To understand the need for the 1969 Ford Talladega and Mercury Cyclone Spoiler II you have to understand what was happening on the race tracks in 1968. The Ford family of race cars came on strong with their new aero fastback roof lines. However, both Ford and Chrysler were just starting to realise that no matter how big their engines were if the car was a brick they would neverbe able to build an engine big enough to win. It was becoming easier and cheaper to make the body more aero friendly than to add HP.
The start of the 68 season had to be a shock to the Chrysler boys, they were getting beat up on. The White Hat Boys set off on a mission to not let the Blue Oval cars do it again in 69. Fortunately for us Ford was not content to sit still and not try to imporve. The 1969 NASCAR season was about to become one of the most remembered in stock car racing history; the cars were to become the stars!
Check out this 68 race and look at all the Ford products up front. Also realize that most of them are the Mercs. Later Ford would do some aero testing and realize that the Cyclone body had better numbers than the Fairlane/Torino. This was also true when the Talladega and Spoiler II made the scene in 69.
Wonder why Mercury came out with a Cale Yarborough Special for the Spoiler and Spoiler II in 69? This video should help you understand.
We will have more on what happened after this race leading up to the 1969 Ford Talladega and Mercury Cyclone Spoier II in a couple of days. Check back!
