NASCAR Legend Reminisces How Richard Petty’s Stubborness Began a Partnership Behind His 200th Cup Win

In NASCAR, it takes two to do anything on the racetrack. Be it a consequential win, a decent campaign, or a history in making. The history of NASCAR is full of legendary Driver-Crew chief duos who were instrumental in changing the course of the game. Who can forget the iconic partnership between Dale Jarrett and Todd Parrott for the 1999 Cup Series campaign? Whether it is Kevin Harvick and Rodney Childers for the 2014 campaign or Bobby Isaac and Harry Hyde’s 1970 campaign, the list goes on and on.

However, there are great partnerships, and then there are the legendary ones. Richard Petty, one of the greatest NASCAR racers of all time, had some of the most memorable championship runs. While the entire racing community knows about the 1984 campaign, few people are aware of how it all started. It all began with the stubbornness of ‘The King.’

Richard Petty and the stubbornness that bore significant results

1984 was a memorable year in the life of Richard Petty. The NASCAR legend arrived at the season having won the previous year’s Daytona 500. However, the season overall was a bittersweet experience for “The King.” The technological advancements of other teams made Richard feel his family-owned Petty Enterprises was incompatible with the needs of the time. After the end of the season, Petty decided to leave his family-owned team.

Around this time, Mike Curb was laying the foundation of his team. Petty saw it as an opportunity for himself. “The King” decided to grab it with both hands and joined the newly founded team for the upcoming season. This is where the journey of the iconic No. 43 started. Before the season began, however, Petty had one demand, and he seemed hell-bent on fulfilling it. Buddy Parrott, the crew chief for Richard Petty’s No. 43 for the 1984 season, fondly remembers the incident. Sharing insights on Petty’s stubbornness with Dale Earnhardt Jr. on his podcast for Dale Jr. Dirty Mo Media, the legendary crew chief had this to say:

“So Richard, I don’t know somewhere and I may be wrong but I can tell you that I’ve heard this that Richard said that there’s not but one crew chief out there that I want other than Dale Emman with Buddy Parrott.” This stubbornness from Petty did bear great results for him during the season. 1984 became an iconic season in NASCAR’s history. Petty went on to win his 200th career race at the FireKeepers Casino 400 in Daytona.

Parrott also shares details on how his family got involved with Richard Petty in the first place. The North Carolina-based crew chief highlights, “My sister Jackie, and Jodey, started this whole souvenir business that everybody is so it’s amazing how much it’s grown and everything. There were a couple of trailers out there. One of them was Little Red Caboose I think this guy had and a couple of others. But Jackie was doing a souvenir program for Richard and Jodie was going to the racetrack with them. And so here we go man we got the whole Parrot family in NASCAR.”

While Buddy Parrott was one of the greatest crew chiefs, Richard Petty is known to have had a legendary partnership with Dale Inman. The duo had an unparalleled legacy, one that changed the way crew chiefs work forever.

Dale Inman: A living maestro on the radio

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Buddy Parrott was able to leave a lasting impact on the sport during the 80s because of the pioneering work that Dale Inman did for Richard Petty’s car before him. Inman was Richard Petty’s cousin, who served as a crew chief for Petty’s car for three decades. Driver-pit communication and car preparation wouldn’t be what they are today if not for Inman’s milestone work in these two areas, which were long-time areas of concern in stock car racing.

Not only that, his record as a crew chief is also unparalleled. Together as a team, Richard Petty and Dale Inman won a total of 188 races and seven NASCAR Cup Series Championships—a record that Richard Petty shares with Dale Earnhardt and Jimmie Johnson. With 193 wins, Inman holds the record for most wins as a crew chief in NASCAR history. Inman left Petty Enterprises after the 1981 Daytona 500 victory. He supposedly received an offer from Rod Osterlund’s team to work with Dale Earnhardt, marking the end of a legendary partnership.

What are your thoughts on Buddy Parrott’s comments? Who between Buddy Parrott and Dale Inman was the better crew chief for Richard Petty? Tell us in the comments below.