It was early June of 1976, and Americans were preparing to celebrate their country’s 200th birthday. In less than a month, on July 4, millions from coast-to-coast would mark the 1776 anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the beginning of the American Revolution that brought hard-won independence from Great Britain.
In northwestern France, officials were wrapping up preparations for their 44th annual 24 Hours of Le Mans around the 8.467-mile Circuit de la Sarthe. In honor of America’s bicentennial, the Automobile Club de L’Ouest had invited two NASCAR teams to bring stock cars to the world’s most prestigious sports car race the weekend of June 12-13.