Sunday 25th April 1965

Fred Lorenzen led the final 332 laps to win the NASCAR Grand National ‘Virginia 500’ at Martinsville Speedway. It was Lorenzen’s 4th straight win at Martinsville. A late charge by Marvin Panch fell 2 car lengths short. The story of the race was the incredible charge by Junior Johnson. Johnson was leading when he blew a tire and lost a lap & a half in the pits. Johnson put on a stunning charge to regain the lead in just 32 laps. On lap 178, Johnson held a 17 second lead when the left front wheel collapsed. After again losing time in the pits, Johnson began another charge, working his way to 3rd before another blown tire sent his Ford into the wall on lap 258.