Dave, Thanks. I thank that was Sam Ard in the #00 that day because I believe it's tha same race that he and Monk Tate tangled on the back stretch. I'm curious as to who's in the brown #8. It looks like Ingrams car, but he drove the #11. Dale was in the Red & White #8. I wonder who that was in the car next to Hutchins? Looks like #3 or #31. I need to Google this race to find out.
I enjoyed reading this so much that I went through my old pictures and found this one. I believe it shows Dale following Sonny at Martinsville. I don't know whether Sonny was driving one handed or not, but he usally did. Anyway, this was one GREAT story. Thanks
Here's a picture of the VA I took at SoBo. I don't know whether Jimmy was driving it, but I'm sure it was his car.
Sorry to hear about Jimmie's death also. It's a shame that he was not recognized for his contributions to the sport. He had a lot of fans back in the day.So glad you came on here andreplyed.Thanks.
Heck Dave, I wish I could turn the clock back so I could see them over again. Is it me, or was the racing better back then. Today's drivers just seem spoiled, cocky or whatever. A fan could approach drivers back then and be appreciated. Also, drivers had personalities back then. They are just too squeaky clean today.
Dave, I read the other replys. The 58 Jimmy Scott -VA was one of my favorites at Southside, but that wasn't the one Sonny drove. For some reason that weekend the #01 didn't show up.Sonny drove the "new" car Jimmy Scott used in the Late Model race. It was a 1969Chevelle Ibelieve.And yes, it still had the bumble bee sound. We always wondered if Junior Johnson "borrowed" that from Jimmy Scott because for a time there, Cales cars sounded very similar. Aren't legends great!
This was one great story. I always liked watching Sonny run at Southside and South Boston. I was at the Martinsville race where he led the first 90 laps. One thing i remember was watching Sonny drive that #01 with one hand. He had the other arm draped over the inside roll bar. I don't know how he did that. I saw him one night at Southside driving the "Bumble Bee" #3-VA car. Late in the race, the rear tire came off. He drove it a lap and half on 3 wheels and then came into the pits. Yes, he had run-ins with others. but weren't they great races back then. I'm sure Bill Dennis, Lennie Pond and a bunch of others had run-in's with Sonny at Southside, but he usually won. He and Ray both should be in the Hall of Fame.
It's really a shame that she can't attract a top notch team to drive for. She showed she can get the job done and it pleased me to see her pass cry baby Hamlin. She has earned her way andI believe more talented than Danica Patrick who can't stay out of her on way at times.Here's one guy wishing for the best forJohanna Long.
Billy, I really enjoyed reading this. As a fan, we never think about the guys driving the haulers. I went to P/E several times back in the 70's and always enjoyed it. It's too bad some of the "older" hauler drivers can't put there experiences down on paper. It would be an interesting book to read.
Take care......
Because I drove a 1973 Petty Blue Charger, I used "Blue Phantom" while going to the races back then.
