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| Race History
Over the years, the best of the best have sped around the track at Richmond. Ricky Rudd, Jeff Gordon, and Tony Stewart – to name a few – have won the September event in the past. They love to race at Richmond because it is among the best at testing the skill and endurance of the drivers. At three quarters of a mile, it has the feel of a short track, but the "D" oval allows the thrill of side-by-side racing as the drivers jockey for position. Two years older than NASCAR itself, what is now called the Richmond International Raceway got its start as a half-mile dirt track in 1946, and in 1953 Jeff Petty won the first NASCAR race held on this track. Since that time Richmond International Speedway and the cars that race on it have gone through many changes. However, one thing is still the same; both the drivers and the fans love this track.
Whether you are a diehard fan or a casual observer, you have probably heard about the racing families of NASCAR. Fans at Richmond International Raceway have seen these families in action. Lee Petty won the first NASCAR race at Richmond and his son Richard added six more trips to victory lane for the family. Grandson Kyle Petty has kept the tradition going with a win in 1986. Both Bobby Allison and son Davey Allison along with Dale Earnhardt and Dale Jr. have all left their mark on this historic track.
This season brings the opportunity for more history to be made at Richmond. With the Richmond 400 May 5th and the Chevy Rock and Roll 400 September 8th, the legacy will go on while the future begins. The new grandstand seating opens with this season to enhance the experience of NASCAR fans, and the cars will race with the same sense of abandon and driving on the edge that Lee Petty exhibited back in 1953. Another history making season is in the wings. Don't miss a single lap!
Past Winners
* 2006 Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
* 2005 Kasey Kahne
* 2004 Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
* 2003 Joe Nemechek (393 laps due to rain)
* 2002 Tony Stewart
* 2001 Tony Stewart
* 2000 Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
* 1999 Dale Jarrett
* 1998 Terry Labonte (race moved to a Saturday night event)
* 1997 Rusty Wallace
* 1996 Jeff Gordon
* 1995 Terry Labonte
* 1994 Ernie Irvan
* 1993 Davey Allison
* 1992 Bill Elliott
* 1991 Dale Earnhardt
* 1990 Mark Martin
* 1989 Rusty Wallace (race rescheduled one month later due to snow)
* 1988 Neil Bonnett
* 1987 Dale Earnhardt
* 1986 Kyle Petty
* 1985 Dale Earnhardt
* 1984 Ricky Rudd
* 1983 Bobby Allison
* 1982 Dave Marcis (250 laps due to rain)
* 1981 Darrell Waltrip
* 1980 Darrell Waltrip
* 1979 Cale Yarborough
* 1978 Benny Parsons
* 1977 Cale Yarborough (245 laps due to rain)
* 1976 Dave Marcis
* 1975 Richard Petty
* 1974 Bobby Allison
* 1973 Richard Petty
* 1972 Richard Petty
* 1971 Richard Petty
* 1970 James Hylton
* 1969 David Pearson
* 1968 David Pearson
* 1967 Richard Petty
* 1966 David Pearson
* 1965 Junior Johnson
* 1964 David Pearson
* 1963 Joe Weatherly
* 1962 Rex White
* 1961 Richard Petty
* 1960 Lee Petty
* 1959 Tom Pistone
* 1958 Speedy Thompson
* 1957 Paul Goldsmith
* 1956 Buck Baker
* 1955 Tim Flock
* 1953 Lee Petty
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