Cup Series, NASCAR, Uncategorized

Brands You May Have Forgotten Raced in NASCAR

Toyota, Chevrolet, and Ford. We all know the big 3 in NASCAR without even having to think about it. But what about the brands that previously raced? Can you name all of them? Probably not. I know I sure couldn’t without sitting down and thinking long and hard about it. Dodge and Pontiac probably come quickly to some of the slightly older fans from the 90’s & 00’s time (damn, I feel old typing that).

Let’s take a look back at some of those brands that adorned the flat tracks and the high banks of the past of NASCAR.

Dodge

Image: Dodge

Since their sudden exit from the sport in 2012, Dodge is one of the most in-demand brands to return. Despite an approved body in 2013 for the Gen 6 car and a title the season before, Dodge pulled out of NASCAR as a whole before the cars hit the track in 2013.

Buick

Buick was, yet again, another GM brand that raced in NASCAR. You would have seen cars cars from the brand racing from 1976-1992 even though GM cut factory support after the 1991 season.

Oldsmobile

Image: North Wilkesboro FB Account

Olds, as many called it for short, was just one of the multiple GM brands that raced in NASCAR, racing from the 1960s through the 1990s. Although some teams ran them later on, GM cut factory support following 1992.

Lincoln

Yes, Ford Motor Company’s luxury brand had its time racing in NASCAR. Lincolns could be seen racing throughout the early days of NASCAR, and by early, I mean 1949 and into the 50s. But did you know that in 1996, KH Racing actually developed a new car to replace their aging Thunderbirds? supposedly with Ford’s blessing, the team worked on a MKVIII body to replace Ford’s Thunderbird. But Ford stepped in and put an end to the effort to bring Lincoln back to the track.

Chrysler

Chrysler was another one of the original brands running in Stock Car racing’s highest series. Racing in NASCAR from the 50s to the late 80s, Chrysler Corporation eventually cut down to their sporty brand, Dodge.

Mercury

Mercury was Ford Motor Company’s mid-range brand, but did you know that Mercury raced from the 50s into the 70s with their most iconic car being the red & white No. 21 Cyclone of Cale Yarbrough throughout the 70s.

Plymouth

Image: Mecum Auctions

Plymouth raced in NASCAR from the 50s-70s with their most iconic car being those Petty Blue No. 43s. Plymouth’s Superbird with its massive wing is arguably one of the most recognizable cars in NASCAR history.

Pontiac

Image: NASCAR Archives

From Chieftains in the 50s through the early-00s with the Grand Prix, Pontiac became Iconic in NASCAR. Racing until 2003, Pontiac saw Championships and 154 Cup Series victories with their last being the closest in history to that point, 0.002 seconds at Darlington.

Other Brands

  • Aston Martin
  • Hudson
  • AMC
  • Citroen
  • Edsel
  • Porsche
  • Jaguar
  • Packard
  • Volkswagen
  • Austin-Healey
  • MG
  • Alfa Romeo
  • Henry
  • & Many More!

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