Car and Track
Encyclopedia
Car and Track was America's first nationally syndicated auto racing
and car test television show. Produced by Car and Track Productions, it was hosted by Bud Lindemann
, a famous race commentator of the time.
It is believed to have run from 1967 to 1975, with 80 or more episodes originally airing on CBS
. In later years, the cable television station Speedvision (which in 2002 became the Speed Channel
), aired re-runs from approximately 1996 to 2002. In 2005, network executives revamped the old program, turning it into a primetime NASCAR
history highlight show retitled Back in the Day
, and hosted by NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
It now had a modern, more mass appeal look, though only highlighting select NASCAR racing footage the show carried. The ending of the show does pay homage to the original ending, showing the original host Bud Lindemann's goodbye quote. The quotes varied among episodes but usually stated, "..and drive safely, won't you? All the pros do."
Aside from the show's large attention to NASCAR racing, it also included various other American racing. Including NHRA drag racing
, USAC
stock car and Champ Car
racing (Champ Car at that time implied USAC) and Sprint car racing
on paved and dirt ovals. Also featured were IHRA
Funny Car
and Top Fuel
drag racing events.
The series used stock music cues from NFL Films
for its varied features, such as in coverage of the 1974 Daytona 500
, which used a music cue that opened NFL Films' 1974 Pittsburgh Steelers season review film
. The show's 1968 opening theme (using footage from Rockingham
and Daytona
shot in 1965 and footage of one of Andy Granatelli
's turbine Indycars at Milwaukee
in 1968) was a variation of a cue used by NFL Films in its film recap of Super Bowl III
.
was accompanied for high-speed safety training at the Skip Barber Racing School behind the wheel of a Oldsmobile Cutlass
. Footage of other events, such as stunt and arena shows or conceptual auto displays, was often used to close the show.
s" seemed to make up the bulk of the reviews, and Bud Lindemann seemed to express extra enthusiasm for them, economy cars, Jeep
s, and even motorhomes were also occasionally tested. Vehicles were shown in then original forms. As in today's car testing methods, the vehicles were usually the highest level furnished of the model, or in some instances prototypes.
Prototypes included:
Production vehicles tested included:
Auto racing
Auto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of cars for competition. It is one of the world's most watched televised sports.-The beginning of racing:...
and car test television show. Produced by Car and Track Productions, it was hosted by Bud Lindemann
Bud Lindemann
Gordon "Bud" Lindemann was a pioneer in motor sports broadcasting.-Early history:Lindemann graduated from high school in 1940. He joined the United States Coast Guard during World War II, and was stationed on the USS Eastwind in the North Atlantic...
, a famous race commentator of the time.
It is believed to have run from 1967 to 1975, with 80 or more episodes originally airing on CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
. In later years, the cable television station Speedvision (which in 2002 became the Speed Channel
SPEED Channel
Speed , is a cable and satellite television network broadcast to various parts of North America, but primarily the United States...
), aired re-runs from approximately 1996 to 2002. In 2005, network executives revamped the old program, turning it into a primetime NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
history highlight show retitled Back in the Day
Back in the Day (SPEED Channel program)
Back in the Day is a television show on the North American cable/satellite network, Speed Channel. It is hosted by NASCAR superstar driver Dale Earnhardt, Jr....
, and hosted by NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
* NOTE: References to "Earnhardt", "he", and "him" refer to the subject of this article, unless otherwise specified. References to his father will include "Sr."...
It now had a modern, more mass appeal look, though only highlighting select NASCAR racing footage the show carried. The ending of the show does pay homage to the original ending, showing the original host Bud Lindemann's goodbye quote. The quotes varied among episodes but usually stated, "..and drive safely, won't you? All the pros do."
Aside from the show's large attention to NASCAR racing, it also included various other American racing. Including NHRA drag racing
Drag racing
Drag racing is a competition in which specially prepared automobiles or motorcycles compete two at a time to be the first to cross a set finish line, from a standing start, in a straight line, over a measured distance, most commonly a ¼-mile straight track....
, USAC
United States Automobile Club
The United States Auto Club is one of the sanctioning bodies of auto racing in the United States. From 1956 to 1979, the USAC sanctioned the United States National Championship, and from 1956 to 1997 the organization sanctioned the Indianapolis 500...
stock car and Champ Car
Champ Car
Champ Car was the name for a class and specification of open wheel cars used in American Championship Car Racing for many decades, primarily for use in the Indianapolis 500 auto race...
racing (Champ Car at that time implied USAC) and Sprint car racing
Sprint car racing
Sprint cars are high-powered race cars designed primarily for the purpose of running on short oval or circular dirt or paved tracks. Sprint car racing is popular in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa....
on paved and dirt ovals. Also featured were IHRA
International Hot Rod Association
The International Hot Rod Association, also known as IHRA, is the 2nd largest drag racing sanctioning body after the NHRA.-The Carrier Era:The IHRA was formed in November 1970 by businessman Larry Carrier. Throughout this period the organization was operated primarily in the south-eastern United...
Funny Car
Funny Car
Funny Car is a drag racing car class. In the United States, other "professional" classes are Top Fuel, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle. Funny cars have forward-mounted engines and carbon fiber automotive bodies over the chassis, giving them an appearance vaguely approximating manufacturers'...
and Top Fuel
Top Fuel
Top Fuel racing is a class of drag racing in which the cars are run on a mix of approximately 90% nitromethane and 10% methanol rather than gasoline or simply methanol. The cars are purpose-built for drag racing, with an exaggerated layout that in some ways resembles open-wheel circuit racing...
drag racing events.
The series used stock music cues from NFL Films
NFL Films
NFL Films is a Mount Laurel, New Jersey-based company devoted to producing commercials, television programs, feature films, and documentaries on the National Football League, as well as other unrelated major events and awards shows...
for its varied features, such as in coverage of the 1974 Daytona 500
Daytona 500
The Daytona 500 is a -long NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is one of four restrictor plate races on the Cup schedule....
, which used a music cue that opened NFL Films' 1974 Pittsburgh Steelers season review film
1974 Pittsburgh Steelers season
-NFL Draft:In the 1974 NFL Draft, Pittsburgh Steelers are the only team in NFL history to select four Pro Football Hall of Fame players in the same draft .* Round 1: Lynn Swann, USC...
. The show's 1968 opening theme (using footage from Rockingham
North Carolina Speedway
Rockingham Speedway, formerly North Carolina Motor Speedway and later North Carolina Speedway is a racetrack located near Rockingham, North Carolina...
and Daytona
Daytona International Speedway
Daytona International Speedway is a race track in Daytona Beach, Florida, United States. Since opening in 1959, it has been the home of the Daytona 500, one of the most prestigious races in NASCAR. In addition to NASCAR, the track also hosts races of ARCA, AMA Superbike, Grand-Am and Motocross...
shot in 1965 and footage of one of Andy Granatelli
Andy Granatelli
Anthony "Andy" Granatelli was the CEO of STP.Along with brothers Vince and Joe, Andy first worked as an auto mechanic and 'speed-shop' entrepreneur, modifying engines such as the 'flathead' Ford into racing-quality equipment...
's turbine Indycars at Milwaukee
Milwaukee Mile
The Milwaukee Mile is a -long oval race track in West Allis, Wisconsin that seats about 40,000 spectators. It operated as a dirt track until 1953. The track was paved in 1954....
in 1968) was a variation of a cue used by NFL Films in its film recap of Super Bowl III
Super Bowl III
Super Bowl III was the third AFL-NFL Championship Game in professional American football, but the first to officially bear the name "Super Bowl". This game is regarded as one of the greatest upsets in sports history...
.
Notable races the series covered
- 1968 Milwaukee 200 (Indycars)
- 1968 Southeastern 500 (NASCAR)
- 1968 Carolina and American 500s at RockinghamNorth Carolina SpeedwayRockingham Speedway, formerly North Carolina Motor Speedway and later North Carolina Speedway is a racetrack located near Rockingham, North Carolina...
(NASCAR) - 1968 Michigan 200 (Indycars)
- 1968 250-mile Indycar race at Hanford Speedway
- 1969 Motor State 500 (NASCAR)
- 1969 American 500 plus recap of 1969 season
- 1970 California 500
- 1971 Winston Western 500Winston Western 500The Winston Western 500 was an annual NASCAR Winston Cup race held at Riverside International Raceway in Riverside, California, USA, in January, and then in later years, November. From 1963 to 1981, the race was held in January and was the season opening race...
(NASCAR) - 1971 Miller 500Los Angeles Times 500The Los Angeles Times 500 was an annual NASCAR Winston Cup race held at Ontario Motor Speedway in Ontario, California, USA, in February from 1971 to 1972 and in November from 1974 to 1980.-Race winners:Miller High Life 500*1971 - A.J. Foyt*1972 - A.J...
(NASCAR) - 1971 World 600 (NASCAR)
- 1971 Michigan 400
- 1972 USAC stock cars at Wisconsin International RacewayWisconsin International RacewayThe Wisconsin International Raceway is a stockcar racing oval and drag strip in the Town of Buchanan, in Outagamie County, just outside Kaukauna, Wisconsin, USA.-Stockcar track:...
- 1972 Miller 500Los Angeles Times 500The Los Angeles Times 500 was an annual NASCAR Winston Cup race held at Ontario Motor Speedway in Ontario, California, USA, in February from 1971 to 1972 and in November from 1974 to 1980.-Race winners:Miller High Life 500*1971 - A.J. Foyt*1972 - A.J...
- 1972 Winston 500Aaron's 499The Aaron's 499 is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stock car auto race held at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama. The race has always been held in late April or early May. The Aaron's 499 is also one of four races currently run with restrictor plates, the others being the AMP Energy 500,...
- 1972 Michigan 400
- 1972 Michigan 200 (Indycars)
- 1973 Daytona 500Daytona 500The Daytona 500 is a -long NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is one of four restrictor plate races on the Cup schedule....
- 1973 Daytona qualifying races in separate episodes (NASCAR)
- 1973 Rebel 500
- 1973 World 600
- 1974 USAC sprint cars at Winchester SpeedwayWinchester SpeedwayWinchester Speedway is a half-mile paved oval motor racetrack in White River Township, Randolph County, just outside Winchester, Indiana, approximately northeast of Indianapolis. It seats 4000 spectators. It is also known as the "World's Fastest 1/2 mile"....
- 1974 Winston Western 500Winston Western 500The Winston Western 500 was an annual NASCAR Winston Cup race held at Riverside International Raceway in Riverside, California, USA, in January, and then in later years, November. From 1963 to 1981, the race was held in January and was the season opening race...
(NASCAR) - 1974 Daytona 5001974 Daytona 500During the start of the 1974 NASCAR season, many races had their distance cut ten percent in response to the energy crisis of the year. As a result, the 1974 Daytona 500, won by Richard Petty , was shortened to 180 laps , as symbolically, the race "started" on Lap 21 and the race is often known as...
- 1974 Sportsman 300 (NASCAR)
- 1974 Carolina 500 (NASCAR)
- 1974 Rebel 500
- 1974 Southeastern 500
- 1974 Cardinal 500 doubleheader at Martinsville SpeedwayMartinsville SpeedwayMartinsville Speedway is an International Speedway Corporation-owned NASCAR stock car racing track located in Henry County, near Ridgeway, Virginia, just to the south of Martinsville. At in length, it is the shortest track in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The track was also one of the first paved...
(NASCAR) - 1974 Winston 500Aaron's 499The Aaron's 499 is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stock car auto race held at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama. The race has always been held in late April or early May. The Aaron's 499 is also one of four races currently run with restrictor plates, the others being the AMP Energy 500,...
- 1974 Phoenix 150Phoenix 150The Lucas Oil 150 is a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race that takes place at Phoenix International Raceway.From 1995 until 1998, two races were held each year at Phoenix for the series.-Past winners:...
(Indycars) - 1974 World 600
- 1975 Sportsman 300
- 1975 Carolina 500
- 1975 Atlanta 500
- 1975 Rebel 500
- 1975 Cardinal 500 doubleheader at Martinsville SpeedwayMartinsville SpeedwayMartinsville Speedway is an International Speedway Corporation-owned NASCAR stock car racing track located in Henry County, near Ridgeway, Virginia, just to the south of Martinsville. At in length, it is the shortest track in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The track was also one of the first paved...
- 1975 Virginia 500 (NASCAR)
- 1975 Winston 500Aaron's 499The Aaron's 499 is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stock car auto race held at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama. The race has always been held in late April or early May. The Aaron's 499 is also one of four races currently run with restrictor plates, the others being the AMP Energy 500,...
- 1975 Vulcan 200 at TalladegaTalladega SuperspeedwayTalladega Superspeedway is a motorsports complex located north of Talladega, Alabama, United States. It is located on the former Anniston Air Force Base just outside the small city of Lincoln. It was constructed by International Speedway Corporation, a business controlled by the France Family, in...
(ARCA stock cars) and California 500 at OntarioOntario Motor SpeedwayThe Ontario Motor Speedway, located in Ontario, California, east of Los Angeles, was the first and only automobile racing facility built to accommodate major races sanctioned by all of the four dominant racing sanctioning bodies: IndyCar Series and USAC for open-wheel oval car races; NASCAR for a ...
(Indycars)
Other
From time-to-time, other features, such as safety reports and driver safety education segments, would be included. In one 1971 episode actor James GarnerJames Garner
James Garner is an American film and television actor, one of the first Hollywood actors to excel in both media. He has starred in several television series spanning a career of more than five decades...
was accompanied for high-speed safety training at the Skip Barber Racing School behind the wheel of a Oldsmobile Cutlass
Oldsmobile Cutlass
The Oldsmobile Cutlass is a line of automobiles made by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors. The Cutlass began as a unibody compact car, but saw its greatest success as a body-on-frame intermediate car....
. Footage of other events, such as stunt and arena shows or conceptual auto displays, was often used to close the show.
Automotive reports and testing
New car testing in the show did not focus exclusively on one particular type of vehicle. Although "muscle carMuscle car
Muscle car is a term used to refer to a variety of high-performance automobiles. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines muscle cars as "any of a group of American-made 2-door sports coupes with powerful engines designed for high-performance driving." Usually, a large V8 engine is fitted in a...
s" seemed to make up the bulk of the reviews, and Bud Lindemann seemed to express extra enthusiasm for them, economy cars, Jeep
Jeep
Jeep is an automobile marque of Chrysler . The first Willys Jeeps were produced in 1941 with the first civilian models in 1945, making it the oldest off-road vehicle and sport utility vehicle brand. It inspired a number of other light utility vehicles, such as the Land Rover which is the second...
s, and even motorhomes were also occasionally tested. Vehicles were shown in then original forms. As in today's car testing methods, the vehicles were usually the highest level furnished of the model, or in some instances prototypes.
Prototypes included:
- 1968 Dodge ChargerDodge ChargerThe Dodge Charger is an American automobile manufactured by the Dodge division of Chrysler. There have been several different Dodge vehicles, built on three different platforms and sizes, all bearing the Charger nameplate...
500 concept - 1969 Ford MustangFord MustangThe Ford Mustang is an automobile manufactured by the Ford Motor Company. It was initially based on the second generation North American Ford Falcon, a compact car. Introduced early on April 17, 1964, as a "1964½" model, the 1965 Mustang was the automaker's most successful launch since the Model A...
Mach 1 concept - 1969 AMC AMXAMC AMXThe AMC AMX is a two-seat GT in style and approach sports car that was produced by American Motors Corporation for the 1968 through 1970 model years. The AMX was also classified as a muscle car, but "unique among other American cars at the time due its short wheelbase"...
390 'prototype'
Production vehicles tested included:
- 1968 Hurst OldsmobileOldsmobile Hurst/OldsFollowing the success of Hurst components in Oldsmobile's 442 models, Oldsmobile, in collaboration with Hurst Performance of Warminster, Pennsylvania, produced special-edition performance versions of the 442 or Cutlass Supreme, the Hurst/Olds.-1968:...
455, 1 of 515 made - 1969 Avanti II
- 1969 Chevrolet ImpalaChevrolet ImpalaThe Chevrolet Impala is a full-size automobile built by the Chevrolet division of General Motors introduced for the 1958 model year. Deriving its name from the southern African antelope, Chevrolet's most expensive passenger model through 1965 had become the best-selling automobile in the United...
- 1970 Mercury MarquisMercury MarquisThese were known as the "Continental Styling" years, as Mercury was trying to market itself as an affordable Lincoln, rather than a more expensive Ford...
- 1971 Mercury CapriMercury Capri-First Generation :See also Ford CapriThe Mercury Capri was built in Cologne, Germany, and was sold through Lincoln-Mercury dealers in North America. The European Capri was first sold in the US in April 1970 and carried the Mercury marque identification as Ford already had a Mustang for the same...
1.6 - 1971 Dodge ChallengerDodge ChallengerThe Dodge Challenger is the name of three different generations of automobiles marketed by the Dodge division of Chrysler.The first generation Dodge Challenger was a pony car built from 1970 to 1974, using the Chrysler E platform and sharing major components with the Plymouth Barracuda. The second...
- 1971 Dodge ChargerDodge ChargerThe Dodge Charger is an American automobile manufactured by the Dodge division of Chrysler. There have been several different Dodge vehicles, built on three different platforms and sizes, all bearing the Charger nameplate...
SE (440 4-barrel) - 1971 Chrysler New YorkerChrysler New YorkerThe Chrysler New Yorker was a premium automobile built by the Chrysler Corporation from 1939–1996, serving for several years as the brand's flagship model. A model named the "New York Special" first appeared in the 1930s...
- 1971 Ford TorinoFord TorinoThe Ford Torino is an intermediate automobile produced by the Ford Motor Company for the North American market between 1968 and 1976. The car was named after the city of Turin , which is considered the Detroit of Italy...
(429) - 1971 Oldsmobile 442Oldsmobile 442The Oldsmobile 442 was a muscle car produced by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors. It was introduced as an option package for F-85 and Cutlass models sold in the United States beginning with the 1964 model year. It became a model in its own right from 1968 to 1971, then reverted to an...
W30 convertible 4-speed, 1 of 33 made - 1972 Buick RivieraBuick RivieraThe Riviera by Buick is an automobile produced by Buick in the United States from the 1963 to 1999 model years, with 1,127,261 produced.A full-size coupé or personal luxury car, the early models of the Riviera in particular have been highly praised by automotive journalists and writers.A common...
GS 455 - 1973 Buick GS 455 colonade
- 1974 Buick LesabreBuick LeSabre1959LeSabre and all other 1959 Buicks not only got new names, but all-new styling as well, adopting the new GM B- and C-body used on all of the corporation's full-sized cars...
455 2-barrel - 1974 Oldsmobile OmegaOldsmobile OmegaThe Omega was one of 2 more X-body Chevrolet Nova clones introduced in 1973 . Naturally it shared the Nova's body and many of its mechanicals, but it had its own unique nose and tail, and, being an Oldsmobile, it had a little fancier trim than the Nova...
S 350 4-barrel