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| {{InfoboxLost
| | #REDIRECT [[1972 NASCAR Winston Cup Series (partially found footage of NASCAR races; 1972)]] |
| |title=<center>1972 Firecracker 400</center>
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| |image=1972firecracker4001.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 '''''1972 Firecracker 400''''' was the 17th race of the 1972 NASCAR Winston Cup Series. Occurring on 4th July at the Daytona International Speedway, the race would ultimately be won by David Pearson in a 1971 Mercury. The race is known for its duel between Pearson, Richard Petty in a 1972 Dodge, and Bobby Allison in a 1972 Chevrolet.
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| ==Background==
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| The ''1972 Firecracker 400'' was the 14th running of the event, with its name a reference to the fact it was held on the United States' Independence Day.<ref name="firecracker">[https://www.forbes.com/sites/davecaldwell/2019/07/03/farewell-to-a-firecracker-of-a-nascar-tradition/?sh=350c69d875a0 ''Forbes'' detailing the origin of the Firecracker 400, and its reporting on its 2019 name change.] Retrieved 15 Jan '22</ref> It was also the second 1972 NASCAR Winston Cup Series event to be held at Daytona International Speedway,<ref>[https://www.racing-reference.info/season-stats/1972/W/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the 1972 NASCAR Winston Cup Series calendar.] Retrieved 15 Jan '22</ref> after the Daytona 500, which in 1972 occurred on 20th February and was won by A.J. Foyt.<ref>[https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1972_Daytona_500/W/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing results for the 1972 Daytona 500.] Retrieved 15 Jan '22</ref> The Firecracker 400 also has ties to the modern Coke Zero Sugar 400 race, having dropped the Firecracker name in 2019.<ref name="firecracker"/> Heading into the race, it was reported that Don Shula, head coach of the Miami Dolphins, would be the grand marshal for the event.<ref name="bench">[http://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2016/07/july-4-1972-firecracker-400-thats-1.html ''Bench-Racing'' providing a detailed account of the race.] Retrieved 15 Jan '22</ref><ref name="associated">''The Associated Press'' reporting on the race and Don Shula as grand marshal. Retrieved 15 Jan '22</ref>
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| Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with Bobby Isaac winning the pole position in a 1972 Dodge with a speed of 186.277 mph, ahead of Pearson and fellow 1972 Dodge driver Buddy Baker.<ref name="qualifying">[https://www.nytimes.com/1972/07/04/archives/isaac-petty-fight-jinx.html ''The New York Times'' reporting on Isaac winning the pole position and how he and Petty aimed to end jinxes at the event.] Retrieved 15 Jan '22</ref><ref name="results">[https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1972_Firecracker_400/W/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the start order and results of the race.] Retrieved 15 Jan '22</ref> The qualifying performance proved remarkable, considering Isaac was suffering from a broken rib he experienced in a golf carting accident prior to arriving at Daytona, with several of his team also nursing injuries.<ref name="bench"/> Pearson joked that Isaac looked like "he needs an ambulance instead of a race car".<ref name="bench"/> Nevertheless, Isaac aimed to not only replicate his victory [[1971 Medal of Honor Firecracker 400 (partially found footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1971)|the year prior]], but also to eliminate a curse at the Firecracker 400 where whoever won the pole position at the race since 1959 ultimately did not win the event.<ref name="qualifying"/><ref name="bench"/> Pearson meanwhile was attempting to continue his strong comeback into stock car racing, having suffered poor 1970 and 1971 seasons.<ref name="race">[https://www.nytimes.com/1972/07/05/archives/firecracker-400-won-by-pearson-petty-2d-bobby-allison-3d-in-close.html ''The New York Times'' reporting on Pearson winning the race.] Retrieved 15 Jan '22</ref><ref name="bench"/> Petty, who qualified 4th, was looking to win his first Firecracker 400, having won the Daytona 500 three times previously.<ref name="qualifying"/>
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| ==The Race==
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| With the starting order decided, the 1972 Firecracker 400 occurred on 4th July. Baker shot into the lead on lap 1, with himself and Pearson swapping for the lead in the first four laps. The race then became a five-way duel during its early stages, featuring Baker, Pearson, Allison, Petty, and Isaac, the latter retiring on lap 80 following engine failure and thus continuing the pole curse.<ref name="results"/><ref name="bench"/> Baker's Dodge then suffered a tyre failure in the second turn on lap 107, with debris breaking the oil filter and causing an oil cooler failure that led to a retirement.<ref name="bench"/> Thus, the race was between Pearson, Petty, and Allison, with Pearson being the only one to lead consecutive laps in the double digits.<ref name="results"/><ref name="bench"/><ref name="race"/> However, Petty overtook him with 25-laps to go, and so too would Allison, leading to a duel between the Dodge and Chevrolet drivers. However, this allowed Pearson the opportunity to draft past both drivers on lap 155.<ref name="results"/><ref name="bench"/>
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| Petty conducted another charge on the final lap and attempted to overtake the Mercury as they approached the tri-oval.<ref name="race"/><ref name="bench"/> Pearson was able to hang on however, beating Petty to the line by half a car length to claim $15,650 in prize money, with Allison another length behind.<ref name="race"/><ref name="bench"/><ref name="results"/><ref name="associated"/> The drivers were three laps ahead of the rest of the field by the end.<ref name="gaffney">''The Gaffney Ledger'' reporting on the race and post-race comments. Retrieved 15 Jan '22</ref><ref name="results"/> This was Pearson's first win at a full-length Daytona race since the [[1961 Firecracker 250 (lost ABC footage of NASCAR Grand National race; 1961)|1961 Firecracker 250]].<ref name="race"/> Post-race, Pearson noted how close the race was, and believed Petty, who was suffering from heat exhaustion following the race, waited too long to try and pass him. Petty meanwhile stated he enjoyed the dogfight, praising Pearson and Allison for providing tense competition throughout the final 20 laps.<ref name="gaffney"/>
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| ==Availability==
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| According to ''NASCAR on TV'', 30 minutes of highlights were broadcast by ABC on 22nd July 1972 as part of its ''Wide World of Sports'', alongside the World Chess Championships and International Cliff Diving Championships.<ref>[https://sites.google.com/site/nascarracingontv/home/the-races/monster-energy-cup-series/1972-nascar-winston-cup-series/1972-firecracker-400 ''NASCAR on TV'' detailing ABC's coverage of the race.] Retrieved 15 Jan '22</ref> But while confirmation of a broadcast has been achieved, no footage of the race is currently publicly available. A few photos, including some taken by Ted Richard, are however accessible.<ref>[http://www.floridastockcars.com/gallery3/v/Daytona/Donnie+Allison+finished+8th+in+the+1972+Firecracker+400+driving+Bud+Moore_s+Ford+_Ted+Richard+Photo_.jpg.html ''Florida Stock Cars'' providing one of Richard's photos.] Retrieved 15 Jan '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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| 1972firecracker4009.png|Clipping from ''The Associated Press''.
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| 1972firecracker4010.png|Clipping from the ''The Gaffney Ledger''.
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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 National 500 (lost 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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| *[[1968 National 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Grand National Series race; 1968)]]
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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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| *[[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 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 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 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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