(not just) Another race is in the can.
Once again we witness Bruton sparing no expense to respond and put on a great show in spite of “the economy” or declining interest.
The newest of “new Bristols” led to what I proffer as maybe the greatest race of all. In a recent post, I cited a story that called the 7.29.84 Dega race as the greatest, but I haven’t seen it-or certainly don’t recall seeing it. Normally perception of what is a great race boils down to what happens in the last few laps or at the finish line. But of course that’s not always the case. The new Bristol configuration produced 500 laps (is there really still an event with that magic number) of diligent work by dozens of drivers in order to advance. You could pass – but you really had to work – and without knocking someone out of the way as in the old, old Bristol. So is this Bristol version IV, V, or VI? How many tracks have survived so many changes? Quite a tribute to this one. Again, if it weren’t for Bruton, we probably wouldn’t be there.
In my mind, mile for mile, this was the best racing I can remember. ( Of course my memory isn’t what it used to be. )
Mr. Stewart’s 2- handed helmet toss would have made Monica Seles proud. Bull’s eye. Plus, unlike most drivers, if it was lost or damaged, he’ll have to pay for it. Small price for living in infamy.
It was a wonderful evening, everyone gave it their all, and ABC only missed 1 restart. PS. It was cool to see the Rusty tribute car.
8.25.67: At Savannah, Richard Petty got his 20th win of the season.
8.27.66: At Bowman-Gray, early in the race, Bobby Allison and Curtis Turner had issues and continuously banged into each other for 10 laps or so – many of them under the yellow. Eventually Nascar ejected both drivers. At that point it was irrelevant since both cars could barely move. They were fined $100 each.
Ned may not ask (no Nascar affiliation), but what’s up with Mike Eddy?
By Gary Erdakos
Ref: racing-reference.info, Greg Fielden’s “Forty Years of Stock Car Racing”, Richard Sowers’ “The Complete Statistical History of Stock-Car Racing”.
