[2] Due to a then-struggling economy, both Ford and Chevrolet cut back on factory support for the 1971 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season.

[3] NASCAR would also limit engines in the aerodynamic superspeedway cars to 305 cubic inches starting in this race.

[3] Defending NASCAR Grand National West series champion Ray Elder won the race; making it the first time that the 500-mile event at Riverside was won by a manufacturer other than Ford.

[2] Richard Petty competed in this race but failed to finish; he would end up in 20th after starting from the pole position.

[4] At the end of the race, the margin between Elder and Bobby Allison was ten and a half seconds.