Didn't the 73 or 74 race have a LeMans as the pace car?
I'll look around but if you find it first post it. I did find a list, a lot of Pontiacs on there and you are right about the LeMans and Grand Am. Pontiac must have sewn up a contract from 1972 to 2003.
"Today's NASCAR fans are active and versatile people, and they need a vehicle that can keep up with them. That's what the Pontiac Aztek is all about," said Don Butler, Aztek Brand Manager. "And what better place to showcase the Aztek than the biggest stock car race in the world? We're going to turn more than a few heads in Daytona when the Aztek brings them to the green, and that's what we had in mind."
The version of the Aztek that will appear on America's biggest motorsports stage for "The Great American Race" has been enhanced in a number of areas to better its performance as a pace vehicle. It features a Magnuson supercharged powertrain by Vrbancic Brothers with headers done by Doug Thorley and Mike Cook. The supercharged engine, which has enlarged exhaust valves and Manley rods and pistons, will turn out 330 horsepower - an increase of 145 horsepower over its 3.4-liter V6 showroom counterpart. Additional ride & handling enhancements include stiffer bushings, springs and shocks, and the vehicle has also been lowered. Brakes are from Baer Racing."