The 1966 Motor Trend 500, held on January 23 at the challenging 2.7-mile, nine-turn Riverside International Raceway in California, was the second race of the NASCAR Grand National season and a showcase for road-course mastery.
Dan Gurney, driving the #121 Wood Brothers Ford, started second behind pole-sitter David Pearson and delivered a masterclass performance, leading 148 of the 185 laps to claim his fourth consecutive victory in the event—earning the race the nickname “The Gurney 500.” Gurney cruised to the win with an average speed of 97.952 mph, finishing about 70 seconds ahead of Pearson, who led 10 laps early before fading. Curtis Turner, in another Wood Brothers Ford, mixed it up with 27 laps led and finished fourth (one lap down), while Paul Goldsmith rounded out the podium in third. The race saw nine lead changes among just three drivers and two caution periods, though mechanical woes plagued many stars. Richard Petty’s Plymouth suffered an engine failure after 105 laps, Cale Yarborough lost a transmission, and A.J. Foyt also retired early. Several accidents occurred, including one involving Mario Andretti (making his NASCAR debut) that dropped him to 16th.
Gurney’s effortless style drew praise from Motor Trend observers, who noted he “never appeared to overextend himself” and credited the superior Ford, Goodyear tires, and the legendary Wood Brothers pit crew for the dominant effort. He pocketed $18,445 for the victory. The event highlighted the demanding nature of Riverside’s switchbacks and elevation changes, where many drivers struggled with the tight, technical layout. It remains a highlight of Gurney’s limited but highly successful NASCAR road-course career and a memorable early-season stop on the 1966 tour.
