While Paul Newman’s timeless cool remains relevant through eyewear reissues and legendary Rolex chronographs, he was much more than a paragon of style. Off-screen, the late actor waged a highly successful career as a racing driver.
One of his most memorable performances came at Daytona in 1995. Hot on the heels of releasing the film Nobody’s Fool, Paramount decided that an entry in the endurance race would make for some choice marketing.
Mind you, Newman was 70 at the time, and Daytona is a 24-hour event. Even still, thanks to the combined efforts of Tommy Kendall, Mark Martin and Michael Brockman, the team managed to guide the Roush Racing Mustang Cobra to a first-place finish in the GTS-1 class and third overall.
After the race, the 750-horsepower 6.0-liter Mustang was fitted with unused bodywork before being displayed at what is now the Motorsports Hall of Fame. It’s now being let go as part of a forthcoming Roush auction, and it even includes the very battle-scarred panels that Paul Newman raced during that historic day.
Mecum
Mecum
Mecum
