1964 Volunteer 500

There was a racing grid of 36 drivers who were all born in the United States of America.^[3] Fred Lorenzen defeated Richard Petty by slightly more than a lap in front of 25,500 people in order to win the top prize of $4,185 USD ($42,429 when adjusted for inflation).^[2][3] Petty was considered to be on pace to win the race until his rear end failed on the last lap; forcing him to accept a second-place finish.^[2][3] However, Petty's car developed the problem sometime before starting the final lap.^[2][3] As a result, Petty had a big enough lead to where Lorenzen did not catch him until the car failed entirely.^[2][3]

Five lead changes were made and the caution flag was waved only once for 14 laps.^[2][3] Darrell Bryant received the last place finish and a measly $275 paycheck ($2,788 when adjusted for inflation) for a fuel pressure issue on lap 1 that forced him out of the race.^[2][3] Petty would receive the pole position for his qualifying speed of 82.910 miles per hour (133.431 km/h) while the average speed of the race would be 78.044 miles per hour (125.600 km/h).^[3]

Bristol was a flatter track during the 1960s and the banking was more shallow.

Darrell Bryant and Doug Wilson would make their NASCAR debuts here.^[4] Johnny Nave would exit the NASCAR Cup Series after this race.^[4] Fourteen notable crew chiefs participated in the event; including Herman Beam, Glen Wood, Banjo Matthews, Herb Nab and Jimmy Helms.^[5]

The transition to purpose-built racecars began in the early 1960s and occurred gradually over that decade. Changes made to the sport by the late 1960s brought an end to the "strictly stock" vehicles of the 1950s.

Section reference:^[3]

• Start of race: Paul Goldsmith started the race with the pole position.
• Lap 1: Fuel pressure issues forced Darrell Bryant off the track.
• Lap 2: Johnny Nave managed to overheat his vehicle, Jimmy Helms's vehicle had fuel pressure issues.
• Lap 4: Curtis Crider's vehicle had clutch issues, Roy Tyner's vehicle had a faulty valve.
• Lap 9: Doug Cooper had problems handling his vehicle, transmission issues ended E.J. Trivette's day on the track.
• Lap 10: Earl Brooks had problems dealing with his vehicle's transmission.
• Lap 13: Richard Petty takes over the lead from Paul Goldsmith.
• Lap 15: Oil pressure issues forced Jack Anderson out of the race.
• Lap 41: Wendell Scott's day at the track would end due to oil pressure issues.
• Lap 42: Darel Dieringer had engine problems, ending his racing weekend too soon.
• Lap 62: Ned Jarrett managed to overheat his vehicle while racing.
• Lap 70: Problems with the engine made Bunkie Blackburn end his racing weekend a bit too early.
• Lap 74: Bobby Isaac managed to ruin his vehicle's transmission while he was racing.
• Lap 77: Engine issues forced Billy Wade out of the race.
• Lap 145: Caution due to oil on track, green flag racing resumed on lap 158.
• Lap 148: Paul Goldsmith's transmission problems ended his day on the track.
• Lap 284: Doug Wilson managed to lose the rear end of the vehicle, was sidelined due to safety reasons.
• Lap 306: Junior Johnson takes over the lead from Richard Petty.
• Lap 309: Buck Baker managed to overheat his vehicle, which ended his shot at winning the race.
• Lap 351: Richard Petty takes over the lead from Junior Johnson.
• Lap 352: Junior Johnson's day on the track would be finished due to a blown engine.
• Lap 363: David Pearson managed to lose the rear end of his vehicle, was called off the track due to safety reasons.
• Lap 420: Earl Balmer wasn't able to finish because the rear end of his vehicle gave out.
• Lap 455: Buddy Arrington lost the rear end of his racing vehicle.
• Lap 463: Marvin Panch lost the rear end of his vehicle while he was racing.
• Lap 499: Richard Petty managed to destroy the rear end of his vehicle, forcing him to accept a respectable second-place finish.
• Lap 500: Fred Lorenzen takes over the lead from Richard Petty.
• Finish: Fred Lorenzen was officially declared the winner of the event.