History Who is this? Richard Petty Dale Inman

Can anyone tell me who this is wiping the window of Richard Petty's car. Is it Dale Inman or someone else?

 

That guy in the red jacket

 

Sure wouldn't be dale Inman.....he was the crew chief,...don't think he'd be cleaning the window!


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At that point in time in racing the crew chief (Dale Inman in this case) did whatever needed doing,I have seen him changing tires on Richards car so washing the windshield is not of the question.

Is that him in the photo?,,I dunno.HRP

 

Why don't you ask Richard Petty? He's still kicking. Get in your car and go see him --- and be sure and take a copy of the picture. And, no, I'm not trying to be an ass. I've done things like this, and come to learn that our heroes are all human, and getting to meet them is one of the simple pleasures of life, even if there are complications to the process. I once drove to Billings, Montana from LA and rented a plane to find the set and arrived before the crew, and met Marlon Brando when they were filming Missouri Breaks. It was not the most pleasurable experience I've had but I did it. I also managed to hitch-hike from LA to NYC and meet W. Eugene Smith, another of my heroes. I could go on but it would be redundant, though Andy Warhol was another. It makes you realize, in the process of doing things in real time, you go on a journey and in doing so you grow and find new ways of dealing with old problems. I did a lot of that when I was still young and crazy, but even now, I'm able to think of people I'd like to meet. I have a list. The Dali Lama is on it. Everyone should figure stuff out, my way may not be yours, but this is my answer to your question. Don't ask us, ask someone who was there. And, no, I don't think it's stalking if you walk up and introduce yourself. If you can.

 

HRP is right, back then a crew chief did what ever was needed. I've seen a lot of pictures of the "old days" and I don't think that is Dale Inman, but I was wrong one other time in my life.

 

................So true. If Richard had gotten sick or something, Dale would probably have jumped in the car and driven the rest of the race. Things were a lot different in NASCAR back in those days.

 

You guys got that right,I was born and raised in NASCAR country and I am amazed at all the improvements that have come with the mass appeal of racing,,television has brought sponsorship for most all the racers,,back in the day Richard Petty had the biggest sponsor of the all STP and most drivers felt the convertibles were the safest cars...times have changed. HRP

 

Looks like Jimmy Martin cleaning the windshield. He was a tobacco buyer from Burgaw, NC who went on to become a Petty employee on the public relations side. Dale Inman is changing the RF tire.

 

Can't get a better answer then what Mr. Hmiel said. And that's from a WINNING crew chief. Welcome to the HAMB!

 

Thank you guy's for all your answers. Dale Inman is my Hero. I have what I believe is his STP jacket from around circa 1972 or 1973. I cherish this jacket. I have been around racing since 1960's when my father raced stock car's at Ascot park and western speedway in southern California. Here is a picture of my father in car number 68. again thanks. P.S Right front tire! What do you have bionic eyes! or were you there. Thank you and I am honored that you Mr. Hmiel answered my question and I believe you are correct, Thanks again and welcome to HAMB! If you like Racing, Hot Rods and cool people, This is the place!

 

How cool is it that Steve Hmiel comes on here to clarify something for us. This place never fails to amaze me. Welcome, Steve, hope you continue to post on the HAMB..........Don.

 

I found another photo of a Petty crew member with this jacket and it looks like the legendary Lee Petty, But I could be wrong. Here is a couple more photos of my Father at Ascot park in Gardena Ca. Car number 68 Les Dixon. My Dad was a hard driver, you can see that in the photo of his Mercury with exhaust coming through his hood (pretty cool) Every Sunday we went to the race's at Ascot park or Western Speedway he would win or come in second place. He would all ways make it to the main event. He would race the Ascot oval, as a kid that was boring. Sorry NASCAR boy's. when he raced the figure 8 now that was exciting, When his car was to beat up he would race the destruction derby. He even raced chain races. I miss the Good Old Days. I saved the photo of his 1950 Mercury, I found it at the bottom of his tool box. Note his fire suite, A tank top! What do you expect it's So. Ca.

 

Well just judging by the back of his head and the color of his shirt I would have to say that it is someone on Petty's crew.

 

Thank you, porkbeaner for your input. But we have in solved, It's Jimmy Martin. See Steve Hmiel's post.

 

I found another Petty crew member with a jacket like mine. Do you Steve or any other member know who this is? I think this is Daytona.
I think It could be Lee Petty what do you think?

 

Sorry about the bad picture, It was taken off the TV.

 

Well I knew that you would appreciate my post, I guess I am just not as good at recognizing men from the back of their head as some of my fellow HAMBers.

 

For those that don't know Steve Hmiel - Legendary crew chief for the Best NASCAR driver to never win the Championship - Mark Martin. He also was Crew Chief for two time champ Terry Labonte, Michael Waltrip, and Earnhart Jr. among others. Pretty sharp guy!

 

STP gave away thousands of those jackets. I had a jacket ,several Tee shirts, 2 pit board,s about 100 stickers one was about 2 feet wide.. Ole Andy G could get the most out of adversting.. Stp had many reps at GN or what is now now cup races and would come to NASCAR sactioned short tracks. I recieved my STP things from the rep named Roy Maine a retired GN driver and also a retired Air Force teck sergaent.