Johnson Becomes Benchmark for Stock Car Greats
Atlanta driver and owner Benny Johnson reflects on his racing era and enduring influence. He lists five top rivals from the past Curtis Turner Fonty Flock Fireball Roberts Richard Petty and five current stars Cale Yarborough Petty Bobby Allison David Pearson Darrell Waltrip. Johnson recalls his Darlington 1952 win and a 1963 season leading in seven races. He notes changes in competition and respect for equipment and boasts his 1963 Chevy chassis remained ahead of its time. He earned hall of fame and Myers Brothers honors after retiring.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Atlanta
Junior Johnson
Fire
Brimstone
Johnson
Flock Boys
Curtis Turner
Lee Petty
Junior
Cale Yarborough
Bob Flock
Fonty Flock
Fireball Roberts
Richard Petty
International Raceway
Cale
Petty
Bobby Allison
Pearson
David
Darrell Waltrip
Turner
Fireball
Bob Fleck
Waltrip
Darlington
Cotton Owens
Speedy Thompson
Buck Baker
Joe Weatherly
Buddy Shuman
Chrysler
Ford
Martinsville
Rex White
Chevy Johnson
Petty Seeks Atlanta 500 Win After Pole Record
Richard Petty seeks a second straight Grand National win as he starts from pole at a record 162.501 mph for the Atlanta 500 at Atlanta International Raceway. Donnie Allison and David Pearson trail, with A.J. Foyt, Cale Yarborough, Darrell Weltrip, Buddy Baker in the field. The $166,790 race offers $18,000 plus a ski boat to the winner and a $5,000 bonus for leading five consecutive laps under green. A near capacity crowd expected for the 328-lap event televised on ABC.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Benny Phillips
Atlanta, Ga
Richard Petty
Petty
North Carolina Motor Speedway
Atlanta International Raceway
ABC
Speedway
Donnie Allison
David Pearson
A.J. Foyt
Cale Yarborough
Darrell Weltrip
Buddy Baker
Pearson
Bobby Allison
J.W. Reins
North Wilkesboro
Larry Fox
Taylorsville
Johncock Breaks 200 MPH Barrier at Indianapolis
Gordon Johncock, 1973 Indy 500 winner, rode a Mustang DGS to an unofficial 200.4 mph at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He pushed beyond 199 mph in multiple laps, then returned for adjustments before completing the historic run.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Indianapolis
Gordon Johncock
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Johncock
U.S. Auto Club
Roger McCluskey
Rutherford
McLaren
USAC
Speedway
McCluskey
Roberts Cycle Winner At Charlotte Motor Speedway
Kenny Roberts of Moedsto California won the Charlotte Motorcycle Classics main event leading lap one and pulling away for victory. Randy Mamola of Santa Clara placed second with Wes Cooley of Mission Valley third, all aboard Yamahas.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Charlotte
Kenny Roberts
Moedsto
Calif
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Roberts
Randy Mamola
Santa Clara
Wes Cooley
Mission Valley
Enzo Ferrari Resigns As Auto Company Head
Enzo Ferrari resigns as president of the company he founded citing age and health. Fiat reportedly pushes for greater control, including over Formula One racing, despite Ferrari’s opposition.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Modena
Italy
Enzo Ferrari
Ferrari
Fiat
Turin
Auto Company
Cook Victory Secures Post Dogwood 500 Qualification
Defending modified champion Jerry Cook of Rome New York won one of three qualifying races to earn a spot in Sundays Dogwood 500 Classic doubleheader at Martinsville Speedway Leo Cleary of Hanover Massachusetts and Jerry Dostie of Guilford Connecticut won the other two events and will start 22nd and 23rd.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Martinsville, Va
Jerry Cook
Rome
N.Y
Martinsville Speedway
Leo Cleary
Hanover
Mass
Jerry Dostie
Guilford
Conn
Also Mentioned on This Page
Petty’s
Skip Manning
Chevrolet
Merit Elliot
Bruce Hill
Elton Forbes Robinson Daige Sar
McDuttie
Dick Brooks Ford
Jonny Rutherford
Tom Gale Ford
Billy Met
H. Barrier
Johnny Rutherford
2Emile Oval
Niki Lauda
Lauda
Nurburgring
West Germany
Cook
ATLAS
Morris Exxon Car Center
Wesvaintaurent
Yves Saint Laurent
North Main Street
High Point
N.C
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