1973 Daytona 500

1973 Daytona 500

Race details
Race 2 of 28 in the 1973 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season
Track map of Daytona International Speedway showing mainly the speedway.
Date	February 18, 1973 (1973-02-18)
Location	Daytona International Speedway
Course	Permanent racing facility 2.5 mi (4.02336 km)
Distance	200 laps, 500 mi (804.672 km)
Weather	Temperatures reaching up to 54.9 °F (12.7 °C); wind speeds approaching 12 miles per hour (19 km/h)[1]
Average speed	157.205 miles per hour (252.997 km/h)
Pole position
Driver	Buddy Baker	K&K Insurance Racing
Qualifying race winners
Duel 1 Winner	Buddy Baker	Nord Krauskopf
Duel 2 Winner	Coo Coo Marlin	H.B. Cunningham
Most laps led
Driver	Buddy Baker	K&K Insurance Racing
Laps	156
Winner
No. 43	Richard Petty	Petty Enterprises
Television in the United States
Network	ABC's Wide World of Sports
Announcers	Jim McKay Jackie Stewart Chris Economaki

The 1973 Daytona 500, the 15th running of the event, was won by Richard Petty after three hours, ten minutes, and fifty seconds of racing on February 18, 1973 at Daytona International Raceway in Daytona Beach, Florida, USA.^[2]

Four cautions were given out over a period of 28 laps.^[2] A crowd of over one hundred thousand people came to see a field of 38 American and two Canadians (Earl Ross and Vic Parsons).^[2] The average speed achieved was 157.205 miles per hour (252.997 km/h) while Buddy Baker achieved the pole position with a speed of 185.662 miles per hour (298.794 km/h).^[2] Bobby Isaac would lose to Richard Petty by more than two laps.^[2]

Could It Be His Year

On the eve of the 1973 Daytona 500, 32-year old Buddy Baker believed it was finally his year. he had won the pole (see above), and in the first Twin 125 race, baker fighting off the effects of an ear infection beat Cale Yarborough in a sprinted duel. In that first race, a 26-year old Tennessee driver named Darrell Waltrip had one of the most impressive runs. Driving his own 1971 Mercury, Waltrip finished sixth and captured the 11th starting spot for his first Daytona 500.

However, another Tennessee driver stole the spotlight that day, Coo Coo Marlin, a 41-year old journeyman whose best finish in four previous 500s was 18th, shocked the crowd by passing David Pearson with 6 laps to go to win the second twin 125. Richard Petty who had finished fourth in the first Twin 125 wasn't happy with his Dodge until his crew made major suspension changes the day before the race.

Race Day

Race morning dawned gray and rainy. baker was so ready, he didn't know if he could wait another day. the sky remained gray, but the race was underway. Baker led the first 33 laps as Yarborough,Petty,Issac and pearson clung tenaciously to him. Petty lead for the first time on lap 37. But as the race contiuned, Baker took over. he took the lead form Issac on lap 40 and led 17 circuits. Then he led laps 71 through 102 before Yarborough squeezed past. But Baker took over again on Lap 109.

By this time, Petty was out of sequence with the field. he cut a right rear tire on lap 88 and was forced to the pits. he lost a lap. He would make up the lap when the leaders pitted, but lose it again when he pitted.

With 50 laps to go, Baker was in front. he had dominated, leading 119 of the first 150 circuits, even as Yarborough stubbornly hung with him. As usual, engine problems took their toll. Pete Hamilton the 1970 Winner who had qualified second, was first out on lap 33. Pearson's engine expired after 63 laps. Bobby Allison and Marlin's engines also blew.

On lap 155, John Utsman's engine blew and he spun just past the finish line. petty was back on the lead lap with Baker, but about to head for the pits. petty just missed the spinning car. The yellow flag gave petty another break. it allowed him to pit with Baker and remain on the lead lap. Meanwhile, Yarborough's engine quit during the caution period. He was out of the race, Yarborough had led six times for 25 laps and his spirited challenge of Baker had kept the fans entertained all afternoon.

Now it was down to Petty and Baker. They were the only drivers still on the lead lap. baker led laps 165 through 184, but both drivers needed one more quick stop for fuel. petty came in first. he waited until the last moment before diving off turn four on lap 189 and screaming into his pit. Petty's car spewed tire smoke as he slid to a perfect stop. Five gallons and 8.4 seconds later, petty was on his way.

Baker came in the next lap. he did not enter the pits as quickly. his stop took 9.9 seconds. When both cars reached full speed, Petty had a 4.4 second lead. Baker immediately began closing the gap, driving his car as fast as it would go. With six laps remaining, he was only 2.5 second behind. Suddenly, Baker's engine blew. it was over.

Petty won his fourth Daytona 500, he would win three more Daytona 500s before 1981 was complete. Waltrip finished his first 500 in 12th. His First and only Daytona 500 win didn't come until 1989.

Top ten finishers

1. Richard Petty – #43
2. Bobby Isaac – #15
3. Dick Brooks – #6
4. A.J. Foyt – #50
5. Hershel McGriff – #04
6. Buddy Baker – #71
7. James Hylton – #48
8. Ramo Stott – #90
9. Buddy Arrington – #67
10. Vic Parsons – #45

References