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Racing History Minute - Daytona 500 - 1978

Stock Car Racing History

The afternoon of February 16, 1978, was a foggy one in Florida, at least at the track known as Daytona International Speedway. It was through the fog that the first 125 mile qualifying race ran. The 50 lap race had 23 of those laps run under caution and there was a wreck on the last lap that involved three cars but did not impede the dash for the finish line where A. J. Foyt would hold off David Pearson to win by 2 car lengths.

There were 55,000 fans on hand to witness the race which included the first impressive run by a slow-talking red-head from North Georgia. Bill Elliott said, after the race, that "it was a thrill to run up front with those guys. We just haven't got quite enough engine to outrun them". (think ahead about the irony of that statement). Elliott finished 5th in the 125.

Top five finishers:

1. A. J. Foyt, Foyt Enterprises Buick

2. David Pearson, Wood Brothers Mercury

3. Donnie Allison, Hoss Ellington Chevrolet

4. Cale Yarborough, Junior Johnson Chevrolet

5. Bill Elliott, George Elliott Mercury

The second 125 rolled off with Ron Hutcherson on the pole in another Foyt Buick. The race, however, would be between Richard Petty in a Dodge Magnum and Darrell Waltrip in the DiGard Chevrolet. Between the two, they would lead 46 of the 50 laps with only Hutcherson, Lennie Pond, and Benny Parsons getting to lead during the event. The final outcome was D.W. winning by a car length after the and Petty had swapped the lead three times in the final lap.

Ricky Rudd crashed his Chevrolet on the 21st lap. His father, Al, owned the car and it was the only race car the Rudds owned at the time. Ricky said, after the crash, that the accident would "force him to abandon the NASCAR tour.

Top five finishers:

1. Darrell Waltrip, DiGard Chevrolet

2. Richard Petty, Petty Enterprises Dodge

3. Benny Parsons, L. G. DeWitt Oldsmobile

4. Ron Hutcherson, Foyt Buick

5. Dave Marcis, Rod Osterlund Chevrolet

Sunday morning "dawned", if you wish to call a very cloudy morning "dawning", and it was cool by central Florida standards. Cale Yarborough was on the pole with Ron Hutcherson to his outside. A. J. Foyt would roll off third, Darrell Waltrip fourth and David Pearson fifth. When the green flag was given to the field, Cale and D. W. would swap the lead back and forth for the first 10 laps before Richard Petty pushed his Dodge to the front. For the next 50 laps, Petty, Waltrip and now David Pearson, were hooked up in a nose to tail battle, rim-riding the high banks as they literally "flew" away from all challengers.

On lap 60, between turns 3 and 4, the rear tire on the red and blue Dodge blew and Petty slipped into the wall, and Yarborough and Pearson got caught up in the aftermath. After sliding down the track into the inside wall, Petty and Pearson were out of the race. Waltrip was in the pits for some 65 laps for repairs before returning to the race.

The remainder of the race was a battle between Yarborough, Buddy Baker and Bobby Allison with Baker able to seemingly lead at will as he was almost a lap ahead in the final stages. With 11 laps remaining, Allison took over the lead as the Baker machine seemed to be losing a little speed. With 5 to go, the engine in Baker's M.C. Anderson Oldsmobile gave it up completely although Baker coasted another lap to finish 7th, four laps down. Afterwards Baker said "What have I got to do to win? Man, I almost had a lap on the field, then this. I feel like crying". It was the second time in six Daytona 500s that Baker had the race in hand with less than 10 to go and had an engine fail.

The race would serve as an indicator of things to come for the small team from Dawsonville, Georgia as Bill Elliott came home in 8th place.

One interesting sideline to this race was the official reporting of prize money won by Bobby Allison. NASCAR's official payout report showed Allison receiving $44,300.00 but the press was told Allison won $56,300.00 NASCAR "clarified" the misunderstanding by saying "We know Bobby won more than that ($44,000.00). He may have been eligible for more than the $56,300.00 announced to the press but we have no way to know the precise amount".

Finishing order:

1. Bobby Allison, Bud Moore Ford, winning $44,300.00 OR $56,300.00

2. Cale Yarborough, Junior Johnson Oldsmobile, winning $41,900.00 (33.2 seconds back)

3. Benny Parson, L. G. DeWitt Oldsmobile, winning $31,865.00 (1 lap down)

4. Ron Hutcherson, A.J. Foyt Enterprises Buick, winning $22,250.00 (1 lap down)

5. Dick Brooks, Junie Donlavey Mercury, winning $19,925.00 (2 laps down)

6. Dave Marcis

7. Buddy Baker

8. Bill Elliott

9. Ferrel Harris

10.Lennie Pond

11.Tighe Scott

12.Skip Manning

13.Richard Childress

14.Grant Adcox

15.Roger Hamby

16. Buddy Arrington

17. D. K. Ulrich

18. Dick May

19. Richard Wlodky

20. Jerry Jolly

21. Cecil Gordon

22. Claude Ballot-Lena

23. Jimmy Lee Capps

24. Frank Warren

25. Tommy Gale

26. Coo Coo Marlin

27. Neil Bonnett

28. Darrell Waltrip

29. Al Holbert

30. J. D. McDuffie

31. Joe Mihalic

32. A. J. Foyt

33. Richard Petty

34. David Pearson

35. Jimmy Means

36. Blackie Wangerin

37. Ricky Rudd

38. Jim Vandiver

39. Donnie Allison

40. Morgan Shepard

41. Harry Gant

PERSONAL MEMORIES: By this point in time, our "troop" traveling to the races consisted of my parents' motor home in which we would normally carry 8 to 10 folks and at least one car following along with another 4 or 5. We would set up a couple of tents by the RV and the rest would sleep in the RV. At this particular time of my life I was the big "party boy"so getting sleep was the last priority on my agenda on race weekend. Pretty much the same this Daytona 500. We had arrived at the track about 10:00 a.m.Saturday morning and signed in for press credentials but thinking back I don't recall going in the pits either Saturday or Sunday.

I do remember being on top of the RV with about 12 other fans as we watched the Petty Magnum lead the pack. I have, just weeks before, bought a new Magnum, white with red leather interior, bucket seats and T-tops. It was just like the one used by Dodge in the television commercials. I thought it was one "hot"car and I was sure the Magnum was going to make an excellent race car. Of course we all know that before the end of the 1978 season Richard Petty would abandon the Magnum for a Chevrolet.

It could be the consumption of too many of those adult beverages has dulled my memories of that race, but I can still see the Magnum sliding into the wall in turn four and then sliding down the track. Couldn't see what happened then but the headset radio quickly informed us it appeared Richard's day was over. I watched the rest of the race but as it got later and later in the event, the "beer goggles"became more and more cloudy as has my memories. Just one other note on that. I threw the "beer goggles" away for good in August, 1978. I won't mention the name of the beer that sustained me in those days, but let's just say when I gave it up, the company had to withdraw all NASCAR sponsorship money.

Ok, tomorrow is the 1979 Daytona 500 which I turn over to TMC Chase, the Petty teams historian. I'm sure he will have an excellent report with awesome pictures and maybe even some videos. I will have some special (at least to me) personal memories to add to that one.

Honor the past, embrace the present, dream for the future

updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM

Think about this--COULD THIS REALLY HAPPEN ? ?

Current NASCAR

I would think it is not likely to happen Johnny, for reasons you stated. It would, however, be a huge draw. Can you imagine the advertisers lining up to have that televised?I would expect NBC and FOX to fight over that. But where? How many laps? When? I would offer this suggestion:

1. Race at "The Rock".

2. Race 50 laps with at least a two tire change and fuel required between laps 30 and 35.

3. Sometime in October

Now having said that, I remember when Billy Jean King took on the male tennis player, whose name I can't recall, and she beat him. That was big news at the time but since I can't even remember the other guy it must not have been that important, but then tennis was never my thing.

I would really prefer it never happen because, unlike the tennis match, Richard has some age on him. I would not want to see him hurt at his age and with Danica's uncanny ability to cause wrecks, that worries me. Also, the fact is that it is a no win scenario for Danica. If she wins, she beat a 76 year old guy who hasn't been in a race car since 1992. If she loses, she, as well as other female drivers, will never hear the end of it as she had her butt kicked by an "over the hill" old man.

Go back and watch the video on FB showing in car cameras and radios during races last year. To a man, including the infamous Tony Stewart, were blasting her driving. There were more "bleep outs" in that video that you'll ever see in a NASCAR tape.

Racing History Minute - Daytona 500 - 1977

Stock Car Racing History

Wonderful story, even though sad with Zenette's passing. But what is it they say when a driver is killed in a crash? "He was doing what he loved" or some variation of that statement. Perhaps that is the best line to serve at Mr. Zanette's induction to the Hall of Fame.

Racing History Minute - Daytona 500 - 1977

Stock Car Racing History

Before we get into the History Minute for today (February 22nd), let us remember that it was on this date in 1959 that the very first Daytona 500 was run. The story lines from that race are legion and we did recap some of those in our Racing History Minute that began the Daytona series here earlier this month. If you haven't heard the stories, or seen the pictures, you need to go back and check our post on the first 500.

The first 125 mile qualifying race for the 1977 Daytona 500 caused all the drivers not named Petty, to tremble in their cars. Richard Petty went around David Pearson on the 8th lap of the 50 lap event and was gone. Even after a 10.6 pit stop on lap 34, Petty was 28.5 seconds ahead of second place finisher, David Pearson, in a caution free race.

After the race Pearson said "We're all in big trouble Sunday. Nobody can even drat Petty. The Wood Brothers have my Mercury running great but I can't even hold onto his draft".

Top five finishers were:

1. Richard Petty, Petty Enterprises Dodge

2. David Pearson, Wood Brothers Mercury

3. Bobby Allison, Allison Matador

4. Dave Marcis, Roger Penske Mercury

5. Donnie Allison, Hoss Ellington Chevrolet

The second 125 saw A. J. Foyt start from the pole in his own Chevrolet. Although A. J. led two laps, he withdrew from the race after some slow pit stops rendered him out of contention.

The only caution flag was out for three laps when Terry Ryan blew an engine with three laps to go, so the race ended under caution with Cale Yarborough benefitting. Even with the win, Cale was not exactly a happy young man. He said, from Victory Lane, "These races should count as official wins and be credited in the points standings. They should also pay more prize money. It's bad enough to run a race that doesn't count and doing it for nothing is worse". Ironically, the 125 were considered "official" events through 1972 and points were awarded.

Top five finishers:

1. Cale Yarborough, Junior Johnson Chevrolet

2. Benny Parson, L. G. DeWitt Chevrolet

3. Buddy Baker, Bud Moore Ford

4. Darrell Waltrip, DiGard Chevrolet

5. Ramo Stott, Lou Viglione Chevrolet

Race day dawned bright and sunny but the wind was really whipping around the huge 2.5 mile speedway. Gusts of up to 30 mph were blowing sand, trash and race cars all over the track. Ramo Stott stated, without reservation, that "the wind blew me right into the wall" after he crashed on lap 107. Several cars experienced over heating problems from paper blown onto the track that became plastered to the grills of the cars at speed.

Richard Petty, the driver all assumed would blast into the lead from his third starting spot, pulled out of line on the pace laps and headed for the pits. The Petty crew repaired a loose oil line and Petty roared back onto the track to run down the field.He was helped by a caution on lap three when Bobby Wawak's car caught fire due to a ruptured fuel line,and as the huge fireball rolled down towards the infield grass, Bobby unbuckled and bailed out while the car was still moving at approximately 40 mph. Wawak was transported to the local hospital. He described the incident as akin to "sitting in front of a blow torch".

It was Donnie Allison leading the first lap with A. J. Foyt taking over on lap 2. Lap three saw David Pearson leading and then Cale took over for a few laps. A very tight pack of cars swapped the lead back and forth between Cale, David, A.J., Dave Marcis and Buddy Baker. Frank Warren led lap 34 as the leaders pitted, then Donnie Allison and Darrell Waltrip had their opportunity up front.

All the while, Petty was flying through traffic making up the huge deficit from his early pit stop. A crowd of 135,000 watched as the Petty blue and STP red Dodge sliced through traffic to take over first place on lap 61. But Petty would lead only 3 laps before the Yarborough, Foyt and Baker trio took over again.

Petty blew the engine in the rapid Dodge on lap 111 and was done for the day. Petty was not the only one of the favorites to suffer engine woes as Neil Bonnett, Bobby Allison and David Pearson were all parked behind the wall before the end of the 500 miles.

As the race was winding down, Cale looked in his mirror to see a Chevrolet driven by Benny Parsons tucked right in behind him. Parsons had used the draft to win the 500 in 1975 and he surely knew the tricks of the trade. Cale was trying every trick he knew to shake Parsons, but nothing worked. Finally, running into a pack of lapped traffic, Cale "moved around" on the track enough to break the draft and he was home free to win by 1.38 seconds over the persistent Parsons.

Cale left Daytona with a 76 point lead in the National Standings over second place Darrell Waltrip. Waltrip had finished seventh. Buddy Baker had managed to recover from a spin with Salt Walther and finish third.

Finishing Order:

1. Cale Yarborough, Junior Johnson Chevrolet, winning $63,700.00

2. Benny Parson, L.G. DeWitt Chevrolet, winning $38,835.00 (1.38 seconds back)

3. Buddy Baker, Bud Moore Ford, winning $28,075.00 (1 lap down)

4. Coo Coo Marlin, Cunningham-Kelley Chevrolet, winning $17,825.00 (2 laps down)

5. Dick Brooks, Junie Donlavey Ford, winning $18,100.00 (2 laps down)

6. A. J. Foyt

7. Darrell Waltrip

8. Jimmy Means

9. Bob Burcham

10.James Hylton

11.Frank Warren

12.Janet Gutherie

13.J. D. McDuffie

14.D. K. Ulrich

15.Bobby Allison

16. Tighe Scott

17. Cecil Gordon

18. Terry Ryan

19. Walter Ballard

20. Jim Vandiver

21. David Pearson

22. Ricky Rudd

23. Richard Childress

24. Salt Walther

25. Bruce Hill

26. Richard Petty

27. Ramo Stott

28. Dave Marcis

29. Ed Negre

30. Donnie Allison

31. Sam Summers

32. Ron Hutcherson

33. Jimmy Lee Capps

34. Grant Adcox

35. Jim Hurtubise

36. Skip Manning

37. Neil Bonnett

38. Buddy Arrington

39. Roy Smith

40. Elliott Forbes-Robinson

41. Johnny Rutherford

42. Bobby Wawak

PERSONAL MEMORIES: I actually don't recall any specific incident impressive about this race. This was our first trip to Daytona in the family motorhome so we were on top of the motorhome in the press parking area behind the pits. We saw Richard dive in on the pace lap and couldn't figure that out but our headset radios (the Winston Radios) told us what was going on. We saw the Wawak fireball but didn't realize he had bailed out.

I ventured in and out of the pits but because we had such a good view from top of the motorhome I was spending most of my time there. After the race we all hit the pits, as you could do in those days, and that was one event where we collected a ton of those "hero cards". Also, we happened upon a guy who worked for STP and we talked to him for quite a while. He ended up giving us a case of STP (12 cans I think) and a case of STP stickers (must have been 500 in that box). Wasn't long after we got home that STP stickers were seen everywhere in the neighborhood. No one had to wonder from where they appeared!

Honor the past, embrace the present, dream for the future

updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM

went to New Smyrns speedway last night

Stock Car Racing History

Sounds like you had a really exciting day!! Thanks for the report, Bill. With that kind of driving talent at 13, I can only hope he has his father's class and insight to the sport.

Racing History Minute - 1976 Daytona 500

Stock Car Racing History

The first of the two 125 mile qualifying races for 1976 began with the pole sitter, Ramo Stott, unable to roll off because the battery in his car was dead. Lap 3 say Dodge 55, driven by John Banks, slip coming through the tri-oval and begin a sixteen roll and flipping display ending in turn one. Banks sustained a concussion and multiple abrasions.

With five laps to go, Dave Marcis, driving the K&K Insurance Dodge, went around leader David Pearson, pulling Buddy Baker with him. Marcis won the event by a car length over Baker as Pearson finished third. Forty thousand fans saw 17 of the 50 laps run under caution as the yellow was displayed 3 times.

Top five finishers were:

1. Dave Marcis, K&K Insurance Dodge

2.Buddy Baker, Bud Moore Ford

3. David Pearson, Wood Brothers Mercury

4. Dick Brooks, Junie Donlavey Ford

5. Lennie Pond, Ronnie Elder Chevrolet

The second 125 miler started with Terry Ryan in a Chevrolet on the pole with Coo Coo Marlin in another Chevy starting second. When the green waved, Richard Petty moved from starting slot 4 and took the lead he would hold for 34 laps before pitting. Bobby Allison would then lead 3 laps before he had to take his Penske Mercury in for gas. It was then that Darrell Waltrip took over in the DiGard Chevrolet. Waltrip had a flat tire on the fourth lap and had to pit to change the tire. During that pit stop, the crew filled the gas tank to capacity and the misfortune of the flat tire turned out to be the winning move as Waltrip did not stop again and was able to win by just over 23 seconds.

During the race, A. J. Foyt, a previous 500 winner, blew the engine in his Hoss Ellington Chevy on lap 9 and was out. Dave Decker lost control of his Chevrolet on lap 4 and hit the back straight wall head on suffering a broken sternum. He was hospitalized in "fair" condition. The resulting caution flag was also the saving grace for the Waltrip pit stop for the flat tire. Everything seemed to fall D.W.'s way in that event.

Top five finishers:

1. Darrell Waltrip, DiGard Chevrolet

2. Richard Petty, Petty Enterprises Dodge

3. Terry Ryan, WAM Chevrolet

4. Bobby Allison, Roger Penske Mercury

5. Coo Coo Marlin, Cunningham-Kelley Chevrolet

The Daytona 500 rolled off on February 15, 1976, with Ramo Stott on the pole by virture of the three fastest qualifiers having been moved to the back of the pack due to rules infractions never quite fully explained by the sanctioning body. Even so, Stott was moved aside on lap on as lead-footed Buddy Baker whipped his Bud Moore Ford from its fifth starting position to the front on the green flag.

A crowd for 125,000 fans watched the lead swapped back and forth lap after lap between Baker, Bobby Allison and A. J. Foyt. Also joining in the battle for the lead were some lesser known names such as Terry Ryan, Jimmy Means, Terry Blevins, Jackie Rogers, andDavid Hobbs. Benny Parsons, the 1975 winner of the event shared in the lead but was not a serious contender for the win.

The final 100 laps were a duel between Pearson, Foyt, and Petty, with Benny Parsons stirring the pot with his L. G. DeWitt Chevrolet. On lap 143, the engine in Foyt's Hoss Ellington Chevy gave it up and A.J. was behind the wall. This left a three way battle between Parsons, Petty, and Pearson. With 25 to go, it was between Petty and Pearson as Parsons was now a lap down. The duo of Petty and Pearson were only inches apart through the remaining 25 laps with Petty leading going under the white flag. Entering turn three on the last lap, Pearson made a move and was ahead in turn three as he slipped up the track, giving Petty room to move under him.

Coming off turn four, Petty's Dodge wiggled ever so slightly as he regained control while running side by side with Pearson's Mercury. Hitting the "short chute" it was Petty by a car length when both cars began to spin and crash into the wall right in front of the full grandstands. Petty's Dodge spun wildly, ending up on the infield grass between the track and pit road. Meanwhile, Pearson had spun around and tagged the Chevrolet of Joe Frasson at the entrance to pit road.

Petty sat in the stalled Dodge, trying desperately to restart the car as Pearson, who had kept his Mercury running by pushing in the clutch as the car was spinning, began to literally plow the infield grass with the crumbled Mercury as he moved toward the finish line at 10 mph. Meanwhile, the Petty crew was rushing to the scene of Richard's stopped Dodge to push the 43 across the line. As it was, NASCAR's rule was that the car could not be pushed across the line so they penalized the 43 team a lap but he was credited with second place.

Interviewed immediately after the race, Richard said "My car broke loose. The first time we hit it was my fault. I told David I was sorry it happened". After seeing the taped replay, however, Petty said "You know, I think we were in control when we went through the fourth turn. Then David tapped me and that started us spinning". No matter who was to blame, the finish was certainly one of the most exciting Daytona 500 finished during the history of the race to that point.

Johnny Ray, driving a Chevrolet, was hit squarely in the driver's doorby Skip Manning on lap 117 which resulted in Ray suffering a broken neck, several broken ribs and a punctured lung. Pole sitter Ramo Stott had blown the engine in his car which resulted in the Manning-Ray accident. Also falling by the wayside were Cale Yarborough, Darrell Waltrip, Buddy Baker, A. J. Foyt and Bobby Allison for different mechanical issues.

Finishing order:

1. David Pearson, Wood Brothers Mercury, winning $46,800.00

2. Richard Petty, Petty Enterprises Dodge, winning $35,750.00 (1 lap down)

3. Benny Parsons, L.G. DeWitt Chevrolet, winning $23,680.00 (1 lap down)

4. Lennie Pond, Ronnie Elder Chevrolet, winning $16,800.00 (2 laps down)

5. Neil Bonnett, Bonnett Chevrolet, winning $14,000.00 (3 laps down)

6. Terry Ryan

7. J.D. McDuffie

8. Terry Blevins

9. Richard Childress

10.Frank Warren

11.Buddy Arrington

12.Salt Walther

13.Ed Negre

14.Joe Frasson

15.Jackie Rogers

16.Jim Hurtubise

17.Joe Mihalic

18.Cecil Gordon

19.D. K. Ulrich

20.Roy Smith

21. Coo Coo Marlin

22. A. J. Foyt

23.James Hylton

24.Jimmy Lee Crapps

25.Bobby Allison

26.Ramo Stott

27.Dave Marcis

28.Johnny Ray

29 David Sisco

30.Skip Manning

31.Dick Skillen

32.Darrell Waltrip

33.Buddy Baker

34.David Hobbs

35.Tighe Scott

36.Bruce Hill

37.Tom Williams

38.Dick May

39.Earl Ross

40.Jimmy Means

41.Dick Brooks

42.Cale Yarborough

PERSONAL MEMORIES: My little group of four friends and I returned to the Caravelle Motel in St. Augustine in my same silver Dodge Charger that was just over a year old, yet already showing over 70,000 miles. Seems we stayed on the road in 1975. The big thing about our trip this year was that one of those good friends had been involved in an auto accident two weeks before the race and spent a week in the hospital with a severely broken leg. He was determined he would not miss that race. So, as we loaded up to go, we literally lifted him into the passenger front bucket seat pushed back as far as it would go. Looking back, I will never know how he survived that long ride in the position in which he had to sit, but he did it.

When we got the track Sunday morning, we signed in for press credentials and then parked in the infield press parking area. We took a chair next to the fence for our friend with the broken leg and sat around and talked until about an hour before race time when I went into the pits for a couple of interviews for the radio show. To say things were really different back then is a full blown understatement. It was easy to approach almost any driver as he came down off the stand from introductions and they all had time to talk with you.

I spent most of the race watching with my friends against the fence near turn one as that was the best vantage point for my friend who had to sit. With about 30 to go, I walked into the pits and took up position in the same place I had been for the previous year's 500, right at the first turn end of pit road. The last 30 laps were thrilling as we could all tell it was going to be the classic Petty-Pearson duel 'til the end.

As the two flashed by my position on the white flag lap, I watched them as far as I could see them going through turns 1 and 2. Then I immediately turned my attention to turn four to wait for them to come back around. I was leaning as far over the pit wall as I could. I jumped off the ground when I saw the red and blue Dodge coming first but something was big time wrong. Petty and Pearson were both sliding and spinning and then Richard went nose first into the wall.

For a few seconds I think I was in shock trying to figure out what happened. Then I saw some of the Petty crew running towards the car so I jumped the wall and started to sprint in that direction to help push. About the time I hit the grass between the pit road and the track, the biggest man I have ever seen (still a true statement even all these years later) grabbed me and let me know in no uncertain terms that I was NOT going out there to push Petty. It was about that time Pearson made it across the line so the point for the win was moot anyway. Looking back on that incident, I wonder if that huge guy was a Pearson fan? Bet he was!!!!

We made it back home early in the morning Monday. Even as I sit here now I wonder how my friend survived that wild weekend with his leg in a cast from his toes to his thigh. Guess we were stronger back then but he did it. His only problem was how to keep the cast dry while taking a shower. One of my friends who now builds rockets for NASA (joke) decided a large trash bag would do the trick. So, with leg in a garbage bag, off to the shower he went. We kept listening for the fall, but it never happened. After an extended time monopolizing the bathroom, out he comes, towel around his waist, and a dripping garbage bag on his leg. I'm not sure the carpet in that room was dry even when we checked out the next morning.

I'm sure glad I have these memories of a part of life that was so exciting, yet so simple in reality. The world was sure a different place in the 70s.

Honor the past, embrace the present, dream for the future.

updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM

Racing History Minute - 1975 Daytona 500

Stock Car Racing History

Thank you Bill. I truly deeply value your opinion and I appreciate the kind words. The History Minutes started April 5, 2013, so we are winding down to the final few here soon. That was a quicky year.

Racing History Minute - 1975 Daytona 500

Stock Car Racing History

The Twin 125s in 1975 were both competitive events, especially over the last few laps. In the first one, Bobby Allison, in the Penske Matador, battled a hard charging Dick Brooks over the final laps to win by just over a second. Buddy Baker had been the story of the race as he was, in typical Baker fashion, charging away from the pack. However, on lap 27 of the 50, a tire blew on the Bud Moore Ford and Baker spun off the track allowing Allison and Brooks to fight for the win.

Donnie Allison started the DiGard Chevy on the pole but led only one lap. He would park the car behind the wall after nine laps with an oil leak. Although the lead changed hands 21 times in the 50 laps, it was Baker who seemed to be able to lead at will.

The green flag would wave to restart from a caution with 3 laps to go and Allison was able to pull away from Brooks because the Ford Brooks was driving for Junie Donlavey got hung in second gear which allowed Allison to pull away.

Top five finishers in the first 125:

1. Bobby Allison, Penske Matador

2. Dick Brooks, Junie Donlavey Ford

3. Lennie Pond, Ronnie Elder Chevrolet

4. A.J. Foyt, Hoss Ellington Chevrolet

5. Johnny Rutherford, DiGard Chevrolet

The second 125 ended with the classic Petty-Pearson duel to the flag with Pearson coming out on top. Petty had led 39 laps but said afterwards that he knew Pearson had the fastest car. Petty was waiting for the slingshot pass, knowing it was coming, but not knowing when Pearson would make the move. Pearson made the move in turns 3 and 4 and said afterwards he thought he may have moved too early and that Petty could take it back off turn 4. Didn't happen.

Top five finishers:

1. David Pearson, Wood Brothers Mercury

2. Richard Petty, Petty Enterprises Dodge

3. Cale Yarborough, Junior Johnson Chevrolet

4. Dave Marcis, K&K Insurance Dodge

5. Richie Panch, Bettie Panch Chevrolet

Raceday Sunday was bright a clear, although somewhat chilly, as 110,000 fan, a record at that time, filed into the Daytona International Speedway. Donnie Allison in the DiGard Chevrolet would lead the field to the green with David Pearson to his outside. Bobby Allison would start third in the Matador, Richard Petty fourth in the Dodge, and Dick Brooks in a Ford would start 5th.

Donnie Allison led lap one but lost the lead to Richard Petty on lap 2. On the third lap, a nine car crash unfolded in turn three which involved Jim Vandiver, J. D. McDuffie, Joe Mihalic, Dick Trickle, Grant Adcox. Dan Daughtry, Marty Robbins and Warren Tope. J. D. suffered a broken breast bone and cut chin. Vandiver accepted responsibility for the accident saying "it just got away from me". This would be the first of 3 caution flags for a total of 21 laps.

When the race went green, A. J. Foyt passed Petty and led on lap before Petty went back out front. Petty, Foyt, and then David Pearson joining the fight, would argue over the lead through lap 85. By that time, Cale Yarborough had joined the contest for spot one as well as Buddy Baker.

Richard Petty had made several unscheduled pit stops (as I recall it was for overheating) and was 8 laps off the pace with David Pearson leading. Petty was unbelievably fast in the Dodge requiring cooling down periodically, as the came through the tri-oval to pass second place running Benny Parsons. Parsons was 5.2 seconds behind Pearson with 10 laps to go and was losing ground to the rapid Mercury. As Richard passed Parsons, he raised his hand to signal Parsons to fall in behind him and "let's go". Parsons tagged right onto the rear bumper of the Dodge and he began to slice into Pearson's lead quickly.

With three laps to go, Parsons was only 2 seconds behind Pearson and time was running out. It didn't appear the draft hookup with Petty would win the victory, but it would be a closer race. With three to go, Pearson ran up on the lapped cars of Cale Yarborough and Richie Panch. Somehow the Silver Fox got himself hemmed between the two and there was a slight "slap of the fenders" with Cale and Pearson went into a sping. Unbelievably, Parsons would come off turn four leading with less than 3 laps to run.

When the checkered flag waved Parsons was ecstatic. From Victory Lane he said "This is the biggest day of my life, better than winning the 1973 Championship". Parsons was full of gratitude to Petty saying that it was due to Petty that he was in a position to take advantage of David's bad luck.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the track, David was fuming. He said "I got spun out, but I would rather not talk about it". Cale, the object of Pearson's disgust said "Pearson clipped me and after that he spun out. I hate it happened".

Finishing order:

1. Benny Parson, L. G. DeWitt Chevrolet, winning $43,905.00

2. Bobby Allison, Penske Matador, winning $26,700.00 (1 lap down)

3. Cale Yarborough, Junior Johnson Chevrolet, winning $21,850.00 (2 laps down)

4. David Pearson, Wood Brothers Mercury, winning $18,150.00 (2 laps down)

5. Ramo Stott, Norris Reed Chevrolet, winning $11,650.00 (3 laps down)

6. Dave Marcis

7.Richard Petty

8. Richie Panch

9.G.C. Spencer

10. James Hylton

11. A. J. Foyt

12. Bruce Jacobi

13. Bob Burcham

14.Ed Negre

15. Cecil Gordon

16. Ferrel Harris

17. Coo Coo Marlin

18. Richard Childress

19. Lennie Pond

20. Buddy Baker

21. David Sisco

22. Dick Brooks

23. Tommy Gale

24. George Follmer

25. Walter Ballard

26. Darrell Waltrip

27. Johnny Rutherford

28. Donnie Allison

29. Randy Tissot

30.Hershel McGriff

31. Rick Newsom

32. Bruce Hill

33. J. D. McDuffie

34. Joe Mihalic

35. Jim Vandiver

36.Dick Trickle

37. Grant Adcox

38. Dan Daughtry

39. Marty Robbins

40. Warren Tope

The winner's average speed was 153.649 mph, having been slowed by the 21 laps of caution.

PERSONAL MEMORIES: I had picked up my new car, a silver 1975 Dodge Charger with burgundy leather interior and a sunroof, 3 days before the trip. I had four of my friends join me for the trip and we stayed overnight in our motel in Saint Augustine, the Caravelle as I recall. Left for the track early in the morning, stopping by the press office to sign for press credentials.

We parked in the press assigned parking area just behind the garage area and as we had two pit credentials, the two of us who had signed for those went into the pits. We got a few interviews on my little tape recorder and then returned it to the car. We pulled out the lawn chairs and sat around for awhile before walking around the infield taking in the sites and meeting other Petty fans.

When the race started, we walked over to the little hill by the tunnel in turn four where you could get a good view of turns 3 and 4 and down into the tri-oval. In fact, we watched a good portion of the race from there. Finally, after all the problems Richard had, I decided to use my pit privileges and go back in the pits.

I took up a position all the way at the very end of the pit road near turn one, not to be in any one's way. I was impressed every time Petty came by as he seemed to be flying, seemed much faster than even Pearson, but knowing he was laps down, all I could do was cheering him on. I was watching as he overtook Parsons through the tri-oval and I saw Richard throw up his hand and motion to Parsons. How Parsons ever saw the gesture I don't know, but it was immediately obvious that Parsons was hooking up in a tight draft with Petty.

It is doubtful (at least to me) that Benny would have caught David by the flag, although he and Richard were most definitely burning up the track. I did not see the Pearson spin but suddenly here came the 43 with Parsons tucked on his bumper and NO Mercury in front of them. Unbelievable!!!

Needless to say, Victory Lane was pandemonium. I didn't even try to get through the gate. Instead, I headed to find Richard. After a bit, I did find him and he was his usual smiling self although I'm sure he had to feel as though he had a shot at that win until the problems with his car. I asked him about his helping Benny, and although I don't remember the exact quote it was something like "sometimes when you can't win yourself it is better to help out someone who needs a win". That is very loosely translated, but, I think, it shows the attitude Richard exhibited most times around the track.

One other side note on this, is that I was covering qualifying at Darlington the year Parsons got the pole. I was interviewing him after the pole was settled and he was so excited about the pole he could hardly talk. That was an awesome interview, more so for the excitement in his voice than in what he said. Of course he brushed the wall on the first lap of the race, but he had been on the Darlington pole.

As the years unfolded with me doing my radio work, I had many occasions to be around Benny Parsons. One fact for the record books is that Benny was always the same kind gentleman, no matter what the circumstances. I never walked close to him that he didn't speak or reach out his hand to shake my hand. Even though I was a very small "potato" on the racing coverage circuit, Benny always treated me the same way he would treat the biggest writer or commentator in the sport. When Benny moved to the broadcast booth, he brought with him class, humor, intelligence and honesty that today's broadcasters seem to have ignored.

Honor the past, embrace the present, dream for the future

updated by @tim-leeming: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM

Our Ambassador Jimmy Johnson had a serious accident today

General

Jimmy, I hope you heal quickly. I know from experience, those license plate cuts can really be severe. Take care of yourself and rest up a bit.

Racing History Minute - 1974 Daytona 500

Stock Car Racing History

The story here, for me, is more about getting TO and FROM the race than it was the race its self. Getting gas in Columbia was next to impossible most days because we were on the "even-odd" license plate number allocation of 10 gallons at a time. This is the point in time when it was a huge benefit to have an Uncle (Bobby) who drove the tanker truck for the local Union 76 supplier. Needless to say, I didn't wait in line on even or odd days for my gas. Even so, we knew it would be tricky getting to Daytona and back with the gas situation.

I hesitate to relate exactly how we ensured we would have sufficient gas for the trip because I'm sure carrying that many 5 gallon gas cans in the trunk of a car was not exactly that safe, especially with three of the five passengers (driver included) who smoked. After all, Winston was supporting racing. Nevertheless, it was done and we survived, although I doubt I would be so foolhardy in these later years.

Another exciting thing about the 1974 season was my access to press credentials. I was at a Christmas party in 1973 when a local well known broadcaster was talking with me about my love of racing and my "radio voice". At the same party was a sales manager for the local station that broadcast the races.She overheard that conversation and being a race fan herself, she wanted to talk with me further. We talked and things started to fall into place. I was to meet with the station management the following week to discuss the possibility of providing a racing show on the station. What was finally worked out is that I would call in qualifying results on whatever day qualifying should be, then call in from the track on Sunday morning at 11:00 a.m. to give late news from the track and weather conditions, etc. Then, on Monday mornings, a 10 minute live show from the studio at 7:30 a.m. In return, I ran the "racing reporting" for the station.

This was in the day before "hard cards" and all you really had to have was a letter requesting credentials. It was, at that time, easy to get two credentials which allowed access everywhere as well as four courtesy tickets. There was a "Press Parking Pass" included as well which allowed access to special parking either outside the track or in the infield, my choice. We set up the schedule where I would attend both races each year at Daytona, Darlington, Charlotte, Rockingham, Atlanta, Talladega, North Wilkesboro, and Martinsville.

This was the beginning of my adventures into covering races which actually lasted until the 1986 season. The only really hard part was getting in from Daytona or Talladega and sometimes Atlanta, in the early morning hours of Monday and then being at the studio for the 7:30 a.m. show. But I never missed one. lol. I was dedicated to racing and to the show.

Didn't mean to really get off on that tangent but it sort of gives a background of my deep involvement in the sport after I quit driving. My love for the sport was a deep as dedication to a non-human entity could be. Whatever it took to be close to the sport is what I did. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. It was in 1975 that my parents bought their first motor home and things really changed for the way we went to races. Another story for another time.

What I remember about the '74 Daytona 500 was Richard's win, of course, and that, for the first time, I was legally in Victory Lane. Didn't have to sneak in that time. I also remember him blowing that tire and coming down pit road like a rocket to get it changed. I was actually standing behind his pits. We could do that back then. Things were so different in NASCAR. I think, at the time, anyone could have had the smallest radio station, or newspaper, and hooked up with press credentials, or may it was just that the station I was with actually carried the race broadcast. Who knows, but I stumbled into something that served me well for a number of years.

When we got back to Columbia, by the way, we still had two of the five gallon cans of gas full. We had used six cans. Thinking back to the price of gas then, when you could find it, those two cans would have increased in value to unthinkable amounts!

Thanks, Chase, for taking us back to another great win by Richard Petty. All these pictures and videos continue to impress me and even more make me feel as though what we do here to preserve the history really is worth the effort.

Honor the past, embrace the present, dream for the future!!!!!