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Written by:
Gregg Leary
12/22/2005 - 07:00 PM
Charlotte, NC
He was Dale Earnhardts favorite driver, won a photo finish at Daytona his crew chief was played by Robert Duvall in the movie "Days of Thunder," yet this NASCAR Cup Champion is probably the least known of all the champions of the last 40 years. Bobby Isaac grew up near Hickory, North Carolina. His father died when Bobby was six. Isaac dropped out of school at age 13. Yet, today, a college motor sports program is named in his honor.
In "Bobby Isaac: What Speed Looks Like," author Steve Lehto documents the fascinating story of a poorly educated driver piloting a futuristic car -- designed by rocket scientists -- the Winged Dodge Charger Daytona, powered by the mythical hemi engine, teaming with a legendary crew chief to win the 1970 NASCAR Championship.
And what a year it was with 11 wins and 13 poles, a feat not been equaled since. And the next year, Isaac took the No. 71 K&K Dodge to the Bonneville Salt Flats where he set records that have STILL not been broken. He set 28 records, a "flying mile" at 217 mph, 100 miles at an average speed over 194 mph in a car that anyone could buy at their local car dealership and with minor modifications run at similar speeds.
NASCAR rules forced the "Winged Warriors" out of competition. In 1973, Bobby Isaac pulled into the pits at Talladega while leading and retired. One story said a voice told him to get out of the race car. The incident was scripted into "Days of Thunder." Isaac "unretired" for a few races over the next three years. On August 13, 1977 Isaac ran his last race, a late model sportsman event at his home track in Hickory. With 10 laps to go, he pitted, as Lehto writes, "This time it wasn't a voice telling him to quit, it was heat exhaustion and a failing heart." Isaac took a few steps and collapsed he was taken to the hospital where he died late that night.
Bobby Isaac is buried in a cemetery plot donated by Ned Jarrett in Catawba Memorial Park overlooking Hickory Motor Speedway. Pallbearers were David Pearson, Richard Petty, Cale Yarborough, Tim Flock, Ned Jarrett and Neil Castles. Just down the highway
Steve Lehto's book is an interesting read for NASCAR fans, especially MOPAR fans. It is a bit term-paper like, with over 50 pages of footnotes, but you DON'T have to read them. Concentrate on the 150 pages of text and photographs. I read it during a rainy weekend when Hickory's races were cancelled.
The opinions reflected herein are solely those of the above commentator and are not necessarily those of SpeedTV.com, FOX, NewsCorp, or Speed Channel
Gregg Leary is a Researcher/Writer for 'Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain','The SPEED Report', book reviewer and columnist for SPEEDtv.com. (SPEED Photo) » More Photos
Gregg Leary, a researcher/writer for "Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain" and
Book critic for SPEEDTV.com, was the track announcer for Hooter's IHRA Drag Racing at National Events in the USA and Canada and entertained event crowds during "down time" by conducting "crowd participation" and product giveaways with the Hooter's Girls.
He also was Marketing/PR Director and track announcer at Lake Erie Speedway.
As photo editor, feature writer, columnist and swimsuit calendar chief photographer for "Sports Jam Magazine," Leary covered Auto Racing, Major League Baseball, the National Football League, and the National Basketball Association. He has photographed dozens of celebrities from A-Z, including Mario Andretti, Jim Brown, AJ Foyt, Ken Griffey Jr., Michael Jordan, Jay Leno, David Letterman, Mark McGwire, Paul Newman, Walter Payton, Alex Zanardi and Presidents Gerald Ford, George Bush and Bill Clinton.
Gregg's wife, Lynn, and daughter, Caitlynn, live in Jefferson, Ohio. His son, Sean is a student at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.
Leary has conducted motivational seminars and performed stand-up comedy around the country. He is a graduate of Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio and Exeter University in England. Gregg has hitchhiked 40,000 miles through 36 states and 10 European countries and is a licensed pilot and skydiver. Leary is available for motor sports consulting on a limited basis.
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