September 17, 1967 - Petty wins 8th in a row at Hillsboro

TMC Chase
@tmc-chase
11 years ago
4,073 posts

Back in 2011, I blogged about Richard Petty's win at Orange Speedway in Hillsborough on September 17, 1967. I didn't have much content in my post back then. From what I can tell, I'm not sure I even posted the link on RR. But today, I stumbled across several Southern MotoRacing images scanned and shared here by Harvey Tollison. So I updated my post & thought I'd include it here:

https://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2011/09/september-17-this-day-in-petty-history.html

Richard wins his 73rd career race, his 25th of the season and his eighth race in a row in 1967 by winning the Hillsboro 150 at Orange Speedway from the pole - all while suffering from the flu.

1967Hillsboro.jpg

Dick Hutcherson led the first 68 laps of the race before Tiny Lund got by him to lead the next 11. The King then took over to lead the final 88 laps of the 167-lap race.

Though two drivers dominated the pace, it doesn't mean the race was void of excitement. Just 12 laps into the race, Jack Harden lost control of his Ford down the frontstretch, leaped the turn 1 wall, tumbled and came to rest about 100 feet from the track. He was carefully removed from his car and transported to the hospital, but fortunately he wasn't seriously injured. (Photos from SouthernMotorRacing and courtesy of Harvey Tollison at RacersReunion.com)




Racing resumed for another 20 laps or so when another spectacular accident occurred between three drivers - Paul Dean Holt, Earl Brooks and Bill Ervin. Holt's car came to rest on its side.

While it's unknown what Brooks was saying to NASCAR official Dick Beaty, it's probable the conversation was heated considering Brooks' day ended following the 3-car pile-up.




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Schaefer: It's not just for racing anymore.

updated by @tmc-chase: 09/17/20 12:04:05PM
Tim Leeming
@tim-leeming
11 years ago
3,119 posts

Really great report with all those articles and pictures. I would take this opportunity to remind folks that they can visit this historic speedway on Saturday, September 27th, for the 8th Annual Celebration of the Automobile. This year will be my sixth trip to the event and it is one that goes on my calendar as soon as a new year starts. It is a "do not miss" event. Even the year it rained so hard it was spectacular. Hope to see many of you there this year, just over a week away. Thanks, Chase, for adding this post to the history.




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What a change! It's been awhile since I've checked in and I'm quite surprised. It may take me awhile to figure it our but first look it's really great.