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.
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.
