This wasn’t so much a chronological interview, as it was just Ronnie Thomas telling stories. Ronnie discusses his father Jabe's influence on his career, and their early disagreements over just how far and how fast Ronnie could go on the money they had available. Despite a distinct lack of funding, Ronnie won the 1978 Winston Cup Rookie of the Year Award. In our second segment, hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid dig into the August 17, 1978 issue of Grand National Scene, which featured Steve's cover story on Ronnie Thomas and reports that Lennie Pond was about to be replaced by Darrell Waltrip; Junior Johnson was angry with NASCAR over the finish of the Talladega race AND lawsuits between Harry Hyde and J.D. Stacy.

EPISODE 142 -- RONNIE THOMAS PART 1

At The Scene Vault Podcast, we're all about NASCAR history, all the time. Our interview guests shed new light on their lives and careers each and every week, and hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid draw on their long careers in and around the sport to provide expert analysis and commentary. New episodes drop every Wednesday at 6 a.m. Eastern.

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If you thought last week’s segment was good, just wait until you hear what Ritchie, Mark and Timmy Petty have to say in this week’s episode.They discuss the powerful bond that existed between Richard and Maurice, and the work they put into building Petty Enterprises into the dynasty it eventually became.Then ... the 1983 fall race weekend at Charlotte was one of the most controversial moments in the 75-year history of NASCAR. Maurice Petty was directly involved … and very much impacted … by what took place.In a very real sense, it was his own sons’ careers in the sport that helped Maurice begin to heal. Finally, Richie Petty takes us through the infamous 1993 accident in Talladega during which Jimmy Horton flipped completely over his car and over the wall, out of the ballpark.NOTE: This show is not associated in any way with American City Business Journals, owner of the Scene brand.Interested in The Scene Vault Podcast T-shirts? Check out thescenevault.com and click on SHOP to see what we have available!Please consider supporting this show via:patreon.com/thescenevaultpodcastpaypal.me/thescenevaultpodcastvenmo.com/thescenevaultpodcast

Episode 228 -- Ritchie, Mark and Timmy Petty on Impact of 1983 Charlotte Controversy

We’re getting 2023 started off with a bang, with the first of what will be THREE installments with Ritchie, Mark and Timmy … Maurice Petty’s sons.They’ll take us through what it was like to grow up as part of one of NASCAR’s most famous families and the standards they were expected to live up to. Let’s put it this way … you did NOT mess with Lee Petty’s putting green. At all. Period. End of discussion.Hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid then dig through the October 4, 1979 issue of Grand National Scene.Rain washes out the race at North Wilkesboro, but not Dale Earnhardt’s track record qualifying effort. We’ve got features on Richard Petty’s 800th NASCAR start and crew chief Bob Johnson, as well as a letter to the editor from a rival crew chief FURIOUS with Darrell Waltrip and a Gene Granger dreaming about the perfect cast for a NASCAR movie.Just wait until you hear who Gene picked to play Steve! NOTE: This show is not associated in any way with American City Business Journals, owner of the Scene brand.Interested in The Scene Vault Podcast T-shirts?Check out thescenevault.com and click on SHOP to see what we have available!Please consider supporting this show via:patreon.com/thescenevaultpodcastpaypal.me/thescenevaultpodcastvenmo.com/thescenevaultpodcast

Episode 227 -- Ritchie, Mark and Timmy Petty on Their Family's Stunning NASCAR Legacy

This week, we’ve got the conclusion to our EPIC conversation with John Dodson, Pete Wright and David Ifft … and they kept telling stories with a full head of steam, just like last week.They remember their welcome-to-NASCAR and most embarrassing moments, life on the road away from family, MORE stretching-the-rulebook stories and SO much more.NOTE: This show is not associated in any way with American City Business Journals, owner of the Scene brand.Interested in The Scene Vault Podcast T-shirts? Check out thescenevault.com and click on SHOP to see what we have available!Please consider supporting this show via:patreon.com/thescenevaultpodcastpaypal.me/thescenevaultpodcastvenmo.com/thescenevaultpodcast

Episode 226 -- David Ifft, John Dodson and Pete Wright ... MASTER Storytellers, Part Two

David Ifft, John Dodson and Pete Wright ... this was an all-star cast of some of the best storytellers we’ve had so far on the show.You ever hear the old saying where people wonder what it would be like to be a fly on the wall of the garage? Well … that’s what this was. They were just three longtime friends and co-workers sitting around a table reminiscing and telling stories.What kinds of stories did they share this week? We’ve got stories about Delma Cowart, MORE nitrous oxide stories about at least one three-time Winston Cup champion and another involving a team that won three DAYTONA 500s.We’ve got lead wheels, motorized movable weight within the frame rails, some sort camera-mounted laser that could trip a qualifying timer light, a NASCAR template that was secretly cut by a team to fit ITS car and nobody else’s … and according to one of our storytellers … flat-out bribery.Last but not least … we have fish guts, and plenty of 'em.NOTE: This show is not associated in any way with American City Business Journals, owner of the Scene brand.Interested in The Scene Vault Podcast T-shirts? Check out thescenevault.com and click on SHOP to see what we have available!Please consider supporting this show via:patreon.com/thescenevaultpodcastpaypal.me/thescenevaultpodcastvenmo.com/thescenevaultpodcast

Episode 225 -- David Ifft, John Dodson and Pete Wright ... Master NASCAR Story Tellers

In the third and final installment of our interview, Robert Pressley takes us through the see-saw world of the Winston Cup division. A conversation with Bobby Hamilton led him to the truck series, a decision that eventually landed him in victory lane at Daytona following the 2002 season opener.Still more career uncertainty brought about his decision to step away from the seat and enjoy retirement. Now … his life is all about hot dogs, politics and his family.Hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid then take a deep dive into the February 21, 2002 issue of Winston Cup Scene. Ward Burton gets a win in the Daytona 500 … Dale Earnhardt Jr. drives a Richard Childress Racing number 3 Chevrolet to victory in Daytona’s Busch Series race … and Robert Pressley makes a splashy truck series debut.Dave Marcis celebrates his final Winston Cup start, while both Joe Gibbs and Winston Cup Scene photographer Larry McTighe very narrowly escape disaster.NOTE: This show is not associated in any way with American City Business Journals, owner of the Scene brand.Interested in The Scene Vault Podcast T-shirts? Check out thescenevault.com and click on SHOP to see what we have available!Please consider supporting this show via:patreon.com/thescenevaultpodcastpaypal.me/thescenevaultpodcastvenmo.com/thescenevaultpodcast

EPISODE 142 -- RONNIE THOMAS PART 1

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