OLD VINTAGE RACING ----TOPLESS even

Stock Car Racing History

It Wasn't Always Fun

Stock Car Racing History

I don't know any pilots but I assume that self-confidence is one of the requirements of the job. Sort of like the response you get when you ask a driver if he's aware of the risks of going 200mph.

About the worst response you can get when you ask a pilot a question is "I don't know, I guess we'll find out"

Julian Petty - trying to put more pieces of puzzle together

Stock Car Racing History

That's all well and good, but if you can't say "bibbidi bobbidi boo" at the start of each race than I'm afraid we'll have to look elsewhere.

Julian Petty - trying to put more pieces of puzzle together

Stock Car Racing History

This is the kind of stuff they should be showing in the pre-race shows, not those phony interviews and gags.

Julian Petty - trying to put more pieces of puzzle together

Stock Car Racing History

I'm surprised that as a member of the Petty racing family, Julian's life isn't better documented. To be honest, I'd never heard of him until he was mentioned in one of Tim's Racing History Minutes. I didn't become interested in racing until the late Sixties but I thought I'd learned a lot of the history of the sport.If Julian and Lee ever worked as a team it appears to have been over by 1952. Having seen the race histories posted here, I'd wager it was Lee that started the argument. It appears that except for a hot streak in 1958 that Julie didn't have an outstanding record as an owner. By the time he dropped out in 1962, Petty Enterprises had five times the wins. It looks like he was mostly running Chrysler products until 1955, then seems to have switched his allegiance to General Motors. I wonder if his exit from racing was related to GMs?As for that genealogy page, it lists Richard as Lee's only child, and none of his children. I guess that since county records have improved that they figured they didn't need to do the easy parts.

Racing History Minute - June 4, 1966

Stock Car Racing History

"another lane of traffic has been added to the infield to impede the movement of cars"

You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

Racing History Minute, June 3, 1965

Stock Car Racing History

When the race is being broadcast over network TV from Daytona; when King is going for his 200th win; when the President is in attendance...then you can race back to the caution. I'm fairly sure that, like Danica's pole-winning Daytona ride, that moment was planned out as well as possible and they did their best to make sure the script played out as planned. I love The King but I think he had some help getting those last few wins. Somebody in the tech line was looking the other way. Once he hit a nice round number they stopped completely.

If Jeff Gordon had slightly better numbers, I think they'd like to do him the same favor as a star of the "modern era". Unfortunately, they can't push him past Jimmy Johnson's five championships (especially since JJ will probably nab one more). Gordon also needs 18 wins to push him past Pearson to #2 on the all-time wins-list. That's a lot of wins, even if the tech guys aren't paying attention. I'm still betting on 2015 being Jeff's farewell tour.

Racing History Minute, June 3, 1965

Stock Car Racing History

The "no racing back to the caution" rule has always been one of the most sensible in NASCAR's secretive rulebook. Obviously it was not enforced in a uniform fashion if Putney was not aware of it. I presume that it was enforced so erratically that it eventually fell out of the rules and had to be re-instituted.

If Jarrett brushed the wall but was able to continue, it must have not been a hard hit. What it sounds like is that Jarrett was a lap behind and falling back. NASCAR wanted to spice up "the show", so they called a caution to let him catch up, and made sure that Putney didn't interfere with the plan.

I've always favored the field being set to the order they crossed the start/finish line on the previous lap. There are fewer arguments that way.

For all you 14 fans

Current NASCAR

And the headline in USA Today

Tony Stewart wins at Dover, gets hug from Danica

At least they've got their priorities straight. They got all the way to the end of the sentence before mentioning her name. A photo of the hug led the story but it was a small one. Tony got to celebrate solo in the main picture. They mentioned that there was a throng in victory lane and that he was met by a joyous crew. No word yet on who gave him a hearty slap on the back and who preferred a more low-key handshake.

Is Miss Sprint Cup allowed to even touch the victor anymore?

Racing History Minute - June 2, 1961

Stock Car Racing History

Sigh...I used to have hair like that. And the mustache too. It doesn't look as good after an hour under a helmet.

What happened to Julian Petty after he closed down his team? Did he remain with Petty Enterprises in some capacity?