The 1976 NASCAR Winston Cup Series saw Cale Yarborough capture his first of three consecutive championships, driving the #11 Junior Johnson & Associates Holly Farms Chevrolet to nine victories and 4,644 points. He narrowly defeated Richard Petty (who finished second with 4,449 points), with Benny Parsons and Bobby Allison rounding out the top four in a highly competitive season.
The campaign is best remembered for its unforgettable Daytona 500, where Richard Petty and David Pearson (in the Wood Brothers #21 Mercury) battled fiercely on the final lap. They made contact in turn four, sending both cars spinning; Pearson managed to keep his heavily damaged car running and limped across the finish line at low speed for the victory, while Petty’s car stopped short. David Pearson led the season with 10 wins (in fewer starts), showcasing his superspeedway prowess.
Other highlights included strong performances from veterans and rising talents across 30 races, with intense short-track battles and multi-car wrecks adding to the drama. Yarborough’s consistency and late-season surge secured the title, ushering in a new era of dominance for the Junior Johnson team and marking one of NASCAR’s most exciting seasons of the decade.
February 15, 1976
April 4. 1976
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September 19, 1976
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November 21, 1976
