December 14th racing related history
Stock Car Racing History
Thanks! I'm learning as I go along. The deeper we get into December, the harder its become to surface racing news from back in the day. But I'm digging anyway! Ha.
Forum Activity for @tmc-chase
Stock Car Racing History
December 14th racing related history
Stock Car Racing History
This was my Christmas Day racing adventure sometime in the mid 70s. Wish I still had it - but my mother sold it in a summer yard sale several years later.
December 14th racing related history
Stock Car Racing History
1927 - The seemingly ageless Hershel McGriff is born.
From Ron Wetzler collection
From Ray Lamm Collection
1954 - The gone-too-soon Underbird, Alan Kulwicki, was born.
Taken by me at spring Atlanta race 1992.
From Ray Lamm collection
1973 - Chargin' Charlie Glotzbach announces he is ready to return to Winston Cup racing in 1974 after a very limited schedule in 1972-1973 and a disagreement with Bill France, Jr. My hunch is Charlie finally swallowed his pride and finally agreed with the France adage of "You need us worse than we need you." From Spartanburg Herald
From Danny Quick collection
updated by @tmc-chase: 12/24/18 02:50:32PM
Passing of ARCA's Lee Raymond
General
Jayski noted this morning that Lee Raymond made one Winston Cup start. He raced a #69 Ford with Hoosier tires in the 1989 Daytona 500. Though not shown on the hood or quarter-panels, Racing-Reference.info says the car had sponsorship from Bobby Fisher Distribution (maybe on the rear deck lid?). Fisher and his brother Woody were both beer distributors (Bobby still is), and they raced a Petty-built Dodge Charger in the mid 70s in ARCA, NASCAR late model sportsman, and Winston West races.
Photo from John Betts collection from Raymond's 125-mile qualifying race.
Passing of ARCA's Lee Raymond
General
Lee Raymond, a two-time ARCA Racing Series national driving champion, died Thursday, December 12. He was 59. Born on October 2, 1954, Raymond, of Dayton, Ohio, had recently been diagnosed with lung cancer and was hospitalized prior to being placed in the care of Hospice.
http://www.arcaracing.com/news.php?contentid=16890
Photo from Robbie Solesbee collection
updated by @tmc-chase: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM
December 13th racing related history
Stock Car Racing History
1959 - Several known drivers and some youngsters of established drivers raced in a micro-midget as a Christmas charity event at Piedmont fairgrounds in Spartanburg. Those participating included David Pearson, Rex White, and G.C. Spencer and the sons of Bud Moore and Cotton Owens. From Spartanburg Herald
1965 - Career racer and occasional Grand National driver, Jim "Herk" Hurtubise was recognized by Ford Motor Company for his courageous return to racing after a horrific accident at the Milwaukee Mile. The more I learn about Herk, the more I believe there hasn't been a driver as committed and passionate about racing AND having fun while doing so. From Spartanburg Herald
updated by @tmc-chase: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM
December 12, 1971: The King Claims Texas
Stock Car Racing History
Kyle didn't have any prior season points or provisionals to use either. Was his first race with new SABCO Racing team. Like Eddie, Kyle's car was trashed in a wreck during his qualifying trim. And the team planned to run only a partial schedule. I'm guessing that's why they chose to have Eddie start vs. Kyle. A 'win' for both. Eddie got the start and the points. Felix and Kyle got to give Peak a showing in their first race.
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December 12, 1971: The King Claims Texas
Stock Car Racing History
I originally blogged about Richard Petty's win in the 1972 Texas 500 at Texas World Speedway two years ago here:
https://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2011/12/december-12-this-day-in-petty-history.html
I'll excerpt from it and add a bit more here to continue the theme this year of featuring a daily racing history moment.
December 12, 1971 - Richard Petty wins the Texas 500 at Texas World Speedway near College Station, TX to notch his 21st win of the season and 140th career victory. As the 1971 season concludes, the King also wins his third NASCAR Grand National championship title - tying him with Lee Petty and David Pearson. Teammate Buddy Baker finishes second in a white, #11 Petty Enterprises Dodge.
The inaugural Texas 500 was run in 1969 when the hastily-built track was originally known as Texas International Raceway. Because of financial instability, NASCAR pulled the track from the 1970 schedule late in the year. It was originally scheduled as the final event of the 1970 season. I posted this article as a reply to Tim Leeming's Racing History Minute for the November 15, 1970 American 500 at Rockingham.
The track went through an ownership and name change, and NASCAR scheduled the track for racing again in 1971. The Texas 500 became the first season-closer under the newly branded Winston Cup Grand National Series. I find it a bit amusing the new track promoters chose to label the second event at the track as the 'First Annual'.
The race was originally scheduled for December 5; however, it was delayed one week because of a rain-out. Former Petty driver, Pete Hamilton, won the pole with Benny Parsons qualifying alongside him on December 4th before the rains moved in to force a postponement of the race.
http://stockcar.racersreunion.com/forum/topics/december-4-some-racing-history
The Petty cars qualified on the 2nd row with Richard 3rd and Baker 4th. When the race got underway, the 43 was able to muscle around both Hamilton and Parsons. Richard led the first 16 laps. Baker then paced the field for the next 31 circuits. Fifth place starter Bobby Allison was quick too. As the race progressed, Allison and Petty each took turn leading segments of laps. But with 20 to go, the Petty Blue Plymouth went back out front for keeps.
The race also featured an STP Pontiac - 11 years before Richard and Kyle Petty started driving STP Pontiacs. This one was driven by David Pearson and owned by Ray Nichels. The day wasn't the best one for the Silver Fox as he finished 48th in the 49-car field.
The following picture and article are included courtesy of fellow Petty fan and RR member Jerry Bushmire.
| Fin | Driver | Sponsor / Owner | Car |
| 1 | Richard Petty | Petty Enterprises | '71 Plymouth |
| 2 | Buddy Baker | Petty Enterprises | '71 Dodge |
| 3 | Bobby Allison | Coca-Cola (Holman-Moody) | '69 Mercury |
| 4 | Pete Hamilton | American Brakeblok (Cotton Owens) | '71 Plymouth |
| 5 | Bill Dennis | Junie Donlavey | '69 Mercury |
| 6 | Joe Frasson | Mario Frasson Cement Co. (Joe Frasson) | '70 Dodge |
| 7 | Cecil Gordon | Cecil Gordon | '69 Mercury |
| 8 | Richard D. Brown | Junior Fields | '71 Chevrolet |
| 9 | Ben Arnold | Ben Arnold | '69 Ford |
| 10 | Jabe Thomas | Don Robertson | '70 Plymouth |
| 11 | Ramo Stott | Ramo Stott | '70 Dodge |
| 12 | James Hylton | Hylton Engineering (James Hylton) | '71 Ford |
| 13 | Bill Champion | Bill Champion | '71 Ford |
| 14 | Earl Brooks | Earl Brooks | '69 Ford |
| 15 | George Altheide | George Altheide | '70 Dodge |
| 16 | Bill Seifert | Bill Seifert | '69 Ford |
| 17 | Bill Hollar | Earl Brooks | '69 Ford |
| 18 | Raymond Williams | Raymond Williams | '71 Ford |
| 19 | J.D. McDuffie | J.D. McDuffie | '69 Mercury |
| 20 | Neil Castles | Neil Castles | '70 Dodge |
| 21 | Wendell Scott | Wendell Scott | '69 Ford |
| 22 | Charlie Roberts | Charlie Roberts | '69 Dodge |
| 23 | Henley Gray | Henley Gray | '69 Ford |
| 24 | John Sears | J. Marvin Mills Heating & Cooling (John Sears) | '69 Dodge |
| 25 | Marty Robbins | Marty Robbins | '71 Dodge |
| 26 | Friday Hassler | Friday Hassler | '70 Chevrolet |
| 27 | Ronnie Chumley | Vita-Fresh Orange Juice (R.B. Chumley) | '69 Mercury |
| 28 | Bill Shirey | Bill Shirey | '69 Plymouth |
| 29 | Bob England | Bob England | '70 Chevrolet |
| 30 | Doc Faustina | Doc Faustina | '70 Plymouth |
| 31 | Tiny Lund | Tiny Lund | '69 Mercury |
| 32 | Jackie Oliver | James Mason | '69 Mercury |
| 33 | H.B. Bailey | Hopper-Crews (J.C. Crews) | '69 Ford |
| 34 | Earle Canavan | Earle Canavan | '71 Plymouth |
| 35 | Dean Dalton | Dean Dalton | '69 Ford |
| 36 | Frank Warren | Frank Warren | '69 Dodge |
| 37 | Jerry Barnett | Joe Barnett | '71 Dodge |
| 38 | Benny Parsons | A.J. Foyt Chevrolet (L.G. DeWitt) | '71 Chevrolet |
| 39 | Walter Ballard | Ballard Racing (Vic Ballard) | '71 Ford |
| 40 | Dave Marcis | Dave Marcis | '69 Dodge |
| 41 | Elmo Langley | Elmo Langley | '71 Ford |
| 42 | David Ray Boggs | David Ray Boggs | '69 Dodge |
| 43 | Don Tarr | Don Tarr | '70 Dodge |
| 44 | Ed Negre | Ed Negre | '69 Ford |
| 45 | D.K. Ulrich | D.K. Ulrich | '71 Ford |
| 46 | Ray Elder | Fred Elder | '71 Dodge |
| 47 | Jimmy Finger | B & B Racing (Don Bierschwale) | '69 Ford |
| 48 | David Pearson | C.V. Enterprises (Ray Nichels) | '71 Pontiac |
| 49 | Bobby Isaac | K & K Insurance (Nord Krauskopf) | '71 Dodge |
updated by @tmc-chase: 12/12/20 12:32:01PM
Drivng With The Devil, or, The Legend's introduction to audio books
General
I'm still a binding and paper page reader myself. I have read a couple of small books on the Kindle app on my iPad - but nothing significant. Haven't done the books on tape, CD or podcast yet. I started to get the audio version of this book until I noticed the co-author. Figured the tone might be too caustic for my tender ears.
