The 1968 NASCAR Grand National Series delivered one of the most competitive seasons of the era, featuring 48 races across a mix of short tracks, dirt ovals, and superspeedways. David Pearson, driving the #17 Ford for Holman-Moody, captured his second championship with a career-high 16 wins, 36 top-five finishes, and 38 top-ten results in 48 starts, edging out Bobby Isaac (who had 3 wins) by a relatively narrow margin in the final standings.
Richard Petty also secured 16 victories in his Plymouth but finished third in points after a strong season that included consistent short-track dominance. Cale Yarborough shone on the big tracks in limited starts for Wood Brothers Racing, winning the prestigious Daytona 500 from the pole in a Mercury after leading 76 laps in a thrilling battle with LeeRoy Yarbrough.
The season highlighted intense manufacturer rivalries between Ford, Dodge, and Plymouth, with rising talents like Bobby Allison (2 wins) and emerging superspeedway specialists adding depth. Pearson’s remarkable consistency on short tracks combined with key superspeedway performances proved decisive in securing the title, capping a year of high drama and close racing across America’s ovals.
April 28, 1968
