As is often the case even today, Daytona seems to draw some unique and even questionable celebrities. In 2014, we've seen CNN's Larry King and rapper 50 Cent. In 1977, Billy Carter - the beer swilling brother of the recently inaugurated President - was welcomed by the NASCAR folks.
Like you Tim, I don't remember a ton about this race though I was a TV viewer vs. being there. I do recall my jaw dropping when I learned of the 43's issues on the Wide World of Sports recap. Petty was RIGHT THERE a year earlier and was so close to beating Pearson for the win. With his speed and performance in the twin that I'd read about in the Tennessean newspaper, I was convinced he'd be there again in 1977. So to have him out of it was an altogether different type of disappointment.
King dominated the series in 1975 but then had only an average season in 1976 as Pearson dominated the wins and Cale dominated the points. For whatever reason, I never really disliked Pearson even as he piled up all those wins in 76. But because Cale was so consistent race to race AND because he'd become THE guy to beat at Nashville, I found myself disliking him and his chicken car. While Benny's win in 75 was a feel good victory and Pearson's win in 76 an instant classic, I was seething in 77 when that yeller 'leven crossed the finish line P1. - Richard Guido
As a race team, the Pettys always handled losing with far more grace than I did as a new, teenage fan. They'd slough off a loss, man up, and try again next week. As for me, I could sulk for days if 43 failed to win or if a driver I didn't like got on a hot streak. Ha.
I know so many folks thought it was a travesty when the solid Petty blue was 'soiled' with the STP day-glo red. But as someone who found racing in the 70s, its the only combo I knew at the time. I don't think there was a better looking car on the track from 1974-1977 than that 1974 Dodge Charger - especially with those chrome wheels, grill and bumper. - Don Smyle
Many of us have soured on the overwhelming amount of advertising that's now an inseparable part of racing. But an element of is has always been there. First and foremost, its a business for all those involved ... except the fans. And the Frances were as good as anyone at knowing how to sell, Sell, SELL! - Mike Ettinger
Janet Guthrie made history by becoming the first woman to start the Daytona 500. She was making 2nd her Daytona start after having raced in the Firecracker the previous summer. - Craig Bontrager
Ricky Rudd started his first 500 in his family-owned Chevrolet. He DNQ'd for the 1976 500 and made his first Daytona start in the 76 Firecracker. But 1977 was the first time he finished well enough in his twin to transfer to the 500. I'm not up on my Rudd trivia - but this car looks like it could have once been a pre-Gatorade, DiGard car. Anyone one know if that's the case? - Ray Lamm
The starting grid for the second qualifying twin with Donnie Allison in Hoss Ellington's Hawaiian Tropic Chevy on the pole and Petty starting alongside him. - Ray Lamm
The photographer from the Daytona paper captured this stunning set of photos of Wawak's accident and fire - including his run towards medical help.
Cale in victory lane
Even with a disappointing finish, the King found his way to congratulate the winner. Included with them is Miss Winston and Richard's future daughter-in-law, Pattie Huffman.
Cale's win earned him the cover of the next issue of Sports Illustrated. - Ray Lamm
...and the cover of Stock Car Racing magazine in May. - Russ Thompson
Though the Petty team faltered in the 500, they had other Speedweeks success. Woody Fisher won the ARCA 200 race in a Petty Enterprises built and crewed Dodge Charger. The car was supposedly built to the same specs and with the same set-up as the 43 Cup car. I blogged about Fisher a few years ago here:
http://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2011/01/woody-fisher.html
And Petty crewman and part-time driver Joe Millikan qualified 2nd and finished 4th in the Petty built #04 Charger in the Permatex 300 late model sportsman race. I'm guessing he raced the same Charger he used to win the 300 a year earlier. - Jerry Bushmire
The sportsman race was won by Donnie Allison. - Danny Quick
And Handsome Harry Gant from Taylorsville, North Carolina won the 200-mile modified race.
Video highlights
Lennie Pond in victory lane following his victory in the ARCA 200 a week before the 500.
Benny Parsons won the IROC race, and A.J. Foyt captured the 1975-76 season title that ended at Daytona.
And a great story about the tenacity of independent driver Dave Sisco from Nashville.
In the Racing History Minute for the 1975 Daytona 500, I referenced Dick Trickle's car owned by Delbert and Diane Puro. The car was wrecked on lap 3.
The Mercury was supposedly rebuilt and lived to race another day - at least according to Ray Evernham's new show AmeriCarna. The episode left me perplexed though because the Puros only entered 2 more races but in a Ford brand vs. the Mercury. So what happened to the car?
I think I've found part of the answer. Here is a picture of the Puros with what is apparently the rebuilt car - now a numbered 99 Ford and with Hanna on the right rear quarter panel.
Driver Bill Polich raced in the first 1976 qualifying twin but failed to transfer to the 500. His car owner is listed as Hershel McGriff. Looks like McGriff may have initially intended to race the car himself based on this photo. McGriff - the long-time Mopar Man in a Ford?? The connection between the Puros and McGriff? I don't yet know. Perhaps the car was leased to Hershel, fielded in his name, but then returned to the Puros.- Jim WIlmore
Then I found this car on gwadagone's Fotki page. Looks like same car to me but without the Hanna sponsorship. This may be Trickle's ride in the 1978 National 500 at Charlotte in what would be the Puros' final entry as owners.
Johnny Ray's accident and injuries ended his driving career. He then turned to fielding cars for others in 10 Cup races. His first start as an owner was back at Daytona for the 1976 Firecracker 400 with USAC veteran Johnny Rutherford behind the wheel. - J.C. Hayes
He also put a raw Dale Earnhardt in his car. Unfortunately, Earnhardt did a pretty good number on Ray's Chevrolet in the 1976 Dixie 500 at Atlanta - though fortunately he didn't suffer the injuries Ray did at Daytona. - J.C. Hayes
A few more nuggets
Tom Williams made four Cup starts from 75-76 and about a dozen USAC stock car starts from 76-79. His 37th place finish in the 76 500 was the worst of his 4 starts. His sponsor Lone Star Beer is now owned by Pabst Brewing, who also brews... yep, Schaefer. - John Betts
Terry Bivins started 28 Cup races from 75-77. The 76 500 was only his 3rd career Cup start, and he finished a very respectable 8th. - John Betts
USAC stock car regular Terry Ryan's Speedweeks was remarkable. Qualified 2nd, finished 3rd in his twin, and finished 6th in the 500. But he made only 11 more starts over the the next 2 seasons. All accomplished in his first time in Cup and at Daytona. (He also finished 14th in the 1976 ARCA 200 race.)- John Betts
Gary Myers attempted his only Daytona 500 in 1976. He finished 25th in his twin and didn't make the 500 starting line-up. - Randy Myers
How hard was the racing on the last lap of the 500? Here they come through turn 4. Looks like Pearson is right on the ragged edge as he starts to turn down on the 43. - John Betts
Interesting to see the 52 in use before it became the go-to number for Jimmy Means.
Though I don't remember how much of the race was aired on ABC, I do remember watching the finish. I was only about a year and a half into being a race fan - but I was a dedicated Petty fan. The 43 won a ton in 1975, but I don't recall seeing any of them on TV. My heart was pounding as I watched the last couple of laps in my parents' living room on our little Zenith 19" TV. I was standing as I saw Petty take the lead and presumably the win. But then it happened. I really don't remember how I reacted - other than being stunned and deflated.
John Betts has a treasure trove of pics from the 1976 race. I'll embed some of them here and hope he'll add some of his memories as well.
The King rolled into town sporting a beard as our country entered its bicentennial year. He kept it until shaving it in the spring. - Steve Coffer
Some teams and drivers arrive in Daytona with an expectation of nabbing the pole. Others are competitive but end up as mildly surprised when they actually post the quickest time. Yet others are like Ramo Stott who likely had NO idea he could end up as the pole winner. - Bumpertag
Though the King had to settle for a spectacular second in the 500, the Petty team didn't go home empty handed. Shop employee and part-time driver, Joe Millikan, piloted the Petty Enterprises Hayes Jewelers #04 Dodge Charger to the win in the Permatex 300 late model sportsman race.
Most remember how the race ended. But I for one can't really recall how it started. - Stott and Terry Ryan on front row. Marcis and Waltrip on row 2. Buddy Baker and the King on row 3. - John Betts
For 1976, Bobby Allison parked his Matador after the season opener at Riverside. He switched to a Mercury for Penske's CAM2 team. He lost an engine and ended up way down in the finishing order. Things went from bad to worse for Bobby a week later when he took a bad tumble at Rockingham. - John Brown
Jim Hurtubise was back for another go in the 500. Instead of his traditional number 56, he belted into Junior Miller's #95 Chevelle. - John Betts
The crumpled 21 Mercury arrives in Victory Lane. - Ray Lamm
The Wood Brothers team celebrate with Pearson in Victory Lane. - Harlow Reynolds
Meanwhile, the Petty crew pushes the 43 to garage area as they wondered what might have been. Joe Frasson who also spun during the melee waits as the 43 crew gets Richard through the pit wall opening first. - John Betts
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
