This week, we look back at one of the most memorable moments in Daytona racing history over at Georgia Racing History.com .
1988 as an exciting year as the eyes of the racing world watched that year's Daytona 500. The racing was different that year, with speeds choked down thanks to the use of carburetor restrictor plates and with several car makes using slimmed down car models. Everyone watched as the Alabama Gang did battle with Darrell Waltrip, Bill Elliott and others as the race hit the halfway mark.
But just after halfway, a scary, end over end crash involving the all-time Daytona 500 champ, Richard Petty, would take everyone's attention and everyone's breath as we hoped for the best for the man race fans still call "The King." You can read more about it this week over at Georgia Racing History.com .
And, with SpeedWeeks 2012 now upon us at Daytona, there are lots of Georgia drivers to keep an eye on! On Saturday, Griffin, Georgia's Max Gresham, and Mark Thompson of Cartersville, GA will be looking for strong runs in the ARCA season opener. Later that evening, David Ragan of Unadilla, GA will be competing in the 2012 Bud Shootout. Plus, Gresham, Ragan, and Bill Elliott will all be competing in various events as the week progresses. Not to mention all the short track action in the Sunshine State, with Georgia Gang members slated to compete at New Smyrna, Volusia and East Bay, just to name a few. You can keep track of all the results and news by checking in at our sister site, Raceweek Illustrated throughout the week.
In other news, plans are underway for the third annual Athens Speedway Reunion, to be held April 14, 2012 at South Jackson Elementary School near Jefferson, GA from 10 am - 4 pm. For more info, contact Freddie Massey at 706-543-4249, Donald Brooks at 706-658-7006 or Charles Burkhalter, Jr. at 706-207-0516.
Happy Birthday wishes go out this week belatedly on Feb. 16 - in memory of Georgia Racing Hall of Fame member Bill Gazaway (1930-2006) and in memory of Talmadge Prince (1938-1970), on Feb. 18 to Jimmy Kite (IRL), and on Feb. 19 to John Paul, Jr. (CART, IRL).
Thanks everybody, and have a great weekend!
Brandon Reed
Georgia Racing History.com
I still remember CBS cutting back to live coverage from the taped feature with Ned Jarrett saying calmly but in a concerned way: Bad trouble, bad trouble. I was at Talladega when Bobby Allison tore down the fence the season before and was glad to see him walk away. But with Richard's crash, I was convinced he was gone - especially after he took that final lick from Brett Bodine. Interesting connection with Eddie Bierschwale who was involved with the King's '88 crash. Buddy Parrott was his crew chief in 1988 - the same man who was crew chief for Richard for his 199th and 200th wins. Also, a year later in 1989, Kyle joined the newly formed SABCO Racing. Right out of the gate, the team DNQ'd for the Daytona 500. The team put the Peak sponsor stickers on Bierschwale's car, let him start the race for points, and put Kyle in the car after lap 3. And Kyle finished 10th in the #23 Oldsmobile.