Post by ricklou on Aug 25, 2011 23:51:20 GMT -5
Ontario California, November 18, 1979
Buddy Baker breathed his Chevrolet letting an old friend take the lead gaining 5 precious bonus points for leading a lap. Surely Richard Petty gave a complimentary wave as Buddy let him by.
The 1979 Winston CUP season was coming to an end culminating in the most competitive season to date. This season would be Richard Petty's last championship as he topped the standings coming out of nowhere so to speak. Make no mistake, most of the boys in the garage and on the track knew better than to count Petty out at this point in time.
The 1978 season did not go well for Richard, at least for the first half of this campaign. Richard and Petty Enterprises could not get a handle on the Dodge Magnum for "78" finally switching over to Chevrolet cars and power plants past the midway point of the season. The improvement in performance was immediate and would pay off soon enough.
During the off season Richard had more to think about than racing as a stomach ulcer required surgery. Some thought that the King was on the ropes but Petty was ready to go, we just could not tell yet.
A surprise victory for Petty at the Daytona 500 was a warm up. As Richard would say, "It is just another race". Darrell Waltrip was one of those that did not think Petty and the older set had what it takes after his stunning win over Richard at the Spring race in Darlington.
Darrell's first lesson was watching Petty dominate Martinsville in the Spring taking the checkered flag after leading 247 laps.
Richard sent a shot across the bow in winning the second Michigan race leading only 9 laps after Buddy Baker dominated leading 115 laps. Richard's mastery of the steering wheel was becoming evident after another surprise victory.
Richard Petty's deal was always the long haul and 1979 was no exception. It was about racing and his efforts for this year were uncanny. Richard's unbelievable consistency started with a second place finish at Charlotte for the World 600 in May. Petty would finish the year with 19 top ten finishes, an incredible feat by any standard.
Back to the championship battle. Richard clipped Donnie Allison at the late Summer event in Dover Delaware. Darrell Waltrip had mechanical difficulty this day and would see his point lead significantly erode after Petty's thrilling win.
Rockingham in the Fall was Petty's backyard and was no surprise as he nipped Benny Parsons with another wonderful drive. It was Waltrip who was on the ropes in this tight race for the title.
Richard Petty's 1979 season is in the books and almost beyond comprehension when looking at the numbers. Winning Daytona was a surprise but the consistency displayed by the King was not.
Being a champion is not about finishing a season but about the season. Richard Petty's 1979 year was exceptional but buy Richard's standards it was racin.
As this history fades into the past many do not remember but many do remember.
Buddy Baker breathed his Chevrolet letting an old friend take the lead gaining 5 precious bonus points for leading a lap. Surely Richard Petty gave a complimentary wave as Buddy let him by.
The 1979 Winston CUP season was coming to an end culminating in the most competitive season to date. This season would be Richard Petty's last championship as he topped the standings coming out of nowhere so to speak. Make no mistake, most of the boys in the garage and on the track knew better than to count Petty out at this point in time.
The 1978 season did not go well for Richard, at least for the first half of this campaign. Richard and Petty Enterprises could not get a handle on the Dodge Magnum for "78" finally switching over to Chevrolet cars and power plants past the midway point of the season. The improvement in performance was immediate and would pay off soon enough.
During the off season Richard had more to think about than racing as a stomach ulcer required surgery. Some thought that the King was on the ropes but Petty was ready to go, we just could not tell yet.
A surprise victory for Petty at the Daytona 500 was a warm up. As Richard would say, "It is just another race". Darrell Waltrip was one of those that did not think Petty and the older set had what it takes after his stunning win over Richard at the Spring race in Darlington.
Darrell's first lesson was watching Petty dominate Martinsville in the Spring taking the checkered flag after leading 247 laps.
Richard sent a shot across the bow in winning the second Michigan race leading only 9 laps after Buddy Baker dominated leading 115 laps. Richard's mastery of the steering wheel was becoming evident after another surprise victory.
Richard Petty's deal was always the long haul and 1979 was no exception. It was about racing and his efforts for this year were uncanny. Richard's unbelievable consistency started with a second place finish at Charlotte for the World 600 in May. Petty would finish the year with 19 top ten finishes, an incredible feat by any standard.
Back to the championship battle. Richard clipped Donnie Allison at the late Summer event in Dover Delaware. Darrell Waltrip had mechanical difficulty this day and would see his point lead significantly erode after Petty's thrilling win.
Rockingham in the Fall was Petty's backyard and was no surprise as he nipped Benny Parsons with another wonderful drive. It was Waltrip who was on the ropes in this tight race for the title.
Richard Petty's 1979 season is in the books and almost beyond comprehension when looking at the numbers. Winning Daytona was a surprise but the consistency displayed by the King was not.
Being a champion is not about finishing a season but about the season. Richard Petty's 1979 year was exceptional but buy Richard's standards it was racin.
As this history fades into the past many do not remember but many do remember.