The 1964 NASCAR Grand National season was one of the most dramatic and historic in the sport’s early years. Spanning 62 races from November 1963 to November 1964, it marked Richard Petty’s first championship. Driving for Petty Enterprises, the young star won nine races—including his first Daytona 500—and posted an impressive 43 top-10 finishes in 61 starts to claim the title.
Ned Jarrett finished second in points despite racking up an incredible 15 wins, mostly on short tracks. David Pearson, Billy Wade, and Jimmy Pardue rounded out the top five. The season introduced Chrysler’s powerful Hemi engine, which helped Plymouth and Dodge cars challenge Ford’s dominance on superspeedways.
Tragedy overshadowed the competition. Two-time champion Joe Weatherly was killed in a crash at Riverside in January. Then, during the World 600 at Charlotte in May, popular driver Fireball Roberts suffered severe burns in a fiery multi-car wreck and died 39 days later. His death prompted major safety improvements, including the development of fire-retardant suits and safer fuel cells.
Another milestone came when Wendell Scott became the first African-American driver to win a Grand National race at Jacksonville. With high speeds, mechanical failures, and growing safety concerns, the 1964 season blended thrilling competition with a sobering push toward a safer future in NASCAR.
November 17, 1963
January 19, 1964
April 5, 1964
May 24, 1964
October 18, 1964