Marvin Panch facts for kids

Marvin Emil Panch (May 28, 1926 – December 31, 2015) was an American stock car racing driver. He was a champion in NASCAR, winning 17 top-level races during his 17-year career. Marvin is famous for winning the exciting 1961 Daytona 500 and the 1966 World 600.

Early Racing Days

Marvin Panch was born in Menomonie, Wisconsin, but he moved to California when he was young. He first got into racing by owning cars in Oakland, California. One day, his driver didn't show up for a race. So, Marvin decided to drive the car himself! He finished in third place.

After that, he became a driver. He won a championship and many races over six years. This included five NASCAR races on the West Coast of the United States.

Marvin's NASCAR Career

Marvin tried his first race on the East Coast of the United States in 1953 at Darlington Raceway. Bill France, Sr., who started NASCAR, encouraged him to race more on the East Coast in 1954. Lee Petty, another famous driver, invited Marvin to race at Darlington that year. Marvin finished third, which was a great start!

His good finish impressed Tom Horbison, who then hired Marvin to drive his car in 1955. Marvin's strong performances in 1955 caught the eye of Pete DePaolo. Pete hired Marvin to race for his factory Ford team. Marvin won his first NASCAR race on July 20, 1956, at Montgomery Speedway. He started from the very front (the pole position) and led most of the race.

In 1957, Marvin won two more races for DePaolo. He won another race in April before Ford stopped supporting factory teams. Marvin then joined the famous Holman-Moody team for the rest of the year. He won three more races that season and finished second in the overall points standings!

When Ford stopped its factory support, it made things harder for Marvin. Over the next three seasons, he could only race in 24 events.

However, things changed in 1961. A famous NASCAR mechanic named Smokey Yunick offered Marvin a chance to race in the 1961 Daytona 500. The car was a 1960 Pontiac. Marvin took the offer and won the 1961 Daytona 500! This big win helped get his career back on track.

In 1962, the well-known Wood Brothers team offered Marvin a spot. He joined their Ford factory-sponsored team. Marvin had a fantastic run with them, winning eight races and finishing in the top three 30 times in 69 races. He stayed with the Wood Brothers until March 1966, when Ford had another disagreement with NASCAR. In 1965, another legendary driver, A. J. Foyt, finished a race that Marvin had started. Foyt took the car to victory, and Marvin still got credit for the win!

In February 1963, Marvin was in a fiery crash at Daytona. Another driver, Tiny Lund, bravely pulled Marvin to safety. Tiny Lund was given the Carnegie Medal for being a hero. Tiny then went on to win the 1963 Daytona 500 in the car that Marvin was supposed to drive! Tiny said that Marvin would have done the same for him.

In 1966, Lee Petty hired Marvin to race for Petty Enterprises in the World 600. Marvin won this race, which was his final career victory. Lee Petty even helped him by driving part of the race as a relief driver. Marvin raced for Petty Enterprises until he decided to retire in October 1966 after the National 500 race at Charlotte.

Awards and Honors

Marvin Panch received many honors for his racing career. In 1998, he was named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers. He was also inducted into the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame in 1987. In 2002, he was part of the first group of people inducted into the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame.

Marvin's Family Life

Marvin's second wife, Bettie, started the Women's Auxiliary of Motorsports. Marvin had four children. Pamela and Marvann were from his first marriage to Hester Herrald. He also had Richard (who has passed away) and Marvette from his second marriage to Bettie Gong.

After winning the Daytona 500, Marvin bought land in Port Orange, Florida. He moved there after he retired from racing. Marvin passed away on December 31, 2015, from natural causes.