In the 1966 domestic auto racing season, NASCAR’s Grand National Series saw David Pearson capture his first championship with 15 wins in 42 starts, outpacing consistent but winless runner-up James Hylton, while Richard Petty claimed the Daytona 500.
In the USAC Championship Car series, rising star Mario Andretti won his first national title in a 16-race season, showcasing strong consistency across ovals and road courses. The highlight was the Indianapolis 500, where British Formula One champion Graham Hill (a rookie at Indy) inherited the lead late after mechanical issues sidelined early dominator Jackie Stewart and held off Jim Clark for the victory in a dramatic, attrition-filled race with few finishers.
Internationally, the 1966 Formula One season introduced the new 3-litre engine formula. Jack Brabham secured his third Drivers’ Championship (and the Constructors’ title for his Brabham-Repco team) through reliable performance and summer dominance, while standout wins included Jackie Stewart at Monaco, John Surtees at Belgium, and Jim Clark at the U.S. Grand Prix.
