1975 Music City USA 420

Nashville Speedway was converted to a half-mile paved oval in 1957, when it began to be a NASCAR series track. The speedway was lengthened between the 1969 and 1970 seasons. The corners were cut down from 35 degrees to their present 18 degrees in 1972.^{[citation needed]}

There were 28 American-born drivers on the grid; Buddy Arrington received credit for the last-place finish after his car overheated on the second lap.^[2] There were 420 laps in this race.^[2] They were completed in more than two and a half hours with Darrell Waltrip defeating Benny Parsons by at least two laps in front of an audience of 20000.^[2] It was the first of 84 career Cup Series wins in what would become a Hall of Fame career.

Waltrip earned the pole position in qualifying for his fast qualifying run of 103.793 miles per hour (167.039 km/h); driving a 1975 Chevrolet Chevelle Laguna.^[2][3] Only one caution flag waved for a period of eight laps; two changes in first-place were made between Cale Yarborough and Darrell Waltrip.^[2]

Notable crew chiefs who were Tim Brewer, Travis Carter, Harry Hyde, Dale Inman, and Jake Elder.^[4]

Richard Petty would retain his championship points lead over Dave Marcis by 225 points.^[2] He had won five races and earned two pole positions prior to qualifying this event.^[5]

Frank Warren was the lowest finishing driver to actually finish the race; being 47 laps behind Waltrip. Attrition took its toll as only twelve cars were running at the end.^[2] Other notable drivers who raced included J.D. McDuffie, Richard Childress, Elmo Langley and Coo Coo Marlin.^[2][3] Monetary awards ranged from $6,500 for Waltrip ($37,982.99 when adjusted for inflation) to $305 for last-place finisher Arrington ($1,782.28 when adjusted for inflation).^[5] Engine problems and overheating issues would cause many of the qualifying drivers not to finish the race.^[3]

Section reference:^[2]

† signifies that the driver is known to be deceased
* Driver failed to finish race