The inaugural Texas 500 was held at Texas World Speedway on December 7, 1969, drawing a crowd of 23,508 spectators for the first NASCAR Grand National race at the newly constructed 2-mile superspeedway. A field of 38 cars took the green flag, with Buddy Baker earning the pole position in the No. 6 Cotton Owens Dodge at 176.284 mph. Baker dominated the early stages of the 250-lap event, leading 150 laps before his race ended under caution on lap 229. While communicating with his pit crew during the yellow flag, Baker lost concentration and collided with another car, forcing his retirement from the race.
Bobby Isaac, who started seventh, inherited the lead and drove his K&K Insurance Dodge to a commanding two-lap victory over Donnie Allison. Benny Parsons finished third, followed by James Hylton and Dick Brooks. The race was slowed by three caution periods for 29 laps, and Isaac averaged 144.277 mph to earn $15,640 for the victory. The win was Isaac’s 17th of the 1969 Grand National season. Although Isaac closed the year with a dominant performance, David Pearson secured his third Grand National championship, finishing the season 357 points ahead of Richard Petty.
