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Probably goes without saying this was BP's most thrilling victory. I'm glad I was there and glad I remember so much about it. With the 600 running today, I figured I would share some thoughts from 40 years ago .. 1/8 https://twitter.com/nascarman_rr/status/1264519411987251200
Rain fell very hard a couple of times during the day, and the race finished near darkness (no lights back then). I think Darrell was leading both times the race was stopped, and he (rightfully so) lobbied for officials to call it complete. 2/8
Midway through the race, BP had a flat tire coming off Turn 2, and he dropped off the pace. Good thing, too. Leader Dale Earnhardt lost a tire that same lap in Turn 4 and spun, collecting Cale Yarborough, David Pearson and others. BP missed it as he limped to the pits. 3/8
As the race came to conclusion, my dad and DW made their final pit stops, and Darrell came out with a lead of a couple of seconds. I thought BP was sunk. Yet he ran down the 88 fairly quickly and passed him. I thought he was home free! That wasn't the case. 4/8
I was standing against the fence on the frontstretch, behind the pits. I was by myself. I always was superstitious during races, so I held the same spot for the final laps. My fingers were raw afterwards from hanging on the fence. 5/8
You see the fans going crazy a bit in this video; this was during the time Darrell wasn't very well-liked in the sport, his "Jaws" era. I knew every time BP took the lead because the fans got so loud. Easily the biggest cheers he ever received. 6/8
I fully expected DW to win. He had a history of coming out on top in these types of finishes, and BP's record wasn't quite as good. In fact, the next two times they battled each other for a victory (1981 qualifying race and 1982 Talladega), Darrell won. 7/8
Yet this was BP's day. I'm glad this photo is easily accessible, I'm sorry I don't know who took it. This is my mom and dad with @KevinParsons98 and me. I know @philparsons98 was there, too. What a day. I've watched this numerous times over the years and it never gets old! 8/8
