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| {{InfoboxLost
| | #REDIRECT [[1972 NASCAR Winston Cup Series (partially found footage of NASCAR races; 1972)]] |
| |title=<center>1972 Rebel 400</center>
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| |image=1972rebel4001.jpg
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| |imagecaption=Program for the race.
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| |status=<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
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| }}
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| The '''''1972 Rebel 400''''' was the 8th race of the 1972 NASCAR Winston Cup Series. Occurring on 16th April at the Darlington Raceway, the race would ultimately be won by polesitter David Pearson in a 1971 Mercury, his first major stock car victory for two seasons.
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| ==Background==
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| The ''1972 Rebel 400'' was the 16th running of the event, with the annual race typically lasting around 400 miles in length.<ref name="results">[https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1972_Rebel_400/W/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing qualifying and race results for the event.] Retrieved 2 Apr '22</ref> Its name is a reference to the race typically being held near Confederate Memorial Day,<ref>[https://sg.news.yahoo.com/nascar-banning-confederate-flag-events-004959388.html? ''Yahoo! News'' noting the race was typically held near Confederate Memorial Day.] Retrieved 2 Apr '22</ref> with Confederate flags often being featured on race programs and within the stands.<ref>[https://www.sbnation.com/nascar/2015/9/10/9299515/nascar-confederate-flag-darlington-south-carolina ''SB Nation'' detailing the extent of Confederate flags and celebrations during the Rebel races.] Retrieved 2 Apr '22</ref> It was one of two 1972 Winston Cup Series races conducted at Darlington Raceway, the other being the Southern 500,<ref>[https://www.racing-reference.info/season-stats/1972/W/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the 1972 NASCAR Winston Cup Series calendar.] Retrieved 2 Apr '22</ref> which in 1972 occurred on 6th September and was won by Bobby Allison in a 1972 Chevrolet.<ref>[https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1972_Southern_500/W/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the results of the 1972 Southern 500.] Retrieved 2 Apr '22</ref> After the two Darlington races were merged into one 400 mile race for 2005,<ref>[https://frcs.pro/nascar/tracks/darlington-raceway/10 ''Fantasy Racing Cheat Sheet'' detailing the history of Darlington Raceway and how both races were merged into one from 2005.] Retrieved 2 Apr '22</ref> the Rebel 400's legacy would continue in 2020 under the current name of the Goodyear 400.<ref>[https://www.jayski.com/2021/04/14/darlington-raceway-rolls-with-goodyear-for-the-goodyear-400-on-may-9/ ''Jayski'' noting the race carries on as the Goodyear 400.] Retrieved 2 Apr '22</ref>
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| Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with David Pearson winning the pole position with a speed of 148.209 mph.<ref name="qualifying">[https://www.nytimes.com/1972/04/16/archives/pearson-on-pole-in-rebel-400-race-darlington-track-is-termed-most.html ''The New York Times'' reporting on Pearson winning the pole position.] Retrieved 2 Apr '22</ref><ref name="bench">[http://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2016/04/april-16-1972-rebel-400.html ''Bench-Racing'' detailing the qualifying and race events.] Retrieved 2 Apr '22</ref><ref name="results"/> Directly behind him was Allison, with 1972 Plymouth driver Richard Petty lining up third.<ref name="qualifying"/><ref name="results"/> Pearson was looking to win his first major stock car race in around two seasons, having recently joined the Wood Brothers team and seeking to move back up the field after generally being in the back half for much of 1971.<ref name="nyt">[https://www.nytimes.com/1972/04/17/archives/pearson-takes-rebel-400-ends-long-dry-spell.html ''The New York Times'' reporting on Pearson winning the race.] Retrieved 2 Apr '22</ref><ref name="bench"/> This was primarily a consequence of losing Ford factory backing in 1970 after Ford left the sport that year.<ref name="nyt"/><ref name="bench"/> He was confident he could be as competitive as fellow Wood Brothers driver A.J. Foyt, stating prior to the race "I think I can drive as well as A.J. You know, he isn't the only driver who has won in that car."<ref name="bench"/> Jackie Oliver became the first international driver to compete in the race, the Englishman qualifying 13th out of 36 runners.<ref name="qualifying"/><ref name="results"/> The race would also commence under a record crowd for Darlington, at around 45,000-45,300.<ref name="tmc">[http://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2016/04/april-16-1972-rebel-400.html ''TMC'' reporting on Pearson winning the race (report found on ''Bench-Racing''.] Retrieved 2 Apr '22</ref><ref name="nyt"/>
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| ==The Race==
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| With the starting order decided, the 1972 Rebel 400 commenced on 16th April.<ref name="results"/> Allison shot into the lead on lap 1, leading until lap 4 when Pearson moved back into the first position.<ref name="results"/> Allison had the advantage in the very early stages however, leading for 24 consecutive laps following an overtake on Pearson on lap 10.<ref name="results"/> Nevertheless, after 1972 Ford driver LeeRoy Yarbrough assumed the lead on lap 34, the first third of the race became an open competition for the first position, with Pearson, Allison, Petty, 1970 Dodge driver Jim Vandiver, 1971 Dodge driver Bobby Isaac, and 1972 Dodge driver Buddy Baker all vying for the lead.<ref name="tmc"/><ref name="bench"/><ref name="results"/> Isaac and Yarbrough would later drop out of the race however, with a piston failure ending Isaac's running at 76 laps, and a valve issue costing Yarbrough after 145.<ref name="results"/>
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| After Baker led from lap 70 to 96, Pearson assumed the lead and would generally control the rest of the race, leading for 89 consecutive laps.<ref name="bench"/><ref name="results"/> Baker would later retire after 242 laps when his Dodge's engine blew, causing his vehicle to spin down the front stretch before slamming into the wall.<ref name="fmn">[http://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2016/04/april-16-1972-rebel-400.html ''Florence Morning News'' reporting on Baker's crash and providing photos of it (report found on ''Bench-Racing''.] Retrieved 2 Apr '22</ref><ref name="nyt"/><ref name="bench"/><ref name="results"/> With Baker out, Pearson's main rivals would be Allison and Petty, but aside from 15 laps outside the first position, Pearson continued to primarily hold the first position, performing the final lead change on lap 201.<ref name="results"/><ref name="bench"/><ref name="nyt"/> Petty would be a lap down to refuel and gambled on Pearson pitting again so that a duel could commence.<ref name="tmc"/><ref name="nyt"/><ref name="bench"/> However, The King's race would be compromised after experiencing a flat tyre, forcing him to pit for new tyres and fuel and costing him another lap.<ref name="tmc"/><ref name="nyt"/> With this, Pearson cruised to win his first major stock car race in two seasons, claiming $14,850 in prize money.<ref name="nyt"/><ref name="tmc"/><ref name="bench"/><ref name="results"/> Petty finished second, eventually performing well enough to finish a lap behind Pearson, with 1971 Dodge driver Joe Frasson coming home in third, eight laps down from Pearson.<ref name="nyt"/><ref name="results"/><ref name="bench"/><ref name="tmc"/> Post-race, Pearson expressed how being unable to drive competitive cars prior to the race motivated him to win, stating "“The fact is that I haven't had anything good to drive. It's been frustrating. Today I was really hungry to win.”<ref name="nyt"/>
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| ==Availability==
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| According to ''NASCAR on TV'', 45 minutes of highlights were televised by ABC on 6th May 1972 as part of its ''Wide World of Sports'', alongside NCAA Wrestling.<ref>[https://sites.google.com/site/nascarracingontv/home/the-races/monster-energy-cup-series/1972-nascar-winston-cup-series/1972-rebel-400 ''NASCAR on TV'' detailing the ABC broadcast of the race.] Retrieved 2 Apr '22</ref> However, the broadcast has yet to resurface, and no footage of the race is publicly available as of the present day. Nevertheless, some photos and newspaper clippings of the event are publicly viewable.<ref name="bench"/>
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| ==Gallery==
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| ===Images===
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| <gallery mode=packed heights=300px>
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| 1972rebel4002.png|The start of the race.
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| 1972rebel4003.png|Pearson (21) and Petty (43) duel.
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| 1972rebel4004.png|Baker crashes out following an engine failure.
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| 1972rebel4005.jpeg|Pearson receives a kiss following his win.
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| 1972rebel4006.jpg|Pearson celebrating with his crew.
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| 1972rebel4007.png|''TMC'' reporting on Pearson winning the race.
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| </gallery>
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| ==See Also==
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| *[[1960 Daytona 500 (partially found footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1960)]]
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| *[[1960 Daytona Races (lost CBS and NBC televised footage of NASCAR prelude events to Daytona 500; 1960)]]
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| *[[1961 Firecracker 250 (lost ABC footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1961)]]
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| *[[1962 Daytona 500 (partially found footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1962)]]
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| *[[1962 Firecracker 250 (lost ABC footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1962)]]
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| *[[1963 Firecracker 400 (partially found footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1963)]]
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| *[[1963 Richmond 250 (partially found footage of NASCAR Grand National Series qualifying session and race; 1963)]]
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| *[[1964 Atlanta 500 (partially found footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1964)]]
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| *[[1964 National 400 (lost footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1964)]]
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| *[[1964 Richmond 250 (lost footage of NASCAR Grand National Series qualifying session; 1964)]]
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| *[[1965 Daytona 500 (partially found footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1965)]]
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| *[[1965 Rebel 300 (partially found footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1965)]]
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| *[[1966 National 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1966)]]
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| *[[1966 Southern 500 (partially found footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1966)]]
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| *[[1967 Firecracker 400 (partially found footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1967)]]
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| *[[1967 Rebel 400 (partially found footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1967)]]
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| *[[1970 Alabama 500 (found footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1970)]]
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| *[[1970 National 500 (partially found footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1970)]]
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| *[[1970 Wilkes 400 (lost footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1970)]]
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| *[[1970 World 600 (lost footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1970)]]
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| *[[1971 Atlanta 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1971)]]
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| *[[1971 Medal of Honor Firecracker 400 (partially found footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1971)]]
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| *[[1971 Myers Brothers 250 (lost footage and official documents of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1971)]]
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| *[[1971 National 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1971)]]
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| *[[1971 Rebel 400 (partially found footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1971)]]
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| *[[1971 Twin 125s (lost footage of NASCAR Daytona 500 qualifying races; 1971)]]
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| *[[1972 Atlanta 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1972)]]
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| *[[1972 Bowman-Gray 100 (lost footage of NASCAR Grand American Series race; 1972)]]
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| *[[1972 Carolina 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1972)]]
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| *[[1972 Daytona 500 (partially found footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1972)]]
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| *[[1972 Firecracker 400 (lost ABC footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1972)]]
| |
| *[[1972 National 500 (partially found footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1972)]]
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| *[[1973 Atlanta 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1973)]]
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| *[[1973 Medal of Honor Firecracker 400 (partially found footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1973)]]
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| *[[1974 Mason-Dixon 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1974)]]
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| *[[1974 National 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1974)]]
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| *[[1974 Twin 125s (lost footage of NASCAR Daytona 500 qualifying races; 1974)]]
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| *[[1975 Champion Spark Plug 400 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1975)]]
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| *[[1975 Dixie 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1975)]]
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| *[[1975 Firecracker 400 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1975)]]
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| *[[1975 National 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1975)]]
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| *[[1975 Twin 125s (lost footage of NASCAR Daytona 500 qualifying races; 1975)]]
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| *[[1975 World 600 (partially found footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1975)]]
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| *[[1976 Atlanta 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1976)]]
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| *[[1976 Champion Spark Plug 400 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1976)]]
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| *[[1976 Dixie 500 (lost CBS footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1976)]]
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| *[[1976 Firecracker 400 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1976)]]
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| *[[1976 National 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1976)]]
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| *[[1976 Rebel 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1976)]]
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| *[[1976 Riverside 400 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1976)]]
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| *[[1976 Talladega 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1976)]]
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| *[[1976 Winston 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1976)]]
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| *[[1976 World 600 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1976)]]
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| *[[1978 NAPA National 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1978)]]
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| *[[1979 Daytona ARCA 200 (lost footage of ARCA Racing Series race; 1979)]]
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| *[[1979 Dixie 500 (lost ABC footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; existence unconfirmed; 1979)]]
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| *[[1979 Southeastern 500 (partially found footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1979)]]
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| *[[1981 Coca-Cola 500 (partially found footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1981)]]
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| *[[1981 CRC Chemicals 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1981)]]
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| *[[1982 CRC Chemicals 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1982)]]
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| *[[1982 Eastern 150 (lost footage of NASCAR Budweiser Late Model Sportsman Series race; 1982)]]
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| *[[1982 Goody's Sportsman 300 (partially found footage of NASCAR Budweiser Late Model Sportsman Series race; 1982)]]
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| *[[1982 Twin 125s race 1 (lost footage of NASCAR Daytona 500 qualifying race; existence unconfirmed; 1982)]]
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| *[[1982 Winston Western 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; existence unconfirmed; 1982)]]
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| *[[1983 Goody's Sportsman 300 (partially found footage of NASCAR Budweiser Late Model Sportsman Series race; 1983)]]
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| *[[1983 Mason-Dixon 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1983)]]
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| *[[1983 Southern 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; existence unconfirmed; 1983)]]
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| *[[1984 Delaware 500 (partially found footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1984)]]
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| *[[1984 Goody's Sportsman 300 (lost footage of NASCAR Busch Grand National Series race; 1984)]]
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| *[[1984 Warner W. Hodgdon Carolina 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; existence unconfirmed; 1984)]]
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| *[[1985 Twin 125s (lost footage of NASCAR Daytona 500 qualifying races; existence unconfirmed; 1985)]]
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| *[[1986 Twin 125s (lost footage of NASCAR Daytona 500 qualifying races; existence unconfirmed; 1986)]]
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| *[[1989 Busch Clash (lost footage of pre-season NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1989)]]
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| *[[1992 Atlanta 300 (lost footage of NASCAR Busch Grand National Series race; 1992)]]
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| *[[1996 DeVilbiss SuperFinish 200 (partially found televised footage of NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race; 1996)]]
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| *[[Jeff Gordon's 2008 UAW-Dodge 400 crash (lost on-board footage of NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race crash; 2008)]]
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| *[[NASCAR (partially found uncut footage of stock car races; 1960-present)]]
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| ==References==
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| {{reflist}}
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| [[Category:Lost recordings of sports events]]
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| [[Category:Completely lost media]]
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