The 1976 American 500 was a Winston Cup (now Nextel Cup) event held at North Carolina Speedway on October 24, 1976. Richard Petty led 193 of the 492 laps in route to a one-lap victory over Lennie Pond, Petty's third and final win of the year. Cale Yarborough finished 5th and kept a comfortable 97-point championship lead on Petty with two races to go. Stats