1972-9-Wilkesboro

1972 Race 9/31
Sunday, April 23, 1972

Fast facts:
Winner: Richard Petty
Most laps led: Bobby Isaac (237 – 59%)

Qualifying was held on a wet track (The Gastonia Gazette – April 23, 1972)
Bobby Isaac led most of the race from pole, fighting for the lead with Bobby Allison
Petty took the lead in the closing stages of the race – he led a stint of 59 laps and then the final 25 on the way to victory
- Petty took the lead after putting on softer tires late (“gumballs”(?)) (Wikipedia summaries of 1972 races, unable to confirm elsewhere)
Petty won by just two seconds over Allison, five over Isaac (The Oneonta Star – Apr 24, 1972)
This was Petty’s third win of the 1972 season, the 143rd of his career
“This was one of the toughest races I’ve ever won,” said Petty (The Kane Republican – Apr 24, 1972)
Petty: “For most of the race I just sat back and just watched that dog fight between Allison and Bobby Isaac. They really had themselves a whing-doodle. It was one of the best two-car fights I have ever seen, and I had a ring-side seat about 200 yards back.” (The Daily Times-News – Apr 24, 1972)
43-12-71 is one of four podiums featured in podium-igami as the most common exact podiums in modern NASCAR history

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