October 21, 1979 - Richard wins Rockingham

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

https://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2011/10/october-21-this-day-in-petty-history.html

Keep those comments, cards, letters, and money orders coming!

1979 - Richard Petty wins his 190th career Grand National race in the American 500 at Rockingham. He also takes over the points lead over Darrell Waltrip in his pursuit of his seventh NASCAR Grand National / Winston Cup title.

Bobby W., fellow member at Racers Reunion , remembers...

For that year's Rockingham race, me and friends simply bought $8.00 general admission tickets for the backstretch stands. Those tickets only allowed access to the first 10 rows of stands. But after the race was about 100 laps in, we could wander anywhere and watch from the upper sections - which we did. Richard was driving a '79 Monte Carlo, took the lead early, and blistered the field again. I was lucky. I was convinced the sun rose and set over Level Cross, and I got to see Richard in his prime. Good times!

The comments from rookie Joe Millikan were interesting. Millikan grew up in Randleman, NC and worked in the shop for Petty Enterprises for several years. In the mid to late 70s, Petty Enterprises fielded an #04 STP Dodge Charger for Millikan in Late Model Sportsman races at Daytona and Talladega.

Joe won a couple of those events, and his performance in the Petty-built Dodges helped tee him up for a Cup rookie-of-the-year run with L.G. DeWitt. As it turns out, however, Millikan had the bad fortune to be a Cup rookie in the same season as a a guy named Dale Earnhardt.

Petty left Rockingham leading in the championship battle by eight points over Waltrip. Richard was almost 230 points behind Waltrip two months earlier.

TMC

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Schaefer: It's not just for racing anymore.
updated by @tmc-chase: 10/21/20 08:15:47AM

Drivers do, indeed, have short memories. Richmond car owner Junie Donlavey fielded the winning Permatex 300 entry for Richmond's Bill Dennis in the Daytona Late Model Sportsman showcase event three consecutive years from 1972-1974. In 1976 Richmond's Ray Hendrick drove Donlavey's car at Daytona. Hendrick led 55 of the 120 laps and was leading on the final pitstop, but lost to Joe Millikan. Why did Millikan beat Hendrick? Millikan was being pitted by the Petty Enterprises pit crew and they beat Donlavey's car out of the pits the final time. Ray Hendrick outraced Joe Millikan on the Daytona racetrack, but Petty Enterprises beat Donlavey's Truxmore pit crew when it counted and Millikan won.


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"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"

Great stuff guys !

Yep, more great stuff for sure. Thanks for adding. Yep, we were there in our usual parking spot in the circle of motor homes that went to all the races. A couple from Virginia, a Family from Tennessee and two families from NC and our motorhome always made the encampment as the old wagon trains circling up. Can't do that these days but then I don't to these day so no biggie.


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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.

Tim, I remember back in the day a group that billed itself as "The Racechasers" that always had a bunch of motorcoaches at every race with a ton of #43 flags.


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"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"

The "Racechaser" Motorhome was a part of our group at most tracks although the folks who owned that particular motorcoach were "high dollar" folks compared to us. You know, after my post, I started trying to remember the names of some of those folks in our group and while first names come easy, I'm having a hard time with the last names. I do remember the Smitheys though from NC because, thanks to this site, I have encountered Kenneth again and he was actually at the Raleigh event in January. What wonderful memories of those days I have, although the memory of names escapes me.


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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.

Bumping this discussion on the race's anniversary. Would enjoy hearing other's memories from the race or trivia about it.

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Schaefer: It's not just for racing anymore.

As Dave Fulton posted about a year ago, Andre The Giant was the grand marshal for this race.

http://stockcar.racersreunion.com/forum/topics/remember-wrestler-an...

Andre's travel agency - TRAVEL AGENCY! - was also a co-sponsor on a 2nd Junie Donlavey Mercury. The car was entered with Larry Pearson as the driver. Pearson was attempting to make his Cup debut. Unfortunately for him, he dumped the Merc in practice and then failed to post a quick enough time in the multiple qualifying sessions to make the show. His Cup debut would have to wait until the 1986 Daytona 500.

Spartanburg Herald

Spartanburg Herald

Spartanburg Herald (click to open larger version in new tab)

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Schaefer: It's not just for racing anymore.

In that 3rd article above, Luther Gaillard mentions the "feats" of Bub Strickler who was making his first Cup start in 8 years.

Dave Fulton posted about Bub as The Caution King way back in 2011:

http://stockcar.racersreunion.com/forum/topics/the-caution-king

So what happened at Rockingham in Bub's first race back since 1971? Yep, he wrecked. Finished 36th in the 37-car field in a Budweiser Olds.

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Schaefer: It's not just for racing anymore.

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Schaefer: It's not just for racing anymore.