In May 1961, Ray Fox, a Daytona engine builder and competitor to Smokey Yunick, brought a '61 Pontiac Catalina No. 3 race car, built by him and sponsored by the Daytona Kennel Club, to Charlotte and asked Bud Moore who would be a good driver. Moore responded, "David Pearson," and history was soon made. Pearson had never driven a Pontiac but won his first start in the car at Charlotte in the �61 World 600. His next start in the car was at Daytona in the �61 Firecracker 250 in July. He won that race also. Fox signed Pearson up for five more races in this car for �61. Pearson had a pole, a 3rd at Bristol, and one more win, at Atlanta. Seven races and 3 wins all in this car. Pearson was on his way.