D.K. Ulrich and the 1978 Southern 500

[apollo18cdr]

One of the greatest quotes I've heard -- and there have been a gracious plenty -- came from D.K. Ulrich concerning his wicked crash with Grant Adcox in the 1978 Southern 500. He said, "I got killed at Darlington, but lived to tell about it." As it just so happened, a nitrous oxide bottle was found in the wreckage of D.K.'s car ... and while he was recuperating in the hospital, he got word from NASCAR that he'd been booted for the rest of the season.

Ooooops ...

[GaPettyFan]

D.K. was one of the better characters of his time. I always wondered how guys like him, Buddy Arrington, Jabe Thomas, G.C. Spencer, etc. would have done with better funding and equipment. They could race each Sunday on a true shoestring budget. That description today still means you have a few hundred thousand bucks at your disposal. Things have to change but, geez, that was a fun era for racing.

[apollo18cdr]

For what those folks could've done with better funding and equipment, you need go no further than one Richard Childress!!! RC was in as bad, if not worse, shape as just about any independent you could name at one time.

[PettyCash]

Before going to work for my current employer 14 years ago, I interviewed with another organization. One of the companies owned by the organization was CRC Chemicals. They were surprised when I immediately said I knew about the company from their having sponsored Richard Childress in NASCAR in the late 70s.

[Kevin McKenzie]

D.K. is the first NASCAR driver that I ever met in person.  He was making an "appearance" with his car at a local Chevrolet dealership in 1977.  No one was there, so I got to chat with him for a while (I was just 10 years old), but he took the time to answer my questions. 

[pettyfan43]

Just watched D.K. on Speed.  What a character.  I never knew that The King drove for him in a race.  I learn something every day.  Good interview.

[PettyCash]

@pettyfan43 - Richard drove for D.K. at Charlotte in the 1986 World 600. He clobbered the wall in the 43 in practice (or might have been qualifying) and destroyed the car. For whatever reason, Petty Enterprises didn't have a backup car on the hauler to use. So Richard rented D.K.'s green #6 for the race. Truly an odd sight seeing Richard run a #6 green STP Monte Carlo.

[pettyfan43]

@PettyCash- Thanks for the great photos.