Naz Nat 57 years ago  

March 30 1969 would be the first time Whip Mulligan drove 73. It was the Nazareth opener at the 1 1/8 mile big track. Probably the coldest day I've ever been to a race. The card was twin 50's that day. Whip started in the back of the first 50 and was coming through the pack when the non racing oil filter collapsed and he pulled in (the first lesson of many Whip taught a bunch of Dozer guys would be to use a racing filter). Rags Carter won that one in the Meals 44. The second 50 Whip coming from the back again took the lead from Rags and was going away when a stone got stuck in the injector linkage. Rags took the lead back and Whip limped home in second by using the kill switch to shut the motor down entering the turns. 73 never did win at the big track but I'm very thankful I got to see races on that very special track.