October 25 - This day in Petty history

1964 - Richard Petty wins a 334-lap race on the one-third mile Harris (NC) Speedway paved track. The race was the first of only two NASCAR Grand National races run at Harris. Rather than drive #43 for which he is most famous, The King raced a #41 Petty Plymouth.

In Silent Speedways of the Carolinas, Perry Allen Wood writes:

...Billy Wade had Bud Moore's Marauder on the pole at just under 65 MPH. Competition was stiff after a rare week off following the National 400 in Charlotte. Cotton (Owens) brought two Dodges up the hill from Spartanburg, Pearson's 6 and Isaac's 5... Wade led the first 100 laps and fell out, finishing 18th. Then Pearson led for 59 more before retiring to 15th. The last 40 were Richard Petty's and he copped his 36th career win. p.97

Randy G., fellow member at RacersReunion, gave me permission to share the next three photos from the race. All were shot by Bobby Parks who was the track's photographer, and he gave copies of the photos to Randy.

Richard (41) chasing rival David Pearson (6):

Door-to-door battle between 2 NASCAR Hall of Famers: race winner King (41) and second-place Ned Jarrett (11):

The race winner!

Article courtesy of Jerry Bushmire

TMC