1979 Talladega 500

Background

Talladega Superspeedway, originally known as Alabama International Motor Superspeedway (AIMS), is a motorsports complex located north of Talladega, Alabama. It is located on the former Anniston Air Force Base in the small city of Lincoln. The track is a Tri-oval and was constructed by International Speedway Corporation, a business controlled by the France Family, in the 1960s. Talladega is most known for its steep banking and the unique location of the start/finish line - located just past the exit to pit road. The track currently hosts the NASCAR series such as the Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and the Craftsman Truck Series. Talladega Superspeedway is the longest NASCAR oval with a length of 2.66 mi, and the track at its peak had a seating capacity of 175,000 spectators.

Race report

There were 41 American-born drivers on the starting grid; 21 of them failed to finish the race. Most of the problems were engine failures. After 188 laps and five caution flags, Darrell Waltrip would defeat David Pearson by a minute and two seconds in front of a crowd of eighty thousand fans. After many lead changes, Waltrip lead the final 55 laps.

The race averaged 161.229 mph for the 500 miles while Neil Bonnett would earn his pole position in qualifying with a speed of 193.6 mph. Kyle Petty would earn ninth place in his inaugural Winston Cup race after starting 18th. Bob Burcham and Al Holbert would make this race their individual swan songs. The total prize purse at this event was $205,680 ($ when adjusted for inflation). While the winner would collect $32,325 of this purse ($ when adjusted for inflation), the last-place finisher, Dick May, would collect $1,050 ($ when adjusted for inflation).

Oldsmobile would rack up their 100th victory in the history of the NASCAR Cup Series.

Qualifying

Finishing order

Section reference:

1. Darrell Waltrip
2. David Pearson†
3. Ricky Rudd
4. Richard Petty
5. Jody Ridley
6. Tighe Scott
7. Harry Gant
8. Buddy Arrington†
9. Kyle Petty
10. Richard Childress
11. Dick Brooks†
12. Bill Elliott
13. Jimmy Means
14. Bob Burcham†
15. Rick Newsom†
16. Bruce Hill*†
17. Steve Moore†
18. J.D. McDuffie†
19. Grant Adcox†
20. James Hylton†
21. Benny Parsons*†
22. Ronnie Thomas*
23. Frank Warren†
24. Cale Yarborough*†
25. Joe Millikan*
26. Baxter Price*
27. D.K. Ulrich*
28. Bobby Allison*†
29. Coo Coo Marlin*†
30. Donnie Allison*
31. Dave Marcis*
32. Marty Robbins*†
33. Terry Labonte*
34. Neil Bonnett*†
35. Jack Ingram*†
36. Tommy Gale*†
37. Blackie Wangerin*†
38. Al Holbert*†
39. Buddy Baker*†
40. Cecil Gordon*†
41. Dick May*† † signifies that the driver is known to be deceased

** Driver failed to finish race*

Standings after the race

References

before = 1979 Coca-Cola 500| after = 1979 Champion Spark Plug 400| title = NASCAR Winston Cup Series Season| years = 1979 | before = 1978| after = 1980| title = Talladega 500 races | years = 1979 |

References

1. [http://www.almanac.com/weather/history/AL/Talladega/1979-08-05 Weather information for the ''1979 Talladega 500''] at the Old Farmers' Almanac
2. (November 1, 2012). "Track Facts". Talladega Superspeedway.
3. [http://racing-reference.info/race/1979_Talladega_500/W ''1979 Talladega 500''] racing information at Racing-Reference
4. [http://www.race-database.com/results/results.php?year=1979&race=20&series_id=2 ''1979 Talladega 500''] at Race-Database
5. [http://fantasyracingcheatsheet.com/nascar/races/results/1979/talladega-superspeedway/talladega-500/1488 ''1979 Talladega 500''] race information at Fantasy Racing Cheat Sheet