October 9, 1983 - The King Ruined My Surprise Birthday Party at CMS

On October 9, 1983, Richard Petty scored a win at Charlotte Motor Speedway that has become a significant part of racing history and legend.

In so doing, he spoiled the only surprise birthday party ever thrown for me.

Folks like our RR member, TMC have chronicled what happened surrounding the King at Charlotte that Sunday afternoon much better than I could ever hope to recap it. Here is a link to his Bench Racing from the Volunteer State post with the complete story, including many photos:

http://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2011/10/october-9-this-day-in-petty-history.html

It was determined that day that Richard's winning car had a motor exceeding the permissible displacement, as well as the wrong tires mounted on one side of the car when it arrived in Victory Lane. The resulting fallout including points and money penalties led Richard away from Petty Enterprises and over to Mike Curb's operation, where he'd score his 200th victory the following season.

The following day, Oct. 10, was my 35th birthday, and unbeknownst to me, a surprise birthday party had been arranged for me immediately following the race in the Wrangler V.I.P. suite we maintained at Charlotte. The affair had been arranged by our caterer, Jane Hogan, who'd been married to Larry Hogan, onetime a part owner of the Rockingham track.

Jane always had wonderful food and was also the official caterer for all UNOCAL/Union Oil Co. functions.

Jane also always had great hostesses she provided in my V.I.P. suites. They were invariably nice, pretty and polite. One who I always remember was the wife of Larry Hefner, at the time the jack man on Hal Needham's Skoal Bandit #33 driven by Harry Gant. You read today about all the athletes on pit road. Well, we had athletes back in day, too. Before his stint on the Gant crew, Larry, a Charlotte native, from 1972-1975 had played linebacker for the Green Bay Packers - a not too shabby resume.

We really did have the surprise birthday party and celebrated and many of the guests had left before NASCAR announced there were problems with the #43. Long after all the guests had left, I holed up in the press box, located immediately adjacent to NASCAR Control at the time. Bill France, Jr. and Richard Petty were in there together for ages. Then they'd go down to the garage. Then they'd come back to NASCAR Control.

It was many hours past dark when Bill France, Jr. came to the Charlotte press box and announced the ruling. I no longer remember what Richard had to say.

Anyhow, I guess if I had to have my surprise party upstaged, who better to do it than The King!

this is so cool a story - i remember junior johnson telling that petty was just burning the track up catching dw - junior said he told dw to back off and let him go - which is why he passed him like he was backing up on the back stretch - he said dw came in and asked if he thought petty was illegal and junior said he told him i dont know but there is a good chance he is because we are and lets get the hell out of here before they get to us - you would just have to hear him tell it - you have had quite a career - it had to be pretty cool working with burt reynolds .

David, As a friend and I were walking through the infield that day we had to quickly get out of the way of Junior's hauler as it headed for the gate near the end of the back stretch. I remembered how DW had parked it to let Petty by and told my friend He's in big hurry, no way he went thru any inspection this fast, bet he was illegal. While listening to the radio on the way home we heard about the big engine. That confirmed it for me, DW was illegal too. I've always known I was right about that one.

I guess Junior wanted to save that motor, unlike the infamous one DW clutched for him in The Winston at CMS.

I have found out in the past year listening to our Tuesday night Racing Through History "Goat Rodeo" broadcasts, that our broadcast team member Hugh Overcash, who worked at Charlotte with Jay Howard Events, is good friends with Larry Heffner and his wife, and, in fact, Larry got Hugh his first job at the speedway.

Dave - from all of us at RacersReunion

Thanks, Chase and all. My girls called this morning. One said she was doing what they suggest on the television news... calling her elderly parent to check in!

DAVE, HAPPY BIRTHDAY

DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR WRANGLER PITCREW SHIRT AND PANT WITH WRANGLER NAME BRAND LABEL SEWN INSIDE THEM?

DO YOU KNOW THAT IN 1981-1983, RICHARD PETTY AND HIS #43 PITCREW WAS WEARING WRANGLER MADE PITCREW UNIFORMS EVEN THOUGH "TEXAS JEANS" WAS SPONSOR OF THE #43 STP RACE CAR.

Thanks for any information or photos posted.
Dennis Garrett
Richmond,Va.USA

I've got 5 Wrangler pit crew shirts and I let LaVerne Zachary have one to display. Texas Jeans on the King's car, but Wrangler apparel on the King's crew. Can't judge a book by its cover!

Thanks for the birthday wishes, Dennis.