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| {{InfoboxLost
| | #REDIRECT [[NASCAR (partially found footage of NASCAR races featuring fatal and/or serious accidents; 1964-2002)]] |
| |title=<center>1974 National 500</center>
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| |image=1974national5001.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 National 500''''' was the 28th race of the 1974 NASCAR Winston Cup Series. Occurring on 6th October at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, the race would ultimately be won by pole sitter David Pearson in a 1973 Mercury, with 1974 Dodge driver Richard Petty securing the championship in this round. The event is also notable for a major crash on lap 2 that almost claimed the life of country and western singer Marty Robbins.
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| ==Background==
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| The ''1974 National 500'' was the 15th running of the event, with the annual race typically lasting 500 miles in length.<ref name="results">[https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1974_National_500/W/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing qualifying and race results for the event.] Retrieved 18 Mar '22</ref> It was one of two 1974 Winston Cup Series races conducted at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the other being the World 600,<ref>[https://www.racing-reference.info/season-stats/1974/W/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the 1974 NASCAR Winston Cup Series calendar.] Retrieved 18 Mar '22</ref> which in 1974 occurred on 26th May and was won by David Pearson.<ref>[https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1974_World_600/W/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the results of the 1974 World 600.] Retrieved 18 Mar '22</ref> The race also has ties to the modern Bank of America Roval 400, having dropped the National name from 1983 onwards and being reduced to 400 miles from 2018.<ref>[https://nytimes.stats.com/racing/index.asp?page=track&series=NASCAR&track=4 ''The New York Times Stats'' detailing the history of the National 500.] Retrieved 18 Mar '22</ref><ref>[https://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/nascar-cup-race-on-charlotte-roval-to-see-length-reduced-1055709/3134691/ ''Motorsport'' reporting on the Charlotte Roval being reduced to 400 miles.] Retrieved 18 Mar '22</ref>
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| Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with Pearson winning the pole position with a then-record speed of 157.498 mph.<ref name="sumter">[http://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2016/10/october-6-1974-national-500.html ''Sumter Daily Item'' reporting on Pearson winning the pole position (article found on ''Bench-Racing'').] Retrieved 18 Mar '22</ref><ref name="results"/> It was considered unsurprising that Pearson won the pole position, as he would secure 11 consecutive poles at Charlotte starting from the 1973 National 500.<ref name="bench">[http://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2016/10/october-6-1974-national-500.html ''Bench-Racing'' detailing the qualifying, the race, and Robbins' accident.] Retrieved 18 Mar '22</ref> Directly behind him was Richard Petty, who achieved a speed of 157.545 mph, with 1973 Ford driver Buddy Baker lining up third.<ref name="monroe">[http://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2016/10/october-6-1974-national-500.html ''The Monroe News Star'' reporting on Petty qualifying second for the race. (article found on ''Bench-Racing'').] Retrieved 18 Mar '22</ref><ref name="results"/><ref name="bench"/> Also in attendance was Marty Robbins, a famous country and western singer who occasionally competed in Cup Series races since 1966. He would be making his debut at Charlotte at this event with a 1974 Dodge, qualifying last out of the 42 runners who successfully qualified for the race.<ref name="results"/>
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| ==The Race==
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| With the starting order decided, the 1974 National 500 commenced on 6th October.<ref name="results"/> Pearson maintained the lead even following a major accident involving Robbins on lap 2.<ref name="robesonian">[http://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2016/10/october-6-1974-national-500.html ''The Robesonian'' reporting on Pearson winning the race and Robbins' crash (article found on ''Bench-Racing'').] Retrieved 18 Mar '22</ref><ref name="results"/><ref name="bench"/> Pearson led until lap 13, when Darrell Waltrip in a 1972 Chevrolet passed him.<ref name="results"/> Throughout the race, it was an open competition for the first position, with Pearson, Waltrip, Petty, and 1974 Chevrolet drivers Donnie Allison and Cale Yarborough leading a considerable number of laps, result in 47 lead changes.<ref name="bench"/><ref name="results"/> Pearson however would drop down the field following a flat tyre that led to handling issues.<ref name="robesonian"/><ref name="bench"/>
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| By lap 271, Donnie Allison led, having fended off further changes from Waltrip, Petty, and his brother Bobby, who was driving a 1974 Matador at the event.<ref name="results"/> However, Pearson was fast-charging through the field, and pulled off what ultimately was the final lead change on lap 281.<ref name="robesonian"/><ref name="results"/><ref name="bench"/> Pearson would primarily face competition from Petty, who started his charge from lap 317.<ref name="robesonian"/><ref name="bench"/> Ultimately, Pearson defended his position, winning by three car lengths from Petty and earning $22,575 in prize money.<ref name="robesonian"/><ref name="results"/><ref name="bench"/> Petty's second place was enough for him to claim a then-record fifth Cup Series championship, although his winless streak at Charlotte continued, having failed to win at 27 races at the speedway and finishing second five times.<ref name="robesonian"/><ref name="bench"/><ref name="results"/> Waltrip would finish third.<ref name="results"/><ref name="bench"/><ref name="robesonian"/>
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| Post-race, Pearson admitted that he thought his chances of winning the race were gone the moment his car suffered a flat tyre, losing two laps in the process.<ref name="robesonian"/> He claimed some ingenuity by his team, including changing a wedge underneath the car's hood to improve handling, combined with his raw pace, helped him achieve victory.<ref name="robesonian"/>
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| ==Marty Robbins' Crash==
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| On lap 2, the 1972 Chevrolet of Jerry Schild spun while exiting turn 4.<ref name="spartanburg">[http://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2016/10/october-6-1974-national-500.html ''The Spartanburg Herald-Journal'' reporting on Robbins' crash. (article found on ''Bench-Racing'').] Retrieved 18 Mar '22</ref><ref name="bench"/> While he was able to carry on having not crashed, the spin did result in the area being covered with dust.<ref name="spartanburg"/><ref name="bench"/> As the cars behind passed through the dust cloud, a multicar accident involving Baker, Jim Vandiver, Joe Frasson, Soapy Castles, Dick Brooks, and Richard Childress occurred, taking all of them out of the race.<ref name="spartanburg"/><ref name="bench"/><ref name="robesonian"/><ref name="results"/> Robbins was immediately behind this group, and had no time to avoid crashing into either a vehicle or into a wall.<ref name="spartanburg"/><ref name="robesonian"/><ref name="bench"/> To avoid crashing into Childress' 1973 Chevrolet on the driver's side door, Robbins immediately turned right and smashed his Dodge into the wall at 160 mph.<ref name="spartanburg"/><ref name="bench"/><ref name="robesonian"/>
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| Robbins suffered injuries, including broken bones, facial cuts, and a blackened right eye.<ref name="spartanburg"/><ref name="bench"/><ref name="robesonian"/> Nevertheless, he recovered and carried on racing, including revisiting Charlotte for the 1980 National 500.<ref>[https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1980_National_500/W/ ''Racing-Reference'' noting Robbins competed at the 1980 National 500.] Retrieved 18 Mar '22</ref> He explained his decision, stating "By the time I got to all those cars I knew there was no way for me to get through without hitting one or more. So I just turned it into the wall."<ref name="spartanburg"/><ref name="robesonian"/> Robbins was credited as having saved Childress from a likely fatal accident.<ref>[https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/marty-robbins-saves-life-of-nascars-richard-childress/ ''Saving Country Music'' detailing Robbins' crash and him being credited for saving Richard Childress.] Retrieved 18 Mar '22</ref> On the flipside, Cotton Owens claimed that Robbins was lucky to be alive, as the Dodge jumped five feet in the air and backed across the track, where Robbins ultimately was not hit by any other drivers.<ref name="spartanburg"/>
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| ==Availability==
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| According to ''NASCAR on TV'', 45 minutes of highlights were televised by ABC on 19th October 1974 as part of its ''Wide World of Sports'', alongside the National Wrist-Wrestling Championship.<ref>[https://sites.google.com/site/nascarracingontv/home/the-races/monster-energy-cup-series/1974-nascar-winston-cup-series/1974-national-500 ''NASCAR on TV'' detailing the ABC broadcast of the race.] Retrieved 18 Mar '22</ref> However, the broadcast has yet to publicly resurface, and no footage of the race is currently available. Nevertheless, photos of the race, including those provided by J. Murrey Atkins Library.<ref>[https://repository.charlotte.edu/islandora/object/motorsports%3A5492?display=grid ''J. Murrey Atkins Library'' providing many photos of the race.] Retrieved 18 Mar '22</ref>
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| ==Gallery==
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| ===Images===
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| <gallery mode=packed heights=250px>
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| 1974national5002.png|Miss National 500 promoting the race.
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| 1974national5003.jpg|Robbins' Dodge following the crash.
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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)]]
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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 Mason-Dixon 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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