| Race details[1][2][3] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Race 6 of 28 in the1973 NASCAR Winston Cup Series | |||
 Layout of Atlanta Motor Speedway prior to 1996 | |||
| Date | April 1, 1973 (1973-04-01) | ||
| Official name | Atlanta 500 | ||
| Location | Atlanta International Raceway,Hampton, Georgia | ||
| Course length | 1.522 miles (2.449 km) | ||
| Distance | 328 laps, 499.2 mi (803.3 km) | ||
| Weather | Temperatures reaching of 72 °F (22 °C); wind speeds of 24.1 miles per hour (38.8 km/h) | ||
| Average speed | 139.351 miles per hour (224.264 km/h) | ||
| Attendance | 46,000[4] | ||
| Pole position | |||
| Driver | Ellington Racing | ||
| Most laps led | |||
| Driver | David Pearson | Wood Brothers Racing | |
| Laps | 155 | ||
| Winner | |||
| No. 21 | David Pearson | Wood Brothers Racing | |
| Television in the United States | |||
| Network | ABC | ||
| Announcers | Keith Jackson Chris Economaki | ||
The1973 Atlanta 500 was the sixth race in theNASCAR1973 Winston Cup Series, held on April 1, 1973, atAtlanta International Raceway inHampton,Georgia. The race took three hours and thirty-four minutes.
Attendance to this event has varying estimates. Many racing statistic archives list it at 46,000 people; the Associated Press reported a figure of 72,000 the day after the race.[4][3][5]
At this event, daredevil Dusty Russell flipped a stock car in the air and landed 157 feet after a five foot ramp, in what was then a world record. He suffered a broken nose.[6]
Notime trials were conducted due to weather. The average speed of the race was 139.351 miles per hour (224.264 km/h).[4][2][3] There were only five traditional single-car owners at this race.[7]
Souvenir programs were sold at this event for $2 USD ($14.17 when adjusted for inflation).
David Pearson defeatedBobby Isaac in his 1971Mercury Cyclone by two laps; Four cautions slowed the race for 31 laps.[4][2][3] This would be David Pearson's second win in 1973 when he won 11 races of the 18 he entered.[8]
Tony Bettenhausen Jr. was the last-place finisher due to anoil leak on lap 9 out of 328.[4][2][3] AfterDarrell Waltrip's car was eliminated from the race (he charged to fifth place but was involved in a crash with Richard Petty and Buddy Baker), he substituted for A.J. Foyt.[4][2][3]Pete Hamilton andMark Donohue would retire from NASCAR after this race whileCharles Barrett and Bettenhausen Jr. would make their introductions to the Cup Series.[9]
The winner received $16,625 in race winnings ($117,758 when adjusted for inflation) while the last place finisher received $900 ($6,375 when adjusted for inflation).[3][10] The total prize purse was $103,485 ($733,006 when adjusted for inflation).[11]
Notable crew chiefs includedTim Brewer,Jake Elder,Travis Carter,Harry Hyde,Dale Inman,Tom Vandiver, andBud Moore.[12]
| Grid[4] | No. | Driver | Manufacturer | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28 | Gordon Johncock | '72Chevrolet | Hoss Ellington |
| 2 | 15 | Bobby Isaac | '72Ford | Bud Moore |
| 3 | 31 | Jim Vandiver | '72Dodge | O.L. Nixon |
| 4 | 11 | Cale Yarborough | '73Chevrolet | Richard Howard |
| 5 | 72 | Benny Parsons | '72Chevrolet | L.G. DeWitt |
| 6 | 12 | Bobby Allison | '73Chevrolet | Bobby Allison |
| 7 | 18 | Joe Frasson | '73Dodge | Joe Frasson |
| 8 | 71 | Buddy Baker | '73Dodge | Nord Krauskopf |
| 9 | 21 | David Pearson | '71Mercury | Wood Brothers |
| 10 | 22 | Pete Hamilton | '72Plymouth | Crawford Brothers |
Failed to qualify: Eddie Bond (#0), Tony Bettenhausen Jr. (#38), John Utsman (#49)[13]
Section reference:[4]
* Driver failed to finish race
| Preceded by | NASCAR Winston Cup Series Season 1973 | Succeeded by |