1970 NASCAR Grand National Gwyn Staley 400 @ North Wilkesboro (Full Race)

[@pettismontague59]

My Dad, Rufus Crumpler from Raleigh, flagged this race. His name was announced about half way through the race at 28:45. He and Enoch Staley, track owner, were like brothers. Finding this broadcast is a real treasure. Makes me so proud!

[@barryshepherd296]

Thank you for posting this video. I was 9-years old and this was the first of many races I attended with my Dad. I remember we sat on the top row toward the first turn. The intoxicated man beside me asked me who I was pulling for. I had no idea, so I looked at my Dad and he said Richard Petty. I have been a Petty fan ever since. I remember the television cameras around the track. But in the days before VCRs, I never saw the broadcast. This video is priceless to me. Thank you!

[@rogerlairamore3209]

Barry Shepherd I was also 9 years old at the time. Petty and Isaac was my favorites.

[@adriancano5403]

Amen.

[@dh2360]

Good racing, love to watch these cars as I own both a 1970 Plymouth Satellite and 1969 Dodge Charger.

[@bigbadredsox]

May those who murdered this wonderful track burn it hell.

[@UncleBoogieRF]

Reason I found this video was searching for the track after they visited it on Top Gear. Sad sight to see the track today but at least it still exists. Over in Europe many classic tracks are just gone. No sense of bloody history :(

[@theojohn3747]

Thornburg Rumpelstein the 3rd we do have a sense of history so we dont get rid of tracks we just redesign parts of them

[@Mike-vt6nc]

bigbadredsox Bruton Smith is to blame!

[@luketuttle1096]

jemimallah NASCAR current model off cookie cutter tracks isn't sustaining too well right now! Tearing down stands at most of them. NW was a sell out almost every time. Yes they suffered some from not being as easily accessible as other tracks, and being too close to other Cup tracks. But there is no denying short track racing and NW is much better racing than most of what we are getting at cookie cutter tracks

[@jamesgentry13]

This track sucked. Even back then there's a ton of empty seats

[@33skoalbandit]

And the fresh, wake-up fragrance of "Regular"!

[@six-pack1332]

You spelled "Ethyl" wrong.

[@tonycren2105]

Great place to watch a race!! Good memories!!

[@gullreefclub]

It is a dam shame that this track has sat quite for so long. I know that Cup has outgrown this little track but Modifieds, Trucks, and even Infinity could all race hear and thrill crowds again. While talking about tracks I would love to see NASCAR at again is the Rock. How I miss these old tracks.

[@DDS029]

That was one of Benny Parsons' last request to his wife Terry. "Get racing back at Wilkesboro", they were able to rent the track and had a couple of races years ago, and the effort continues. The organization she started is doing everything they can to raise the money now that Bruton Smith gave them a price. This is just a personal feeling with nothing to back up my opinion, it's just a gut feeling. But when Bruton Smith "leaves us" to continue his "discussions" with the Bill's. France, Sr. and Jr. You may see things like this change a bit. Marcus (?) may be a bit more charitable toward possible "competition". That would be a great weekly local track. Sell off some of the grandstands. Build a smaller track that uses pit road as the frontstretch, for entry level divisions, with moveable barriers to keep it functional for special long distance races.

[@donaldwatson3176]

Greta video. Too bad racing is not still like this today!

[@mvgsports]

It's fun seeing the old commercials too.

[@adriancano5403]

I gotta tell ya. There was no Texas Motor Speedway in 1970. If it wasn't for Wide World of Sports there is a good chance i would have never became a racing fan, specifically NASCAR. Great post !

[@LouiseDenmar]

the final laps of the race is missing... :(

[@roberthanson579]

Thanks for posting. This is priceless stuff.

[@stephenmitchell3569]

I the end we all love Petty along with Fireball Roberts, Dale, all the ones we grew up and old with even Junior Johnson and 88 junior. Too many to list who gave us victory and thrills. Also for the lucky years the cars we drove too! When cars we made by American hands!

[@tradcliff3027]

Thank you for making this a great evening with this upload

[@atomicorang]

Just accidentally found this. Excellent with King in his prime and all the other racers we all know early in their careers. I was only 9 and we didn’t have much TV.

[@JackF99]

Seems like a light weight small block would be an advantage over a big block on this track. Less mass in the turns more important than power. I drove by this track last year. It was closed down.

[@mynameis9057]

too bad it cuts out with 10 laps to go before the finish

[@mikemurphy8107]

They need to race on more tracks like these and get rid of a lot of 1.5 mile tracks

[@badmonkey2222]

Those old commercials are a trip... crying shame what's become of this track and many others.

[@sludge4125]

Why’s it a crying shame? Oh, yeah, because *you* didn’t want it to change.

[@tarheelking2515]

I attended the final nascar race at north wilkesboro in 1996 it was really emotional for everyone

[@pickitup7008]

I love seeing the old commercials

[@fredwalker3374]

The great jim McKay and chris E.

[@RandysRacingPlace633]

I have the 1994 First Union 400, but that's it. Thanks for watching and commenting, tho! ;-)

[@sludge4125]

Thank *you.”

[@paulross9287]

1970......the apex of muscle cars, and of America itself.

[@timatkinson9291]

Always loved the short track racing. Petty was always my favorite driver.

[@sludge4125]

Great video!!!!! No winged warriors here.

[@landoflogic107]

They also broadcasted the second race here at this track in 1970 as well, yet it hasn’t been uploaded.

[@robertstaley5049]

The second race was broadcast on radio but there was no TV coverage.

[@ragingbull154]

I went to several races at North Wilkesboro. I went to Appalachian State University so I would drive down for the race each spring and fall. Awesome race track in a beautiful area of North Carolina. Greed destroyed this track and greed and stupid leadership is destroying NASCAR also. I've quit watching the sport. Haven't missed it.

[@MrChristopherHaas]

I have listened to several old GREAT race broadcasts that are in the university library. Im wondering if there are MORE, the race Jum Paschal won at Wilksboro was utterly fantastic

[@jamesprice6381]

I Was there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

[@altfactor]

Perhaps what ABC should have done was tape the start of the race, then begin "Wide World" with Jim McKay noting that viewers would see the live conclusion of the race, announce that they would see the start "on tape, a short while ago", then go to the tape of the start, then finally McKay announcing "Now we're live, and (name) is the current leader....".

[@OwnedByUno]

The time J.D Mcduffie was close to a win.

[@saltydog4759]

wow. Richard in the '70 Belvedere!

[@talladegajunkie1439]

WOW. Wilkesboro was my home track, and to FINALLY find this footage is incredible!! Do you have any more North Wilkesboro race footage/full races??

[@martyswaney1098]

Fast cars running the top, very nice.

[@randyjohnson6845]

Just recently I saw a interview with Richard and his crew chief about this car.he drove it for several years and they just couldn't explain why it was such a good car. It's still in the petty museum

[@sludge4125]

I don’t believe it. Please provide some documentation.

[@randyjohnson6845]

@@sludge4125 go find these interviews with Richard talking about that one specific car.they talked about the right side door area got tore up and it showed a video of it coming in the pits....I believe it just had a special balance and I think it was special on how Richard could interpret the changes it needed .

[@sludge4125]

@@randyjohnson6845 No, champ, *you* provide the documentation. Kids these days! 🙄 They state dubious information, then tell *you* to provide the documentation. 🙄

[@sludge4125]

@@randyjohnson6845 Look up “dick receptacle.” It’ll take you thirty seconds. You’ll see your picture.

[@artisticgizmo8654]

Richard Petty's 104th Career NASCAR Grand National Victory

[@timothyharrison8953]

I guess we need to rename North Wilkes, Lazarus

[@mvgsports]

The interview bubble in the middle of the screen...not such a good idea lol

[@vapinbachelor289]

Talk about a golden nugget.

[@lancehurley9743]

26:45 the GREAT Maurice Petty...

[@sludge4125]

I thought he pronounced his name as Morris.

[@MrChristopherHaas]

What is Pettys crew doing at 16:21? Whatever it was, something was shooting out of Pettys exhaust after he came back out

[@Artessnow]

Does anybody notice how clean they raced in the 70's. The cars were large, unreliable and handled terrible, but they don't beat and bang or crash a lot. Today's races have way more cautions but I guess NASCAR didn't throw a bunch of cautions back then.

[@Artessnow]

Haha I believe they drove to and from the races in the 1950's with their cars but there is no way that was legal by 1970.

[@mikepatrick5909]

That's because auto racing was still somewhat considered a 'gentlemen's' sport in those days.

[@OccasionalNASCARRaces]

@@mikepatrick5909 HAHA nah

[@goldenltd1970]

@@mikepatrick5909 but noone told earnhardt bout that

[@sludge4125]

@@goldenltd1970 dumb a$s, Earnhardt didn’t race in 1970. He basically started running the full schedule nine years later.

[@omk77]

omg! omfg!! amazing thx

[@davidmandziuk8493]

That would be Bruton Smith I think

[@satinwhip]

Back when they actually bought a car, gutted it and turned it into a race car. Not these built in a garage atrocities they race today.

[@sludge4125]

Strictly Stock ended in the mid fifties. Now, the proof that you are just a pathetic, whining old man. Just two years after this race, nascar racers started using purpose built chassis. Just two years later. So you are just a misfit, right? Your whine about today’s cars? Fail!

[@XX-eh2ke]

I notice the announcers never say the name of the race.

[@leegraves8878]

Chris was a great pit reporter. Color man not so much.

[@Kenny-g4r]

Yep, good on stats. Pretty flat otherwise.

[@DanArnets1492]

Randy, the whole last 2 minutes are dead, the broadcast dies before that

[@randyjohnson6845]

Almost a full race

[@sludge4125]

I love this stuff!! But, this is the Glory Days???? Cars just running round and round, with the usual half dozen having any possible chance at winning?

[@toomuchcountry]

Fantastic footage. Thanks for this. Complimented a blog entry I posted about this race. bench-racing.blogspot.com/2012/04/april-18-this-day-in-petty-history-part.html

[@TS-1267]

... I was unable to see the Fat Headed Commentators because of the racing, anyone else????

[@timothycarley7348]

Patty's Car Had No Mandated Window Net?

[@beeemm2578]

I believe his crash at Darlington in this same year, 1970 ,was instrumental in mandating the window net. Look it up, its absolutely brutal. They thought he died.

[@villy27]

These days if anyone is about to lap the pack, everybody would complain about boredome and cry for cautions and rule changes!

[@sludge4125]

They did it back then, too, champ.

[@pinedelgado4743]

How about giving us the end of this race?? This video cuts off at 1:14:54. %&#$@!!

[@lancehurley9743]

1:10.58...holy shit a midget working on Pettys crew!! How come I haven’t heard of this??

[@sludge4125]

I am 6-0 and I would never make a comment like this. I am...uhmmm, civilized.

[@Phil-ww1dv]

A shame us having to watch Dave Marcis blow an engine.

[@MrChristopherHaas]

I wish WWoS would have kept coming back to Wilksboro, especially when those pony cars ran…and won.

[@thegabe2140]

Full NASCAR racing broadcast in 1970? But I throught it started in 1971.

[@thegabe2140]

Well, it started at the halfway point.

[@RandysRacingPlace633]

J Star ABC televised several NASCAR Grand National races this way in 1970, including this race, the Nashville 420, the Rebel 400 at Darlington, & the Firecracker 400 at Daytona. As you alluded to, the first NASCAR race televised flag to flag would air the following year, in the Greenville 200 at Greenville-Pickens Speedway.

[@altfactor]

Randall Dubin I thought the 1970 Firecracker "400" was taped and broadcast a few hours after it was held.

[@stevebirchall35]

Wide world of sports picked this race up about half way and Petty had already lapped the field I once saw Ned Jarrett win a race by 14 laps if that happened today NASCAR would have had a baby on the spot. LOL

[@stevebirchall35]

No talk of parity in those days wudnt but 4 or 5 cars able to win.

[@jamesgentry13]

But they all say the old days were the best... nascar fans are dumb

[@joefell7845]

But your here

[@sludge4125]

@@jamesgentry13 Thank you, James, although the OP didn’t state an opinion. I love this stuff, too, but, facts are facts.

[@cliffordjones8750]

Mopar for life petty and Bobby

[@TheBcredsox]

Charger Daytona , Superbird , Torino and Chevelle . TODAY , Toyota Camry , Impala e Fusion , AAARRGHHH...

[@ILSRWY4]

and before your "Charger Daytona , Superbird , Torino and Chevelle" there were Studebaker, Desoto, Mercury, Edsel, Oldsmobile.... so what's your point?

[@davidthayer6969]

uh they never ran superbirds or daytonas on the short tracks

[@DDS029]

Nash, Thunderbird (which was used to be counted separately), Henry J, MG, Triumph, Jaguar (yes, they were in the first few road course races), Chrysler, Hudson, Rambler, one Tucker . . . etc. . . . etc.

[@strlinmoss]

Anybody noticed that the only car on the lead lap is the leader?

[@almostfm]

Ron Murray That used to be amazingly common. Ned Jarrett once won a race by 14 laps.

[@TheIntimidator93]

***** And people say racing was more exciting back then.

[@DDS029]

It was, because there was more strategy because tires would run more than a fuel run, there were no funky tricks to give you your lap back, but yet there was always hope you could race your way back to the lead lap. Bill Elliott won Talladega one year, but he was always by himself. That's because he had to race his way from two laps down, without the help of a caution.

[@jamesgentry13]

@@DDS029 you're dumb. Less cars on the lead lap means its boring

[@missyhammons]

🏁🏁🏁🏁

[@randyjohnson6845]

He won 97 more races in the next 14 years I found the video where he's talking about a Plymouth coupe. He won 27 races in one year with the car...he said that you could run a car for 3 years max. He talked about he would change the grill and keep the same car...then something was more interesting. In 81 nascar changed the rules on cars.he choose a Buick in 81 .took it to Daytona and tested it before the 500.he said it ran 10 miles slower than anyone in testing. He got back to Randleman nc and told dale what if we use the Winged Plymouths chassis and built a 81 Buick body around it.they took that Buick/ Plymouth hybrid and won his 7th Daytona 500 in 1981 probably in a illegal car

[@chopperking1122]

you have to grow up with NASCAR . If I was there , watching these cars go round and round and round for 400 miles , Id go crazy with boredom ! But , I havent grown up with it ! How come all the other guys are so slow ?

[@UncleBoogieRF]

I didn't grow up with NASCAR. I still like it.

[@WebcastGuy]

chopperking1122 Because Richard Petty is The King--no one could touch him. Greatest driver ever.

[@mikenodine6713]

Richard was the Lance Armstrong of that era. He was sandbagging to not risk making it so obvious and to save his tires. He found engine power no one else had.

[@sludge4125]

Factory support, sir. That’s the answer.

[@greggarnette2699]

yeah now all the tracks look the same

[@sludge4125]

Donnie doesn’t know you can’t steer the car when the wheels are locked?

[@alfonsopreciado5895]

I del me all Racer watch ing nascar race car & is the best wontherfull Sport race car in U S A & arround the world I'M watching nascar race car in north carolina U S A I'M a treser hotwheels huntman since 1968-2018 I Was born in 1958 in 1959 I has an open hart surgery with de BENTON COOLEY in HOUSTON TX today May 24 2018 60 years old very very good 😃😃😃😃👀👀👀👀👀❤️❤️❤️❤️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️👀👀👀good night boys Racer 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️I like DONAL J TRUMP for president 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻😃😃😃😃👀👀👀❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@TheThirdWheel618]

He made 3/4 million in 1970 ??? Dang high roller petty ....Sears Dyna glass tires ??? Sears skid like glass lol anyway this is when 99percent was made in America before we were owned by china ...better days for America

[@leegraves8878]

Chris said career but that sounds low. 750,000 sounds too high at that time too.

[@BUDSBEAU]

what was the point of this video ? it doesnt show the beginning or the very end !!! pointless

[@markschlesinger]

Totally uncompetitive. That's why these races were rarely televised in this era, and why NASCAR was regional.

[@scottmaxwell8578]

Yet so much more interesting to watch! Pure racing, no throw a yellow and bunch them back up manufactured racing of today.

[@EclecticHillbilly]

And people forget, it doesn't matter how many cars are in the lead lap, it only takes 2 cars to make a good race.

[@DDS029]

One difference back then was the cars weighed 3700 pounds, with drum brakes, 9 inch wide hockey puck tires, no power steering or brakes. Dead, hot air in the cars. Each team ran their own race, meaning widely varying strategies. And you could watch battles all around the track. Not what the director showed you, if you were there. You had to drive like you had an egg under your foot, otherwise you would have saw the first drifting competition. If that was understood even by today's "fans" it would all feel more intense, even watching.

[@noezrider6361]

Best you watch and criticize something else. You wouldn't understand no matter how much we tried to explain.

[@jamesgentry13]

@@noezrider6361 nascar's fans are dumb especially the old timers. Nascar is way better today than back then

[@bettyshotts8468]

This exactly why I hate asphalt racing, everyone pussy foots around.... Its boring. This is cool because its so old, but still boring. Dirt is for racing, asphalts for getting there.

[@JJfan48]

Back then you couldn't risk wrecking Most drivers owned just a small garage that could hold 1 maybe 2 cars if you're lucky They didn't have 40+ cars in a giant race shop and had multi+ millions of dollars This is the grass wrong before NASCAR was "mainstream"

[@onesecureone]

Mopar or nocar

[@tradcliff3027]

Thank you for making this a great evening with this upload