The King's Politics were predictable ... or were they?

For decades, Richard Petty has been known as a Republican right? He took his Petty blue Plymouth to the Nixon White House in 1971. He was delighted to have Ronald Reagan in the house for his 200th win. He drove for Mike Curb, the Republican Lt. Governor of California and vocal supporter of the GOP. He ran as the Republican candidate for the NC Secretary of State. He openly championed the re-election of Republican Senator Jesse Helms from NC. So if he was going to wade into Tennessee politics in 1976, he'd obviously support the Republican candidate for whatever office and whoever s/he was. Right? Not so fast my friend.

While in town for the Nashville 420, the King formally endorsed John J. Hooker on July 17, 1976 as the candidate to represent Tennessee in the U. S. Senate. Hooker was a long-time Repu...I mean DEMOCRAT from the state. What was RP thinking? Oh yea, John J. just happened to be fairly recent CEO of STP following the ouster of long-time CEO Andy Granatelli. Hmm, guess money talks as it always has when it comes to politics.

As it turns out, Hooker didn't win the Democratic primary against his challenger who then went on to win in the general election for the Sentate seat: Al Gore Jr.

And in a side note... Petty's 1971 "teammate" Buddy Baker had sponsorship from Hooker when he ran for Governor of Tennessee in 1966 - 10 years before Petty "came out" for Hooker and 5 years before Baker ran for Petty Enterprises after the dumping of Pete Hamilton.

Baker's Emory Gilliam owned 1965 Dodge #00 in the July 24, 1966 Volunteer 500 at Bristol incorporated the car number into the Hooker name. They couldn't stop talking about it on the radio broadcast.

Photos anyone? Ray Lamm?

I'm also "guessing" that the other 1966 Tennessee races run by Baker for Gilliam in the summer of 1966 utilized the H00KER theme and sponsorship.

I'm 99.9% sure that my issue of Southern Motorsports Journal covering the 1966 Volunteer 500 had a photo of the Hooker for Governor car. Maybe if Jack Walker or another SMJ collector has a chance to check, we could find a photo.

B 00 M

Thanks to Russ Thompson yet again for surfacing an obscure photo - and thanks Dave for having an elephant's memory.

AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME!!!

Thanks to Russ and to your persistence, Chase.

This definitely looks like Bristol looking off into turn 1 over the hood. I remember that radio broadcast and the announcers talking about Buddy's car number being part of the ad for Hooker like it were yesterday.

Do you know Russ' source for the photo? SMJ perhaps?

Dave, it was the November 1966 issue of SCR. The one with Goldsmith on the cover. It was on a page called, "Racing Round-Up".

The caption said, "Running for office? Start with stockers. Buddy Baker hooked Bristol qualifying race with durable campaigner."

Two other interesting photos on the same page were the headlight and taillight covers of Pearson's Cotton Owens Dodge showing the recently added car numbers for a more "positive ID". Went on to say NASCAR may require the ID soon.

Thanks, Russ.

Very interesting! I was at Darlington when Slick Willie came avisting and watched as he stood there for driver introductions. Most drivers shook his hand, Mark Martin practically kissed him but Richard walked right on by without a handshake. I can remember that so clearly as I was standing right there. That was the year (1992) I worked with the television production for the Christmas with Racing Families. That was also the day we did a 45 minute interview with Doris Roberts and Wanda Lund in the press facility in the infield where Clinton and party were chowing down on a catered banquet. Oh, the stories from that day!