1974 National 500

The 1974 National 500 was a NASCAR Winston Cup Series (now Sprint Cup Series) racing event that took place on October 6, 1974 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the American community of Concord, North Carolina.^[1][2] This race was considered to be the 28th race out of the 30 races completed during that year.^[1]

Summary

Three hundred and thirty four laps were done on a paved track spanning 1.500 miles (2.414 km). The race lasted four hours, ten minutes, and forty-one seconds.^[1][2] Nine cautions were given out by NASCAR officials for seventy-nine laps.^[1][2] Notable speeds were: 119.912 miles per hour (192.980 km/h) for the average speed and 158.749 miles per hour (255.482 km/h) for the pole speed.^[1][2] David Pearson defeated Richard Petty in this race by almost 1½ seconds.^[1][2] With a live attendance of 56000 people, this race could rival today's sports attendance standings.^[1][2] Forty-one American drivers competed with Earl Ross (from Canada) being the only non-American competitor.^[1]

Other notable names competing in the race were: Darrell Waltrip, Dick Trickle, Ron Keselowski, J.D. McDuffie, Cale Yarborough, and Neil Castles.^[1][2] Among the major non-automotive sponors were Pizza Hut, RC Cola, and Coca-Cola.^[1][2] The day before this race, Dale Earnhardt made his first appearance at Charlotte/Lowe's in the NASCAR Late Model Sportsman race (the predecessor to the Nationwide Series) and finished 13th. This would be the last race for owner Ray Fox, his #3 Dodge Charger finished 29th after a blown engine with Wally Dallenbach, Sr. as the driver^[1] (also making his last NASCAR start). Darrell Waltrip finishes on the lead lap of a Winston Cup race for the first time.^[1]

The winner of the race received $22,575 in race winnings ($100,540.52 in today's money) while the last place finisher received $649 in race winnings ($2,890.4 in today's money).^[1][2]

Finishing order

1. David Pearson
2. Richard Petty
3. Darrell Waltrip
4. Donnie Allison (lowest finishing car on lead lap)
5. Bobby Allison (lone Matador entry)
6. Lennie Pond
7. Harry Jefferson
8. Dick Trickle
9. Bob Burcham
10. Dan Daughtry
11. James Hylton
12. Walter Ballard
13. David Sisco
14. Richie Panch*
15. Cecil Gordon
16. Ron Keselowski
17. Ed Negre
18. Grant Adcox*
19. Ramo Stott* (crashed on lap 262)
20. Earl Ross* (crashed on lap 232)
21. J.D. McDuffie*
22. Coo Coo Marlin*
23. Cale Yarborough*
24. Johnny Rutherford*
25. Frank Warren* (crashed on lap 182)
26. A.J. Foyt*
27. Benny Parsons*
28. Jackie Rogers*
29. Wally Dallenbach, Sr.*
30. Charlie Glotzbach*
31. Dave Marcis*
32. Bobby Isaac*
33. Elmo Langley*
34. Jerry Schild*
35. Harry Gant*
36. Dick Brooks*
37. Buddy Baker*
38. Joe Frasson*
39. Jim Vandiver*
40. Neil Castles*
41. Richard Childress*
42. Marty Robbins* (crashed his car resulting in a series of injuries; including one that required 37 stitches to his face^[3])

* Driver failed to finish race

References