[3] Eddie Yarboro fell out of this race with a mechanical issue in the opening laps before the "Big One."

Wendell Scott, behind him, spun out, and both cars skidded into Talladega's infield, creating a massive cloud of dirt and dust.

The combination of oil on the track and suddenly limited visibility caused a massive pileup.

One contemporary recorded film account called it "The worst accident in NASCAR history", in terms of the number of cars involved.

Wendell Scott, who was covered in blood everywhere on his body, would suffer the worst injuries: a fractured left leg, fractured pelvis in numerous places, broke three ribs, ripped most of the skin from his left forearm, and would seriously injure his right kidney.

"[6] Cleanup from the wreck proceeded under 37 laps of a yellow flag, lasting one hour and five minutes.

On lap 73, the engine of D. K. Ulrich's car dumped oil onto the track and caused another caution.

On lap 185, Vic Parsons' engine failed, and his car slipped in the dumped oil, causing a crash, with the race ending under yellow.