For the 1981 Old Dominion 500 at Martinsville, Ol' DW won the pole and the race in his Mountain Dew Buick. He didn't dominate the race as he had others, but he led his share. Relative Cup newcomer, Harry Gant, was on point for most of the race. He qualified third and led half the race in his 1st year team's Skoal Bandit Pontiac.
Race program from Motor Racing Programme Covers
Several good photos from this race have been shared here at RR. Here are a few:
The cars are rolled out and drivers are buckled in to begin the race. Jimmy Hensley drove Cecil Gordon's traditional #24. And Tommy Houston was in Roger Hamby's traditional #17. From Greg Minter collection.
Pace lap with Waltrip on the pole, Ricky Rudd in the DiGard 88 flanking him, the Bandit and Benny Parsons in Bud Moore's Ford on the 2nd row, and newcomer Mark Martin starting 5th. It was only the 5th Cup race for Martin - and he hung in there all day to finish 3rd. From Greg Minter collection.
Great shot of The King at speed captured by Greg Minter .
The Pettys didn't have much success in their twin Buicks that fall day in 1981. Richard finished 18th and Kyle finished 19th - both with DNFs. Both were bested by a journeyman Virginian in a Dodge who was SPONSORED by Kyle Petty - Buddy Arrington.
Your race winner. From Greg Minter collection.
Tommy Ellis (55) spins and gets tagged by The King. I think that may be Joe Millikan in Cliff Stewart's 5 Pontiac behind Richard. If so, he dodged the accident and finished a commendable 5th. Geoff Bodine, wearing a full face helmet, is spun to the inside in Emanuel Zervakis' Buick.
Race report from Hendersonville NC Times-News (click to make larger)
| Fin | Driver | Car |
| 1 | Darrell Waltrip | Buick |
| 2 | Harry Gant | Pontiac |
| 3 | Mark Martin | Pontiac |
| 4 | Neil Bonnett | Ford |
| 5 | Joe Millikan | Pontiac |
| 6 | Ron Bouchard | Buick |
| 7 | Jimmy Hensley | Buick |
| 8 | Ricky Rudd | Chevrolet |
| 9 | Terry Labonte | Buick |
| 10 | Bobby Allison | Buick |
| 11 | Buddy Arrington | Dodge |
| 12 | Tommy Houston | Chevrolet |
| 13 | Tommy Gale | Ford |
| 14 | Dave Marcis | Chevrolet |
| 15 | Jimmy Means | Pontiac |
| 16 | Bob McElee | Buick |
| 17 | Joe Ruttman | Buick |
| 18 | Richard Petty | Buick |
| 19 | Kyle Petty | Buick |
| 20 | Tim Richmond | Buick |
| 21 | Jody Ridley | Ford |
| 22 | Lake Speed | Buick |
| 23 | Geoffrey Bodine | Buick |
| 24 | Benny Parsons | Ford |
| 25 | Lennie Pond | Buick |
| 26 | Dale Earnhardt | Pontiac |
| 27 | Ronnie Thomas | Pontiac |
| 28 | Morgan Shepherd | Pontiac |
| 29 | Buddy Baker | Buick |
| 30 | Tommy Ellis | Chevrolet |
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Schaefer: It's not just for racing anymore.
updated by @tmc-chase: 09/26/17 11:53:05AM
