1974 season recap

The 1974 season was a stage for some of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history to do battle for the NASCAR Winston Cup Series championship. Each of the drivers that finished the season in the top five in points had won or would go on to win a championship, and between the five of them, a total of 15 championships would be had during their careers. Richard Petty distanced himself in the record books, however, as he won an unprecedented fifth championship.

Richard Petty dominated all year, winning ten races and staying just ahead of Cale Yarborough's pace. Yarborough was magnificent as well, also winning ten race on the year, but falling short of Petty over the season.

FIVE RACES TO GO: North Wilkesboro, NC - With five race remaining in the 1974 season, four-time champion Richard Petty held a sizable lead of 543.5 points over Cale Yarborough. The two did not let the large margin keep them conservative as they finished 1-2 at North Wilkesboro with Yarborough taking the checkered flag. Contenders Bobby Allison and David Pearson were not entered in the event. Defending champion Benny Parsons was battling for a spot amongst the top five in points and finished the race in 13th place.

FOUR RACES TO GO: Martinsville, VA - Points leader Richard Petty started on the pole at Martinsville but saw his hopes fade as he departed on the 22nd lap with engine trouble. However, due to NASCAR's complicated point system, his lead increased by 10 points over Cale Yarborough, despite the fact Yarborough ran 421 more laps and finished 18 places higher than the King. Benny Parsons finished in 15th, four places behind Yarborough. For the second straight week, Bobby Allison and David Pearson were not entered in the race.

THREE RACES TO GO: Charlotte, NC - Three-time champion David Pearson came from two laps down to win the National 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Richard Petty finished second, 1.4 seconds behind Pearson. Cale Yarborough lost his engine on lap 206 and saw his title hopes crushed as Petty left the speedway with a 500.175-point lead with two races remaining.

TWO RACES TO GO: Even though he finished a spot ahead of Richard Petty and completed two more laps, Cale Yarborough lost 163 more points to Petty in the standings. Yarborough finished second behind David Pearson and showed faith in the points system, although he was losing ground despite finishing ahead of Petty. Bobby Allison finished fourth in the event and Benny Parsons finished ninth.

FINAL RACE: Ontario, CA - Richard Petty won the pole at Ontario Motor Speedway and sealed his record fifth NASCAR Winston Cup Series championship. Although he had engine trouble late and finished 15th, Petty took the 1974 title by 567.45 points over Cale Yarborough, who finished third. Bobby Allison took the checkered flag and ended the season in fourth place. David Pearson, who only entered 19 races as opposed to Petty's 30, still finished third in the standings with seven wins. Defending champion Benny Parsons struggled to a 35th place finish at Ontario, but managed to finish fifth in the final standings.