K&K Insurance, Dodge, NASCAR, Bobby Isaac, Buddy Baker, Dave Marcis, Neil Bonnett, Harry Hyde
1977-1978: Neil At The Wheel


With the departure of Dave Marcis, the 1977 began with the team searching for a new driver. But, there was another major change to the team as well. During the off-season, the board of directors at K&K Insurance had voted to discontinue the sponsorship of the racing team, leaving the quarter panels of the poppy red-orange Dodge (not Chevy) bare for the first time since the team's inception in 1966. K&K president Nord Krauskopf would retain ownership of the team, funding the racing operation out of his own pocket until a sponsor could be found. NASCAR legend Harry Hyde and the rest of the crew remained intact as the search for a new driver continued.

Neil Bonnett had spent most of his brief career racing on the short tracks of Alabama while working as a pipe fitter. He also worked part-time in Bobby Allison's racing shop, building and maintaining Bobby's Sportsman and Late Model racing stable. Bonnett also built a Grand National car for himself, and finished fifth in the 1976 Daytona 500, impressing many of the top NASCAR scouts. When Hyde and Krauskopf met with Neil in December 1976, they knew that Bonnett was the right man for the job. However, the deal wasn't official until January 1977, after Neil had gone out of his way to secure sponsorship from First National City Traveler’s Checks for the races at Riverside and Daytona. Krauskopf liked Bonnett’s initiative, and signed the 31-year old rookie to drive for one of the sport’s most prestigious racing operations.


Daytona 1977

Neil Bonnett in the First National City Dodge during practice for the 1977 Daytona 500.



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The Direct Connection Dodge took the pole position at Richmond.



After a disappointing 37th place finish in the Daytona 500, the team collected a few poles and top ten finishes during the early part of the 1977 season. Sponsorship of the team was on a race-to race basis, with Mopar's Direct Connection performance parts division and the U.S. Army gracing the quarter panels of the car at selected events. But by the time the World 600 at Charlotte came around, the lack of a full-time sponsor had taken its toll on the team’s bank account, and a seventh place finish in the 600 could not save the team from extinction. During the week following the race, Nord Krauskopf ordered Harry Hyde to close the doors and sell all the team’s cars, engines and equipment. Thus, the 1977 World 600 turned out to be the final appearance of the famed red #71 Dodge, unceremoniously closing the book on one of the most successful racing teams in NASCAR history.

It was truly the end of an era.

Or was it?



Bonnett77

In the 1977 Atlanta 500, Bonnett's Dodge promoted Darlington's upcoming Rebel 500.


Last ride

Last Ride for Ol' Number 71. The 1977 World 600 at Charlotte.
(Photo courtesy of Larry High)


Harry Hyde was not about to go down without a fight. Shortly after the World 600, he contacted an old friend of his who had struck it rich in the coal mining business, and was looking for something to do with all his cash. Jim Stacy was planning on fielding a new racing team in 1978, but when he received a call from Hyde asking for help, he accelerated his plans and the two men formed a partnership to keep the team running through the end of the season. Stacy had the cars repainted white, the number was changed from #71 to #5, and the new Jim Stacy Racing Team made its official debut in the Firecracker 400 at Daytona. And what a debut it was, as Bonnett put the car on the pole for the event! And although the car developed mechanical problems during the race, the team still managed a top ten finish running on seven cylinders!



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The new Jim Stacy Racing Team makes it's debut in the Firecracker 400 at Daytona.
(L-R) Harry Hyde, Neil Bonnett, Jim Stacy.
The Pocahontas Group was one of Stacy's many business holdings.



bonnett

Neil Bonnett in the Jim Stacy Dodge at Dover.


A few weeks later at Richmond, Bonnett collected the first career win for himself and for Stacy, and the team backed it up with a close victory over Richard Petty in the season finale at Ontario. And what a race it was! Petty had put his Dodge Charger on the pole for the Ontario race, with Bonnett on the outside of the front row. Petty and Bonnett dueled throughout the race, combining to lead 157 of the 200 laps. A late race caution flag provided Petty with the opportunity to come into the pits and take on four new tires, while Bonnett incredibly stayed out on the track, hoping to hold off the King. When the race restarted with seven laps to go, most observers felt that the veteran with the fresh tires would blow away the youngster with his well-worn rubber, but such was not the case. Bonnett zigged and zagged all over the track, blocking Petty’s every attempt to slingshot past him. As the checkers flew, Bonnett was just one car length ahead of Petty; the Rookie had beaten the King, and established himself as a future NASCAR superstar.


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Bonnett wins the 1977 L.A. Times 500 at Ontario.
(Photo courtesy of Baker Racing Pictures.)

 
 
 
 
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Neil Bonnett at Ontario.



The success of the reborn operation in 1977 had the Jim Stacy Racing Team looking forward to 1978 with high hopes. The team had acquired full-season sponsorship from Armor All car care products, and Neil Bonnett had definately matured as a driver. Unfortunately, the team was met with technical and financial adversity of major proportions. First and foremost, the aerodynamic Dodge Charger would no longer be eligible to compete, so the boxy Dodge Magnum would take it's place. Sadly, the Magnum proved to be an awful race car, with poor aerodynamic qualities and odd handling characteristics. (Even Petty Enterprises struggled with the Magnum, finally switching to Chevrolet late in the year.) Engine parts were virtually non-existant, as the Chrysler Corporation was too busy struggling for survival to worry about racing. And the honeymoon was definately over between Jim Stacy and Harry Hyde. Stacy had envisioned grandiose plans for a new racing facility and a full two-car operation, but fielded a second car in only two events. The new shop never materialized, and Hyde became increasingly frustrated that many of Stacy's promises were nothing more than lip service.



Magnum

The Armor All Dodge Magnum at Richmond, 1978.



Magnum

Bonnett poses with the Olds Cutlass at Talladega.


On the track, Bonnett placed 4th in the season opener at Riverside, driving the Jim Stacy Racing Team Dodge Charger for the final time. The Magnum's debut at Daytona netted a 27th-place finish, and Neil came home 9th at Richmond after taking the pole. But handling and engine woes continued. After taking a second-place finish at Martinsville, Hyde switched to an Oldsmobile for the event at Talladega, where Bonnett finished 39th. But with his relationship with Stacy souring, and the poor on-track performance eating at his soul, Harry Hyde finally gave up. The June event at Michigan was his last with the team. Hyde filed a lawsuit against Stacy, and the team's assets (including race cars and equipment) were frozen until the outcome of the suit. Stacy continued on without Hyde, renting Chevrolets from Rod Osterlund (who was fielding a team for Dave Marcis) so Bonnett could finish out the season. But without Harry Hyde's determination and experience, the team found little success.

This time, it truly was the end of an era.

Forever.



YEAR
DRIVER
STARTS
WINS
TOP 5
TOP 10
POLES
RANK
1977
Neil Bonnett
11
0
2
2
3
-
 
(Krauskopf)
            
1977
Neil Bonnett
12
2
3
2
3
18
 
(Stacy)
        
 
  
1978
Neil Bonnett
30
0
7
5
3 
12
 
Ferrel Harris
2*
0
0
2
0
35

* Starts for Jim Stacy. Drove for other owners as well.