Just for PKL.
I've wondered... if Penske is The Captain...
Is A.J. Allmendinger Ishmael?
Don Miller Elijah?
Tim Cindric Queequeg?
Brad Keselowski Starbuck?
Chip Ganassi Captain Boomer?
Kurt Busch the great white whale?
1971 - The King wins the Northern 300 at Trenton Speedway in New Jersey. Sadly, the Schaefer race sponsorship from a year earlier did not continue to the 1971 NASCAR race. But those Indy fellers at the new Pocono track, well they got to enjoy the Schaefer 500 throughout the 70s. But I digress...
http://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2012/07/july-18-this-day-in-petty-history-part-1.html
And July 18 was a memorable date for Richard Petty in back-to-back years.
1958 - RP made his first career NASCAR Grand National start in Toronto, Ontario.
1959 - He wins his first career race - a convertible event at Columbia, South Carolina.
http://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2012/07/july-18-this-day-in-petty-history-part-2.html
Please take about 7 minutes to watch this. Say what you will about Rowdy Busch - but this is just flat out cool. As a child growing up with 2 parents and 2 healthy siblings - and as a parent nurturing as best I can two healthy, well-adapted kids - I take for granted the challenges and blessings that go along with a situation like this.
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=8170040
Tried to embed embed video here but no so such luck. But well worth the time in linking to ESPN to watch this touching story.
Many of us have enjoyed the articles, columns and books written by Rick Houston over the years. I got this e-mail from him today and thought I'd help spread the word about his participation in the VJGC 5K and his fund-raising goal.
I've signed up for another 5k to benefit the Victory Junction Gang Camp. This year's race is scheduled for Oct. 27, and it'll be the third one I've done. I walked the entire way the first year, and finished in a little over 51 minutes. Last year, I ran more than I walked and wound up getting to the finish line in a little more than 37 minutes. This time out, I plan to run the whole course -- hills and all -- and finish in as close to 30 minutes as I can possibly get. We'll see.
That said, if you could possibly help out with a donation, I would obviously appreciate it. Victory Junction was founded by Kyle and Pattie Petty in memory of their son Adam. I covered all but one of Adam's starts in the Busch Series, and I was at the track when he passed away. I'm proud to have named a son Adam in his honor.
Rick's participant / financial pledge page can be found here:
Three wins at two truly old-school tracks. One of them was prime turf for Schaefer. With Beltsville being about 30 miles from Baltimore, it's more "Natty Boh" country.
Two at Islip Speedway on Long Island, NY
1967 - https://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2012/07/july-15-this-day-in-petty-history-part.html
1971 - https://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2012/07/july-15-this-day-in-petty-history-part_8637.html
One in Beltsville, MD
1969 - https://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2012/07/july-15-this-day-in-petty-history-part_15.html
Great stuff Dave. I've heard of Hawthorne and knew he was friends with RP. But I've never really been sure of the origins of their friendship other than the Richmond connection. I guess his partnership with Sawyer at Richmond - and RP's frequent wins there sparked a friendship beyond just a promoter-driver relationship.
As I understand it, the staff from Petty's Garage made a trip or two to Hugh's place to look closely at his Bird to give them a better idea of how to restore the #40 Superbird driven by Pete Hamilton to his win in the 1970 Daytona 500.
Also, speaking of Charlie Luck - I learned after my trip to Frank & Larry's restaurant in Level Cross back in May that "Larry" is Larry Luck. With such a small community, I figure he may be Charlie's dad or uncle.
1962 - RP wins the Pickens 200 at Greenville-Pickens Speedway:
http://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2012/07/july-14-this-day-in-petty-history-part.html
1971 - The King scores one in the Albany-Saratoga 250 at Albany-Saratoga Speedway in Malta NY:
http://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2012/07/july-14-this-day-in-petty-history-part_14.html
And before building the track that we now know as New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Bob Bahre bought and operated Oxford Plains Speedway in Maine where Bobby Allison took two Grand National wins and Richard Petty won the third.
I'd be remiss in my Petty fandom if I didn't bump this post about two memorable July 12th Petty moments.
