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| {{InfoboxLost
| | #REDIRECT [[1976 NASCAR Winston Cup Series (partially found footage of NASCAR races; 1976)]] |
| |title=<center>1976 World 600</center>
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| |image=1976world6001.jpeg
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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 '''''1976 World 600''''' was the 13th race of the 1976 NASCAR Winston Cup Series. Occurring on 30th May at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, the race would ultimately be won by pole sitter David Pearson in a Mercury, following a duel with Richard Petty's Dodge. The race also marked the Cup Series debut of Janet Guthrie, who would become the first woman to compete at a major NASCAR superspeedway event.
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| ==Background==
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| The ''1976 World 600'' was the 17th running of the event, with the race notable for being the longest in the NASCAR schedule at 600 miles.<ref name="cola">[https://www.essentiallysports.com/category/nascar/coca-cola-600/ ''Essentially Sports'' detailing the World 600, now the Coca Cola 600.] Retrieved 28 Mar '22</ref><ref name="results">[https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1976_World_600/W/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing qualifying and race results for the event.] Retrieved 28 Mar '22</ref> It was one of two 1976 Winston Cup Series races conducted at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the other being the National 500,<ref>[https://www.racing-reference.info/season-stats/1976/W/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the 1976 NASCAR Grand National Series calendar.] Retrieved 28 Mar '22</ref> which in 1976 occurred on 10th October and was won by Donnie Allison in a Chevrolet.<ref>[https://www.racing-reference.info/race-results/1976_National_500/W/ ''Racing-Reference'' detailing the results of the 1976 National 500.] Retrieved 28 Mar '22</ref> The race also has ties to the modern Coca Cola 600, having dropped the World 600 name from 1986 onwards.<ref>[https://nytimes.stats.com/racing/index.asp?page=track&series=NASCAR&track=4 ''The New York Times Stats'' detailing the history of the World 600.] Retrieved 28 Mar '22</ref><ref name="cola"/>
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| Prior to the race, qualifying commenced with David Pearson winning the pole position with a speed of 159.132 mph.<ref name="results"/> This would be his sixth consecutive pole position for that Series, eventually achieving eleven.<ref name="bench">[http://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2016/05/may-30-1976-world-600.html ''Bench-Racing'' detailing the event's qualifying and race.] Retrieved 28 Mar '22</ref> Directly behind him was Richard Petty,<ref name="results"/> who was seeking to replicate his wins at the World 600 and National 500 the previous year.<ref name="bench"/> In third was Chevrolet's Cale Yarborough.<ref name="results"/> Dale Earnhardt made his second Cup Series appearance, having competed at the previous year's event.<ref name="bench"/> He would start 25th out of 40 competitors in a Chevrolet.<ref name="results"/>
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| Elsewhere, media coverage was centring on Janet Guthrie, who had qualified 27th,<ref name="results"/><ref name="bench"/> becoming the first woman to qualify for a NASCAR superspeedway event and the 11th woman to compete in a major NASCAR race.<ref name="wood">[https://www.woodbrothersracing.com/news/2016-news/2016/05/27/glen-wood-looks-back-1976-world-600/ ''Wood Brothers Racing'' detailing the duel between Pearson and Petty, Guthrie's appearance, and Isaac's final race.] Retrieved 28 Mar '22</ref><ref name="bench"/> Originally, this piece of NASCAR history almost never happened, as Guthrie was busy attempting to qualify for the Indianapolis 500.<ref name="nascarhall">[https://www.nascarhall.com/blog/forty-five-years-ago-the-1976-world-600 ''NASCAR Hall of Fame'' detailing the story behind Guthrie's debut Cup Series race and how it contributed towards an ABC broadcast.] Retrieved 28 Mar '22</ref> Ultimately, she was unsuccessful, mainly due to her car being uncompetitive.<ref name="nascarhall"/> Charlotte Motor Speedway's Chairman O. Bruton Smith however felt that her presence at the World 600 would be greatly valued, including for boosting ticket sales, TV ratings and overall publicity<ref name="nascarhall"/>. He, alongside general manager H.A. Wheeler, convinced Lynda Ferreri, a First Union Bank executive and vice president of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, to buy a 1976 Chevrolet Chevelle Laguna and have Guthrie compete in it.<ref name="nascarhall"/> Ultimately, a deal was brokered, making NASCAR history in the process.<ref name="nascarhall"/>
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| ==The Race==
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| With the starting order decided, the 1976 World 600 commenced on 30th May.<ref name="results"/> Yarborough shot into the lead on lap 1, but Pearson was able to recover it briefly on lap 2.<ref name="results"/> However, frequent leader changes between the two occurred throughout the race duration.<ref name="bench"/> With the exception of a few laps led by Dave Marcis' Dodge, and Benny Parson's Chevrolet, the battle for the first position was primarily between Yarborough and Pearson, with Petty joining the fray later in the race.<ref name="bench"/><ref name="results"/> On lap 39, Bobby Isaac, who was the 1970 Grand National champion and a 37-time race winner, retired after his Chevrolet's engine failed.<ref name="results"/> This would prove to be Isaac's final race in the Cup Series; a year later, he passed away following a heart attack while driving at Hickory Motor Speedway, aged 45.<ref name="wood"/>
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| For the first 250 laps, Pearson and Yarborough continually changed places, with neither holding onto the lead for more than 40 laps.<ref name="results"/><ref name="bench"/> But with 150 laps to go, Petty began to close in, overtaking Pearson to assume the first position on lap 252, and successfully defending it for another 49.<ref name="bench"/><ref name="results"/><ref name="wood"/> However, Pearson re-took the lead on lap 301, leading another 63 laps before the King took over for another five.<ref name="bench"/><ref name="results"/> Pearson would reassume the lead again on lap 369 following the final pit stops.<ref name="nyt">[https://www.nytimes.com/1976/05/31/archives/world-600-race-taken-by-pearson.html ''The New York Times'' reporting on Pearson winning the race and Guthrie's performance.] Retrieved 28 Mar '22</ref><ref name="bench"/><ref name="results"/> Petty continually challenged for the lead for the final stretch, but on lap 398, Dick Brooks, James Hylton and Grant Adcox crashed, resulting in a caution.<ref name="bench"/><ref name="nyt"/><ref name="results"/> Pearson was about six or seven seconds ahead of Petty prior to the accident, suggesting he would have likely held on even if the crash not occurred.<ref name="bench"/><ref name="nyt"/> Instead, Pearson cruised to victory under caution to claim victory and $49,990 in prize money, $11,000 of which for his pole position.<ref name="nyt"/><ref name="bench"/> Petty held on to finish second, with Yarborough taking third.<ref name="results"/><ref name="bench"/><ref name="nyt"/>
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| Meanwhile, Earnhardt retired after 156 laps because of an engine failure.<ref name="nascarhall"/><ref name="results"/> Guthrie would finish 15th, 21 laps down from Pearson.<ref name="nascarhall"/><ref name="nyt"/> She ranked behind the Dodge of Buddy Arrington but ahead of D.K. Ulrich's Chevrolet.<ref name="results"/> Despite allegedly facing grumblings from many of the male racers,<ref name="wood"/> Guthrie's performance received acclaim from the media and fans, with the ''Herald-Journal'' dubbing her "Queen Guthrie".<ref name="herald">[http://bench-racing.blogspot.com/2016/05/may-30-1976-world-600.html ''Herald-Journal'' reporting on the race result and Guthrie's interview.] Retrieved 28 Mar '22</ref> Post-race, she discussed that the concerns of not being able to endure the race duration proved unfounded, stating that while she did have a relief driver present,<ref name="nyt"/> the only sign of fatigue she experienced being when she misinterpreted a radio message as stating there were only five laps to go, rather than 50.<ref name="herald"/> Pearson would be one of a few drivers who praised Guthrie, stating “She got in my way a couple of times, but I think she did a pretty good job for a rookie."<ref name="wood"/><ref name="herald"/> Guthrie would also earn the Curtis Turner Achievement Award for working her way from 27th to 15th.<ref name="nyt"/><ref name="herald"/><ref name="nascarhall"/>
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| ==Availability==
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| ''NASCAR on TV'' claimed that the race was possibly broadcast by CBS, although stating this was never confirmed.<ref>[https://sites.google.com/site/nascarracingontv/home/the-races/unconfirmed-broadcasts/1976-world-600 ''NASCAR on TV'' claiming CBS broadcast the race, which was later disproven.] Retrieved 28 Mar '22</ref> In actuality, the race was televised by ABC, with Gutherie's appearance being a key reason for this.<ref name="nascarhall"/> However, the broadcast has yet to resurface, and no footage is currently publicly available as of the present day. Nevertheless, many photos of the race are viewable online.
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| ==Gallery==
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| ===Images===
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| <gallery mode=packed heights=250px>
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| 1976world6002.jpg|Guthrie (68) ahead of Buddy Baker's Ford (15).
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| 1976world6003.jpg|The pit lane during the race.
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| 1976world6004.jpg|Dick Brooks' Ford during a pit stop.
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| 1976world6005.jpeg|Guthrie smiling after successfully qualifying for the race.
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| 1976world6006.jpg|Guthrie with her Chevrolet prior to the race.
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| 1976world6007.jpg|Pearson celebrating the win with his crew.
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| 1976world6008.jpg|Pearson drinking milk and holding the trophy.
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| 1976world6009.png|''Herald-Journal'' reporting on the race and Guthrie's interview.
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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 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)]]
| |
| *[[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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| *[[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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| [[Category:Historic]]
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