HARRY AND BOBBY

When Bobby Isaac went to work for car owner Nord Krauskopf at the beginning of the 1967 season, it had been nearly three full years since his one and only win at the Grand National (now Sprint Cup) level. Isaac would go winless in 12 starts in 1967, and he won three events over a full 49-race schedule in ‘68.

It was in 1969 that the magic finally clicked. Isaac won 17 of his 50 starts, and then 11 more in 1970 en route to the series championship. He added a total of five more victories in 1971 and ‘72. Sadly, Isaac passed away in August 1977 after competing in a Late Model race at Hickory Motor Speedway near his North Carolina home.

A very large part of Isaac’s success with the No. 71 K&K Insurance team owned by Krauskopf was crew chief Harry Hyde. Together, they dominated the sport like few teams ever have. Hyde is also widely credited with overseeing the formation of the organization now known as Hendrick Motorsports, where he worked with the team’s original driver, Geoff Bodine, and, later, Tim Richmond.

Hyde died of a heart attack in 1996.