The 1966 NASCAR Grand National Series was shaped by manufacturer politics as much as on-track action. NASCAR allowed the powerful Chrysler 426 Hemi engine back into competition for the season, prompting Ford Motor Company to boycott the series in protest. Ford had pushed for its own high-performance 427 SOHC (“Cammer”) engine, but NASCAR imposed heavy weight penalties that made it uncompetitive against the lighter Hemi-powered Dodges and Plymouths. In April, Ford withdrew factory support and ordered its top drivers—including defending champion Ned Jarrett, Fred Lorenzen, and others—to sit out, threatening to cut contracts if they raced independently.
The boycott, which lasted roughly from mid-April through much of the summer, noticeably hurt attendance at several events. With reduced competition, Chrysler products dominated, winning 34 of the 49 races overall. David Pearson capitalized in his Cotton Owens Dodge Charger, taking 15 victories and the championship through consistency and short-track strength. Richard Petty added 8 wins (including the Daytona 500) in a Plymouth. Some independent Ford teams still competed early on, and Ford returned later in the year—often with concessions like the infamous “Yellow Banana” modified Galaxie at Atlanta—securing 13 wins total.
This episode of manufacturer brinkmanship highlighted the tense balance between factory involvement, engine rules, and NASCAR’s push for competitive balance, ultimately benefiting Chrysler on the track while underscoring how fragile the sport’s popularity was without all major players.
January 23, 1966
Early April 1966
Mid-August 1966