The 1971 Miller High Life 500 is a NASCAR Winston Cup event that took place at Ontario Motor Speedway in Ontario, California. Two hundred laps were taken on a 2½ mile paved oval track. The total time of the race was three hours, forty-three minutes, and thirty-six seconds. Average speed was 134.168 miles (215.922 km) per hour and the pole position speed was 151.711 miles (244.155 km) per hour. There were five cautions for 21 laps and the margin of victory was 8½ seconds. With an attendance of 78810 people, the race was well attended even by modern standards. The top ten finishers were: A.J. Foyt (winner), Buddy Baker, Richard Petty, Bobby Isaac, LeeRoy Yarbrough, Ray Elder, Tiny Lund, Benny Parsons, and James Hylton. Major sponsors participating at the event were Purolator and Coca-Cola. In the 51-man entire racing grid, there were 50 Americans and only one Mexican (by the name of Pedro Rodríguez who finished in 47th due to an electrical fault). It was the thousandth race ever to be raced in NASCAR history.

The total winnings of the race were considered to be $180,200 ($948,092.66 in today's money). Manufacturers involved in the event included Chevrolet, Ford, Dodge, Mercury, and Plymouth. Other notable drivers included Elmo Langley, Fred Lorenzen, and Ron Hornaday, Sr. (whose son is a Craftsman Truck Series champion).

[edit] References

• Racing Reference
• Stat Sheet
• Everything Stock Car

Preceded by 1971 Daytona 500

NASCAR Winston Cup Season 1971

Succeeded by 1971 Richmond 500

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