NASCAR Race Legend - Marvin Panch
Marvin Panch began his career in racing as a car owner in California.
In 1949 when his driver didn't show up for a race, Marvin hopped in the car and drove it to a third place finish.
He decided he could do his own driving and got his first big win that same year at Balboa Stadium, a dirt track in San Diego.
He continued his racing in California for the next six years.
During that time, he won many races and one championship.
In 1953, Marvin decided to try the East Coast racing scene and traveled to Darlington.
He finished 28th and his driving skills caught the eye of Lee Petty.
He got an invitation to come back the following year to drive a Petty car.
This time he finished 3rd.
By 1956 Marvin Panch had won his first Grand National in Montgomery, Alabama where he won the pole and dominated the whole 100-mile event.
Marvin had been driving for the Ford factory team but in 1957 Ford pulled out of racing and Marvin's career took a nose-dive.
He only competed in 24 races in the next three seasons.
In 1961 he was offered a ride in a Pontiac to run the Daytona 500 which he won, putting his career back on track.
He was soon hired by the Woods Brothers to drive their Ford.
"We had a lot of success together", said Panch.
"We won some races and always finished up good when we didn't win.
It was like having money in the bank.
" In 1966, due to a rules dispute, Ford Motor Company again pulled out of NASCAR, leaving Panch without a ride--but not for long.
He soon found himself in another Petty car and won the 1966 Charlotte 600, his 17th and last career victory.
He retired that October.
Marvin Panch was inducted into the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame in 1987 and was named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers in 1988.
Throughout his career in racing, he drove for some of the top car builders such as Smokey Yunick, the Woods Brothers, Ray Fox Holman-Moody and Petty Enterprises.
"I feel that I cornered the market when it comes to driving for some of the best car builders in the business.
I rate them all very highly," said Panch.
Born: May 28, 1926 Birthplace: Menomonie, Wisconsin Awards: 1998 Named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers 2002 Inducted into the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame 1987 Inducted into the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame Racing Statistics: 216 races over 15 years Best Cup position: 2nd 1957, Grand National Last race: 1966 National 500 (Charlotte) First win: 1956 (Montgomery) Last win: 1966 World 600 (Charlotte) By: Cindy Pischel
In 1949 when his driver didn't show up for a race, Marvin hopped in the car and drove it to a third place finish.
He decided he could do his own driving and got his first big win that same year at Balboa Stadium, a dirt track in San Diego.
He continued his racing in California for the next six years.
During that time, he won many races and one championship.
In 1953, Marvin decided to try the East Coast racing scene and traveled to Darlington.
He finished 28th and his driving skills caught the eye of Lee Petty.
He got an invitation to come back the following year to drive a Petty car.
This time he finished 3rd.
By 1956 Marvin Panch had won his first Grand National in Montgomery, Alabama where he won the pole and dominated the whole 100-mile event.
Marvin had been driving for the Ford factory team but in 1957 Ford pulled out of racing and Marvin's career took a nose-dive.
He only competed in 24 races in the next three seasons.
In 1961 he was offered a ride in a Pontiac to run the Daytona 500 which he won, putting his career back on track.
He was soon hired by the Woods Brothers to drive their Ford.
"We had a lot of success together", said Panch.
"We won some races and always finished up good when we didn't win.
It was like having money in the bank.
" In 1966, due to a rules dispute, Ford Motor Company again pulled out of NASCAR, leaving Panch without a ride--but not for long.
He soon found himself in another Petty car and won the 1966 Charlotte 600, his 17th and last career victory.
He retired that October.
Marvin Panch was inducted into the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame in 1987 and was named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers in 1988.
Throughout his career in racing, he drove for some of the top car builders such as Smokey Yunick, the Woods Brothers, Ray Fox Holman-Moody and Petty Enterprises.
"I feel that I cornered the market when it comes to driving for some of the best car builders in the business.
I rate them all very highly," said Panch.
Born: May 28, 1926 Birthplace: Menomonie, Wisconsin Awards: 1998 Named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers 2002 Inducted into the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame 1987 Inducted into the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame Racing Statistics: 216 races over 15 years Best Cup position: 2nd 1957, Grand National Last race: 1966 National 500 (Charlotte) First win: 1956 (Montgomery) Last win: 1966 World 600 (Charlotte) By: Cindy Pischel
