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| {{InfoboxLost
| | #REDIRECT [[1975 NASCAR Winston Cup Series (partially found footage of NASCAR races; 1975)]] |
| |title=<center>1975 Champion Spark Plug 400</center>
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| |image=1975championsparkplug4001.jpg
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| |imagecaption=Richard Petty narrowly edges out David Pearson for the win.
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| |status=<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span>
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| }}
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| The '''''1975 Champion Spark Plug 400''''' was the 20th race of the 1975 NASCAR Winston Cup Series. Occurring on 24th August at the Michigan International Speedway, the race would ultimately be won by Richard Petty in a 1974 Dodge, edging out 1973 Mercury driver David Pearson by half a car length.
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| ==Background==
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| The ''1975 Champion Spark Plug 400'' was the 6th running of the event, with the annual race typically lasting around 400 miles in length.<ref name="results">[https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1975_Champion_Spark_Plug_400/W/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing qualifying and race results for the event.] Retrieved 5 Apr '22</ref> It was one of two 1975 Winston Cup Series races conducted at Michigan International Speedway, the other being the Motor State 400,<ref name="calendar">[https://www.racing-reference.info/season-stats/1975/W/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the 1975 NASCAR Winston Cup Series calendar.] Retrieved 5 Apr '22</ref> which in 1975 occurred on 15th June and was won by David Pearson.<ref>[https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1975_Motor_State_400/W/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the results of the 1975 Motor State 400.] Retrieved 5 Apr '22</ref> The race also has ties to the modern FireKeepers Casino 400, having dropped the Champion Spark Plug title from 1994.<ref>[http://nytimes.stats.com/racing/index.asp?page=track&series=NASCAR&track=7 ''The New York Times Stats'' detailing the history of the Michigan International Speedway races.] Retrieved 5 Apr '22</ref>
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| Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with Pearson winning the pole position with a speed of 159.798 mph.<ref name="reunion">[http://racersreunion.com/community/forum/stock-car-racing-history/33932/august-24-1975-champion-spark-plug-400-another-epic-petty-pearson-finish ''RacersReunion'' summarising qualifying and the race, while also providing a newspaper clipping documenting the race.] Retrieved 5 Apr '22</ref><ref name="gadsden">[http://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2011/08/august-24-this-day-in-petty-history.html ''Gadsden Times'' reporting on Petty winning the race (report found on ''Bench-Racing'').] Retrieved 5 Apr '22</ref><ref name="results"/> Directly behind him was Buddy Baker in a 1975 Ford, with 1973 Chevrolet driver A.J. Foyt lining up third.<ref name="results"/><ref name="reunion"/> Richard Petty qualified 4th out of 36 runners.<ref name="results"/>
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| ==The Race==
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| With the starting order decided, the 1975 Champion Spark Plug 400 commenced on 24th August.<ref name="results"/> Pearson maintained his lead until lap 4, before Foyt took over for the next 16.<ref name="results"/> During that time period, Coo Coo Marlin in a 1975 Chevrolet crashed out after 17 laps following an engine failure,<ref name="results"/> slamming heavily into a guardrail.<ref name="gadsden"/> He ultimately escaped uninjured, though it took almost 30 minutes to replace the guardrail.<ref name="gadsden"/> While the early stages of the race provided an open competition for the lead, with Dave Marcis, David Sisco, Ed Negre, and Henley Gray all leading at some point,<ref name="results"/> it appeared Foyt was generally in control.<ref name="gadsden"/> However, rain suddenly brought the race to a halt on lap 67,<ref name="results"/> with it not being resumed for another 132 minutes.<ref name="reunion"/><ref name="gadsden"/> While Foyt remained competitive, leading from laps 92 to 116, he would ultimately retire after lap 117 when his Chevrolet's engine failed.<ref name="gadsden"/><ref name="results"/> Post-race, he claimed the rain removed most of the traction from the speedway, giving the heavier cars an advantage and forcing him to go beyond his vehicle's limit to stand a realistic chance of winning the race.<ref name="gadsden"/>
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| As the race reached its end, it appeared Petty had the event under control.<ref name="gadsden"/> He took the lead from the 1975 Matador driven by Bobby Allison on lap 193, defending it for 39 consecutive laps.<ref name="reunion"/><ref name="gadsden"/><ref name="results"/> However, a clash between Cale Yarborough's 1975 Chevrolet and Marcis' 1974 Dodge brought out a caution period, wiping out a 10-12 second lead Petty had accumulated.<ref name="gadsden"/><ref name="reunion"/><ref name="results"/> When the race resumed, Allison briefly retook the lead, only for The King to move back into the first position a lap later.<ref name="results"/> It was there he faced Pearson, swapping the lead with the Silver Fox five times during the final five laps.<ref name="bench">[http://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2011/08/august-24-this-day-in-petty-history.html ''Bench-Racing'' detailing the final part of the race.] Retrieved 5 Apr '22</ref><ref name="reunion"/><ref name="results"/> On the last lap, Pearson was in the lead, but ultimately, heading into the fourth and final turn, he went slightly sideways, allowing Petty to move back into the first position.<ref name="gadsden"/><ref name="results"/> He edged out Pearson by just half a car length to claim victory and $15,000 in prize money.<ref name="reunion"/><ref name="gadsden"/><ref name="bench"/><ref name="results"/><ref name="reunion"/> Yarborough recovered to finish third.<ref name="reunion"/><ref name="results"/> Post-race, Pearson admitted that Petty was the faster of the two, stating "I couldn't outrun Petty. He outran me all day. I knew he was faster and I was lucky to finish as close as I did."<ref name="gadsden"/>
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| ==Availability==
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| According to ''NASCAR on TV'', 30 minutes of highlights were televised by CBS on 30th August 1975 as part of its ''CBS Sports Spectacular''.<ref>[https://sites.google.com/site/nascarracingontv/home/the-races/monster-energy-cup-series/1975-nascar-winston-cup-series/1975-champion-spark-plugs-400 ''NASCAR on TV'' detailing the CBS broadcast of the race.] Retrieved 5 Apr '22</ref> However, the broadcast has yet to resurface, and no video footage of the race is currently publicly available. Unlike most other lost NASCAR race broadcasts however, the full Motor Racing Network (MRN) radio broadcast is available as part of MRN's series of Classic Races.<ref name="bench"/><ref name="reunion"/> Photos and newspaper clippings of the event are also viewable.<ref name="bench"/><ref name="reunion"/>
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| ==Gallery==
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| ===Video===
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| {{Video|perrow =1
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| |service1 =youtube
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| |id1 =Hoh8AakrZdU
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| |description1 =The full MRN radio broadcast.
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| }}
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| ===Images===
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| <gallery mode=packed heights=300px>
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| 1975championsparkplug4002.jpg|Program for the race.
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| 1975championsparkplug4003.jpg|Pearson during the event.
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| 1975championsparkplug4004.jpg|Petty narrowly leads Pearson as the race reaches its end.
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| 1975championsparkplug4005.png|Newspaper clipping reporting on Petty winning the race.
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| 1975championsparkplug4006.png|''Gadsden Times'' reporting on Petty winning the race.
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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 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 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)]]
| |
| *[[1975 National 500 (lost footage of NASCAR Winston Cup Series race; 1975)]]
| |
| *[[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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