Forum Activity for @dave-fulton

Hallelujah! A 2nd Chance for "The Legend"

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From 1973-1983, one-time Darrell Waltrip Business Manager, Joe Carver of Nashville was hired to promote Langley Field Speedway in Hampton, VA.Carver alwaysthought DW was unbeatable, so to draw a crowd at Langley one night, he imported DW and staged a $1,000 to win match race between Darrell Waltrip, and the late Virginia short track superstars Sonny Hutchins and Ray Hendrick. I would have given anything to have seen that race, but didn't. I have a notion The Legend would have approved of the outcome. Her's how it shook out in the words of the late, great Sonny Hutchins:

"Darrell was a great driver. He said I was a dirty driver, too," Hutchins says, smiling. "We ran a match race at Langley Speedway one night, Darrell, Ray Hendrick and myself. Ray won, I ran second and Darrell was third. He said I was a rotten driver."

Hallelujah! A 2nd Chance for "The Legend"

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Deck the halls with.....!!!!

Hallelujah! A 2nd Chance for "The Legend"

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My mother always said everybody deserves a second chance and that is certainly true in the case of "The Legend" - our most esteemed high priest of DWisms. You might remember that due to rain and the NASCAR points system, etc., etc. - Michael Waltrip was unable to run his DW tribute car at Kentucky as planned. Now comes word from the site of that ancient Indian burial ground upon which sits Talladega SuperSpeedway (or for us oldtimers - Alabama International Motor Speedway - A.I.M.S.) that Michael will arrive with another DW tribute car to honor his brother's first Talladega start as well asDW's upcoming induction in the Mecklenburg County, I mean NASCAR Hall of Fame. I'm sure The Legend will not be surprised to see that MW gives DW credit for his development into the fellow he is today. Not sure if that is a compliment or slam, but here are the anxiously awaited details. Maybe we can call this MW ride "The 2nd Chance Special!" I bet "The Legend" is already brushing up on his "Ickey Shuffle!"

Michael Waltrip's Talladega car to honor brother Darrell's Hall of Fame induction

The No. 15 car that Michael Waltrip will drive at Talladega.

Published: Friday, October 14, 2011, 12:36 PM
By Doug Demmons

The Birmingham News

Michael Waltrip will make his next NASCAR Sprint Cup start at Talladega Superspeedway, driving the No. 15 Toyota.

And he'll have a special paint scheme that honors older brother Darrell Waltrip's election to the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

The car features a photo on the hood taken during the May 10, 1975, Victory Lane celebration at Nashville Speedway. It includes 28-year-old Darrell Waltrip and wife Stevie atop the car next to crew chief "Suitcase" Jake Elder. Wearing the Goodyear hat is Robert Gee, grandfather to Dale Earnhardt Jr. Next to the car are the Waltrip's grandparents, Lee and Odie Phillips. At the bottom left is 12-year-old Michael Waltrip.

The back deck lid has a picture of Darrell during the 1989 Daytona 500 Victory Lane celebration as he danced the "Ickey Shuffle."

"This is really a huge honor and something that I certainly don't take lightly so I certainly want to thank Aaron's," Michael Waltrip said. "To be able to go to Talladega in a replica of a car that Darrell raced there for the first time and started his march toward the Hall of Fame, it is a special feeling. We both won at Talladega and based on how I've run in those races - even though I'm pretty much retired - I feel like I can win again. I'm going there with a car that has so much meaning to our family and being able to leave the pit area feeling like I can win that's pretty cool. Some of my earliest memories of Darrell and his NASCAR career were at Talladega. I've been going to Talladega since the mid '70s. I wasn't around for that first one, I was probably nine. Darrell was not only my childhood hero and brother but someone who helped shape me into what I am today."

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

How Will They Restrict at Daytona & Talladega with No Carburetors?

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Back when only mechanical fans were legal in NASCAR I had an electric fan manufacturer approach me and Robert Yates at the SEMA show in Vegas and offer to pay for assistance to have their fan o.k.'d for use in NASCAR. I said o.k. and approached NASCAR with a written proposal and got a quick no. Next thing I knew, that damned fan manufacturer was the official electric fan of NASCAR, but ole Dave never got paid a dime.

How Will They Restrict at Daytona & Talladega with No Carburetors?

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Thank you folks.

How Will They Restrict at Daytona & Talladega with No Carburetors?

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!!!

How Will They Restrict at Daytona & Talladega with No Carburetors?

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With the advent of electronic fuel injection, I guess the dreaded carburetor restrictor plates are out at Daytona & Talladega. Having two left thumbs and being not at all mechanically inclined, my question is simple. How will the cars be restricted at those two tracks with electronic fuel injection? Is it simply a matter of injecting less fuel, and if so, how is that accomplished?
updated by @dave-fulton: 03/11/17 01:54:38PM

Did anyone else enjoy the inteview with the second place driver?

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Well, I thought ole Bad Brad had it in the bag. My wife walked in at the end of the race and saw Mike Beam on the pit box and recalled going to his house in 1986 when we drove him home from Spartanburg. She observed Mike had put on a pound or two since the last time she saw him. When I reminded her that had been 25 years ago she was shocked. By the way, they don't come any nicer in NASCAR than Mike Beam, who was at the Pettys when I first met him. He used to come down to Spartanburg for us and help on Derrike Cope's T-bird in 1986. A real stand up, first class guy who goes back to Butch Lindley's Late Model Sportsman campaigns. I am very happy to see him having his recent success at Roush. Very well deserved.

Richard Petty - 200 Wins or Just 199?

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Having been at Daytona on July 4, 1984, I want to always be able to say I saw the King's 200th win in person.

Richard Petty - 200 Wins or Just 199?

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Touche