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1979 American 500
NASCAR Cup Series Race 29 of 31
Race InformationTrack Information
Total Purse:$138,750Race Date:Apr 30, 2026Rockingham Speedway
Margin of Victory:.170 SecondsRace Duration:4Hr 37Min 4Sec.Rockingham, North Carolina
Lead Changes:23Average Speed:108.356 MPH1.017 Mile Paved
No. of Cars:37No. of Cautions:12 For 82 Laps

Winner, Pole and Manufacturer Information
Winner InformationPole InformationManufacturer Points
Driver: Richard Petty R. PettyDriver: Buddy Baker B. BakerChevrolet:9
Car No.:#43 ChevroletCar No.:#28 ChevroletFord:0
Team:Petty EnterprisesTeam:Ranier Racing with MDMOldsmobile:0
Crew Chief:Dale InmanCrew Chief:Waddell WilsonDodge:0
Laps Led:139 of 492Pole Speed:141.315 MPH

◄  View Crew Chiefs  View Teams ►

Official 1979 American 500 Results
FinishStartNumDriverSponsorStatusMfgPointsLapsLed
1743 Richard PettyRichard PettySTPRunning180492139
2227 Benny ParsonsBenny ParsonsGriffin's MarineRunning180492168
3911 Cale YarboroughCale YarboroughBuschRunning17049250
461 Donnie AllisonDonnie AllisonHawaiian TropicRunning1654906
5102 Dale Earnhardt (R)Dale EarnhardtOsterlund RacingRunning1554880
6388 Darrell WaltripDarrell WaltripGatoradeRunning15548429
7153 Richard ChildressRichard ChildressCRC ChemicalsRunning1464760
82025 Ronnie ThomasRonnie ThomasStone's CafeteriaRunning1424760
91671 Dave MarcisDave MarcisShoney'sRunning1384750
103051 Slick JohnsonSlick JohnsonJohnson RacingRunning1344740
112248 James HyltonJames HyltonPalatine AutomotiveRunning1304700
123264 Tommy GaleTommy GaleSunny King Ford & HondaRunning1274560
132924 Cecil GordonCecil GordonGordon RacingRunning1244560
143675 Bill ElswickBill ElswickRahmoc RacingRunning04530
151105 Dick BrooksDick BrooksCompcon IncorporatedEngine1184520
16340 Freddy SmithFreddy SmithPetty's Of SpartanburgRunning04520
172567 Buddy ArringtonBuddy ArringtonReid Trailer SalesRunning1124340
18572 Joe Millikan (R)Joe MillikanAppliance WheelsRunning1094260
19815 Bobby AllisonBobby AllisonHodgdon / MooreAccident1064220
201390 Ricky RuddRicky RuddTruxmore IndustriesAccident1034200
211247 Harry Gant (R)Harry GantRace Hill FarmRunning1004160
222845 Baxter PriceBaxter PriceIron PeddlersAccident974120
231917 Bill ElliottBill ElliottKings Inn DaytonaRunning943910
243379 Frank WarrenFrank WarrenNative TanRear Gear913760
253770 J.D. McDuffieJ.D. McDuffieBailey ExcavatingRear Gear883540
263199 Dick MayDick MayBill Hollar (Car Owner)Rear Gear02670
271444 Terry Labonte (R)Terry LabonteTechnicraftEngine872591
282140 D.K. UlrichD.K. UlrichU.S. ArmyRunning792530
29421 Neil BonnettNeil BonnettPurolatorAccident8123395
302718 Randy OgdenRandy OgdenOgden RacingDriver Fatigue02270
312352 Jimmy MeansJimmy MeansMr. TransmissionRear Gear702270
321819 Glenn JarrettGlenn JarrettBelden AsphaltOil Pressure671640
33128 Buddy BakerBuddy BakerW.I.N. IncorporatedRear Gear691414
342446 Travis TillerTravis TillerRing EnterprisesIgnition61760
353576 Mike PotterMike PotterPotter RacingEngine0730
362661 Bub StricklerBub StricklerBudweiserAccident55670
371730 Tighe ScottTighe ScottRuss TogsOil Cooler52170
(R) Denotes Rookie  ◄► (I) Driver is Ineligible For Points
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