Forum Activity for @dave-fulton

The 1973 Richmond 20-Car Track Fire Leads to Pond Beating Waltrip for Rookie of the Year / Video

Stock Car Racing History

In our previous discussions of the big jet dryer fire at Daytona in February I brought up the discussion of the Baxter Price triggered fire at Richmond in 1973 that led to 13 cars being destroyed following a 20-car pileup off turn 4.

I had forgotten that Price nearly died from reactions to medications given him in the wake of his burns.

This short video discussion between former Richmond racing writer, Randy Hallman and Richmond racing historian, Joe Kelly ( wearing the Occoneechee shirt ) includes several still photos of that wreck and fire.

They also discuss 1973 Rookie of the Year candidates Lennie Pond and Darrell Waltrip, especially Lennie's amazing comeback at Dover the next week after having his independent car destroyed in the Richmond fire.

Check out the contrasting hairdos of Pond and Waltrip!!

I really appreciate Randy emphasizing that Richmond's 60 years of NASCAR celebration is for 60 years of CUP racing, not all NASCAR series.

Randy and Joe are both RR members.

updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM

The King's Cowboy Hats

General

Great story, Cody!

The King's Cowboy Hats

General

from a CMT interview with Richard:

What was the inspiration for your signature cowboy hat?

Long answer. The basic deal was that Kyle used to have what he called the Kyle Petty Boot Barn, and they sold hats and cowboy boots. I'd already been into the boot business, and so he convinced me to try a cowboy hat. That worked out real good because I could wear the cowboy hat, and you know everybody's got sponsor hats, and you always wound up having the wrong sponsor hat on when you were talking to somebody. So the cowboy hat solved that problem.

The King's Cowboy Hats

General

Yeah.... it was the Ford patch, lol! What wouldn't we all give to one day, just one more time, see a car come off pit road with "Plymouth by Petty" lettered on its quarter panel?

I think Smokey gave that hat to Richard!

The King's Cowboy Hats

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Thanks for finding & posting.

The King's Cowboy Hats

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That was a great piece of television when Richard walked up on her after she'd made his hats for so many years. I really enjoyed that, too.

The King's Cowboy Hats

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Maybe Tim will let me try on one of his for you when all three of us make it to the same RR event!

Actually, I'm not a cowboy hat person. They tried to make me wear one twice at Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association events when I was representing Wrangler in Greensboro, NC and 7-Eleven in Wichita, Kansas. I declined, which didn't ingratiate me with the cowboy crowd.

I could tolerate the western shirts, cowboy cut jeans and western boots (barely), but not the cowboy hat.

However, I think both Richard and Legend look terrific in theirs!

The King's Cowboy Hats

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I'm sure Legend, TMC and many others know this, but I just learned last night that I once lived almost around the corner from a true landmark - a place that deserves National Historic Landmark status.

When I was Motorsports Coordinator for Southland Corporation's 7-Eleven/CITGO/Chief Auto Parts brands in 1984-1986, I was based at corporate headquarters on Central Expressway, just outside of downtown Dallas, Texas.

However, we lived 19 miles from my office in the small city of Garland, Texas, next door to Richardson, Texas.

While watching a television piece on Richard Petty last night, the scene suddenly switched to my one-time place of residence in Texas. On the screen was Richard Petty, touring the Charlie 1 Horse Hat Company in Garland. Turns out these unique cowboy hats in a variety of colors and decorations ( no two have ever been the same ) have been custom made for "The King" by Charlie 1 Horse Hat Company in Garland for over 30 years.

Never knew there was anything famous about the place I was living and I couldn't wait to leave and return to the Carolinas/Virginia. Live and learn!

updated by @dave-fulton: 10/29/19 10:50:15PM

Myrtle Beach Speedway "Officially" Sold on Thursday

Local and Regional Short Track Racing

The following was posted today on RaceRap.com by Bill Hennecy:

Posted by: Bill Hennecy on April 27, 2012 at 9:57am

Yesterday the track was officially sold to Speedway Group of SC headed up by Bob Lutz who owns the NASCAR Racing Experience. The track was purchased from Billy Hardee and Nick Lucas Speedway of SC. The track will continue being NASCAR Sanctioned, add a Wednesday night thrill show, have Monster Trucks July the 4th week and the Myrtle Beach 400 in November. Other events are in the planning stages. Renovations are continuing a improvements are being made. The track will be home the NASCAR Racing Experience.
Many other announcments will be made in future concerning events and special promotions.

updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:09:31PM

Long Ways to Richmond (from Johnson City, TN)

General

Man, I hope the Tennessee racers don't use Travis Tritt's directions to get to Richmond this week. It would definitely be a long ways as his song says.

He must have a goofy GPS or bad MapQuest directions to be riding north on I-95 to get to Richmond from Johnson City. I-81 North to I-64 East gets you within a mile or two of the Richmond track from Johnson City. No I-95.

What do y'all think of Travis' directions?!

updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM