Saturday Bristol Motor Speedway put on “a happening”, called SCOTT’S SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIAL. They promoted a charity race with the legends of NASCAR. Try these names on for size, Cale Yarborough, Junior Johnson, Jack Ingram, Rusty Wallace, Andy Petree, Ray Evernham,David Pearson, Terry Labonte, L.D. Ottinger, and Sterling Marlin. Add to that some of these celebrities like Terry Bowden, former Alabama football coach, Frank Beamer Va. Tech football coach, Phila. Eagles place-kicker David Acker, Ron Capps and Doug Herbert from the NHRA, just to name a few.
The celebrities ran a 15 lap race to determine the starting position for the legends of NASCAR. Andy Petree won the celebrity prelim race. That put his teammate, Sterling Marlin on the poll and he took it all the way to the checkered flag. It was amazing to see these men suit up and race against each other. Junior Johnson stated that he had not raced a car as a driver in 45 years!! L.D. Ottinger had not raced in 15 years and charged up through the field to finish 3rd.
Rusty Wallace probably had the fastest car in the field, but just couldn’t get by ol Sterling, therefore had to settle for second place. Terry Labonte finished fourth and “Mr. Excitement” Jimmy Spencer finished fifth.
This race was something very exciting and very good for the NASCAR fans who stuck around after the Nationwide race at Bristol!!