1964

April 12th

The newly named Joe Weatherly Memorial was run at Orange Speedway. David Pearson took the pole position and was pretty much dominant in an attrition filled event that saw only nine cars finish out of twenty seven. At the end, David Pearson took the victory over Dick Hutcherson by 3 laps.

September 20th

David Pearson again was stout in qualifying and took the pole. He battled hard all day with Richard Petty and Ned Jarrett. But with 37 laps to go, Pearson dropped about because of a fan belt and handed the lead over to Ned Jarrett. Jarrett had to survive a challenge from Cotton Owens but had enough to secure the win. Another note to this race is that is whs the final race for driver Jimmy Pardue. Jimmy was killed in a tire test two days later in Charlotte. Ned Jarrett pocketed $1,550 for the win.

1963——1965

Junior Johnson

Junior Johnson was born on June 28, 1931 in Wilkes County, NC. Junior was an successful racer and car owner in his career. He started his racing career in 1953 at the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. He would win his first race in 1955 at Hickory Motor Speedway. His biggest win was in 1960 when he received the checkered flag at the Daytona 500. He finished his career with 50 wins. He had one win at the Occoneechee/Orange Speedway. His final win would come at the 1965 Wilkes 400 in North Wilesboro, NC. His last race was at the 1966 American 500 in Rockingham, NC. As an owner he would finish with 6 championships with Cale Yarborough and Darrell Waltrip as drivers. He is an 2010 Nascar Hall of Fame inductee.

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