For the Nichels Engineering Pontiac 24-Hour Speed and Endurance Runs, team owner Ray Nichels selected six of the finest drivers in racing. From left to right: Joe Weatherly, Len Sutton, Marvin Panch, Rodger Ward, Glenn "Fireball" Roberts, and Paul Goldsmith.
HPP: Did any dignitaries personally congratulate you?
MP: I'm afraid not-back then racing wasn't as popular in the mainstream as it is today. I did receive numerous telegrams from the racing and automotive industries. This was the first time Pontiac earned a Daytona 500 victory.
HPP: How did the Daytona 500 change your life?
MP: That race really got my career going again-it was one of the highlights. It opened the doors for me in racing and offered business opportunities. It also allowed me to buy Pancho's Rancho, a little farm south of Daytona, which we still own today.
HPP: What was your first Pontiac win?
MP: I got my first Pontiac win on July 14, 1957, at Memphis-Arkansas Speedway. Herb Thomas had been out most of the season with injuries. I was running second in points and had mechanical issues with my Ford, so Herb let me borrow his Pontiac. Dust conditions were so bad that the cars thundered down the straightaways at 110 mph and simply disappeared going into the turns in a storm of dust.
HPP: After your Daytona 500 win, what other Pontiacs did you run?
MP: I drove a '61 Pontiac No. 3 for Ray Fox at Atlanta International Raceway in March. I won the pole with an average speed of 135.975 mph and set a new track record with a one-lap speed of 136.304 mph. Ray built a dominating Pontiac and we led 116 laps. We were leading with 42 laps to go and it broke a rear axle, though I still managed a sixth place finish after replacing the axle.
HPP: Do you have specific memories of other great times racing Pontiacs?
MP: In November 1962, I was a member of a team of hand-selected drivers and mechanics to run two 24-hour endurance runs for Pontiac-one at Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the other at Darlington Raceway. Ray Nichels Engineering built the Pontiacs, a '62 Catalina and a '62 Police Enforcer. Other drivers included Paul Goldsmith, Fireball Roberts, Len Sutton, Roger Ward and Joe Weatherly. Mechanics involved included Bud Moore, Cotton Owens, Tiny Worley and Smokey Yunick. We successfully set endurance records for each run.
Len Sutton, Glenn "Fireball" Roberts, Paul Goldsmith, unknown award presenter, Ray Nichels, Marvin Panch, and Joe Weatherly celebrate the Nichels Engineering Pontiacrecord-setting runs at Darlington in 1961. (photo by tom kirkland courtesy of nichels engineering archives)
HPP: Looking back, what are your thoughts on Bunkie Knudsen and his plan to form a performance image through racing out of what he called the "boring Pontiacs?"
MP: Bunkie had a knack for forming Pontiac race teams that would perform day in and day out, and he did so by recruiting first-class mechanics and crews. He then supplied the teams with the fastest, most reliable Pontiacs available. His leadership resulted in Pontiac's successful record in NASCAR racing. In 1960, Pontiac offered the first Super-Duty performance package for sale as an option, enabling racing enthusiasts to outfit their vehicles with the same performance components as the race cars.
HPP: Did you ever have a Pontiac street car, and if so, please tell us about your favorite?
MP: I had a '37 Pontiac at one time and a '60 Pontiac Catalina-wish I still had them both, especially the Catalina. Pontiac's always made great cars-reliable and fast ... easy on the eyes, too.
HPP: You say you have a soft spot for Pontiacs. Please tell us how you enjoy the Pontiac events you attend each year.
MP: I have nothing but praise for the folks in all of the Pontiac groups and have met some very nice, super people in both POCI and the Sixty Owners Society.
HPP: You say you were born 40 years too early. How would you feel about racing in NASCAR currently?
MP: I would feel great-they pay money now. Finishing well in one race today would exceed the total race winnings from my career.
Marvin Panch was inducted into the NMPA (National Motorsports Press Association) Hall of Fame in 1987. Standing from left to right are Jim Paschal, Cotton Owens, Ned Jarrett, Jack Smith, Ray Fox, Tim Flock, Bill France, Sr., and Buck Baker. Sitting from left to right are Marvin Panch, Joe Littlejohn, Red Vogt, Junior Johnson, and Smokey Yunick.
HPP: NASCAR has changed tremend-ously in 50 years. If you could define the Daytona 500 for its 100th anniversary, how would it look, what would the cars be capable of, and how would the drivers race for the win?
MP: I am involved in the 50th anniversary, but I don't quite think I'll make it to the 100th anniversary so I haven't given it much thought. Hopefully they'll still have fast cars, great drivers and one of the best fan bases a sport could ask for.
HPP: How can people learn more about your Daytona 500 win and your racing career?
MP: I'm glad you asked that. My daughter Marvette has just released my autobiography, Marvin Panch-Racing Memories From A NASCAR Legend. It's currently a two-volume set that does a great job covering my racing career. There is quite a bit on the 1961 Daytona 500. We've got a third volume slated for release in early 2008 that will cover my post-racing days, along with my son Richie's racing career. You can order the book through our Web site at www.marvinpanch.com or come see me at one of my appearances.