The 1974 National 500 was a NASCAR Winston Cup Series racing event that took place on October 6, 1974, at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina.

During the yellow for a spinout by rookie Richie Panch ABC Sports, which filmed the race for air later that year, recorded and aired radio conversation between Petty and crew chief Dale Inman about the incident; this caused commentator Chris Economaki to quip that "I don't drive stock cars and I wish Richard Petty wouldn't do expert commentary."

Late in the race Grant Adcox spun out and was hit in the driver side by Ramo Stott in Turn Four.

[4] Rutherford, the 1974 Indianapolis 500 champion, was driving a third Chevrolet fielded by Junior Johnson, as teammate to Yarborough and Earl Ross.

[2][5] Despite finishing second, Petty clinched the Winston Cup Grand National championship as Yarborough fell out with engine failure.

Notable crew chiefs in attendance were Tim Brewer, Jake Elder, Travis Carter, Harry Hyde, Dale Inman, Tom Vandiver, and Bud Moore.

[6] Even though this race was considered a classic during the 1970s, sparse television coverage has caused it to be lost through the years; a filmed package of the event was aired in late October 1974 on Wide World of Sports.