Plymouth Superbird

Pete Hamilton was one of those rare NASCAR Grand National racers from above the Mason-Dixon line, hailing from Massachusetts.  He won the 1970 Daytona 500, his first race for a major team and the first outing for the Plymouth Superbird.  He would win twice more in 1970 but was let go at the end of the season at the request of Chrysler Corporation. 

Chrysler wanted to cut back their race support in 1971 to just one Plymouth and one Dodge and run both from Petty Enterprises.  Buddy Baker was their lead Dodge driver so Hamilton had to go, against Richard Petty's wishes.  Hamilton won one race in 1971 and left the series after the 1973 season.