Just like Oldsmobile in 1949, Pontiac's first win came on the beach at Daytona. Cotton Owens did the honor.
But the fun stopped three months later. During the Virginia 500 at Martinsville, Billy Myers' car went into the crowd, injuring spectators, some seriously. The incident made national news wire reports. The Automobile Manufacturers Association, already concerned about the obsession for more horsepower, had seen enough. In June, the board of the organization voted unanimously that the industry have no association with automobile racing. Factory-backed drivers suddenly became independents.
Of course, technology was still very much a part of the picture. Engines were needed to propel passenger cars, and some of the engines were easily adaptable to high-performance applications. The forerunner to the big-block Chevy engines was already in progress. Though it would be many years before it was officially acknowledged, GM would play a key role in developing engines and technology to support racing.
Modern Success General Motors has been successful in racing throughout the world. At some point, General Motors has had the engine and/or car to beat, whether it was short track racing on a weekly basis, professional, straight line, oval track, or road course racing. There has been total domination in NASCAR's Winston Cup and victory in the Indianapolis 500. There have been countless short track wins and drag racing triumphs. The wins and championships that were accumulated over the past 100 years can be considered the start. With the emphasis returned to competition, GM and its competitors keep raising the standards to prove time and time again just who's best.
The first race 100 years ago may have ended in a draw, but General Motors has never settled for a tie. When it comes to the GM racing heritage, it's about 100 years of winning.
The PirateEngine-Modified Olds two-cylinderFueling-Pair of rocket-shaped tanksDrive-Rear-wheel drive, single chain driveSuspension-Full-length,axle-to-axle, semi-elliptic cantilever springsTires/Wheels-Bicycle type tires, wire spoke wheels
Ransom OldsAt the age of 26, Ransom Olds bought out his father in 1890, taking control of Olds Gasoline Engine Works. After an unsuccessful venture, he relocated from Michigan to New Jersey, seeking financial backing. He found his support in Samuel Smith of Detroit, and the company returned to Michigan. Olds experimented with and created a gasoline-powered automobile. After fire destroyed all but one car, Olds moved to Lansing and the new "curved dash" design became popular. Olds left the company in 1904 after a disagreement with Sam Smith's sons. Since his name remained with the company, Olds formed a new venture called REO (named after his initials) and served as president for 20 years. General Motors acquired Oldsmobile after Ransom Olds left the company.
Louis ChevroletHe started racing and building bicycles in his youth, but Swiss-born Louis Chevrolet wanted more speed and power. Driving race cars for the Buick Manufacturing Company propelled Chevrolet to the spotlight. He became acquainted with General Motors head Billy Durant, and Durant sought out Chevrolet upon his departure from GM. Durant asked Chevrolet to design a car to compete with the highly popular Ford Model T. The Chevrolet Motor Company rolled out its first car in 1913. While Louis Chevrolet was out of the country, Durant stepped in and made design changes, which angered Chevrolet. Louis Chevrolet then devoted his time to the development of racing cars, and once held a speed record of 111 mph.
Louis was the older brother of Gaston Chevrolet. Using a Chevrolet-designed Frontenac engine, Gaston won the Indianapolis 500 in 1920 (A Frontenac-powered car would win the following year with driver Tommy Milton). Gaston was killed in a Thanksgiving Day crash at California's Beverly Hills Speedway in 1920 at the age of 28.