1976 season recap

Cale Yarborough embarked on history in 1976, beginning a three-year journey that would firmly implant his name in the NASCAR record books. In winning his first NASCAR Winston Cup Series championship in 1976, no one expected that it would be the first of three consecutive championships for the South Carolina native. No other driver in NASCAR Winston Cup history has won three consecutive titles.

Cale Yarborough was in a heated battle with six-time champion Richard Petty all season and it wasn't until Petty had some bad luck with one race to go that Yarborough was in control of his destiny.

FIVE RACES TO GO: North Wilkesboro, NC - Cale Yarborough led six-time champion Richard Petty by 79 points heading into the 26th race of the year at North Wilkesboro. The points leader won his fourth consecutive race and his ninth of the year, finishing a lap ahead of 1973 champion Benny Parsons, who was third in the standings. Bobby Allison and Lennie Pond also found themselves in the title hunt. Allison was out of the race at lap 76 and finished 29th while Pond turned in a fifth place finish.

FOUR RACES TO GO: Charlotte, NC - Points leader Cale Yarborough followed Donnie Allison across the finish line at Charlotte to increase his lead over Richard Petty, who came in eighth. Each of the point contenders were solid at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Benny Parsons finished fifth, Bobby Allison finished third and Lennie Pond came home seventh.

THREE RACES TO GO: Rockingham, NC - Richard Petty, sitting second in the point standings, made up some ground on Cale Yarborough with his victory at North Carolina Motor Speedway. Yarborough's lead was trimmed by 30 points due to his fifth place finish, but he still stood 97 points ahead of Petty with two races to go. Lennie Pond, who was fifth in the standings, finished second in the event. Bobby Allison was fourth and Benny Parsons was 31st.

TWO RACES TO GO: Hampton, GA - Richard Petty found engine problems at Atlanta International Raceway and limped to a 28th-place finish, all but wrapping up the championship for Cale Yarborough. Yarborough finished fourth making his point lead unofficially untouchable. Benny Parsons locked up third in the standings as well, as he finished sixth and Bobby Allison finished 26th. Lennie Pond was solidly planted in fifth place and finished the event in 24th.

FINAL RACE: Ontario, CA - As Cale Yarborough crossed the finish line at Ontario in 23rd place, he officially clinched his first NASCAR Winston Cup championship. He finished 195 points ahead of defending champion Richard Petty.