Because Pkl happened across a Schaefer beer reference I left on a column by Matt McLaughlin ... and because she had a chuckle about it ... and because Dave Fulton laughed at the two of us laughing, I thought I'd post a link to my latest blog about Pocono. And yes, it includes a reference to Schaefer.
http://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2012/06/pocono-improvements.html
I believe the Daytona twins DID count as official races from 1959 through the Winston's first season in 1971. They were trimmed from the 'official' schedule beginning in 1972. From what I can tell, R-R.info has it coded accurately as to including them in 1971 start totals but excluding them from 1972 forward.
According to R-R.info, yes - 792 is the number of drivers who started a Winston Cup race from 1972 through 2003. But my info is that 1971 is considered the 1st year of Winston Cup. Using that as my criterion, I came up with 842. The King won the 1971 championship - and was crowned as the first Winston Cup champion.
You just did by misspelling it. Schaefer only has one "F" in it. haha
*Snicker* - Couldn't resist it. I leave little nuggets like that scattered about the interwebs wondering who might find 'em.
Jeff - if you want someone to dig deeper and challenge the answer that PKL has confidently put on the table, you may have to sweeten the offer. Maybe toss in a can of viena sausages and sleeve of crackers? A pack of Nabs perhaps?
Kyle at #6 always stuns me when I see this list. I guess its because I remember race #1 for him overall (ARCA) and Cup (1979 Talladega). Or perhaps it was his single digit # of wins. But to think he ran more races than drivers such as Cale, Bobby, Buddy, and Darrell just blows my mind.
1967 - Smoky Mountain Raceway in Maryville, Tennessee - just south of the epicenter of Big Orange Nation
http://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2012/06/june-8-this-day-in-petty-history-part-1.html
1968 - Birmingham, Alabama
http://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2012/06/june-8-this-day-in-petty-history-part-2.html
1975 - Tuborg 400 at Riverside
http://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2012/06/june-8-this-day-in-petty-history-part-3.html
As Dave Fulton has pointed out, today we should again remember in a solemn, humble, respectful and ever-grateful way about the events of June 6, 1944. Today is also the anniversary of a couple of Petty wins.
June, 6, 1967 - Middle Georgia Raceway near Macon
http://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2012/06/june-6-this-day-in-petty-history-part-1.html
June 6, 1968 - Smoky Mountain Raceway in Maryville by-cracky Tennessee
http://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2012/06/june-6-this-day-in-petty-history-part-2.html
