@john-evanich-iii10 years ago
It took a while but we finally found the missing Dale Earnhardt 4th career start (Charlotte-October 1977)! Donald Evans had taken a photo of it and was kind enough to share it. This was the Johnny Ray #77 that he let the Henley Gray team use to finish out the 1977 season after Henley's serious accident at Michigan in August. Dale only lasted 25 laps. This is the same car that Dale drove in Atlanta (as #77) in 1976 that he wrecked and Robert Gee and Dale re-built the car, as they had promised after the accident. Bruce Hill had been was using the car earlier as #47 and the #47 door cut-outs are visible. Bruce Hill and Johnny Ray had teamed up for the 't. edwards" race sponsorship deal and Bruce painted his own #47 Laguna in the same basic style, so it could get a little confusing! Bruce did start this Charlotte race in his #47. The #19 diecast of this car is basically correct but missed on some details. Henley's normal #19 and "Belden Asphalt" pounce patterns were used. The diecast does not capture the correct style #19 and the "Belden Asphalt" style is way off. Dick May would have the seat in this car for most of the final 1977 season races......
@chris313 years ago
I live in Rome Ga (moved here from NC). I found your website as I looked for information on this car. Thank you very much for sharing.
It took a while but we finally found the missing Dale Earnhardt 4th career start (Charlotte-October 1977)! Donald Evans had taken a photo of it and was kind enough to share it. This was the Johnny Ray #77 that he let the Henley Gray team use to finish out the 1977 season after Henley's serious accident at Michigan in August. Dale only lasted 25 laps. This is the same car that Dale drove in Atlanta (as #77) in 1976 that he wrecked and Robert Gee and Dale re-built the car, as they had promised after the accident. Bruce Hill had been was using the car earlier as #47 and the #47 door cut-outs are visible. Bruce Hill and Johnny Ray had teamed up for the 't. edwards" race sponsorship deal and Bruce painted his own #47 Laguna in the same basic style, so it could get a little confusing! Bruce did start this Charlotte race in his #47. The #19 diecast of this car is basically correct but missed on some details. Henley's normal #19 and "Belden Asphalt" pounce patterns were used. The diecast does not capture the correct style #19 and the "Belden Asphalt" style is way off. Dick May would have the seat in this car for most of the final 1977 season races......
I live in Rome Ga (moved here from NC). I found your website as I looked for information on this car. Thank you very much for sharing.