Official name Sandlapper 200 | ||
Date September 18, 1969 (1969-September-18) Location Columbia Speedway, Columbia, South Carolina Course Permanent racing facility
0.500 mi (0.804 km) Distance 200 laps, 100 mi (160 km) Weather Hot with temperatures approaching 86 °F (30 °C); wind speeds up to 8.9 miles per hour (14.3 km/h) | ||
The 1969 Sandlapper 200 was a NASCAR Grand National Series (now Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series) event that was held on September 18, 1969, at Columbia Speedway in Columbia, South Carolina.
Contents
The transition to purposely-built racers began in the early 1960s and occurred gradually over that decade. Changes made to the sport by the late 1960s brought an end to the "strictly stock" vehicles of the 1950s; most of the cars were trailered to events or hauled in by trucks.
Background
Columbia Speedway was an oval racetrack located in Cayce, a suburb of Columbia, South Carolina. It was the site of auto races for NASCAR's top series from 1951 through 1971. For most of its history, the racing surface was dirt. The races in April and August 1970 were two of the final three Grand National races ever held on a dirt track.
The track was paved before hosting its last two Grand National races in 1971.
Summary
Bobby Isaac defeated Richard Petty by half a lap in front of a live audience of 6,500 NASCAR followers.
The first-place position of the race changed hands three times and the race lasted one hour and twenty-five minutes. Only two caution flags were waved for 15 laps. While Petty would qualify for the pole position with a top speed of 73.108 miles per hour (117.656 km/h) in qualifying, the average speed of the race winner would be 70.23 miles per hour (113.02 km/h). The race was done on a dirt oval track and Isaac received $1,000 in prize winnings ($6,530.85 when adjusted for inflation). There were 23 American-born drivers on the starting grid.
Eldon Yarbrough, the brother of the late LeeRoy Yarbrough, would retire from NASCAR after this race with his only top ten finish in NASCAR history. Wayne Gillette would withdraw from the race for reasons unknown and would finish the race in last place. Johnny Halford would make his NASCAR debut here.