Pontiac won its first Daytona 500 in 1961 with legendary mechanic Smokey Yunick and veteran driver Marvin Panch. Here’s an excellent six-minute race summary. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Smokey Yunick
Smokey Yunick’s Winged Watson-Offy
Who was the first to use an aerodynamic wing on a race car? We wouldn’t attempt to tackle that one, but we can name one of the early adopters: Smokey Yunick at Indy in 1962. Continue reading
Video: A Few Choice Words From Smokey Yunick
Smokey Yunick was racing’s American folk hero. Here’s Smokey himself circa 1996, offering his unique opinions on NASCAR, Bill France Jr, his old friend AJ Foyt, and other choice topics.
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Off the Wall: Smokey Yunick’s Python Roadster
The Python may not be as well-known as some other Smokey Yunick creations, but it was as radical as any of them. Here’s the story behind a race car that leaned into the turns. Continue reading
Video: Fireball Roberts and Smokey Yunick Dominate the 1962 Daytona 500
Fireball Roberts and his Pontiac were the class of the field at Daytona in 1962, propelled by the skills of crew chief Smokey Yunick. Watch them crush the field in this original 1962 newsreel. Continue reading
A Quick Visit With Smokey Yunick
Here’s a familiar photo from the GM media archives featuring Smokey Yunick on the pit wall at the 1962 Daytona 500. There’s a lot going on here, so let’s take a closer look. Continue reading
Another Look at Smokey Yunick’s Capsule Car
One of the most unusual Indy cars ever built, Smokey Yunick’s 1964 capsule car continues to fascinate race fans to this day. Here’s a detailed look. -Indianapolis Motor Speedway photos Continue reading