1970 Season Recap

The 1970's marked the beginning of a modernization of the NASCAR Grand National (now NASCAR Winston Cup Series) series as the points formula continued to evolve into a similar system as today's. Bobby Isaac won the 1970 title with 11 wins and 38 top tens in 47 starts. He finished 71 points ahead of Bobby Allison.

Isaac, Allison, James Hylton, Richard Petty and other drivers waged a war all season and many spots in the final standings weren't determined until the final race of the season.

FIVE RACES TO GO: Charlotte, NC - With five races remaining in the 1970 season, Bobby Isaac held a 50 point lead on James Hylton after winning last week at North Wilkesboro. At Charlotte Motor Speedway, Isaac found himself two laps down and in danger of losing the points lead when he stormed back to take the lead with 14 laps to go. However he blew his engine as he took the lead and was relegated to a fifth place finish as LeeRoy Yarbrough won the race. James Hylton was caught in a pile-up on lap 126 and limped to a 29th place finish, losing the second place spot in the standings to Bobby Allison, who was runner up to Yarbrough. Isaac left Charlotte with an 85 point lead over Allison, while Hylton slipped to third, 122 points behind the leader.

FOUR RACES TO GO: Martinsville, VA - Two-time champion Richard Petty led all but 20 laps at Martinsville to maintain his fourth place position in the point standings. Points leader Bobby Isaac turned in his 12th straight top ten finish as he took fourth at the half-mile track. Bobby Allison shaved a few points off Isaac's lead with his runner-up finish. Neil Castles and Elmo Langley, who were caught in a tight points battle of their own at the fifth and sixth spots in the standings, remained neck-and-neck as they finished 30th and 29th, respectively.

THREE RACES TO GO: Macon, GA - Richard Petty took the lead from points leader Bobby Isaac on lap 445 and cruised to his second straight victory. Bobby Allison again was strong, posting a fourth place finish and maintaining his deficit in the standings. James Hylton was also strong, coming in sixth. Elmo Langley was not far behind in eight place as Neil Castles came in 11th.

TWO RACES TO GO: Rockingham, NC - Bobby Isaac admittedly stroked in the race at Rockingham to make sure he wrapped up the 1970 championship. He cruised to a seventh place finish and was crowned as the new champion. Bobby Allison tightened his grip on second in the standings as he registered his fifth consecutive top five finish and James Hylton finished 5 spots behind him in eighth.

FINAL RACE: Hampton, VA - New 1970 champion Bobby Isaac started the season finale at Langley Field Speedway on the outside pole but experienced rear end problems and finished 23rd. Points runner-up Bobby Allison stayed on his hot streak, storming past Benny Parsons with 100 laps to go to win the event. James Hylton's fifth place finish solidified his third place standing in the points race. Neil Castles, who finished one spot ahead of Elmo Langley in sixth, was able to land in the top five in points with his showing and beat out Langley by four points in the standings.