Editor’s Note: NASCAR is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2023. “If we go to a major NASCAR race with 1,001 tires and it’s the best tire there — we couldn’t prove it because no one (in the media) would run it,” McCrary lamented. The 1966 Grand National champ was runner-up in 12 more races, usually behind Petty or Cale Yarborough. A part-time Grand National participant in 1968, Isaac drove his Dodge Charger to 36 top-10s and three victories. The Mercury Cyclone driver was named Ford’s “Man of the Year” after the season. Petty had been unhappy with Chrysler’s commitment to Plymouth racing all season, and at one point had requested a Dodge Charger to race, but was denied.

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