1971 Twin 125s (lost footage of NASCAR Daytona 500 qualifying races; 1971): Difference between revisions

Revision as of 16:34, 31 January 2023

Program for the 1971 Daytona 500 also promoting the Twin 125s.

Status: Lost

The 1971 Twin 125s are two races at the Daytona National Speedway that served as qualifying events for the 1971 Daytona 500. Both occurred on 11th February, where the first race was won by Pete Hamilton in a 1971 Plymouth, while David Pearson in a 1969 Mercury was victorious in the second. These were the last Twin 125s that awarded points.

Background

The Twin 125s are unique races on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule. They consist of two qualifying heats that determine the majority of the 40 competitors for the Daytona 500.^[1] It would also allow for the racers to analyse how their vehicles performed during the heats and modify them accordingly for the main event.^[2] The 1971 Twin 125s would mark an end of an era dating back to 1959, where the races awarded points in the championship. From the 1972 Twin 125s onwards, they did not award points, because as part of an overhaul of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, events now needed to reach at least 400km to officially count on the Winston Cup schedule.^[3]

The Races

Prior to the Twin 125s, two had already qualified for the Daytona 500, with A.J. Foyt winning the pole position in a 1969 Mercury after achieving the best time trial performance of 182.744 mph,^[4]^[5] ahead of Bobby Isaac in a 1971 Dodge.^[6] In the first Twin 125s race, Hamilton was victorious and claimed $1,300 in prize money, ahead of Foyt and fellow 1971 Plymouth driver Richard Petty. Foyt did lead 33 of the 50 laps, but Hamilton successfully passed his opponent on the final lap and held on to win in a race with no cautions.^[7] As for the second race, Pearson won to claim the $1,200, ahead of Buddy Baker in a 1971 Dodge, and Dick Brooks in a 1969 Dodge. In a race where the first position was primarily contested between Pearson and Baker, Pearson overtook his opponent on lap 45, and held on to claim victory.^[8]

With the starters and race order decided, the 1971 Daytona 500 commenced on 14th February. It saw Petty ultimately claim victory after overtaking Baker on Lap 182, remaining ahead of the pack for the final 18 laps. Baker and Foyt finished second and third respectively, with Pearson fourth. Hamilton retired on lap 157 after experiencing engine issues.^[6]

Availability

Footage of the 1971 Twin 125s has been confirmed to exist. According to NASCAR on TV, 25 minutes of highlights for both races were broadcast on ABC's World Wide of Sports on 13th February 1971, alongside a few other sports.^[9] However, according to YouTuber Austin LaPlante, who created various playlists of NASCAR broadcasts, no footage of these races are currently publicly accessible on YouTube or on any other platform.^[10]

References

↑ Draftkings Nation detailing the Twin 125s. Retrieved 2 Jan '22
↑ The New York Times detailing the the Twin 125s' purpose. Retrieved 2 Jan '22
↑ Stock Car Racing History detailing the changes in the 1972 NASCAR Winston Cup Series that meant the Twin 125s no longer awarded points from the 1972 races onwards. Retrieved 2 Jan '22
↑ Archived CNN Sports Illustrated listing Daytona 500 pole winners and their qualifying speeds. Retrieved 2 Jan '22
↑ Archived Racing One listing Daytona 500 pole winners. Retrieved 2 Jan '22
↑ ^6.0 ^6.1 Racing-Reference detailing the starting order and results of the 1971 Daytona 500. Retrieved 2 Jan '22
↑ Racing-Reference detailing results of the first race. Retrieved 2 Jan '22
↑ Racing-Reference detailing results of the second race. Retrieved 2 Jan '22
↑ NASCAR on TV detailing ABC's broadcast of the 1971 Twin 125s. Retrieved 2 Jan '22
↑ Austin LaPlante's YouTube playlist of NASCAR events from 1949-1971, noting no footage of the 1971 Twin 125s are currently accessible. Retrieved 2 Jan '22

[1] Draftkings Nation detailing the Twin 125s. Retrieved 2 Jan '22

[ny-2] The New York Times detailing the the Twin 125s' purpose. Retrieved 2 Jan '22

[3] Stock Car Racing History detailing the changes in the 1972 NASCAR Winston Cup Series that meant the Twin 125s no longer awarded points from the 1972 races onwards. Retrieved 2 Jan '22

[4] Archived CNN Sports Illustrated listing Daytona 500 pole winners and their qualifying speeds. Retrieved 2 Jan '22

[5] Archived Racing One listing Daytona 500 pole winners. Retrieved 2 Jan '22

[daytona-6] 6.0 ^6.1 Racing-Reference detailing the starting order and results of the 1971 Daytona 500. Retrieved 2 Jan '22

[7] Racing-Reference detailing results of the first race. Retrieved 2 Jan '22

[8] Racing-Reference detailing results of the second race. Retrieved 2 Jan '22

[9] NASCAR on TV detailing ABC's broadcast of the 1971 Twin 125s. Retrieved 2 Jan '22

[10] Austin LaPlante's YouTube playlist of NASCAR events from 1949-1971, noting no footage of the 1971 Twin 125s are currently accessible. Retrieved 2 Jan '22

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@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 |title=<center>1971 Twin 125s</center>
 |image=1971twin125s1.jpg
-|imagecaption=Pete Hamilton and A.J. Foyt racing during the Daytona 500, a day after their Twin 125s duel.
+|imagecaption=Program for the 1971 Daytona 500 also promoting the Twin 125s.
 |status=<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
 }}
@@ Line 19: / Line 19: @@
 ==See Also==
 *[[1960 Daytona 500 (partially found footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1960)]]
 *[[1960 Daytona Races (lost CBS and NBC televised footage of NASCAR prelude events to Daytona 500; 1960)]]
 *[[1961 Firecracker 250 (lost ABC footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1961)]]
@@ Line 27: / Line 27: @@
 *[[1963 Richmond 250 (partially found footage of NASCAR Grand National Series qualifying session and race; 1963)]]
 *[[1964 Atlanta 500 (partially found footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1964)]]
 *[[1964 National 400 (lost footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1964)]]
 *[[1964 Richmond 250 (lost footage of NASCAR Grand National Series qualifying session; 1964)]]
 *[[1965 Daytona 500 (partially found footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1965)]]
 *[[1965 Rebel 300 (partially found footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1965)]]
 *[[1966 National 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1966)]]
 *[[1966 Southern 500 (partially found footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1966)]]
 *[[1967 Firecracker 400 (partially found footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1967)]]
-*[[1967 Rebel 400 (partially found footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1967)]]
+*[[1967 National 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1967)]]
+*[[1967 Rebel 400 (partially found footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1967)]]
+*[[1968 National 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1968)]]
 *[[1970 Alabama 500 (found footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1970)]]
 *[[1970 National 500 (partially found footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1970)]]
 *[[1970 Wilkes 400 (lost footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1970)]]
 *[[1970 World 600 (lost footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1970)]]
 *[[1971 Atlanta 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1971)]]
 *[[1971 Medal of Honor Firecracker 400 (partially found footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1971)]]