Race Histories: 1969 Gwyn Staley Memorial 400
Bobby Allison doesn't like to leave much to chance. That's why even he'll admit his victory in the 1969 Gwyn Staley Memorial 400 at North Wilkesboro Speedway was a bit of a surprise.
Allison and his Mario Rossi Dodge team used a makeshift chassis following a mediocre qualifying effort (11th fastest), but managed to make it to victory lane by eight seconds over Lee Roy Yarbrough, who was driving a 1969 Mercury owned by Junior Johnson.
"We tried several setups," Allison said. "Toward the end of the last day of practice, we went to one we had discussed but never tried. We didn't have time to try it out. It was strictly a shot-in-the-dark."
Allison posted his second victory of the season when he motored around Buddy Baker on the 299th lap of the 400-lap event. He ran with the lead pack the entire afternoon, but said his pit crew made the difference.
"They put me in front twice," Allison said. "It was a close race all the way and the pit stops made the difference. We had a long day of pit stop practice last week and it really paid off."
David Pearson, driving a Holman-Moody 1969 Ford, finished third and Baker came home fourth in a Ray Fox 1969 Dodge. The top four drivers were the only ones to finish on the lead lap.
Fifth place went to James Hylton, who was in the Cotton Owens '69 Dodge vacated by Charlie Glotzbach.
Bobby Isaac started on the pole for the sixth time this year and led the first 89 laps. After losing the lead on pit stops, Isaac roared back and led for a 34-lap stretch just before the halfway point. He was running second when ignition troubles sidelined his Dodge.
Pearson took the lead in the NASCAR Grand National point standings by an eight-point margin over Richard Petty, who finished seventh. Petty was penalized for passing the pace car and eventually fell 12 laps off the pace.
Allison took his 14th career victory an average speed of 95.268 mph in front of an estimated crowd of 13,000 spectators.
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