We were wondering if anyone might be able to tell if this photo is at the Columbia Speedway. This photo was downloaded years ago with the caption "Richard Petty's Last Dirt Track Win". If correct, this would be the first known photo of the car that Petty 'borrowed' for that race which was the #23 Don Robertson Plymouth. The car does have an odd looking #3 but we have photo evidence that shows a few weeks earlier at Trenton, Dr. Ed Hessert ran this ran this car as a #2, so that would make sense that the #3 might have been added back by a local signpainter. We were hoping someone might be able to tell if this photo was taken at Columbia Speedway? We know that the #23 was run several times at short tracks so it could be one of those races also....Thanks....
John 
I do not remember the outside wall at Columbia being this high. The inside railing does look familiar though. If the shot included the exit area of pit road I would be able to tell for sure.Tim Leeming and others may be able to assist.
We believe now that this photo is at Darlington with Earl Brooks which would place it as the next race AFTER Petty's win in it at Columbia. So not quite the 'Holy Grail' photo but close!!! John
That's Darlington for sure.
Earl Brook's son says the photo is his Dad with Jab Thomas at Darlington which puts the photo the next race after Petty's win in the #23 which ran as #43 for that win. Based on the #3 and the normal 'Star City' sponsor style, it looks like a local signpainter did the graphics not in Jab's normal style. So in the end nit the missing Petty win car but and close......John
Never been to Columbia Speedway (dirt track)!
Wondered if Columbia Speedway (dirt track) had cleaned painted outside walls and black tar-like surface track like Darlington .
Looks like your photo is an photo of Darlington Raceway, during the race week actives of May 9, 1970 "Rebel 400" race.
Photo of race car owner Don Robertson's "STAR CITY BODY SHOP" sponsor (#23,#25) race cars.
#23 Race drivers Earl Brooks (blue body,gold roof) #23 race car,'69 Plymouth (blue body,gold roof)
Started 22nd
Finish 33rd
#25 race driver Jabe Thomas (red body,gold roof) #25 race car,'69 Plymouth.
Started 21st
Finish 9th
Does anyone know if Richard Petty's 4/30/1970 Columbia 200, Columbia Speedway, Columbia,SC winning race car was destroy in May 9, 1970 "Rebel 400" race.
Also noticed that talking race drivers Earl Brook and Jabe Thomas is wearing the same style race team driver uniforms.
That was Petty's own Roadrunner that was the 'Rebel 400'. Actually the Blue/Gold car was used by Wendell Scott as #34 for about 9-races in the Fall of 1970 after Scott wrecked his own car. John
John,I seem to recall reading somewhere, probably STOCK CAR RACING Magazine, that Richard actually "borrowed back" JABE THOMAS' #25 that was originally sold to Jabe by the Pettys. Richard ran the red and gold car apparently as pictured here.Pete L.
That photo is not fromColumbia. It might be Darlington.
I think that is definitely Darlington!