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Question for Indy Pace Car fans and Charlotte Motor Speedway neighbors
As many of you know, I recently purchased a 1970 442 convertible Y74 Indy Pace Car. The car was sold new at Gowen Oldsmobile in Charlotte, NC and spent 7 years there. While searching the car's history, I spoke with someone who worked at Gowen Oldsmobile since July 1, 1970 and remembered my car, as it was the only 1970 Indy Pace Car the dealership received, and he had done service work on the car when it was new (he owned a 1969 442 at the time and was a big 442 fan). He also remembered that my car had been used as a pace car at Charlotte Motor Speedway. I have tried to make contact with Charlotte Motor Speedway and former president and general manager Howard "Humpy" Wheeler to confirm this, with no success. If anyone can confirm this story, knows of a white 1970 442 convertible being used as a pace car at Charlotte Motor Speedway, or can put me in contact with someone who would know, PLEASE let me know. Photos would be even more over-the-top. This would be a fascinating part of my car's history if it's true.
Last edited by Hurst/Olds 73/74; September 14th, 2016 at 07:11 PM.
According to the article I just read, Humpy Wheeler was a representative for Firestone during 1970. So he may have been at that race, but not in charge of anything. Also, according to Wikipedia, he wasn't hired by the speedway until the mid-70s.
Did you ever contact Bob Brannan? He was in Charlotte Zone Service office at that time and might remember something about it, or might put you in touch with some of the Zone Sales people. I'd be willing to bet that if it happened, some of them would have had some input on an Olds doing Pace Car duty at CMS.
I can about promise you if it hasn't happened in last 20 years no one at the Speedway knows anything about it. Doubt there's anyone there older than 45 now.
I did contact Bob Brannan. Great guy, now lives in Texas. He does not remember the car doing pace car duties. It was Larry Kluttz, who started working at Gowen Olds on July 1, 1970; that remembered the car and remembered it doing pace car duties at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Anyone have any contacts in the Charlotte, NC area that would have been in the hobby around 1970? Anyone that would know what pace car was used at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1970, or any 1970 Indy Pace Car gurus that know if a 1970 442 Indy Pace Car (or a 1972 Hurst/Olds) was also used to pace Charlotte Motor Speedway? This could be a really important part of my car's history, and would be a very public part of that history if someone could confirm it.
- Subscribe to Newspapers.com.
- Have names but can't find contacts? Try LinkedIn and Classmates.com.
- Find NASCAR forums.
- Make a post in a Charlotte-area Craigslist (finding the appropriate forum ain't easy - prob the general forum).
- Buy all the programs from that racetrack that year, although that could get pricey (patience is key).
I don't know why Charlotte would use an Indy Pace Car, but maybe it didn't have the decal package.
I am from Charlotte and remember Gowen Oldsmobile dealership quite well.
I owned a 72-442 and made my way over to Gowen Olds parts department from 1977 to 1980. Several of my high school friends owned used 70 to 72 442's during that era. I recall always being able to get any NOS part that was needed for my car and other friends 442's. I was only 9 yrs old in 1970, so I can't help with info from that era. I remember that we wrecked and ran our cars so hard that we rec a discount from the parts manager (as we became pretty decent customers as 16-18 yr guys). The late 1970's was a great time to own used, but choice 442's. Charlotte was opening up new roads fairly often back around that time and we would race on the roads prior to being opened to the public. I remember Charlotte police officers would often want to see our cars and share car talk. Times have changed.
I am on the same page as Diego...why would an Indianapolis Pace car, be a pace car at Charlotte??
i never followed the pace cars much...but...unless your car was an Indy track car, why would it be a track car at Charlotte? Its a stretch and i hope i am wrong and it works out for you...keep us in the loop
September 14th, 2016, 01:00 PM
