.
 
A Commando 273 could hit 140 mph with 3.23 gears in a 64 or 65 Barracuda. You were allowed to hop up the motor to make speed. I don't think 45 mph was required speed in the 60's.
If they could hit 140 with a 273 that’s impressive.
I would’ve thought on a high-bank oval the pace speed would be over 100.
 
Pace speed at Daytona & Talladega is around 75-80 mph. I think you have to be going a minimum of 75 to stay up on the banking.

But what was the banking in 1964? If the average race speed was 151 MPH?

Trying to find information on renovation dates. 1978 comes up but nothing specific
 
But what was the banking in 1964? If the average race speed was 151 MPH?

Trying to find information on renovation dates. 1978 comes up but nothing specific
64 1/2 mustangs were also used. A larger engine, less horsepower. Prepped by Holloman-Moody.
 
I'm not an expert on stock car racing but don't pace cars run much slower than racing speeds?
With the right gearing a 273 should be able to hold up for at least the race i would think.
Yes they do.
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I was reading this thread again and had a thought,
(It hurt a bunch too.)
The first pictures of the Barracuda have a lot of items a 65 Formula S would have. What are the odds that is an early 65 Formula S build to show off the new High Performance 273 4 barrel 235 hp model and the Formula S package?
This is my exact thought. I think it is an early 65 to show the car off.
 
64 1/2 mustangs were also used. A larger engine, less horsepower. Prepped by Holloman-Moody.

If Holman Moody prepped it, I doubt it was stock.

That was 2015, not 1965. I can not remember where and when I read the speed they had to be able to run. It was not the pace, but the getting out of the way. And the 273 Commando would not attain 140 mph on a Grand National track. That was on a looooong straight in the upper midwest.
 
If Holman Moody prepped it, I doubt it was stock.


That was 2015, not 1965. I can not remember where and when I read the speed they had to be able to run. It was not the pace, but the getting out of the way. And the 273 Commando would not attain 140 mph on a Grand National track. That was on a looooong straight in the upper midwest.
Yes all true but until someone finds the information about pace car speeds back in 64 that's all we have to go by. Different tracks, different speeds but I didn't see any over 75 mph. I have never heard or seen pace cars driving anywhere near race speeds.
 
There's what's left of the Middle Georgia Raceway in Byron, Georgia, just a little drive from here. They still host car shows and such and Dodge even filmed a commercial there a while back. The track is still there, although in disrepair. At the car shows, there's always a group that gets together and makes a few laps. I don't know what the bank angle is, but I've heard several guys say that if you're not going at least 50-60, you feel like you're going to flip over or slide down the track. It's too bad someone with deep pockets won't come in and do a restoration. Most all of the big names in NASCAR back in the 60s raced there.
Middle Georgia Raceway
 
Rusty, that's some cool history. 80 gal of moonshine a day! I guess you gota do something between races :lol:
 
Rusty, that's some cool history. 80 gal of moonshine a day! I guess you gota do something between races :lol:
Right. ....and all the stories I've ever heard coincide with what the owner said at his trial at that time. That he knew absolutely nothing about it. Kinda hard to believe, but the jury believed him, because he was found not guilty.

Here's another funny tidbit. One of the factors that helped close the track down was the opening of a trailer park adjacent to that property. They complained about the noise. I just bet that on any given weekend night that trailer park makes more noise than the track ever did.
 
Yes all true but until someone finds the information about pace car speeds back in 64 that's all we have to go by. Different tracks, different speeds but I didn't see any over 75 mph. I have never heard or seen pace cars driving anywhere near race speeds.
I don't think they ever have....at least not with the sanctioning body's permission. lol
 
The same thing happened to our track in Bakersfield. It ran probably twenty years and housing development came in and out they went.
Reopened five or so years later and thirty miles away. I guess I it's been happening forever.
 
The same thing happened to our track in Bakersfield. It ran probably twenty years and housing development came in and out they went.
Reopened five or so years later and thirty miles away. I guess I it's been happening forever.
You'd figure the track wouldda been grandfathered in, but I guess not. It was there long before any of that other nonsense. There's been talk of restoring it back to its former glory and reopening it, but just talk.
 
It would probably be such an uphill battle to put it back the way it was it was before everything else came around it. They built a baseball complex complex and other houses. And the facility where they put it now is much nicer.
 
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