In the United States, the 1964 racing season was one of the deadliest in motorsport history. In NASCAR’s grueling 62-race Grand National schedule, Richard Petty captured his first championship, winning nine races—including his inaugural Daytona 500—in a Plymouth powered by the new Chrysler Hemi engine. Ned Jarrett finished second with 15 victories. The year was marred by tragedy: reigning champion Joe Weatherly died at Riverside in January, Fireball Roberts succumbed to burns from a fiery crash at the World 600 in May, and several others lost their lives in testing or competition.
IndyCar racing also suffered. A.J. Foyt won the Indianapolis 500 for the second time, but the race is remembered for a horrifying second-lap, seven-car crash that killed Eddie Sachs instantly and Dave MacDonald two hours later from severe burns after a massive fuel fire. Additional USAC fatalities that year included Bill Horstmeyer and Bobby Marshman.
Internationally, the 1964 Formula One season was relatively safer amid the high drama of ten Grands Prix. British legend John Surtees became the only person to win world titles on both two and four wheels, claiming the Drivers’ Championship for Ferrari by a single point in a thrilling finale in Mexico City. Graham Hill finished second for BRM, while defending champion Jim Clark placed third. Ferrari also took the Constructors’ title.
Overall, 1964 delivered thrilling competition across disciplines but stood as a sobering year that accelerated major safety reforms in American open-wheel and stock car racing.
