@jimmy-watson215 years ago
October 24, 1964. Petty started 4th. Billy Wade was on the pole in the sharpest car I had ever seen. The big black and red #1 Bud Moore Mercury. David Pearson started second and led a bunch in the Cotton Owens #6 Dodge. Ned Jarrett started third, finished second. The other things that really stand out in my memory was Petty spinning out in practice and Wendell Scott actually getting out of his car to help his crew during pitstops.My grandfather was WC Gardo who owned Gardo's Motel and Restarant in Forest City NC. My mom, dad and me always visited them on Saturday nights. Richard Petty and crew stayed at his motel the Saturday before the Harris race. Anyway we show up as usual and there is his truck, open trailer and car in the parking lot. Of course I went wild. Nine years old. I remember my grandpa setting at the switchboard with me standing beside him and he just calmly CALLED THE PETTY ROOM and asked if his grandson could come get a autograph. Someone on the other end must have said yes because me, my dad and grandpa just marched down, knocked on the door and stood there like there was nothing to it. So the door swings open and there bigger than life is Richard Petty. No sunglasses, big smile, hand shake, ask if we were going to the race the next day. Absolutely amazing looking back. AND that little motel room...it was full of people! I don't know for sure but you can just imagine who else from the Petty family was there. My dad asked if we could look at his car...."Sure, go ahead," was Petty's response. We said our goodbyes and I raced across the parking lot and was all over the Petty Blue #41 he brought for then race. What I remember most about the car was the holes cut in the floor with trap door so tread wear could be checked on the front. Seems like it was yesterday! Wonder if a nine year old could make that kind of a memory in todays NASCAR. Sad.
October 24, 1964. Petty started 4th. Billy Wade was on the pole in the sharpest car I had ever seen. The big black and red #1 Bud Moore Mercury. David Pearson started second and led a bunch in the Cotton Owens #6 Dodge. Ned Jarrett started third, finished second. The other things that really stand out in my memory was Petty spinning out in practice and Wendell Scott actually getting out of his car to help his crew during pitstops.My grandfather was WC Gardo who owned Gardo's Motel and Restarant in Forest City NC. My mom, dad and me always visited them on Saturday nights. Richard Petty and crew stayed at his motel the Saturday before the Harris race. Anyway we show up as usual and there is his truck, open trailer and car in the parking lot. Of course I went wild. Nine years old. I remember my grandpa setting at the switchboard with me standing beside him and he just calmly CALLED THE PETTY ROOM and asked if his grandson could come get a autograph. Someone on the other end must have said yes because me, my dad and grandpa just marched down, knocked on the door and stood there like there was nothing to it. So the door swings open and there bigger than life is Richard Petty. No sunglasses, big smile, hand shake, ask if we were going to the race the next day. Absolutely amazing looking back. AND that little motel room...it was full of people! I don't know for sure but you can just imagine who else from the Petty family was there. My dad asked if we could look at his car...."Sure, go ahead," was Petty's response. We said our goodbyes and I raced across the parking lot and was all over the Petty Blue #41 he brought for then race. What I remember most about the car was the holes cut in the floor with trap door so tread wear could be checked on the front. Seems like it was yesterday! Wonder if a nine year old could make that kind of a memory in todays NASCAR. Sad.