The Virginia 500 was held at Martinsville Speedway on April 30, 1967, with approximately 12,500 fans in attendance for a field of 37 cars. Darel Dieringer won the pole in the No. 26 Junior Johnson Ford with a qualifying speed of 77.319 mph. The 500-lap race was slowed by eight caution periods for a total of 57 laps. Cale Yarborough appeared to have the race under control after leading 259 laps and opening a comfortable advantage during the closing stages.
The outcome changed dramatically on lap 473 when John Sears blew an engine, leaving oil on the racing surface. Yarborough slipped in the oil and scrapped the outside wall. Neither Yarborough nor Richard Petty elected to pit during the yellow, and Richard Petty was able to grab the lead. Petty drove his Plymouth to a 9-second victory over Yarborough, averaging 67.446 mph and earning $4,450. J.T. Putney finished third, followed by Dick Hutcherson and Paul Goldsmith. The victory was Petty’s fifth of the 1967 Grand National season, while James Hylton retained the championship lead, leaving Martinsville with a 3,810-point advantage over Petty.
