Forum Activity for @tmc-chase

Feb 13, 1955 - Lee Petty Snags Jax

Stock Car Racing History

February 13, 1955 - Lee Petty starts on the front row and wins at Speedway Park in Jacksonville, FL.

http://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2013/02/february-13-1955-lee-petty-snags-jax.html

I was fortunate to find a reasonable news clipping for Lee's win, and Greg Fielden's books were a great resource as always. Its going to continue to be a challenge finding info on some of his 1950s era wins, but we'll deep on a'diggin.

updated by @tmc-chase: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM

Toughness and class of The King

Stock Car Racing History

I wrote this forum post here earlier in 2013. I added to my original text and posted it today to my blog. Thought timing was right with it being Darlington week. Also thought you might want to see the revised post about this rivalry of old and one of gold:

http://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-king-v-silver-fox-race-hard-with.html

Toughness and class of The King

Stock Car Racing History

I believe this is the one you are referring to? ( Team SC Midlands gallery)

Toughness and class of The King

Stock Car Racing History

Sports Illustrated featured the race in their July 15, 1974 issue. I printed a copy of the article to PDF, and you can read or download it from my Scribd account here (can't get it to embed properly at RR):

http://www.scribd.com/doc/125150748/1974-Firecracker-400

Here it is on SI's archival site:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1088768/2/index.htm

And here it is as originally published in the magazine (page 20):

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/edb/reader.html?magID=SI&issueDate=19740715&mode=reader_vault

Toughness and class of The King

Stock Car Racing History

1974 Firecracker - Video and MRN call are on YouTube.

That race also had the only official (to my knowledge) tie in a NASCAR "premier series" race. Buddy Baker and Cale Yarborough hit the finish line at exactly the same time.

Toughness and class of The King

Stock Car Racing History

Despite our collective mixed feelings about the economic viability and the authenticity of some of the exhibits of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, it was still mighty cool to see the well deserved pride and joy of those being inducted. It was cool to see former competitors enjoy each other's company.

Much has been said the sport needs new "rivalries" as in a good guy vs a bad guy. Make Kyle and Kurt angrier. Stoke Harvick so he'll go off. Feed Smoke's surliness. Etc. But a rivalry of old was a rivalry of gold - The King and The Silver Fox.

From Randy Murphy 's collection

Not only do they have respect for each other now - but they also had it then. Check out this article from The Sumter Daily Item I found today from about Pearson's win in the 1970 Rebel 400. Bear in mind less than 24 hours earlier, The King had just gone through the worst wreck of his career and an overnight hospital stay.

Dargan Watts photo

Ron Wetzler 's photo

Putting the thoughts of his own injuries and wrecked cars aside, Petty made it a point to call and congratulate David on his win. THEN he turned his focus to his own team - namely to find the whereabout of his boots!

updated by @tmc-chase: 07/14/17 11:44:42AM

RacersReunion Inspiration (Please read..It's to You)

General

Trying to set high expectations. But the reality about my dancing prowess is...

But hey, I've already got our photo ready to share about our tours around the parquet.

RacersReunion Inspiration (Please read..It's to You)

General

You got it. And next year, we shall DANCE!

buddy bakers first-- racing -- lap over 200 mph. not in a practice

Stock Car Racing History

Buddy definitely drove Cotton's #6 winged Dodge during the 1970 Alabama 500. Exploded the thing trying to run down Pete Hamilton in the Petty Superbird. He probably moved at 200 MPH trying to escape the burning car! haha

I just went through about 15 or so newspaper articles by searching Google News Archive. Most of course were wire reports. But even with sidebar stories, I saw no mention of anyone - much less Buddy specifically - officially clipping 200 during the race. It probably happened though.

I only looked at articles from Monday papers following the race. I did NOT look at any articles from Tuesday and after. You might want to search yourself to see if any follow-up articles were written.

My hunch is you won't find any 'official' reports. Say what you will about NASCAR's records, but they and the media have been pretty consistent about 200 lap runs. Only things I've ever seen are Buddy's 1970 non-event lap of 200 being followed only by Benny's 200+ qualifying run at Talladega 12 years later.

34 Years Ago Today

Stock Car Racing History

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