1957 NASCAR Daytona Beach & Road Course Race – It was exactly 60 years ago today, Feb 17 1957, the era of Pontiac Performance officially began with Cotton Owens giving Pontiac their first NASCAR victory. Back in 1957 the automotive competition call Speed Weeks culminated with the 160 mile Daytona beach & road course race. For the start of the race, Pontiacs occupied 3 of the top 6 grid positions, with Banjo Matthews on the pole in car #8, Cotton Owens 3rd on the grid in car #6 and Darel Dieringe

1957 NASCAR Qualifying for Daytona Beach & Road Course Race – It was 60 years ago this month, back in 1957 the automotive competition call Speed Weeks culminated with the 160 mile Daytona beach & road course race. Once the cars are prepared and inspected, the qualifying runs establish grid positions for the race. Darel Dieringer in a John Zink Pontiac qualifies at 130.8 mph, good enough for 6th position on the grid. Cotton Owens in a Ray Nichels Pontiac qualifies at 132.1 mph, placing him 3rd on