Butch Lindley
Nashville, Tenn. (July 27, 1974) – Young Butch Lindley of Greenville, S.C., who at one point seemed to be out of the race, came on strong at the end to win the STP 200 at Nashville Speedway Saturday night.
On the 33rd lap, Lindley’s car came to a stop on the backstretch. But before a wrecker could be dispatched, Lindley was back underway, his ignition problem solved.
By 110 laps, it looked as though NASCAR late model sportsman national champion Jack Ingram of Asheville, N.C., would win in a cakewalk. He was enjoying a solid straightaway lead over Lindley, who had used caution flag to move this way through the pack.
A caution flag on lap 145 put Lindley close enough to challenge Ingram. On the 165th circuit, the two drivers were side-by-side. On the very next lap, Lindley shot by in turn two and began to move out to a comfortable lead.
With five laps left, it was Ingram’s turn to get his chance by way of a yellow flag. However, Lindley’s Chevrolet had too much on the restart.
Nashville’s James Ham, who enjoyed his best race of the year, did benefit from the late-race caution. He ran out of gas under the yellow and coasted to the pits. He was able to refuel without losing a lap and finished a solid third.
Fourth went to Neil Bonnett, who may have been the fastest driver on the track. The Hueytown, Ala. driver used his speed and caution flag to make up two laps he lost at the beginning of the race after a spinout.
Chet Williams of Morristown, Tenn., finished fifth.
Mechanical problems took out some of the top contenders early in the race. Darrell Waltrip, the polesitter, blew an engine after only four laps. Jerry Lawley lasted only 21 circuits and Flookie Buford lasted only 68 laps.
Results –
1. Butch Lindley
2. Jack Ingram
3. James Ham
4. Neil Bonnett
5. Chet Williams
6. Paul Lewis
7. Rod Stillings
8. Clyde Peoples
9. Bosco Lowe
10.Charlie Binkley
11.Dorris Vaughn
12.Chuck Arnold
13.Bobby Hargrove
14.Robert Wells
15.Donnie Kaylor
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