I, too, used to curse those Wood Bros. Fords and Mercs, never dreaming that one day I'd sponsor their car for 7-Eleven and later being asked by them to pitch CItgo to handle their media relations, which I did and got the account. I was so fortunate to get to work with the Wood family, along with some other wonderful NASCAR families. Twice a year, on Martinsville Cup weekends, the Woods and friends staged a wonderful theatrical production and dinner in Stuart, Virginia for invited racers in a barn-like theatre owned by a neighbor. These were awesome nights. My girls still talk about the first one they atended in 1985 when we were seated with DW and wife Stevie and they talked about how nervous they were with young daughter, Jessica. 32 years later, my girls still talk about a little German Shepherd puppy named Flopso who befriended them that night. Now, as Tim states, many torches have been passed, but NASCAR fans are indebted that families named Wood and Petty are still involved.
I became a dyed-in-the-wool 43 fan in 1975 after being intro'd to racing in the summer of '74. For whatever reason though, I never hated the Wood Brothers 21. As I've since told Len, Eddie, Leonard, and Delano Wood, I respected their car and feared it beating the 43 - but I didn't pull against them. On the other hand, I had a passionate disdain for the Allisons, Cale, and Waltrip anytime they got near the 43.
I chose to go the the final race of 1992. I wanted to be there. I HAD to be there. I didn't have the benefit of seeing the King's dominating years of the 60s and early 70s. But I dang sure wasn't going to miss his departure from behind the wheel.
I've continued to pull for the 43 for the past quarter-century after Richard moved from the car to the hauler. With perhaps the exception of Bobby Hamilton, I haven't been a fan of anyone who has driven it. Instead, I pull for 43 simply because of the King's association with it. When he is gone, I suspect I'll no longer keep an eye on it.
With Blaney, however, I keep an eye on the 21 more than ever before. Not only do I have a ton of respect for the Woods, but I've taken a shine to Blaney as a driver. I believe in the short time he has been in Cup he has done more with less than fellow 2nd year driver Chase Elliott.
I loved reading Donohue's book. He was so honest and candid about his whole racing life. Seems like NASCAR was the most humbling experience of his great career. That is still true for a lot of drivers and champions that come from open wheel and sports car ranks to NASCAR today.
I, too, used to curse those Wood Bros. Fords and Mercs, never dreaming that one day I'd sponsor their car for 7-Eleven and later being asked by them to pitch CItgo to handle their media relations, which I did and got the account. I was so fortunate to get to work with the Wood family, along with some other wonderful NASCAR families. Twice a year, on Martinsville Cup weekends, the Woods and friends staged a wonderful theatrical production and dinner in Stuart, Virginia for invited racers in a barn-like theatre owned by a neighbor. These were awesome nights. My girls still talk about the first one they atended in 1985 when we were seated with DW and wife Stevie and they talked about how nervous they were with young daughter, Jessica. 32 years later, my girls still talk about a little German Shepherd puppy named Flopso who befriended them that night. Now, as Tim states, many torches have been passed, but NASCAR fans are indebted that families named Wood and Petty are still involved.
