ThePop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400was aNASCARWinston Cup Seriesevent that took place in November at theNorth Carolina Motor Speedwayfrom 1965 to 2003. It was the first NASCAR Cup Series victory for three drivers includingMark Martinin 1989,Ward Burtonin 1995, andJohnny Bensonin 2002. It was the final race win forBill Elliottin 2003.
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| NASCARWinston Cup Series | |
|---|---|
| Venue | North Carolina Speedway |
| Location | Rockingham, North Carolina,United States |
| Corporatesponsor | Pop Secret |
| First race | 1965 |
| Last race | 2003 |
| Distance | 399.681 miles (643.224 km) |
| Laps | 393 |
| Previous names | American 500(1965–1981) Walter W. Hodgdon American 500(1982–1984) Nationwise 500(1985–1986) AC Delco 500(1987–1994) AC Delco 400(1995–1998) Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400(1999–2003) |
| Most wins (driver) | Richard Petty Cale Yarborough(4) |
| Most wins (team) | Junior Johnson & Associates(8) |
| Most wins (manufacturer) | Ford(12) |
| Circuit information | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 1.017 mi (1.637 km) |
| Turns | 4 |
This race, typically run as the penultimate race of the NASCAR season, was dropped from the schedule after the 2003 season. The Pop Secret sponsorship was moved over to thenewly acquired Labor Day dateatAuto Club Speedway,while the late season date was originally taken over by theSouthern 500atDarlingtonand later thefall raceatTexas,which was moved to Spring in 2024 after the track dropped its original spring race in 2021.
Past winners
edit| Year | Date | No. | Driver | Team | Manufacturer | Race Distance | Race Time | Average Speed (mph) |
Report | Ref | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laps | Miles (km) | ||||||||||
| 1965 | October 31 | 41 | Curtis Turner | Wood Brothers Racing | Ford | 500 | 500 (804.672) | 4:54:17 | 101.942 | Report | [1] |
| 1966 | October 30 | 28 | Fred Lorenzen | Holman-Moody | Ford | 500 | 500 (804.672) | 4:47:30 | 104.348 | Report | [2] |
| 1967 | October 29 | 11 | Bobby Allison | Holman-Moody | Ford | 500 | 500 (804.672) | 5:04:49 | 98.42 | Report | [3] |
| 1968 | October 27 | 43 | Richard Petty | Petty Enterprises | Plymouth | 500 | 500 (804.672) | 4:45:33 | 105.06 | Report | [4] |
| 1969 | October 26 | 98 | LeeRoy Yarbrough | Junior Johnson & Associates | Ford | 492 | 500.364 (805.257) | 4:28:12 | 111.938 | Report | [5] |
| 1970 | November 15 | 21 | Cale Yarborough | Wood Brothers Racing | Mercury | 492 | 500.364 (805.257) | 4:14:24 | 117.811 | Report | [6] |
| 1971 | October 24 | 43 | Richard Petty | Petty Enterprises | Plymouth | 492 | 500.364 (805.257) | 4:24:43 | 113.405 | Report | [7] |
| 1972 | October 22 | 12 | Bobby Allison | Richard Howard | Chevrolet | 492 | 500.364 (805.257) | 4:13:49 | 118.275 | Report | [8] |
| 1973 | October 21 | 21 | David Pearson | Wood Brothers Racing | Mercury | 492 | 500.364 (805.257) | 4:14:57 | 117.749 | Report | [9] |
| 1974 | October 20 | 21 | David Pearson | Wood Brothers Racing | Mercury | 492 | 500.364 (805.257) | 4:13:21 | 118.493 | Report | [10] |
| 1975 | October 19 | 11 | Cale Yarborough | Junior Johnson & Associates | Chevrolet | 492 | 500.364 (805.257) | 4:09:54 | 120.129 | Report | [11] |
| 1976 | October 24 | 43 | Richard Petty | Petty Enterprises | Dodge | 492 | 500.364 (805.257) | 4:15:01 | 117.718 | Report | [12] |
| 1977 | October 23 | 1 | Donnie Allison | Ellington Racing | Chevrolet | 492 | 500.364 (805.257) | 4:24:18 | 113.584 | Report | [13] |
| 1978 | October 22 | 11 | Cale Yarborough | Junior Johnson & Associates | Oldsmobile | 492 | 500.364 (805.257) | 4:15:58 | 117.288 | Report | [14] |
| 1979 | October 21 | 43 | Richard Petty | Petty Enterprises | Chevrolet | 492 | 500.364 (805.257) | 4:37:04 | 108.356 | Report | [15] |
| 1980 | October 19 | 11 | Cale Yarborough | Junior Johnson & Associates | Chevrolet | 492 | 500.364 (805.257) | 4:22:59 | 114.159 | Report | [16] |
| 1981 | November 1 | 11 | Darrell Waltrip | Junior Johnson & Associates | Buick | 492 | 500.364 (805.257) | 4:39:32 | 107.399 | Report | [17] |
| 1982 | October 31 | 11 | Darrell Waltrip | Junior Johnson & Associates | Buick | 492 | 500.364 (805.257) | 4:20:47 | 115.122 | Report | [18] |
| 1983 | October 30 | 44 | Terry Labonte | Billy Hagan | Chevrolet | 492 | 500.364 (805.257) | 4:11:36 | 119.324 | Report | [19] |
| 1984 | October 21 | 9 | Bill Elliott | Melling Racing | Ford | 492 | 500.364 (805.257) | 4:26:35 | 112.617 | Report | [20] |
| 1985 | October 20 | 11 | Darrell Waltrip | Junior Johnson & Associates | Chevrolet | 492 | 500.364 (805.257) | 4:13:40 | 118.344 | Report | [21] |
| 1986 | October 19 | 12 | Neil Bonnett | Junior Johnson & Associates | Chevrolet | 492 | 500.364 (805.257) | 3:57:33 | 126.381 | Report | [22] |
| 1987 | October 25 | 9 | Bill Elliott | Melling Racing | Ford | 492 | 500.364 (805.257) | 4:13:52 | 118.258 | Report | [23] |
| 1988 | October 23 | 27 | Rusty Wallace | Blue Max Racing | Pontiac | 492 | 500.364 (805.257) | 4:29:07 | 111.557 | Report | [24] |
| 1989 | October 22 | 6 | Mark Martin | Roush Racing | Ford | 492 | 500.364 (805.257) | 4:23:10 | 114.079 | Report | [25] |
| 1990 | October 21 | 7 | Alan Kulwicki | AK Racing | Ford | 492 | 500.364 (805.257) | 3:57:25 | 126.452 | Report | [26] |
| 1991 | October 20 | 28 | Davey Allison | Robert Yates Racing | Ford | 492 | 500.364 (805.257) | 3:55:51 | 127.292 | Report | [27] |
| 1992 | October 25 | 42 | Kyle Petty | SABCO Racing | Pontiac | 492 | 500.364 (805.257) | 3:49:37 | 130.748 | Report | [28] |
| 1993 | October 24 | 2 | Rusty Wallace | Penske Racing | Pontiac | 492 | 500.364 (805.257) | 4:23:16 | 114.036 | Report | [29] |
| 1994 | October 23 | 3 | Dale Earnhardt | Richard Childress Racing | Chevrolet | 492 | 500.364 (805.257) | 3:57:30 | 126.408 | Report | [30] |
| 1995 | October 22 | 22 | Ward Burton | Bill Davis Racing | Pontiac | 393 | 399.681 (643.224) | 3:28:56 | 114.778 | Report | [31] |
| 1996 | October 20 | 10 | Ricky Rudd | Rudd Performance Motorsports |
Ford | 393 | 399.681 (643.224) | 3:16:03 | 122.32 | Report | [32] |
| 1997 | October 27 | 43 | Bobby Hamilton | Petty Enterprises | Pontiac | 393 | 399.681 (643.224) | 3:17:00 | 121.73 | Report | [33] |
| 1998 | November 1 | 24 | Jeff Gordon | Hendrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 393 | 399.681 (643.224) | 3:06:44 | 128.423 | Report | [34] |
| 1999 | October 24 | 99 | Jeff Burton | Roush Racing | Ford | 393 | 399.681 (643.224) | 3:02:55 | 131.103 | Report | [35] |
| 2000 | October 22 | 88 | Dale Jarrett | Robert Yates Racing | Ford | 393 | 399.681 (643.224) | 3:37:11 | 110.418 | Report | [36] |
| 2001 | November 4 | 33 | Joe Nemechek | Andy Petree Racing | Chevrolet | 393 | 399.681 (643.224) | 3:05:59 | 128.941 | Report | [37] |
| 2002 | November 3 | 10 | Johnny Benson Jr. | MB2 Motorsports | Pontiac | 393 | 399.681 (643.224) | 3:06:35 | 128.526 | Report | [38] |
| 2003 | November 9 | 9 | Bill Elliott | Evernham Motorsports | Dodge | 393 | 399.681 (643.224) | 3:34:44 | 111.677 | Report | [39] |
Multiple winners (drivers)
edit
| # Wins | Driver | Years Won |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Richard Petty | 1968, 1971, 1976, 1979 |
| Cale Yarborough | 1970, 1975, 1978, 1980 | |
| 3 | Darrell Waltrip | 1981–1982, 1985 |
| Bill Elliott | 1984, 1987, 2003 | |
| 2 | Bobby Allison | 1967, 1972 |
| David Pearson | 1973–1974 | |
| Rusty Wallace | 1988, 1993 |
Multiple winners (manufacturers)
edit| # Wins | Manufacturer | Years Won |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Ford | 1965–1967, 1969, 1984, 1987, 1989–1991, 1996, 1999–2000 |
| 11 | Chevrolet | 1972, 1975, 1977, 1979–1980, 1983, 1985–1986, 1994, 1998, 2001 |
| 6 | Pontiac | 1988, 1992–1993, 1995, 1997, 2002 |
| 3 | Mercury | 1970, 1973–1974 |
| 2 | Plymouth | 1968, 1971 |
| Buick | 1981–1982 | |
| Dodge | 1976, 2003 |
Notable races
edit- 1965:Curtis Turnerposted his final Grand National win, driving theWood Brothers Racing#41 following his reinstatement to NASCAR.
- 1967:Bobby Allisonposted his first Rockingham win.Formula OnelegendJim Clarkmade his only NASCAR start in this race.
- 1968:Richard PettyoutlastedCale YarboroughandBobby Isaacfor his only win of the season on a track bigger than a short track.
- 1972:Bobby AllisonbattledRichard Petty,David Pearson,andBuddy Baker,ultimately leading 217 laps for his tenth win of 1972 and final win with the Richard Howard team led byJunior Johnson.
- 1973: Pearson posted his eleventh win of the 1973 season whileBenny Parsonswon the season championship despite severe damage in an early crash.
- 1976:Richard PettydefeatedLennie Pondfor the win, despite several green-flag pitstops — Petty won despite 125 total seconds in the pits to Pond's 54 seconds.
- 1977:Donnie Allisonoutclassed the field for his second win of the season.
- 1979:Darrell Waltrip,entering the race with the Winston Cup point lead, finished a distant sixth as Petty grabbed the win and the point lead.
- 1980: Multiple crashes thinned the field asCale Yarboroughtook the win in a close points race with sophomoreDale Earnhardt.The race lead changed 35 times.
- 1981:Darrell WaltripandBobby Allison,locked in a bitter point battle, finished 1–2; the lead changed 33 times in total and five times over the final 32 laps between Waltrip and Allison.
- 1982: Allison spun out of the pits on his final pitstop and Waltrip seized the win.
- 1983:Terry Labontebroke out of a duel withTim Richmondfor the win, his first in three years.
- 1984:Bill ElliottedgedHarry Gantin a photo finish after Gant seized the lead with two to go.
- 1992: In the final raceRichard Pettywould compete in at the Petty's nativeNorth Carolina;sonKyle,in the hunt for the 1992 championship, dominated the race, leading all but 8 laps en route to the younger Petty collecting his 2nd victory of the season; which was the only time Kyle Petty won more than one race in a season.
- 1994: In addition to winning the race,Dale Earnhardtclinched his 7th title at the Rock.
- 1995:Ward Burtonwon his first race at the Rock after a late season change toBill Davis Racing.
- 2001:Joe NemechekgaveAndy Petree Racingtheir last win in NASCAR by leading the most laps.
- 2002:Johnny Bensonfinally clinched the win at the Rock for his first win over a hard-chargingMark Martin.
- 2003:Bill Elliott's victory in this race was the last win of his career.
References
edit- ^"1965 American 500".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
- ^"1966 American 500".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
- ^"1967 American 500".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
- ^"1968 American 500".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
- ^"1969 American 500".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
- ^"1970 American 500".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
- ^"1971 American 500".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
- ^"1972 American 500".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
- ^"1973 American 500".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
- ^"1974 American 500".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
- ^"1975 American 500".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
- ^"1976 American 500".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
- ^"1977 American 500".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
- ^"1978 American 500".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
- ^"1979 American 500".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
- ^"1980 American 500".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
- ^"1981 American 500".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
- ^"1982 Walter W. Hodgdon American 500".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
- ^"1983 Walter W. Hodgdon American 500".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
- ^"1984 Walter W. Hodgdon American 500".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
- ^"1985 Nationwise 500".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
- ^"1986 Nationwise 500".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
- ^"1987 AC Delco 500".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
- ^"1988 AC Delco 500".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
- ^"1989 AC Delco 500".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
- ^"1990 AC Delco 500".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
- ^"1991 AC Delco 500".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
- ^"1992 AC Delco 500".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
- ^"1993 AC Delco 500".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
- ^"1994 AC Delco 500".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
- ^"1995 AC Delco 500".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
- ^"1996 AC Delco 500".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
- ^"1997 ACDelco 500".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
- ^"1998 AC Delco 500".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
- ^"1999 Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
- ^"2000 Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
- ^"2001 Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
- ^"2002 Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn 400".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
- ^"2003 Pop-Secret Microwave Popcorn 400".NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedNovember 24,2023.
External links
edit- Rockingham Speedwayrace results at Racing-Reference