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{{Italic title}}{{Short description|American television show}}
'''''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 and produced by [[Bud Lindemann]], a famous race commentator of the time. After the TV series ended, Bud and his son David Lindemmann continued to film many types of racing. In the early days of NASCAR, they compiled one of the most important film libraries of the early days of NASCAR. Car and Track was based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This allowed them to have close relationships with Detroit automotive manufacturers and suppliers.
{{Single source|date=November 2022}}


'''''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 and produced by [[Bud Lindemann]], a famous race commentator of the time. After the TV series ended, Bud and his son David Lindemmann continued to film many types of racing. They compiled one of the most important film libraries of the early days of NASCAR. Car and Track was based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This allowed them to have close relationships with Detroit automotive manufacturers and suppliers.
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 (Speed Channel program)|''Back in the Day'']], and hosted by NASCAR driver [[Dale Earnhardt, Jr.]] <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nascar.com/2006/races/tune_in/01/19/dearnhardtjr.speed/index.html |title=Junior to host racing history series on Speed |date=January 19, 2006 |publisher=NASCAR.com |accessdate=June 6, 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604000439/http://www.nascar.com/2006/races/tune_in/01/19/dearnhardtjr.speed/index.html |archivedate=June 4, 2011 |df= }}</ref> 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."


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 (2006 TV program)|''Back in the Day'']], and hosted by NASCAR driver [[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nascar.com/2006/races/tune_in/01/19/dearnhardtjr.speed/index.html |title=Junior to host racing history series on Speed |date=January 19, 2006 |publisher=NASCAR.com |accessdate=June 6, 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604000439/http://www.nascar.com/2006/races/tune_in/01/19/dearnhardtjr.speed/index.html |archivedate=June 4, 2011 }}</ref> 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]], [[United States Automobile Club|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 [[International Hot Rod Association|IHRA]] [[Funny Car]] and [[Top Fuel]] drag racing events. One or more new-car road tests per episode were also featured. The racing library was not limited to automobiles, they even filmed snowmobile racing.


Aside from the show's large attention to NASCAR racing, it also included various other American racing including [[NHRA]] [[drag racing]], [[United States Automobile Club|USAC]] stock car and [[American open-wheel car racing|Champ Car]] racing (''Champ Car'' at that time implied ''USAC'') and [[sprint car racing]] on paved and dirt ovals. Also featured were [[International Hot Rod Association|IHRA]] [[Funny Car]] and [[Top Fuel]] drag racing events. One or more new-car road tests per episode were also featured. The racing library was not limited to automobiles, they even filmed snowmobile racing.
The series used stock music cues, most of them also used by [[NFL Films]], for its varied features, such as in coverage of the 1974 [[Daytona 500]], which used the [[Jack Trombey]] track "Military Attache," a cue that opened NFL Films' [[1974 Pittsburgh Steelers season|1974 Pittsburgh Steelers season review film]]. The show's 1968 opening theme (using footage from [[North Carolina Speedway|Rockingham]] and [[Daytona International Speedway|Daytona]] shot in 1965 and footage of one of [[Andy Granatelli]]'s turbine Indycars at [[Milwaukee Mile|Milwaukee]] in 1968) was a variation of Trombey's track "Rhythmical Interruption No. 2." A track used frequently was the [[Peter Reno]] track "Recoil." In the later years, the original music came from numerous southern source with everything from country to styles that are reminiscent of Jimmy Buffet.

The series used stock music cues, most of them also used by [[NFL Films]], for its varied features, such as in coverage of the 1974 [[Daytona 500]], which used the [[Jack Trombey]] track "Military Attache," a cue that opened NFL Films' [[1974 Pittsburgh Steelers season|1974 Pittsburgh Steelers season review film]]. The show's 1968 opening theme (using footage from [[Rockingham Speedway|Rockingham]] and [[Daytona International Speedway|Daytona]] shot in 1965 and footage of one of [[Andy Granatelli]]'s turbine Indycars at [[Milwaukee Mile|Milwaukee]] in 1968) was a variation of Trombey's track "Rhythmical Interruption No. 2." A track used frequently was the [[Cliff Twemlow|Peter Reno]] track "Recoil." In the later years, the original music came from numerous southern sources with everything from country to styles that are reminiscent of Jimmy Buffett.


==Notable races the series covered==
==Notable races the series covered==


:* 1968 [[ABC Supply Wisconsin 250|Rex Mays 150]] at [[Milwaukee Mile|Milwaukee]] (Indycars)
:* 1968 [[ABC Supply Wisconsin 250|Rex Mays 150]] at [[Milwaukee Mile|Milwaukee]] (Indycars)
:* 1968 [[1968 Southeastern 500|Southeastern 500]] (NASCAR)
:* [[1968 Southeastern 500]] (NASCAR)
:* 1968 Carolina and American 500s at [[North Carolina Speedway|Rockingham]] (NASCAR)
:* 1968 Carolina and American 500s at [[Rockingham Speedway|Rockingham]] (NASCAR)
:* 1968 Michigan 200 (Indycars) with test session interview with [[A.J. Foyt]]
:* 1968 [[Firestone Indy 400|Michigan 200]] (Indycars) with test session interview with [[A. J. Foyt]]
:* 1968 250-mile Indycar race at [[Marchbanks Speedway|Hanford Speedway]]
:* 1968 250-mile Indycar race at [[Marchbanks Speedway|Hanford Speedway]]
:* 1969 [[1969 Motor State 500|Motor State 500]] (NASCAR)
:* [[1969 Motor State 500]] (NASCAR)
:* 1969 [[American 500]] plus recap of 1969 season
:* 1969 [[Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400|American 500]] plus recap of 1969 season
:* 1970 [[California 500 (Indycar)|California 500]]
:* 1970 [[California 500 (Indycar)|California 500]]
:* 1971 [[Winston Western 500]] (NASCAR)
:* 1971 [[Winston Western 500]] (NASCAR)
:* 1971 [[Los Angeles Times 500|Miller 500]] (NASCAR)
:* 1971 [[Los Angeles Times 500|Miller 500]] and Permatex 250 at [[Ontario Motor Speedway]] in separate episodes (NASCAR)
:* 1971 [[World 600]] (NASCAR)
:* 1971 [[Coca-Cola 600|World 600]] (NASCAR)
:* 1971 [[Michigan 400]]
:* 1971 [[FireKeepers Casino 400|Michigan 400]]
:* 1972 USAC stock cars at [[Wisconsin International Raceway]]
:* 1972 USAC stock cars at [[Wisconsin International Raceway]]
:* 1972 [[Los Angeles Times 500|Miller 500]]
:* 1972 [[Los Angeles Times 500|Miller 500]]
:* 1972 [[Irwin Tools Night Race|Southeastern 500]] (NASCAR)
:* 1972 [[Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race|Southeastern 500]] (NASCAR)
:* 1972 [[Aaron's 499|Winston 500]]
:* 1972 [[GEICO 500|Winston 500]]
:* 1972 [[World 600]]
:* 1972 [[Coca-Cola 600|World 600]]
:* 1972 [[Michigan 400]]
:* 1972 [[FireKeepers Casino 400|Michigan 400]]
:* 1972 Michigan 200 (Indycars)
:* 1972 Michigan 200 (Indycars)
:* 1973 [[Daytona 500]]
:* [[1973 Daytona 500]]
:* 1973 [[Gatorade 125s|Daytona qualifying races]] in separate episodes (NASCAR)
:* 1973 [[Bluegreen Vacations Duel|Daytona qualifying races]] in separate episodes (NASCAR)
:* 1973 [[Goody's 300|Sportsman 300]] (NASCAR)
:* 1973 [[NASCAR Racing Experience 300|Sportsman 300]] (NASCAR)
:* 1973 [[Irwin Tools Night Race|Southeastern 500]] (NASCAR)
:* 1973 [[Bass Pro Shops NRA Night Race|Southeastern 500]] (NASCAR)
:* 1973 [[Rebel 500]]
:* 1973 [[Carolina Dodge Dealers 400|Rebel 500]]
:* 1973 [[Aaron's 499|Winston 500]] (NASCAR)
:* 1973 [[GEICO 500|Winston 500]] (NASCAR)
:* 1973 [[World 600]]
:* 1973 [[Coca-Cola 600|World 600]]
:* 1973 NAMAR midgets at [[Winchester Speedway]]
:* 1973 NAMAR midgets at [[Winchester Speedway]]
:* 1974 USAC sprint cars at [[Winchester Speedway]]
:* 1974 USAC sprint cars at [[Winchester Speedway]]
:* 1974 [[Winston Western 500]] (NASCAR)
:* 1974 [[Winston Western 500]] (NASCAR)
:* [[1974 Daytona 500]]
:* [[1974 Daytona 500]]
:* 1974 [[Goody's 300|Sportsman 300]] (NASCAR)
:* 1974 [[NASCAR Racing Experience 300|Sportsman 300]] (NASCAR)
:* 1974 [[Carolina 500]] plus Pit Crew competition (NASCAR)
:* 1974 [[Subway 400|Carolina 500]] plus Pit Crew competition (NASCAR)
:* 1974 [[XM Satellite Radio Indy 200|Phoenix 150]] (Indycars)
:* 1974 [[Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix|Phoenix 150]] (Indycars)
:* 1974 [[Rebel 500]]
:* 1974 [[Carolina Dodge Dealers 400|Rebel 500]]
:* 1974 [[Southeastern 500]]
:* 1974 [[Food City 500|Southeastern 500]]
:* 1974 [[Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300|Cardinal 500]] doubleheader at [[Martinsville Speedway]] (NASCAR)
:* 1974 [[Virginia is for Racing Lovers 300|Cardinal 500]] doubleheader at [[Martinsville Speedway]] (NASCAR)
:* 1974 [[Aaron's 499|Winston 500]]
:* 1974 [[GEICO 500|Winston 500]]
:* 1974 [[World 600]]
:* 1974 [[Coca-Cola 600|World 600]]
:* 1975 [[Goody's 300|Sportsman 300]]
:* [[1975 Daytona 500]]
:* 1975 [[Carolina 500]]
:* 1975 [[NASCAR Racing Experience 300|Sportsman 300]]
:* 1975 [[Subway 400|Carolina 500]]
:* 1975 [[Atlanta 500]]
:* 1975 [[Atlanta 500]]
:* 1975 [[Rebel 500]]
:* 1975 [[Carolina Dodge Dealers 400|Rebel 500]]
:* 1975 Cardinal 500 doubleheader at [[Martinsville Speedway]]
:* 1975 Cardinal 500 doubleheader at [[Martinsville Speedway]]
:* 1975 [[Virginia 500]] (NASCAR)
:* 1975 [[STP 500|Virginia 500]] (NASCAR)
:* 1975 [[Aaron's 499|Winston 500]]
:* 1975 [[GEICO 500|Winston 500]]
:* 1975 Vulcan 200 at [[Talladega Superspeedway|Talladega]] (ARCA stock cars) and [[California 500 (Indycar)|California 500]] at [[Ontario Motor Speedway|Ontario]] (Indycars)
:* 1975 Vulcan 200 at [[Talladega Superspeedway|Talladega]] (ARCA stock cars) and [[California 500 (Indycar)|California 500]] at [[Ontario Motor Speedway|Ontario]] (Indycars)


Footage was also shot from the 1974 [[Yankee 400]] that was used in the show's main title sequence indicating sponsorship of the series by Blue Max automotive products.
Footage was also shot from the 1974 [[Consumers Energy 400|Yankee 400]] that was used in the show's main title sequence indicating sponsorship of the series by Blue Max automotive products.


== Other ==
== Other ==
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== Automotive reports and testing ==
== Automotive reports and testing ==
New car testing in the show did not focus exclusively on one particular type of vehicle. Although "[[muscle car]]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. Many of the tests were filmed on the Waterford Hills Road Race Course in Clarkston, Michigan (just north of Detroit). Most tests filmed at Grattan raceway near Grand Rapids.
New car testing in the show did not focus exclusively on one particular type of vehicle. Although "[[muscle car]]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 their 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. Many of the tests were filmed on the Waterford Hills Road Race Course in Clarkston, Michigan (just north of Detroit). Most tests filmed at Grattan raceway near Grand Rapids.


Prototypes included:
Prototypes included:
Line 70: Line 74:
Production vehicles tested included:
Production vehicles tested included:
*1968 [[Oldsmobile Hurst/Olds|Hurst Oldsmobile]] 455, 1 of 515 made (episode includes interview with the car's designer, Jack Watson)
*1968 [[Oldsmobile Hurst/Olds|Hurst Oldsmobile]] 455 (1 of 515). The segment includes interview with the car’s designer Jack Watson.
*1969 [[Avanti II]]
*1968 [[Jaguar XK-E]] 4.2
*1968 [[Shelby Mustang]] GT 500 428 4-barrel
*1969 [[Chevrolet Impala]]
*1969 [[Avanti II]] 327 Supercharged
*1970 [[Mercury Marquis]]
*1971 [[Mercury Capri]] 1.6
*1969 [[Chevrolet Impala]] 396 2-barrel
*1971 [[Dodge Challenger]]
*1969 [[Dodge Charger]] 500 426 Hemi
*1971 [[Dodge Charger]] SE (440 4-barrel)
*1969 [[Dodge Dart]] Swinger 340
*1969 [[Ford LTD (North America)|Ford LTD]] 429 4-barrel
*1969 [[Ford Mustang]] 428 Cobra Jet
*1969 [[Ford Mustang]] Mach 1 428 Cobra Jet
*1969 [[Ford Torino]] 428 Cobra Jet
*1971 [[Mercury Marquis]]
*1971 [[AMC Gremlin]]
*1971 [[AMC Javelin]] 401
*1971 [[Buick Riviera]] 455
*1971 [[Chevrolet Camaro]] 350 2-barrel
*1971 [[Chrysler New Yorker]]
*1971 [[Chrysler New Yorker]]
*1971 [[Ford Torino]] (429)
*1971 [[Dodge Challenger]] 383
*1971 [[Oldsmobile 442]] W30 convertible 4-speed, 1 of 33 made
*1971 [[Dodge Charger]] SE 440 4-barrel
*1971 [[Ford Torino]] GT 429 4-barrel
*1971 [[Oldsmobile 442]] W30 convertible 4-speed (1 of 33)
*1971 [[Mercury Capri]] 1.6
*1971 [[Mercury Cyclone]] 351
*1972 [[Buick Centurion]] 455 4-barrel
*1972 [[Buick Riviera]] GS 455
*1972 [[Buick Riviera]] GS 455
*1973 [[Buick GS]] 455 colonnade
*1973 [[Buick Century]] 455 Gran Sport (Stage One)
*1974 [[Buick Lesabre]] 455 2-barrel
*1973 [[Plymouth Cuda]] 340
*1973 [[Oldsmobile Cutlass]] 455 4-barrel
*1973 [[Opel Manta]] Luxes 1.9
*1974 [[AMC Matador]] 401 4-barrel
*1974 [[Buick LeSabre]] 455 2-barrel
*1974 [[Chevrolet Camaro]] LT 350 2-barrel
*1974 [[Chevrolet Vega]]
*1974 [[Ford Pinto]]
*1974 [[Oldsmobile Cutlass]] 350 4-barrel
*1974 [[Oldsmobile Omega]] S 350 4-barrel
*1974 [[Oldsmobile Omega]] S 350 4-barrel
*1974 [[Mercury Cougar]] XR7
*1974 [[Volkswagen Passat B1|Volkswagen Dasher]]
*1974 [[Volkswagen Beetle|Volkswagen Super Beetle]]
*1974 [[Volkswagen Beetle|Volkswagen Super Beetle]] with Camper Trailer


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


[[Category:Automotive television series]]
[[Category:American automotive television series]]
[[Category:1960s American television series]]
[[Category:1960s American sports television series]]
[[Category:1970s American television series]]
[[Category:1970s American sports television series]]
[[Category:1967 American television series debuts]]
[[Category:1975 American television series endings]]
[[Category:First-run syndicated television programs in the United States]]
[[Category:CBS original programming]]

Latest revision as of 02:24, 21 November 2024

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 and produced by Bud Lindemann, a famous race commentator of the time. After the TV series ended, Bud and his son David Lindemmann continued to film many types of racing. They compiled one of the most important film libraries of the early days of NASCAR. Car and Track was based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This allowed them to have close relationships with Detroit automotive manufacturers and suppliers.

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.[1] 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. One or more new-car road tests per episode were also featured. The racing library was not limited to automobiles, they even filmed snowmobile racing.

The series used stock music cues, most of them also used by NFL Films, for its varied features, such as in coverage of the 1974 Daytona 500, which used the Jack Trombey track "Military Attache," a 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 Trombey's track "Rhythmical Interruption No. 2." A track used frequently was the Peter Reno track "Recoil." In the later years, the original music came from numerous southern sources with everything from country to styles that are reminiscent of Jimmy Buffett.

Notable races the series covered

[edit]

Footage was also shot from the 1974 Yankee 400 that was used in the show's main title sequence indicating sponsorship of the series by Blue Max automotive products.

Other

[edit]

From time-to-time, other features, such as safety reports and driver safety education segments, would be included. In one 1971 episode actor James Garner was accompanied for high-speed safety training at the Skip Barber Racing School behind the wheel of an Oldsmobile Cutlass. 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

[edit]

New car testing in the show did not focus exclusively on one particular type of vehicle. Although "muscle cars" seemed to make up the bulk of the reviews, and Bud Lindemann seemed to express extra enthusiasm for them, economy cars, Jeeps, and even motorhomes were also occasionally tested. Vehicles were shown in their 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. Many of the tests were filmed on the Waterford Hills Road Race Course in Clarkston, Michigan (just north of Detroit). Most tests filmed at Grattan raceway near Grand Rapids.

Prototypes included:

Production vehicles tested included:

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Junior to host racing history series on Speed". NASCAR.com. January 19, 2006. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved June 6, 2011.