How Jeff Gordon Became NASCAR s Wonder Boy and Changed a Sport Forever autoweek.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from autoweek.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
By Larry Cothren
Bob Whitcomb wasnât a typical NASCAR team owner when he entered the sportâs Cup Series in 1988. The New Hampshire native was venturing into a sport that was still dominated by southerners, including many who could trace their roots to the sportâs earliest days.
Whitcomb completely broke the mold in just his third year as a team owner. His car, driven by Derrike Cope, took on the sportâs biggest namesâincluding Earnhardt, Wallace, Elliott, and Martinâand won NASCARâs premier event, the Daytona 500.
Copeâs 1990 Daytona victory, in fact, remains one of racingâs biggest upsets. Dale Earnhardt, on the way to his fourth Cup championship, dominated the race that day, leading 155 of 200 laps. As the cars came around for the final lap, victory appeared to be in Earnhardtâs grasp.
The Scene Vault: Buddy Parrott Helps Richard Petty To His 200th Win February 1, 2021 at 3:37 AM
By Rick Houston
Yes, Richard Petty won the 200th race of his NASCAR career in the 1984 Firecracker 400 at Daytona. That much, you more than likely knew.
But … there’s a backstory to the weekend that make the victory all the more incredible. Buddy Parrott, Petty’s crew chief at the time, had to fend off the repossession of the engine the team planned to use in the big event.
This is Parrott’s story.
Join hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid each week on The Scene Vault Podcast Presented by Q Ware as they take a look back at the extraordinary people, places and events woven into the rich tapestry that is our sport.