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| {{InfoboxLost
| | #REDIRECT [[1973-1974 NASCAR Winston Cup Series (partially found footage of NASCAR races; 1973-1974)]] |
| |title=<center>1974 Mason-Dixon 500</center>
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| |image=1974masondixon5001.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 '''''1974 Mason-Dixon 500''''' was the 19th race of the 1976 NASCAR Winston Cup Series. Occurring on 19th May at the Dover Downs International Speedway, the race would ultimately be won by Cale Yarborough in a 1974 Chevrolet, capitalising when Richard Petty retired from the lead with fewer than four laps remaining.
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| ==Background==
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| The ''1974 Mason-Dixon 500'' was the 6th running of the event. The annual race typically lasted 500 miles, but a growing energy crisis in the United States led to NASCAR shortening the race to about 450 miles, with 50 laps thus not being scored.<ref name="bench">[http://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2015/05/may-19-1974-three-laps-short-in-dover.html ''Bench-Racing'' detailing the race and the energy crisis that caused the race to be cut by 50 laps.] Retrieved 3 Apr '22</ref><ref name="results">[https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1974_Mason-Dixon_500/W/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing qualifying and race results for the event.] Retrieved 3 Apr '22</ref><ref name="nyt">[https://www.nytimes.com/1974/05/20/archives/yarborough-pilots-chevy-to-victory.html ''The New York Times'' reporting on Yarborough winning the race.] Retrieved 3 Apr '22</ref> It was one of two 1974 Winston Cup Series races conducted at Dover Downs International Speedway, the other being the Delaware 500,<ref name="calendar">[https://www.racing-reference.info/season-stats/1974/W/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the 1974 NASCAR Winston Cup Series calendar.] Retrieved 3 Apr '22</ref> which in 1974 occurred on 15th September and was won by Richard Petty.<ref>[https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1974_Delaware_500/W/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the results of the 1974 Delaware 500.] Retrieved 3 Apr '22</ref> The race also has ties to the modern DuraMAX Drydene 400, having dropped the Mason-Dixon title from 1984 and being reduced to 400 miles since 1998.<ref>[https://nytimes.stats.com/racing/index.asp?page=track&series=NASCAR&track=5 ''The New York Times Stats'' detailing the history of the Dover Downs International Speedway/Dover International Speedway races.] Retrieved 3 Apr '22</ref>
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| Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with David Pearson winning the pole position with a record speed of 134.403 mph.<ref name="observer">[http://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2015/05/may-19-1974-three-laps-short-in-dover.html ''Observer-Reporter'' reporting on Yarborough winning the race (report found on ''Bench-Racing''.] Retrieved 3 Apr '22</ref><ref name="results"/><ref name="bench"/><ref name="nyt"/> Directly behind him was Petty, with Yarborough lining up third.<ref name="bench"/><ref name="results"/> Yarborough was challenging for the points lead heading into the race, and was aiming to win his fifth event of the Cup Series.<ref name="observer"/> Additionally, the estimated 32,000-33,000 in attendance is believed to have broke the record for the largest crowd at a Delaware sports event.<ref name="nyt"/><ref name="observer"/>
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| ==The Race==
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| With the starting order decided, the 1974 Mason-Dixon 500 commenced on 19th May.<ref name="results"/> Pearson maintained his lead for the first 18 laps, only for Yarborough to take over on lap 69, leading for 179 laps.<ref name="bench"/><ref name="results"/><ref name="observer"/> This early dominance was briefly ended by Pearson on lap 248, but Yarborough again controlled the first position for another 11 laps, starting from lap 250.<ref name="results"/><ref name="bench"/> Pearson's race would be compromised however, as it turned out that his car was down on horsepower compared to his rivals.<ref name="nyt"/>
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| However, Petty also began to emerge as a serious contender, with both him and Yarborough leading considerable numbers of consecutive laps during the mid-point.<ref name="observer"/><ref name="bench"/><ref name="results"/> But on lap 341, The King again emerged in first, and it seemed that it was going to remain as such.<ref name="observer"/><ref name="bench"/><ref name="nyt"/><ref name="results"/> For over 150 laps or almost the remainder of the race,<ref name="results"/> Petty extended his margin ahead of Yarborough and Pearson, despite the latter two's best efforts, causing most in attendance to assume The King was to emerge victorious.<ref name="observer"/><ref name="bench"/><ref name="nyt"/> Suddenly, with fewer than four laps remaining, Petty's Dodge suffered an engine failure.<ref name="observer"/><ref name="bench"/><ref name="nyt"/> It cruised around until the car finally grinded to a halt with two laps remaining.<ref name="observer"/><ref name="bench"/><ref name="results"/><ref name="nyt"/> This enabled Yarborough and Pearson to pass the stricken Dodge.<ref name="observer"/><ref name="nyt"/><ref name="bench"/> The former ultimately won his fifth Cup Series race of the season by a 20-second or three-quarter lap margin over the latter, earning $15,500 in prize money.<ref name="observer"/><ref name="nyt"/><ref name="bench"/><ref name="results"/> Despite not completing the final two laps, Petty had performed well enough to be classified third.<ref name="observer"/><ref name="bench"/><ref name="results"/><ref name="nyt"/> Yarborough gained the points lead as a result of winning the race.<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 1st June 1974 as part of its ''Wide World of Sports'', alongside the International Track and Field Championships.<ref>[https://sites.google.com/site/nascarracingontv/home/the-races/monster-energy-cup-series/1974-nascar-winston-cup-series/1974-mason-dixon-500 ''NASCAR on TV'' detailing the ABC broadcast of the race.] Retrieved 3 Apr '22</ref> However, this broadcast has yet to resurface, and no footage of the race is currently publicly available. Nevertheless, some photos and newspaper clippings remain viewable.<ref name="bench"/>
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| ==Gallery==
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| ===Images===
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| <gallery mode=packed heights=250px>
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| 1974masondixon5002.png|Pearson leading Petty and 1974 Chevrolet driver Bobby Allison in the early stages. Allison would retire after 99 laps because of issues concerning overheating.
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| 1974masondixon5003.jpg|Yarborough in Victory Lane.
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| 1974masondixon5004.png|''Observer-Reporter'' reporting on Yarborough winning the race.
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| 1974masondixon5005.jpg|Yarborough's win was not exactly well-regarded, with this ''Stock Car Racing'' cover indicating as such.
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| </gallery>
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| ==See Also==
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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 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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| *[[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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| *[[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 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 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 Firecracker 400 (lost ABC footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1972)]]
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| *[[1972 National 500 (partially found footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1972)]]
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| *[[1972 Rebel 400 (lost 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 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 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 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 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 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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| *[[1982 Twin 125s race 1 (lost footage of NASCAR Daytona 500 qualifying race; existence unconfirmed; 1982)]]
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| *[[1984 Delaware 500 (partially found footage of NASCAR Winston Cup 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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| *[[1996 DeVilbiss SuperFinish 200 (partially found televised footage of NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race; 1996)]]
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| ==References==
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| {{reflist}}
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| [[Category:Lost recordings of real incidents]]
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| [[Category:Lost TV]]
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| [[Category:Completely lost media]]
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