By Bradley Brownell
The year was 1962, and the Daytona International Speedway was barely three years old. NASCAR and DIS president Mr. William France Sr. was oddly intrigued by diminutive sports racers and wished to have his newly built track brought into the limelight on the world stage. As such, he requested that Daytona be the first round of that year’s World Sportscar Championship.
With the upcoming 50th anniversary of this race being celebrated at this years Rolex 24 at Daytona, it seems apropos that we go back in time to show you the event that started it all.
At the time, they were just racing drivers, though today, many of them number among the legends of the sport. Here is a partial drivers list of the event.
- Jim Clark
- Stirling Moss
- A. J. Foyt
- Dan Gurney
- Phil Hill
- Fireball Roberts
- Joe Weatherly
- Rodger Ward
- Olivier Gendebien
- Pedro Rodriguez
- Ricardo Rodriguez
- Marvin Panch
- Jo Bonnier
- Innes Ireland
- Dick Rathmann
- Bob Holbert
- Peter Ryan
- Walt Hansgen
- Roger Penske
- David Hobbs
- Paul Goldsmith
- Jim Hall
A hearty hat tip is due to Mr. Scrogzilla, and a deserved thank you to Sportscar Digest and Louis Galanos for providing the full story as well as MORE PICTURES!
Jeff Glucker