Today In NASCAR History

 

1972: Richard Petty trounces the field at Martinsville Speedway, taking the lead when David Pearson’s transmission fails with 30 laps left in the Virginia 500. Petty, who started third and led 102 laps, won by seven laps over pole-starter Bobby Allison. Dave Marcis took third, 13 laps off Petty’s pace. Bobby Isaac, who led 268 laps, retired with engine failure while leading after 407 laps.

 

Greg Engle
About Greg Engle 7421 Articles
Greg is a published award winning sportswriter who spent 23 years combined active and active reserve military service, much of that in and around the Special Operations community. Greg is the author of "The Nuts and Bolts of NASCAR: The Definitive Viewers' Guide to Big-Time Stock Car Auto Racing" and has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.