Racing History Minute - 1975 Daytona 500

The Twin 125s in 1975 were both competitive events, especially over the last few laps. In the first one, Bobby Allison, in the Penske Matador, battled a hard charging Dick Brooks over the final laps to win by just over a second. Buddy Baker had been the story of the race as he was, in typical Baker fashion, charging away from the pack. However, on lap 27 of the 50, a tire blew on the Bud Moore Ford and Baker spun off the track allowing Allison and Brooks to fight for the win.

Donnie Allison started the DiGard Chevy on the pole but led only one lap. He would park the car behind the wall after nine laps with an oil leak. Although the lead changed hands 21 times in the 50 laps, it was Baker who seemed to be able to lead at will.

The green flag would wave to restart from a caution with 3 laps to go and Allison was able to pull away from Brooks because the Ford Brooks was driving for Junie Donlavey got hung in second gear which allowed Allison to pull away.

Top five finishers in the first 125:

1. Bobby Allison, Penske Matador

2. Dick Brooks, Junie Donlavey Ford

3. Lennie Pond, Ronnie Elder Chevrolet

4. A.J. Foyt, Hoss Ellington Chevrolet

5. Johnny Rutherford, DiGard Chevrolet

The second 125 ended with the classic Petty-Pearson duel to the flag with Pearson coming out on top. Petty had led 39 laps but said afterwards that he knew Pearson had the fastest car. Petty was waiting for the slingshot pass, knowing it was coming, but not knowing when Pearson would make the move. Pearson made the move in turns 3 and 4 and said afterwards he thought he may have moved too early and that Petty could take it back off turn 4. Didn't happen.

Top five finishers:

1. David Pearson, Wood Brothers Mercury

2. Richard Petty, Petty Enterprises Dodge

3. Cale Yarborough, Junior Johnson Chevrolet

4. Dave Marcis, K&K Insurance Dodge

5. Richie Panch, Bettie Panch Chevrolet

Raceday Sunday was bright a clear, although somewhat chilly, as 110,000 fan, a record at that time, filed into the Daytona International Speedway. Donnie Allison in the DiGard Chevrolet would lead the field to the green with David Pearson to his outside. Bobby Allison would start third in the Matador, Richard Petty fourth in the Dodge, and Dick Brooks in a Ford would start 5th.

Donnie Allison led lap one but lost the lead to Richard Petty on lap 2. On the third lap, a nine car crash unfolded in turn three which involved Jim Vandiver, J. D. McDuffie, Joe Mihalic, Dick Trickle, Grant Adcox. Dan Daughtry, Marty Robbins and Warren Tope. J. D. suffered a broken breast bone and cut chin. Vandiver accepted responsibility for the accident saying "it just got away from me". This would be the first of 3 caution flags for a total of 21 laps.

When the race went green, A. J. Foyt passed Petty and led on lap before Petty went back out front. Petty, Foyt, and then David Pearson joining the fight, would argue over the lead through lap 85. By that time, Cale Yarborough had joined the contest for spot one as well as Buddy Baker.

Richard Petty had made several unscheduled pit stops (as I recall it was for overheating) and was 8 laps off the pace with David Pearson leading. Petty was unbelievably fast in the Dodge requiring cooling down periodically, as the came through the tri-oval to pass second place running Benny Parsons. Parsons was 5.2 seconds behind Pearson with 10 laps to go and was losing ground to the rapid Mercury. As Richard passed Parsons, he raised his hand to signal Parsons to fall in behind him and "let's go". Parsons tagged right onto the rear bumper of the Dodge and he began to slice into Pearson's lead quickly.

With three laps to go, Parsons was only 2 seconds behind Pearson and time was running out. It didn't appear the draft hookup with Petty would win the victory, but it would be a closer race. With three to go, Pearson ran up on the lapped cars of Cale Yarborough and Richie Panch. Somehow the Silver Fox got himself hemmed between the two and there was a slight "slap of the fenders" with Cale and Pearson went into a sping. Unbelievably, Parsons would come off turn four leading with less than 3 laps to run.

When the checkered flag waved Parsons was ecstatic. From Victory Lane he said "This is the biggest day of my life, better than winning the 1973 Championship". Parsons was full of gratitude to Petty saying that it was due to Petty that he was in a position to take advantage of David's bad luck.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the track, David was fuming. He said "I got spun out, but I would rather not talk about it". Cale, the object of Pearson's disgust said "Pearson clipped me and after that he spun out. I hate it happened".

Finishing order:

1. Benny Parson, L. G. DeWitt Chevrolet, winning $43,905.00

2. Bobby Allison, Penske Matador, winning $26,700.00 (1 lap down)

3. Cale Yarborough, Junior Johnson Chevrolet, winning $21,850.00 (2 laps down)

4. David Pearson, Wood Brothers Mercury, winning $18,150.00 (2 laps down)

5. Ramo Stott, Norris Reed Chevrolet, winning $11,650.00 (3 laps down)

6. Dave Marcis

7.Richard Petty

8. Richie Panch

9.G.C. Spencer

10. James Hylton

11. A. J. Foyt

12. Bruce Jacobi

13. Bob Burcham

14.Ed Negre

15. Cecil Gordon

16. Ferrel Harris

17. Coo Coo Marlin

18. Richard Childress

19. Lennie Pond

20. Buddy Baker

21. David Sisco

22. Dick Brooks

23. Tommy Gale

24. George Follmer

25. Walter Ballard

26. Darrell Waltrip

27. Johnny Rutherford

28. Donnie Allison

29. Randy Tissot

30.Hershel McGriff

31. Rick Newsom

32. Bruce Hill

33. J. D. McDuffie

34. Joe Mihalic

35. Jim Vandiver

36.Dick Trickle

37. Grant Adcox

38. Dan Daughtry

39. Marty Robbins

40. Warren Tope

The winner's average speed was 153.649 mph, having been slowed by the 21 laps of caution.

PERSONAL MEMORIES: I had picked up my new car, a silver 1975 Dodge Charger with burgundy leather interior and a sunroof, 3 days before the trip. I had four of my friends join me for the trip and we stayed overnight in our motel in Saint Augustine, the Caravelle as I recall. Left for the track early in the morning, stopping by the press office to sign for press credentials.

We parked in the press assigned parking area just behind the garage area and as we had two pit credentials, the two of us who had signed for those went into the pits. We got a few interviews on my little tape recorder and then returned it to the car. We pulled out the lawn chairs and sat around for awhile before walking around the infield taking in the sites and meeting other Petty fans.

When the race started, we walked over to the little hill by the tunnel in turn four where you could get a good view of turns 3 and 4 and down into the tri-oval. In fact, we watched a good portion of the race from there. Finally, after all the problems Richard had, I decided to use my pit privileges and go back in the pits.

I took up a position all the way at the very end of the pit road near turn one, not to be in any one's way. I was impressed every time Petty came by as he seemed to be flying, seemed much faster than even Pearson, but knowing he was laps down, all I could do was cheering him on. I was watching as he overtook Parsons through the tri-oval and I saw Richard throw up his hand and motion to Parsons. How Parsons ever saw the gesture I don't know, but it was immediately obvious that Parsons was hooking up in a tight draft with Petty.

It is doubtful (at least to me) that Benny would have caught David by the flag, although he and Richard were most definitely burning up the track. I did not see the Pearson spin but suddenly here came the 43 with Parsons tucked on his bumper and NO Mercury in front of them. Unbelievable!!!

Needless to say, Victory Lane was pandemonium. I didn't even try to get through the gate. Instead, I headed to find Richard. After a bit, I did find him and he was his usual smiling self although I'm sure he had to feel as though he had a shot at that win until the problems with his car. I asked him about his helping Benny, and although I don't remember the exact quote it was something like "sometimes when you can't win yourself it is better to help out someone who needs a win". That is very loosely translated, but, I think, it shows the attitude Richard exhibited most times around the track.

One other side note on this, is that I was covering qualifying at Darlington the year Parsons got the pole. I was interviewing him after the pole was settled and he was so excited about the pole he could hardly talk. That was an awesome interview, more so for the excitement in his voice than in what he said. Of course he brushed the wall on the first lap of the race, but he had been on the Darlington pole.

As the years unfolded with me doing my radio work, I had many occasions to be around Benny Parsons. One fact for the record books is that Benny was always the same kind gentleman, no matter what the circumstances. I never walked close to him that he didn't speak or reach out his hand to shake my hand. Even though I was a very small "potato" on the racing coverage circuit, Benny always treated me the same way he would treat the biggest writer or commentator in the sport. When Benny moved to the broadcast booth, he brought with him class, humor, intelligence and honesty that today's broadcasters seem to have ignored.

Honor the past, embrace the present, dream for the future

As we have come to expect from you this is a great report and I agree with you totally about BP. He was a true racer and a gentleman. Thank you for another fine piece of work.

Country singer Charlie Rich was the grand marshal / starter for the 500. My dad had one of his LPs though my mother wasn't - nor isn't - one of his biggest fans. One of his peers from the music biz - Marty Robbins - was IN the race vs. watching. But Marty was one of the cars caught up in the early multi-car wreck, and he likely had plenty of time the rest of the afternoon to compare lyrics and chords with Rich.

The field lines up 2x2 for the start of the second twin with legends even then, Pearson and Petty, on the front row. - Richard Guido

Independent driver and 1969 late model champion at Nashville, David Sisco, started a respectable 12th in the 500. But he lost an engine and finished 21st in the big show. - Craig Bontrager

Donnie Allison began what turned out to be final season with DiGard. He nabbed the pole for both of Daytona's races, but after the Firecracker 400, he was moved aside and replaced with Darrell Waltrip. - Richard Guido

Donnie had a DiGard teammate in the race - USAC regular Johnny Rutherford in a #08 Chevy. He started 11th in the 500 alongside Sisco. But as with Donnie, the 08 had engine issues. He finished 27th, one spot better than his teammate Allison. - Tom Knox

Richie Panch had a fantastic day in his brief Cup career. He brought home what I think may be the original Budweiser sponsored Cup car to an 8th place finish. - Craig Bontrager

Dick Trickle was hired to race the Puro Racing Mercury.... - Danny Quick

...but as Tim noted, Trickle's race lasted all of 3 laps when he was caught up in a multi-car wreck triggered apparently by Jim Vandiver. The car was reduced to this. - Dave Westerman's Florida Racing History

Coincidentally, this car was recently featured on Ray Evernham's new show, Americarna. Delbert Puro and his wife owned and built the car, and they entered 4 GN / Cup races. The storyline was that the Mercury was rebuilt and raced again - including with Panch as the driver. I do think there could have been some holes in the story though. The final 2 races for the Puros as owners were with a FORD vs. the Mercury. Also, the car number in the 4 Cup races entered by the Puros was 75 in two and 99 in the last two. The number on the car in the episode was 96.

Its likely the car was restored as one driven and owned by Mike Miller in 2 races in 1980 based on this Ray Lamm picture - though no reference was made to Miller during the show. Evernham made it seem as if the Puros owned the car the entire time vs. perhaps selling it off and somehow reclaiming it later.

But I digress...

What was left of Warren Tope's Ford. - Ray Lamm

Tope started only 2 Cup races - the 1975 500 and the Atlanta 500 that spring. He passed away on July 5, 1975.

When Speedweeks rolled around, Junior Johnson didn't yet have solid sponsorship for Cale Yarborough. Later in the spring, he signed Holly Farms Chicken to sponsor Cale. But at Daytona, the car was still sporting the Kar Kare colors of the year before - albeit without their decals.

After the traditional pre-race photo shoots were done but before the start of the 500, Junior worked out a short-term deal with Valvoline. The dollars were apparently meaningful enough to warrant putting their name on the full rear quarter panel.

Benny celebrates in victory lane with car owner L.G. DeWitt, Linda Vaughn and the Union76 Racestoppers including RR's Doshia Wall.

In the off season between 1974 and 1975, several Cup drivers made their way to record several country covers for an album titled NASCAR Goes Country.

Some had the opportunity to listen to it during Speedweeks -on 8-track I'm sure - and I'm not sure any came away impressed including Marty Robbins. - From DBMJ .You can judge for yourself as I have all the tracks available in the [ music section of my RR page ].

Thank you Bill. I truly deeply value your opinion and I appreciate the kind words. The History Minutes started April 5, 2013, so we are winding down to the final few here soon. That was a quicky year.

Ron Hutcherson won the ARCA 200. Once again, the winner got the victory smooch from RR's Doshia Wall.

Maynard Troyer had one of the wildest accidents ever in the 1971 Daytona. Though his 14-race Cup was effectively over after a single season in 1971 (plus a start in the 1973 Daytona 500), Troyer continued to race on - including at Daytona. He returned to Daytona each February throughout the 70s to race in the 200-mile modified events. This DBMJ article is from February 13, 1975.

Jack Ingram won the Permatex 300 late model sportsman race. He referenced the win in his NASCAR Hall of Fame induction speech as doing more to draw fans than his 3 championships. - Ray Lamm

The start of the race with Ingram and Bobby Allison on the front row. Petty Enterprises employee and part-time driver Joe Millikan started 3rd in the Petty #04 Dodge Charger and finished 2nd to Ingram. Bill Dennis who had won 3 consecutive Permatex 300 races from 1972-1974 started 4th, but his winning streak ended with a 38th place finish. - Ray Lamm

>Red Farmer miraculously survived a vicious wreck-and-roll. - Blane Moon

From Tom Knox

Morgan Shepherd was hired to Marion Cox Mercury. Fortunately, the team left with the car intact (unlike many other years) AND Morgan finished a solid 6th. - Mike Cox

wow, that is one torn up car. Red Farmer was certainly lucky to come out of that one. Thanks Chase for the great pics.

Grand Marshal, Charlie Rich's huge career hit, "Behind Closed Doors" was released the same year I was married - 1973 - and it was hot, hot, hot. Unfortunately, you never knew if Charlie would show up blitzed.

Sunday morning's Daytona paper carried these action shots from the saturday Permatex 300 late Model Sportsman go won by Jack Ingram:

A Daytona writer caught up with former 500 winner, Pete Hamilton with his '65 Chevelle LMS at New Smyrna Speedway on Wednesday night and wrote this revealing "What Ever happened To?" piece: