George Waltman completes the 1968 24 Hours of Daytona solo

George Waltman sits in his Aztec Racing Morgan Plus 4 after single handedly completing the 1968 24 Hours of Daytona at Daytona International Speedway.

Waltman’s entry at Daytona that year is one of those stories that make racing fans shake their heads in wonderment.  George was from Great Neck, NY and he decided to enter his car in the third running of the 24 hour race at Daytona in 1968.  His entry was unusual because George drove the entire 24-hour race without benefit of a co-driver or pit crew.

On top of that he did not tow his race car from New York to Florida but drove the 1,000 plus miles by himself to the raceway.  Racing rules back then required that he had to take a one hour rest break out of every four he was on the track and he did comply.  During his break he would service the car, might take a nap, or get a bite to eat.  When leaving the pit area to take care of business or get something to eat he would place an “Out To Lunch” sign on the car.

Because had no pit crew he had to change tires and fuel the car himself whenever he pitted during the race.  Waltman persevered and was the last car running at the end of the 24 hours, and he finished 30th overall, some 335 laps behind the winner. He then changed the oil and drove the car back to New York.

By Lou Galanos

(Photo by ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images)