This Week In NASCAR History: October 3rd - 9th

    

    NASCAR's deep history is surprisingly not very well known, even for avid fans; this article is meant to get fans in the know of the most notable NASCAR history that happened throughout this week.

October 6th, 1957 - Possum Jones helps Bob Welborn win the Sweepstakes 500 at Martinsville Speedway, giving Bob Welborn his first NASCAR Grand National victory.

October 4th, 1970 - Bobby Isaac takes the checkered flag at North Wilkesboro Speedway to win the 250-mile event. Curtis Turner is killed when his private airplane crashes in Pennsylvania.

October 8th, 1972 - Bobby Allison wins the “American” 500 at Rockingham to record his 10th victory of the season. Allison also sets an all-time record by leading laps for 39 races consecutively; this record is dubbed stock car racing's "Joe DiMaggio Record".

October 9th, 1973 - Bobby Allison suddenly announces that he will be retiring from NASCAR after finishing third at Charlotte. Allison says, "On account of NASCAR's arbitrary and capricious conduct, I find it necessary to withdraw from the remaining races this season."

October 9th, 1983 - Richard Petty wins the "Miller High Life" 500 at Charlotte, marking his 198th Winston Cup Grand National career victory, but is penalized when NASCAR officials find out that the engine was oversized and Petty had illegal tires; Petty Enterprises is docked 104 points and receives a $35,000 fine.

October 5th, 1991 - Geoff Bodine wins the "Mello Yello" 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway after driving an incredible 114 laps without having to pit for fuel.

October 6th, 1996 - Terry Labonte wins at Charlotte, moving him up to one mere point behind the points leader, Jeff Gordon; this points race is NASCAR history's closest.

October 3rd, 2004 - Dale Earnhardt, Jr. claims the points lead by winning the "EA Sports" 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, but then swears on a live television interview; NASCAR decides to dock him 25 points and hand him a fine of $10,000, and Earnhardt, Jr. drops from first to second in the points standings.