View 1972 NASCAR
1972 NASCAR Information
THE MODERN ERA
By Gregg Leary
Category:NASCAR -> Sprint Cup
In 1972 the NASCAR Winston Cup Grand National season was reduced to 30 races...only those of 250 miles or more would be included. This is the start of the “Modern Era.” (Richard Petty ran 46 races in 1971, and won 21 of them.) In January “Big Bill” France steps down and hands the keys to NASCAR to his son, Bill Junior.
Junior Johnson is responsible for getting R.J. Reynolds and Winston involved with NASCAR. After the factories pulled out in 1970, he approached Reynolds about sponsoring his team, since they could no longer do TV advertising and had money to burn. They said his team would only be a “drop in the bucket” of their budget. Junior suggested they talk to Bill France and they ended up sponsoring the whole season… for 33 years starting in 1971.
STP starts its sponsorship of Richard Petty. It becomes the longest running primary sponsorship in motorsports.
Bobby Allison wins the Atlanta 500, the first superspeedway win for Chevy since 1963. Allison sets the “Joe DiMaggio Record,” leading 39 straight races. (DiMaggio hit safely in 56 straight MLB games.)
Allison and Petty renewed their feud...which was good for ratings.
Richard Petty wins his 4th title
Rookie Drivers are given a handbook offering guidelines on TV and Radio interview protocol, a dress code and sponsor courtesy saying, “Don’t hesitate to mention the company’s name, if at all possible.”