The Interesting Story Behind NASCAR Banning The 1970 Plymouth Superbird

A Legendary Race Car

The 1970 Plymouth Superbird is one of the most iconic NASCAR race cars of all time. It was designed to be the fastest car on the track, and it succeeded in that goal. The Superbird won 10 races in its first season, and it helped Richard Petty win his second NASCAR championship.

The Rocket Scientist's Role

The Superbird's incredible speed came from a legit rocket scientist. Dr. Ray Miller was hired by Plymouth to design the car's aerodynamics. Miller had worked on the Apollo space program, and he used his knowledge to design a car that was both fast and stable.

Petty's Return to Plymouth

The Superbird was designed specifically to lure Petty back to Plymouth for the 1970 season. Petty had left Plymouth for Ford in 1969, but he was unhappy with the Ford cars. The Superbird was the car that convinced Petty to return to Plymouth.

The Aero Warriors

The Superbird was one of the four Aero Warriors, a group of cars that were designed to take advantage of NASCAR's new rules for 1970. The other Aero Warriors were the Dodge Charger Daytona, the Ford Torino Talladega, and the Mercury Cyclone Spoiler II.

NASCAR's Ban

The Superbird was so fast that it was banned by NASCAR after just one season. NASCAR officials were concerned that the car was too dangerous, and they did not want to see any more drivers get injured or killed.

Conclusion

The 1970 Plymouth Superbird is a legendary race car that had a significant impact on NASCAR. It was the fastest car on the track, and it helped Richard Petty win his second NASCAR championship. The Superbird was also one of the four Aero Warriors, a group of cars that were designed to take advantage of NASCAR's new rules for 1970. The Superbird was banned by NASCAR after just one season, but it remains one of the most iconic race cars of all time.