The 1963 South Boston 400, the 17th race of the NASCAR Grand National season, was held on April 14 at the 0.375-mile South Boston Speedway in Virginia before 5,000 fans. A 16-car field contested 400 laps. Ned Jarrett won the pole in a Ford with a speed of 78.720 mph. Richard Petty started second in the Petty Enterprises Plymouth, took the lead on lap 76, and dominated the rest of the way, leading 325 of the 400 laps. He won by two full laps over teammate Jim Paschal, with Jarrett finishing third, Larry Manning fourth, and Earl Brooks fifth. The race ran caution-free at an average speed of 75.229 mph and featured just one lead change. Petty earned $1,500 for the victory.
