The 1967 National 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway drew a crowd of 60,000 fans to watch a competitive 44-car field on October 15th. Cale Yarborough captured the pole position with a blistering qualifying speed of 154.872 mph, setting the stage for what would become a dramatic 334-lap showdown on the high-banked 1.5-mile track.
Buddy Baker, driving the iconic Ray Fox-prepared Dodge Charger #3, emerged victorious. It marked Baker’s first career Grand National win, a breakthrough moment for the talented driver. Baker dominated large portions of the race, leading 160 laps after making the decisive pass for the lead on lap 257. He ultimately crossed the finish line a full lap ahead of runner-up Bobby Isaac, showcasing superior reliability and speed in the closing stages.
The race was marked by intense competition and attrition, featuring 22 lead changes among seven different drivers. Nine caution periods slowed the action for a total of 64 laps, bunching the field and creating opportunities for strategic pit stops and bold moves. Despite the interruptions, Baker maintained control to secure the $18,950 winner’s purse. Dick Hutcherson finished third, followed by Charlie Glotzbach in fourth and G.C. Spencer in fifth. The overall average race speed was 130.317 mph.
