1977 NAPA National 500

The 1977 NAPA National 500 was a NASCAR Winston Cup Series racing event that was held on October 9, 1977 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the American community of Concord, North Carolina.^[1]

Summary

There were 41 American-born drivers who competed at this event; Benny Parsons defeated Cale Yarborough by 19.2 seconds in front of 79400 live audience members.^[1] There were 18 lead changes and four cautions; making this event last three hours and thirty minutes.^[1] Bruce Hill received the last-place finish due to engine difficulties on lap 15 of this 334-lap race.^[1] David Pearson would bring in the pole position with a qualifying speed of 160.982 miles per hour (259.075 km/h) while the average racing speed was 142.780 miles per hour (229.782 km/h).^[1] His next pole position would come at the 1978 World 600 where he would get his 10th consecutive pole position start at Charlotte Motor Speedway.^[2] Pearson's final pole position at Charlotte Motor Speedway would come at the 1978 NAPA National 500 - setting a record that future NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon has yet to break.^[2]

Other notable drivers at this event included: Bill Elliott, Janet Guthrie, Neil Bonnett, A.J. Foyt, Dick Brooks, Darrell Waltrip, and Buddy Baker.^[1] Tom Sneva would make his NASCAR debut at this racing event. Dale Earnhardt would start his only race in 1977 under the employment of Mr. Henley Gray.

References