By Steve Waid
Steve Hmiel got his entry into big-time NASCAR Winston Cup racing when he joined Petty Enterprises in September of 1975, just after Richard Petty’s comeback, and controversial, victory at Dover.
Seems driver Buddy Arrington, a Petty ally and customer who had just purchased a truck from the organization, twice parked on the track to allow Petty to make up laps and thus earn the victory.
“That was all everyone was talking about when I got there,” Hmiel said.
The Level Cross, N.C. operation was, at the time, expected to win championships and Daytona 500s. Hmiel quickly learned that the Petty operation was big and compartmentalized, with each specific task performed by specialists. He found himself in a perfect position. He was able to learn so much from so many of the most talented, well-known mechanics in NASCAR.
For more than 32 years, Grand National/Winston Cup/NASCAR Scene writers and photographers were there to record NASCAR history as it was being made. Join hosts Rick Houston and Steve Waid each week on The Scene Vault Podcast Presented by Q Ware as they take a look back at the extraordinary people, places and events woven into the rich tapestry that is our sport.
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