Sunday 30th April 1972

Richard Petty trounced the field at Martinsville Speedway, taking the lead when David Pearson’s transmission fails with 30 laps left in the Virginia 500, Virginia, US. Petty, who started third and led 102 laps, won by seven laps over pole-starter Bobby Allison. Dave Marcis took third, 13 laps off Petty’s pace. Bobby Isaac, who led 268 laps, retired with engine failure while leading after 407 laps.