August 6, 1978: The end of an era and rise of an underdog

The King finishes 7th in his final start in a Dodge. The Magnum fleet becomes hand-me-downs to Kyle and Buddy Arrington following the Talladega 500.

As the Pettys made the transition to Chevy, a true underdog warmed hearts that day in the sweltering Alabama heat. Lennie Pond got his one and only Cup win and gave Harry Ranier his first one as a car owner.

From Ricky Poole Jr 's collection

From  Ray Lamm collection

Lennie slept in the car the night before the win to keep anyone from changing the car setup.

Lennie Pond was fun to watch and the couple of times I got to talk with him I would absolutely believe he slept in the car as Dave relates. I would bet no body could get near that car.

Lennie enjoying his time in the (hot Alabama) sun in victory lane. Getty Images

Lennie will turn 74 this coming Monday, August 11. He is still selling cars at Heritage Chevrolet in Chester, Virginia!

Good to see this post back again Chase! Lennie is well worth a repeat performance.

I've seen this picture before but it is the first time I saw Tex Powell in it. I had forgotten Tex was on that crew.

Race program for 1978 Talladega 500

Interestingly, one of the photos in the program was an IROC promo picture of the Alabama Gang 'adopting' Cale Yarborough. I guess ol' Cale was kicked to the curb six months later when a family squabble broke out after the 1979 Daytona 500.

Lennie's win was featured in the November 1978 issue of Stock Car Racing. Perhaps someone has the issue and could scan and share the article. I'll give SCR a "D" for cover editing for leaving the D out of Butch Lindley's last name.

MRN's broadcast of the 1978 Talladega 500 can be streamed on-line or through iTunes.

http://www.mrn.com/Media-Center/MRN-Show-Archives/Classic-Races.aspx?id=629550ede3484231bd85c15934786122

I know The Legend will have a special place in his heart for Lennie Pond for beating Jaws to the 1973 (?) Rookie of the Year award. Jaws mouthed off to a NASCAR official, Len Kuchler and learnt the hard way that you don't 'diss' NASCAR and come off the winner.