The California 100 for Sportsman Cars was run on the day before this race, the winner was Hershel McGriff followed by Ron Hornaday Sr., Roy Bleckert, Ivan Baldwin, and Jim Sanderson.

[2] Dean Dalton was credited with a last-place finish due to an engine problem on lap 7.

Four cautions slowed the race for 22 laps and the average speed was 100.215 miles per hour (161.280 km/h).

[2] Petty earned the pole position with a qualifying speed of 110.027 miles per hour (177.071 km/h).

[5] Failed to qualify: Steve Vaughn (#73), Doug McGriff (#74), Frank Burnett (#36), Ed Sczech (#61), Marion Collins (#78)[6] Section reference:[2] * Driver failed to finish race † signifies that the driver is known to be deceased Section reference:[2]