The $10,065 pot was Petty's fifth victory in his last six starts on the 0.525 mile oval and the eighth of his career at the most prestigious short track on the NASCAR circuit.

However, in the early going it didn't look like Petty's day. He lost a lap on the field on lap 17 when he spun out in the second turn. The spin started after a collision with Lee Roy Yarbrough's Ford and Buddy Baker's Dodge.

Petty then dropped another lap back on lap 111 when he pitted under the green to have his overheating brakes checked.

There seemed to be no chance for Petty, who vaulted over the $100,000 mark for the season, to make up the lost ground. Cale Yarborough, driving the Glen Wood Mercury, Pearson and Baker took turns setting a blistering pace - much to the delight of the 20,000 fans who spent a big part of the beautiful, sunny afternoon standing, cheering their favorites on.

Yarborough was the first serious contender to bite the dust. After leading the first 125 laps and running right on leader Baker's bumper on lap 400, Yarborough's engine failed, sending the popular charger skidding into the second turn wall.

Then, all Baker had to do was maintain his pace. He had a lap lead on Pearson's second-running Holman and Moody Ford. But on lap 438, Baker's car burst a piston and started puffing white smoke.

The smoke increased; Baker's speed decreased and on lap 453 Pearson raced by the frustrated Baker who slowed on each lap but managed to finish just in the 500th lap to nail down the $2,675 third place money. Pearson picked up $3,190 for his second.

Ironically, an inconsiderate Pearson fan then helped Petty win. Petty, running stronger because of superior braking - the result of conservative driving the middle third of the race - passed Pearson in the fourth turn of lap 463.

The move evidently irritated a fan on the backstretch. He heaved a beer can at Petty when the blue Ford zoomed by.

The can hit Petty's windshield, splashing brew over the window. The caution flag then came out for a NASCAR inspector to remove the can, a dangerous obstacle to the speeding cars' tires.

"The fans have been pretty good lately about not throwing stuff on the track. But this was worse than it has been in a long time. But that one can, and I would guess it came from a Pearson fan because I had just passed him, helped me make up a lot of time," said Petty.

While the caution was out, Pearson ducked into the pits and Petty, who had good tires and plenty of fuel, roared into the lead. Petty had little trouble the rest of the way. Pearson's brake-troubled car couldn't charge.

"They told me to hold it down (pit stop on lap 111 for overheating brakes.) And I did. That helped me near the end because I had brakes left and Pearson didn't. He could outrun me, but he couldn't outstop me. Pearson, Baker and Cale all were running good today. I had troubles. But they had more than I did," Petty added.

The field slumped considerably after the top three of Petty, Pearson and Baker.

James Hylton finished fourth, four laps back; Buddy Arrington fifth 11 laps off the pace; Bobby Isaac, who had mechanical problems most of the day, sixth, 14 laps behind. They all drove 1969 Dodges.

Petty, who led one time only for 36 laps, averaged 68.023 mph as 11 cautions slowed the pace for 70 laps.

Baker was the lap leader for the day. He paced the pack twice for 244 laps, Yarborough once for 125, Isaac once for 36, Pearson three occasions for 36 and Lee Roy Yarbrough three times for 21 laps.

In all, the lead switched 10 times among six drivers. The lead changing and fender banging provided a most exciting day for the fans. But for the touring Grand National stars, it was just another frustrating day at the Richard Petty, er, Martinsville Speedway.

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