“Where Racing Heritage Lives“

1979 Old Dominion 500

The 1979 Old Dominion 500 was held on September 23 at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia, before about 25,000 fans for a 30-car field. Darrell Waltrip won the pole with a speed of 88.265 mph and dominated early, leading 184 laps before blowing an engine on lap 245. His DiGard crew replaced the motor in a little over 11 minutes—an effort so quick that NASCAR later banned mid-race engine changes—and Waltrip recovered to finish 11th, seeing his points lead cut to 48 over Richard Petty.

Buddy Baker started seventh in the No. 28 Harry Ranier Chevrolet, took the lead for good on lap 294, and held on the rest of the way despite running mostly without brakes to win by 18 seconds over Petty. Joe Millikan finished third, followed by Bobby Allison and Dave Marcis. Baker averaged 75.119 mph in a race slowed by 10 cautions for 54 laps and led a race-high 209 laps.

**1979 NASCAR Martinsville Old Dominion 500 Program Back Cover**

1979 NASCAR Martinsville Old Dominion 500 Program - Cale Yarborough — **1979 NASCAR Martinsville Old Dominion 500 Program – Cale Yarborough**

1979 NASCAR Martinsville Old Dominion 500 Program - Martinsville's Fastest Race — **1979 NASCAR Martinsville Old Dominion 500 Program – Martinsville’s Fastest Race**

1979 NASCAR Martinsville Old Dominion 500 Program - Richard Petty — **1979 NASCAR Martinsville Old Dominion 500 Program – Richard Petty**

1979 NASCAR Martinsville Old Dominion 500 Program - Terry Labonte — **1979 NASCAR Martinsville Old Dominion 500 Program – Terry Labonte**

**1979 NASCAR Martinsville Old Dominion 500 Starting Lineup**

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