The TransAm is growing with more factory participation. It is a cold and wet May weekend. Both over and under 2 liter cars race together with Parnelli Jones in his Bud Moore Mustang winning, but not until the wee hours of the morning. Scorers gave the win to Donohue (see checker flag photo) but a review of the lap charts showed Parelli the victor. Officials looked for Judy Stropus, Penske’s phenom scorer, but Penske had her hustled away in hopes officials would not realize their mistake. Judy knew the answer immediately but it took the officials until after midnight.

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The Fred Baker / Dick Smothers Porsche takes the checker and 1st under 2 liter. Yes, it is Dick Smothers of the Smothers Brothers TV shows

Mark Donohue finishes 2nd and gets the checker. Not much of a crowd for this first road race. It was cold and rainy most of the day.

Parnelli overshoots his pit. The crew pushes back as the refuelers wait. There is some damage to the right front.

The crew is in action now, two gas men have their tanks up and pouring into the Mustang. A track fireman watches the action.

Race Winner Parnelli Jones is away from his pit stop. Parnelli was driving for Bud Moore and won by over a lap.

A Mustang crew is ready to refuel and check under the hood. This is one of Shelby’s cars, but we can’t see the number. Neither Shelby car finished.

Donohue is in and listens as Roger Penske advises him. Refueling is going on and others are checking tires.

A Penske Camaro is in for service. The RF wheel is off as crew members scamper to see what is wrong.

Donohue looks relaxed as he stares at the camera. Some crew is busy refueling with Penske’s killer 20’ high rig while others are changing tires.

The second Penske Camaro was driven by Ronnie Bucknum. The car did not finish and the crew pushes Bucknum away.

Peter Gregg in the pits for fuel and a glance at tire wear. Usually very reliable, the Brumos team did not finish the race.

The crew takes down the refueling can. This was bigger than the usual 10 gallon can and required two men to lift and pour.

Gregg’s crew hoisting a very heavy fuel dump can. Very typical of refueling in 1969. Gas spilled everywhere making sure the tank was full. Aircraft dry release appeared two years later.

Mark Donohue drives his wet and mud spattered Camaro back to the paddock after a long day to finish 2nd.

A typical hauler in the 60’s. The amazing American station wagon towed race cars for decades.

Penske’s crew used bigger and better equipped trucks from his Chevy dealership. The very beginning of the Penske dynasty which now manages about 320 worldwide.

1969 MICHIGAN TRANS AM