October 24, 1976 - RP sweeps The Rock

Originally posted by me as part of my Richard Petty 200 Wins blog series here:

https://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2011/10/october-24-this-day-in-petty-history_24.html

1976 - Richard Petty wins his 180th career race and sweeps Rockingham for the year by winning the American 500.

Bobby Williamson, fellow member here at RacersReunion, remembers...

I planned this gala event. Me and my new wife of 3 months could go to Rockingham for that fall's 500. I was really on the ball, ordered tickets, happily got up before day, and drove the 2+ hours to the Rock. It was the most perfect day I've ever spent at a race track. Incredible autumn weather, and another dominating Richard Petty victory at Rockingham. At the last moment, my dad's friends procured tickets and planned their own trip - only they would fly. We were seated in different sections of the grand stands. I knew my dad was at the race, but I never saw him. I knew he would be thrilled that Richard had won. On the flight back home, dad's plane crashed over rural Columbus county, NC. My dad was fatally injured, but the last race he ever attended was fittingly won by Richard.

The next two photos show Richard in victory lane with Miss Winston, Pattie Huffman. A couple of years later, she became his daughter-in-law when she married Kyle Petty.

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Schaefer: It's not just for racing anymore.
updated by @tmc-chase: 10/24/20 04:21:59PM

October 24, 2013: Bumping on anniversary of this race. Would enjoy reading more comments from anyone who may have been there.

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Schaefer: It's not just for racing anymore.

I was there and spent sometime in the pits. I recall one of the pit stops Richard made seemed like it was far too long but I don't remember the reason. After I had spent the first half of the race in Richard's pit, I returned to the motorhome and watched the end from there. With two laps to go I headed over to get in Victory Lane for the celebration. Victory Lane was so much fun back in those days. Doesn't seem the same these days.

Bobby (Bopper), I remember reading your memory of this race before and it brought tears to my eyes then, and again today. I can only begin to understand your love for racing based on that happening. I'm sure your Dad is extremely proud of who you are and what you do.

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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.

I was there, too, that day in the Rockingham pits as a guest with buddy Frank, who at that time was Sports Editor for the Siler City, NC paper and teaching Journalism at the University of North Carolina in nearby Chapel Hill. I was pulling as usual for any Chevy I could find and one of our local Richmond weekly track Southside Speedway heroes didn't disappoint.

Car owner Ronnie Elder had picked up some sponsorship from the Petersburg, Virginia Pepsi bottler and his driver, Lennie Pond brought the independent Pepsi #54 ride home second to Richard that day at Rockingham.

It was hard not to cheer as a credentialed guest of a working journalist on pit road as our local boy Lennie led 113 laps.

As the news article read, NASCAR was unable to explain how Richard finished ahead of Lennie without passing him on the track and made three green flag pit stops totaling 125 seconds while Lennie was in the pits under green just 54 seconds. "The Lord moves in mysterious ways his wonders to perform!"

2nd place Rockingham finisher Lennie Pond in Pepsi Monte Carlo high, winner Richard Petty low in photo posted by Bernie427 at Randy Ayers Modeling site. Track unknown.

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"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"