Lennie Pond Slept in Racecar, Won 1978 Talladega 500

Going in to the 1978 Talladega 500, 1973 Rookie of the Year, Lennie Pond already knew he was going to be replaced by Harry Ranier for 1979... Ranier thought he was getting DW, but the DiGard contract was too strong. According to my conversations with Lennie, Waddell Wilson kept changing the setup on the car without telling Lennie. Frustrated, Lennie decided to sleep in the car and did the night before the 500, convinced Wilson would change the setup again without telling him. Lennie went on to win the race with a then record average speed in a race with arecord number of lead changes. He still lost his ride with Ranier, though. Waltrip and DW did eventually team up, with Rick Hendrick, as the "Dream Team" for 1987. A nicer racer than Lennie I have never met. For many years he has sold cars for Heritage Chevrolet in Chester, VA. Lennie endured a lot, including the tragic loss of his wife.

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"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"
updated by @dave-fulton: 04/07/17 09:54:20AM

I remember a race at Talladega around 82 or 83 when Lennie drove for James Hylton. I was helping the crew at this race and I remember it was very hot. The #48 was having a typical day, nothing to brag about and in the last 15 laps I noticed Johnny Davis, (the same Johnny Davis that owns JD Motorsports that Mike Wallace drives for) who was the crew chief for Hylton, stand up and climb on top of the pit wall and began to wave for us to get ready for a pit stop. Lennie brought the car to the pits and it was smoking and running very rough. As Johnny and the crew looked under the hood for any sign of trouble, I looked at Lennie setting in the car. He was red faced andexhalsted and looked like he had reached his limit due to the heat. I motioned and askif he wanted a drink and then carried 2 cups to the window. Before I could step back he had emptied both.The car was done for the day and so was Lennie. He was still very graciousand took the time to review with Johnny what the car was running like before he walked to the drivers lounge to cool off. He drove part of that season forHylton and was always easy to get along withand a dang good driver. Very nice man.

Dave,

Do you keep in touch with Lennie? Just wondering if you know if he has a video copy of his win at Talladega or could find out for me? I know for a fact CBS showed that race, and in my circles, that race is one of the most sought-after that has never been found. I know several years ago, I helped secure a video for Ron Bouchard of his 1981 win at Talladega. And of course, Brandon Reed can vouch for me that I set the Ga. Racing Hall Of Fame and Jody Ridley a copy of his win at Dover in 1981.

Woody and Jay,

Always remembered it as being Waddell, but Woody you've got me second guessing now. You may well be right. Maybe it was Herb, not Waddell. Haven't seen Lennie since I left the Richmond track in 1999. Had a couple of phone calls from him in Charlotte after that. Lennie was always a tremendously nice fellow. Jay, I don't know if Lennie is still working at Heritage Chevrolet in Chester, Va. or not, but you could try there.

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"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"