Dave, that seems like just one more thing you and I shared back in those days.  How I wish we had known each other then although I have no doubt we encountered each other many times as we went about our race day duties.  What wonderful memories I have of that 21 racing that 43.  What a life it was back then.  Thanks for reading and thanks for your comment.

Chase, I guess "hate" was far too strong a word, but I really disliked that Mercury in those days.  They were Richard's stiffest competition and I just didn't like that.  Funny thing though is I had encounters with the Wood brothers time and again doing my radio work and I can't think of one time, not ONE time they were less than kind and courteous to a nobody radio guy with a tape recorded and microphone.  They personified the family aspect of racing of which I have always been so proud.

When I had the opportunity to apologize to them all at Hillsborough a couple years ago, before a grandstand full of people, we all laughed our way through it.  As I shook the hand of each one of the Woods it was like a flashback connection to some really wonderful times.  Now, I think, with Ryan Blaney, they may be headed back to those times.  I hope so.  Like you, I still pull for the 43 and, like you, Bobby Hamilton is the only driver who has been in that car whom I could support 100%. I keep hoping, wishing, that maybe one more time that car will be in Victory Lane with The King smiling beside it.

I realize, now, that my life would be so much different if it had not been for Richard Petty.  But even more, without the Wood Brothers, Jabe Thomas, Buddy Arrington, J.D. McDuffie, Frank Warren, Earl Brooks, Buck and Buddy Baker, Fireball Roberts, Tim, Bob and Fonty Flock, Herb Thomas, Bill Blair, Sr., Tiny Lund, Dink Widenhouse, Lil Bud Moore, Joe Penland, Sam Ard, Bobby and Donnie Allison, Cale Yarborough and so many, many more most people have forgotten but all of whom still carry that torch to be passed.  What an amazing life I have lived thanks to an uncle who loved racing and passed that love on to me.  Thank you, Uncle Bobby.