1973 Atlanta 500

Car flip world record

At this event, daredevil Dusty Russell flipped a stock car in the air and landed 157 feet after a five foot ramp, in what was then a world record. He suffered a broken nose.

Race report

No time trials were conducted due to weather. The average speed of the race was 139.351 mph. There were only five traditional single-car owners at this race.

Souvenir programs were sold at this event for $2 USD ($ when adjusted for inflation).

David Pearson defeated Bobby Isaac in his 1971 Mercury Cyclone by two laps; Four cautions slowed the race for 31 laps. This would be David Pearson's second win in 1973 when he won 11 races of the 18 he entered.

Tony Bettenhausen Jr. was the last-place finisher due to an oil leak on lap 9 out of 328. After Darrell Waltrip's car was eliminated from the race (he charged to fifth place but was involved in a crash with Richard Petty and Buddy Baker), he substituted for A.J. Foyt. Pete Hamilton and Mark Donohue would retire from NASCAR after this race while Charles Barrett and Bettenhausen Jr. would make their introductions to the Cup Series.

The winner received $16,625 in race winnings ($ when adjusted for inflation) while the last place finisher received $900 ($ when adjusted for inflation). The total prize purse was $103,485 ($ when adjusted for inflation).

Notable crew chiefs included Tim Brewer, Jake Elder, Travis Carter, Harry Hyde, Dale Inman, Tom Vandiver, and Bud Moore.

Starting grid

Failed to qualify: Eddie Bond (#0), Tony Bettenhausen Jr. (#38), John Utsman (#49)

Finishing order

Section reference:

1. David Pearson (No. 21)
2. Bobby Isaac (No. 15)
3. Benny Parsons (No. 72)
4. Buddy Baker (No. 71)
5. Cale Yarborough (No. 11)
6. Coo Coo Marlin (No. 14)
7. Dick Brooks (No. 90)
8. Cecil Gordon (No. 24)
9. Clarence Lovell (No. 61)
10. Jim Vandiver (No. 31)
11. Gordon Johncock (No. 28)
12. Dave Marcis (No. 2)
13. Richard Childress (No. 96)
14. Walter Ballard (No. 30)
15. Buddy Arrington (No. 67)
16. Frank Warren (No. 79)
17. Raymond Williams (No. 47)
18. Charles Barrett (No. 09)
19. Johnny Barnes (No. 89)
20. Larry Smith (No.92)
21. James Hylton (No. 48)
22. Earle Canavan (No. 01)
23. Dean Dalton* (No. 7)
24. Ed Negre (No. 8)
25. Charlie Roberts (No. 77)
26. Elmo Langley (No. 64)
27. A. J. Foyt* (No. 50)
28. Joe Frasson* (No. 18)
29. Bill Champion* (No. 10)
30. Mark Donohue* (No. 16)
31. Ron Keselowski* (No. 88)
32. Roy Mayne* (No. 25)
33. Darrell Waltrip* (No. 95)
34. Richard Petty* (No. 43)
35. Bobby Allison* (No. 12)
36. John Sears* (No. 4)
37. Bobby Mausgrover* (No. 07)
38. Tiny Lund* (No. 55)
39. Pete Hamilton* (No. 22)
40. Tony Bettenhausen Jr.* (No. 84) ** Driver failed to finish race*

References

before = 1973 Southeastern 500| after = 1973 Gwyn Staley 400| title = NASCAR Winston Cup Series Season| years = 1973 |

References

1. "1973 Atlanta 500 weather information". The Old Farmers' Almanac.
2. "1973 Atlanta 500 race information (second reference)". Database Racing.
3. "1973 Atlanta 500 race information (third reference)". Ultimate Racing History.
4. "1973 Atlanta 500 race information". Racing Reference.
5. (1973-04-02). "The Index-Journal, Page 10 - at Newspapers.com".
6. (1973-04-02). "Kingsport Times Page 4 - at Newspapers.com".
7. "1973 Atlanta 500 race information". Driver Averages.
8. "Driver David Pearson's 1973 NASCAR Winston Cup Series results". Fantasy Racing Cheat Sheet.
9. "1973 Atlanta 500 race information". Race Database.
10. "1973 Atlanta 500 earnings information". Everything Stock Car.
11. "1973 Atlanta 500 total prize purse information". Fantasy Racing Cheat Sheet.
12. "1973 Atlanta 500 crew chiefs information". Racing Reference.
13. "1973 Atlanta 500 qualifying information". Racing Reference.