 <unk> <unk> President Joseph <unk> III convinced Richmond to make the change to stock car racing on the <unk> circuit . Richmond made his first <unk> start two months after winning the Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year award . He debuted at the Coca @-@ Cola 500 at <unk> on July 27 , 1980 , finishing 12th in a D. K. <unk> @-@ owned <unk> . That season , he competed in five events , with two <unk> ( did not finish ) and three 12th @-@ place finishes . Overall , he finished the 1980 season 41st in points . 
