1972 Virginia 500 at Martinsville

From a replay of the old Car & Track on SpeedVision, host Bud Lindemann reviews the Virginia 500 held at Martinsville Speedway on April 30th 1972.

[@richardjohnson4238]

There was no live TV coverage in those days. I lived in Richmond, but didn't have any money, and really had no idea where Martinsville was, other than it was in Virginia somewhere, so I "saw" these races, and a lot of others, on the radio. They did such a good job that when I finally did get to a live race (Richmond the next spring), I already knew what it looked like. It was exactly what I had "seen" in my minds eye. I had a distant cousin, Bill Dennis who raced in the Grand National Division during these years. I never met him, but my mother told me he was "kin." That automatically made him my favorite driver.

[@Slinger43]

Ol' Ken Squire & Barney Hall could flat get'er done on MRN radio! 💪😎

[@johnnywalker640]

I turn tv down and listen to radio now

[@altec19]

Back in the 70s Bill Dennis was my favorite driver at Southside Speedway I worked with and knew his daughter

[@dh2360]

Great racing, great to see these cars on the track as I still drive both a 1970 Plymouth Satellite and 1969 Dodge Charger.

[@34muggsy34]

D H great rides! My dad had a 68 GTX

[@canoebelue]

72 was a good year. Gas still .30 a gallon. Muscles cars still fast. It all changed in a couple of years.

[@grantellis3046]

Petty, Pearson, Allison, Isaac, Yarbourgh. I miss these days

[@bobmarlowe3390]

And you could tell the difference between the Fords, Chevy, Plymouths, etc. by the cars' body styles.

[@louisedwards4023]

My son works for me at my transmission shop he's 37yo and still don't get it , WELL I guess you just have to seen it in color😃.....but he's a very good transmission mechanic💎

[@louisedwards4023]

Bobby Allison was my Hero 😭

[@tomdavis3038]

Louis Edwards great driver. It’s a shame he’ll best be remembered for ripping apart the fencing and injuring fans at Talladega (at least by the younger fans.) Any man that can win in an AMC deserves legend status among the greats.

[@Slinger43]

@@louisedwards4023 The leader of The Alabama Gang is a National Hero to many! One of the best to ever strap in & this is coming from someone who bleeds Petty Blue! 😉👍

[@Tshade67]

I was alive, but too young to realize how this was a monumental time in automotive history. I didn't become a gearhead until around 1978 when I was 10 years old. God bless those who risked lives and livelihoods to bring us such great entertainment.

[@johncholmes643]

I miss *Speedvision*

[@KK-ex5zu]

Me Too! Not only the old school NASCAR races but every Sat. late night they would feature 2 movies in their Drive-In show with Bruce Dern as the host all involving motorized vehicles of some sort. They'd show everything from "Smokey and the Bandit" to "Two Lane Black Top" to "Chopper Chicks in Zombie Town" to "Greased Lightning" to "Christine" to "Days of Thunder" to "Six Pack" and on and on! In my early teens back in the 90's I was socially awkward, but SPEEDVISION filled in the void!

[@krazi77]

@@KK-ex5zu first time I ever saw any of those movies. Vanishing Point, Dirty Mary Crazy Larry and The Driver are a few more classics they played. and Bruce Dern's commentary during commercial breaks was a great added bonus

[@BogattheMoon]

Last official race of the man Junior Johnson proclaimed to be the GOAT of all who drove for him. The man who was the first to win the Triple Crown races; Daytona 500, Charlotte World 600, Darlington Southern 500, swept both Daytona races (Daytona 500, Firecracker 400) both Darlington races, won 7 races, 21 top ten's, earned $191,000, named American Driver of the Year, Ford Motor Company Driver of the year, all in the same race season. The man listed by NASCRAP as one of the top 50 drivers of all time. The man that moved Petty aside so he could punch Big Bill France in the face, dropping him like a sack of potatoes then leading the walk out of the newly constructed Talladega Super Speedway. Yet NASCRAP refuses to enter him into their HOF, which is probably better because he still continues to live in their heads rent free.

[@chuckgilly]

We had not got into stock car racing just yet in 1972, but, after that my brother Butch Gilliland got started at Ascott park in Gardena California. The rest is history.

[@Slinger43]

I saw your brother race many times in So-Calif. I grew up in Perris Ca & Dad started taking me to the Orange Show Speedway before I was old enough to remember! Butch was really good, his son & grandson pretty damn good too 💪 😎

[@obizzil]

Look how nice the landscaping was back then just don’t see that anymore

[@paulwest3583]

Absolutely Awesome, that was when the S in NASCAR actually stood for Stock and the drivers were allowed to race. Did anyone else notice that the cars looked different from each other.

[@alexbourgeois7863]

Cars back then we’re farther from stock than they are now

[@Ziggy_Moonglow]

@@alexbourgeois7863 That is a flat out lie

[@SAbound]

This is the best racing ever!!!! Check out the entry and exit into the pits....freaking tight

[@bobmarlowe3390]

I was at this race. We sat on the side of a grassy hill.

[@williammilliken7287]

Dam how old are u.?

[@bobmarlowe3390]

@@williammilliken7287 LOL!!! I'm currently 63. I was 15 when the race happened.

[@pauldelaney9488]

Ahhh so it Was you on the grassy knoll 😉🤣

[@bobmarlowe3390]

@@pauldelaney9488 LOL!!!

[@wheels-n-tires1846]

How great to see these epic old cars...real "stock" cars!!!

[@garymack9734]

Totally awesome to see the pros run! My first race Bristol 73, man I miss those days!

[@eddyredmond7758]

The KING wins again!!!

[@gt-37guy6]

Bud Lindeman had taken down more T-bone steak and cigars than any other living sports announcer in the day..

[@lancehurley9743]

1:49 Wendell Scott

[@timothyharrison8953]

7:00 Bobby Isaac K&K Insurance Dodge is shown on pit road. Footage is from another race. Charger body is from 1971-'72 and not the 1970 model used in the race. It shows up again at 10:30 The guard rails separating pit road from the track are another give away it's from elsewhere.

[@johnnyhall2080]

I saw that too.

[@matthewmcsweeney5996]

Awesome video! I hope you upload more videos on open wheel racing!

[@HODIUSDUDE]

I will see what I have. Most of the USAC races from Car & Track have been UL''d elsewhere.

[@aaronmalkiewicz884]

I've said it before and I'll say it again thank you thank you thank you thank you!

[@robschannel4512]

The King, by two laps.

[@robbiefrentz9427]

If you ask me that is stock car racing’s. Not this carbon fiber bodies

[@jimknowlton342]

6:49 this was Jimmy Hensley's debut Winston Cup race for Donlavey Racing. He only raced at Martinsville on the cup circuit until the fall 1982 Richmond race.

[@jordan390a]

Petty's Road Runner was sick...My fave stock car of all time...

[@johnstickles6789]

This is the NASCAR i remember. Win on Sunday sell on Monday.

[@SeamusAndrewMurphy]

So, Bobby Isaac somehow managed to race a 1970 Dodge Charger, pit a 1971 Dodge Charger, then continue to race a 1970 Dodge Charger!!?? That's a good trick.

[@tylerhoban4909]

I had to rewind and pause, to make sure I wasn't seeing things. But my suspicions were correct that's the same thing I saw. Also i could be mistaken but wasn't the hemi outlawed in nascar by 72?

[@Ziggy_Moonglow]

@@tylerhoban4909 Yes, you were mistaken. The Hemi continued to be used until it was no longer eligible, not because it was 'banned'. Chrysler's last production car with the hemi was in 1971, which would make it eligible until 1973 (for GN, 1974 for the 'minor' series). Note of interest? 1974 is when the CID was no longer mandatory on the hood because the "366" guys were beating up on the "430" guys so it made the numbers meaningless. (they should have had "430p" for 'plate'). ;-)

[@Slinger43]

The Great Bobby Issac was one hellava magician with a steering wheel in his hands! And his Crew-Chief, Harry Hyde was pretty good with a trick or two himself! 😉

[@SeamusAndrewMurphy]

@@Slinger43 That's it! Harry Hyde could do it!

[@Slinger43]

@@SeamusAndrewMurphy Yepsir! Ol' Harry was a Renaissance Man! 💪😏

[@anthonybarnett6828]

Why do you think they called him King Richard?

[@canoebelue]

In the early 70's a friend of mine would take Richard Petty over the field for $100.00. A week's pay back then.

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

Back when stock cars were stock, and any man who could drive had a chance to be a race car driver.

[@dylanbrod429]

Actually these cars weren't stock, I think the last time nascar used cars that were stock was in 1967

[@alexbourgeois7863]

These cars a FAAAAR from stock. Only stock thing was the cars shell. Now they really can’t be stock no matter what

[@Ziggy_Moonglow]

@@alexbourgeois7863 Strange the 1972 rule books states very clearly in Section 20-1, General, subsection c, paragraph 2 - "All parts must originate from stock production castings and forgings which have been machined according to the normal machining schedule utilized for standard production parts. They may be subsequently refined, modified and improved by further machining or rework.", your claim is not accurate. Section 20-2,Engine, paragraph g states - "g. Cylinder blocks must be production with standard external measurements in all respects with the exception of the permissible overbore. (ACCUS)." and paragraph i states - "i. Cylinder head must be standard production. Internal changes permitted." Section 20-5, Ignition, paragraph a - "a. Ignition system must be standard for make and model. Automatic advance in distributor must be in complete working condition." Section 20-10, Bell Housing, paragraph a - "a. No changes from normal production." Section 20-11, Transmission, paragraph a - "a. Standard production, which are cataloged and available through regular dealer channels may be interchanged in any model." And the list goes on and on. It's almost as if you've never actually read the rule book, but instead get your information from your imagination. aerowarriors.com/rules/nosearch/72nrS20-1.html

[@Ziggy_Moonglow]

@@dylanbrod429 1972 rule book - aerowarriors.com/rules/nosearch/72nrS20-1.html 1967 rule book - aerowarriors.com/rules/nosearch/67nrS20-1.html "Knowledge is good" - Emil Faber

[@dylanbrod429]

@@Ziggy_Moonglow You're right, that is strange. Considering the last year that Homlan Moody used stock cars was 1967, guess they cheated and no one cared.

[@dday9349]

Auto Racing was supporting the Military and our Troops back when it wasnt popular.

[@saddletramp6935]

Went there once, long, long race. But the hot dogs were damn good.

[@malkie638]

Too bad that these body styles are rare now - perhaps too rare to have a field at the Freedom Factory some day! I would travel from UK for that :)

[@motolifealways]

Hell Yea Brother!

[@ClaytonToombs]

Why dose this sound like the guy from the video on Tower or Terror at Disney world? Lol

[@MrMakemyday3]

look at the sold out back grandstands. today all the tracks have torn down and concreted over backstretch seating

[@tonhaogarageramos9265]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@GasCityGuy]

1st Place money was an incredible $8,200!

[@alexbourgeois7863]

Was Martinsville a dirt track back then? The corners are looking pretty tore up for asphalt/tarmac/whatever it is

[@Ziggy_Moonglow]

No. Martinsville was paved in 1955 and have remained paved since.

[@altec19]

Where was Cale Yarborough that day in the number 11 kar kare Chevrolet ?

[@martinhightower9801]

Race on Sunday.....Drive it home on Monday!!! Much better than today!!

[@alexbourgeois7863]

It’s not better if you’re the guy that wrecks lol 😂

[@1ls376]

1:59 Junior Johnson, seated?

[@Slinger43]

Yep, Ol' Junior even broke out a brand new T-shirt for this race, look'n mighty spiffy 😎👍

[@morrismckinnon6047]

How fast are they going? Looks like they're only doing about 60.

[@rickybobby8224]

Qualifying pole was average lap speed of 84.1 mph

[@morrismckinnon6047]

@@rickybobby8224 Looked exciting, would love to have been around to see this, the days of the funny cars and dirt tracks. I bet the fans went home as dirty and smelling of fuel as the drivers were!

[@Slinger43]

@@morrismckinnon6047We did! 😂👍

[@thepaulmanator]

At 16:29 LOL !! :-D

[@UberLummox]

@10:55 is that that black dude in the #34 Ford Torino? Forgot his name.

[@michaelbutcher7758]

Wendell Scott

[@jerryhopper1685]

Wendell Scott ,, and he was a awesome stock car driver

[@UberLummox]

@@jerryhopper1685 Yeah, that's it. Thanks! Unbelievable the crap he had to put up with as the documentary said. Can you imagine the sabotaging his car 'cause he's black? A real pussy move. It was great that some of the big dollar racers would help him out though!

[@GoodOlRoll]

Wendall's family is actually a well-known supporter of Bubba Wallace these days.

[@UberLummox]

@@GoodOlRoll Why, did Bubba Wallace do bad shlt to him...or?

[@gene1351]

Petty--43--72 Plymouth...

[@Slinger43]

LOOK OUT!! It's The King, Richard Petty!!! 😎 LOL! Loved Ol' Bud 👍

[@robertpfuhl2679]

It’s nice not to hear that the number 3 just pushed the leader into the wall,or it’s to bad jr just can’t catch a break

[@eastender74]

Too many cars and so little track! How in the world they kept up with it is mind boggling!

[@drippinglass]

1970 Dodge Charger!

[@icewaterslim7260]

Hemis

[@briantherion5464]

Sounds like Henry Fonda

[@dobermanpac1064]

Today’s announcers take notice... Less talk...More racing.

[@chandlerwhite8302]

A $45,000 purse and 30,000 crammed into the stands!!!!😂😂😂😂😂😂. Today’s drivers wouldn’t even bother to show up for a $45,000 purse.

[@michaelcollins1899]

Which is same reasons today's fans aren't showing up to the corporate pretty boys races🤣

[@sillygoose2508]

Today's cars it's a 100 thousand dollar proposition just to qualify for a race

[@ryanfrederick4889]

280k in todays money

[@alexbourgeois7863]

Money was a lot more valuable than it is now

[@anthonybarnett6828]

Even adjusted for inflation would be $400,000 still small change by today.

[@robvoyles]

Stock Car racing at its best!!! The cars racing were the same cars we drove every day and none looked the same they all looked like the model car they were, Nascar now sucks, they all look the same run the same and is so boring to watch.

[@johncholmes643]

I wonder if black people could attend the race then?

[@Ziggy_Moonglow]

Never heard of the Civil Rights Act? The race was held in 1972, not 1952...

[@PnwOnTour]

Add some corny music, subtitles, Dale Jr and you have a tv show!

[@jerryhopper1685]

Damn dude you don't have to watch if you don't like you got to remember this was 1972

[@PnwOnTour]

Damn dude you don’t have to go around commenting on everything! 🦠😷🦠

[@PnwOnTour]

I think you missed the reference as well, but thanks for the lecture Dad 🙄

[@richardroy2201]

I can't believe how bad the detail in the movie is! No techno-nascar-vision yet.

[@bobbyblenio4571]

Love the Era & the Cars…but the Track is just Way too Small🥱

[@DanArnets1492]

It's the same one they still use to this day, LoL