A young Brian France sorts out winner of '78 Dixie 500 (cont'd)

But as the cars circled the track on the cool-down lap, the track announcer stated that Allison had won, so he and his No. 1 Hawaiian Tropic-sponsored car were directed to Victory Lane. Then, after further consultation of the scoring cards, an announcement came that Petty was the winner.

Allison said there was never any doubt in his mind that he won the race.

"On that last caution, I got on the radio and told Hoss, 'Get with NASCAR and straighten out the scoring, because I'm fixing to win this race,'" he said.

When asked that night about the decision to award Petty the win, Allison said he, too, would like to see the King end his losing streak. "I'd like to see him win, too, but only if he really wins the race," Allison said. "And don't forget, it's been a while since I won, too."

While Petty was being interviewed in the press box, NASCAR officials continued to try to sort out the scoring. Fortunately for Allison, NASCAR's current chairman, Brian France, then 16 years old, was working in the scoring booth that day.

"Brian told his daddy and his mama that I won the race," Allison said. "He said my scorer had been pulling for Richard and not paying attention to the race."

Young France's point was proven by the cards, forcing his father, Bill France Jr., to own up to the mistake in the press room, an event recounted by author Greg Fielden in his Forty Years of Stock Car Racing.

"First, we need to wipe the egg off our face," France began. "We've sure got plenty of it on it."

He ended his remarks by confirming that Allison, who was nowhere to be found at that point, had scored his 10th career Cup victory.

"Donnie Allison is the winner," he said. "That's official and final."

It also turned out to be the final Cup victory of Allison's career. Although he never ran a full schedule, he wound up with a lot to show for his efforts -- 10 wins, 78 top-five and 115 top-10 finishes in just 242 starts. He also won 18 poles.

"If you look at my stat sheet, it's pretty impressive," he said.

That '78 race at Atlanta also proved pivotal in the career of the Dale Earnhardt. Driving a team car to Marcis, he finished fourth, his first top-five Cup finish. His performance helped convince team owner Rod Osterlund to give Earnhardt his best car when Marcis departed the team in a dispute over running two cars. Earnhardt got his first win the next season in Osterlund's car and won rookie of the year. The following season he won the first of his seven championships.

Petty bounced back in a big way after his winless '78 season. The next year he won five races and his seventh championship. He would win 10 more races before retiring for good, at Atlanta in 1992.

As with any great race, a glimpse down through the running order can be instructive.

Among the competitors that November day in '78 were three aspiring young drivers who would become big winners in the decades to come. Their names -- Ricky Rudd, Terry Labonte and Bill Elliott.

Also
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• Greatest race of all time? 1992 Hooters 500 had it all
• Intimidator's final Atlanta win one battle for the ages