The 1972 Carolina 500 was a 492-lap NASCAR Winston Cup Series race held on March 12, 1972, at North Carolina Motor Speedway in Rockingham. A crowd of 42,500 fans watched a full 40-car field take the green flag.
Bobby Allison started on pole with a speed of 137.539 mph and dominated the race early, leading a commanding 278 laps. However, his engine failed on lap 345, ending his day. Bobby Isaac, driving the #71 K&K Insurance Dodge, took advantage and went on to win by a full lap over Richard Petty with an average speed of 113.895 mph. Jim Vandiver finished third, followed by LeeRoy Yarbrough in fourth and Dave Marcis in fifth. Isaac earned $17,250 for the victory — his 37th career NASCAR win.
The race was slowed by eight cautions for 57 laps. After the event, James Hylton left Rockingham as the points leader, followed by Elmo Langley, Bobby Allison, and Richard Petty.
