NASCAR thunder set to shake Goodwood’s foundations

The sturdy foundations of Goodwood House are set to be tested by an American invasion of NASCAR horsepower at this year’s Festival of Speed.

‘The King’ of NASCAR Richard Petty is shipping over from his Museum one of the cars that earned him that nickname – a 1967 Plymouth Belvedere,  which also helped to make famous the fearsome ‘Race Hemi’ V8 engine.

Also from the Sixties NASCAR scene will be a 1963 Chevrolet Impala and a 1965 Ford Galaxie 500; the latter always a popular sight at the Revival meeting.

Bringing things more up to date will be a 2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo made famous by the late, legendary Dale Earnhardt, a 2006 Toyota Tundra from the Craftsman Truck Series, a 2013 Toyota Camry, plus two more cars from last year which are causing many a tongue to wag…

Rumour has it that Childress Racing and Michael Waltrip will be bringing over a 2013 Chevrolet Camaro and 2013 Toyota Camry respectively, both of which have been altered dramatically to better suit the Goodwood hillclimb course. Talk of both cars being significantly lighter and packing engines delivering more than 1000bhp has been rife, as the two parties vie for potential bragging rights from this year’s event.

With a fine selection of classic, legendary, and downright insanely-powerful NASCAR ‘specials’, this will be one of many Festival of Speed highlights.

Our picture gallery (above) of NASCARs from past events should give you some sense of what to expect. Bring ear defenders!