NASCAR: An Alternative History (1985-Present)

This thread will explore an alternative NASCAR universe starting in 1985. This will explore multiple "what if" scenarios and if some drivers never drove in the sport. This thread will be based off of knowledge of NASCAR history and research on YouTube, Wikipedia, and racing-reference.info. This will start out by covering the Winston Cup. The Busch series will begin to be experimented with starting in 1990 and the Truck series as well. Enjoy! Inspired by One More Spark by Griffdawg and The Throwbacks by VACATETHE48. Both on YouTube using NR2003; something I don't have.

PROLOGUE: Darrell Waltrip wins the 1981 NASCAR finale at Ontario Motor Speedway, the L.A. Times 500, thus winning his first Winston Cup championship. His move to Junior Johnson's #11 Mt. Dew Buick certainly paid off. Bobby Allison finishes second in the standings, fifty-three points behind in Harry Rainer's #28. The season was for the most part, Waltrip vs. Allison.

In 1982, Allison moved to Waltrip's old ride, the #88 Gatorade Buick for the DiGard team. The rivalry between the two continued this year but it was a lot more competitive. It almost looked like Allison could pull it off and win his first championship. However, he choked at the end of the season and gave it away to Waltrip, who won it for a second consecutive year.

1983 was finally the breakthrough year for Allison. His team re-branded to become the #22 Miller High Life Buick while Waltrip became the Pepsi Challenger Chevrolet. Allison finished 47 points ahead of Waltrip.

In 1984, neither were in contention for the championship. Terry Labonte won the championship, holding off a hard-charging Harry Gant. Labonte won two races, the Budweiser 400 at Riverside International Raceway, and the Busch 500 at Bristol. Gant won the Like Cola 500 at Pocono Raceway, the Lone Star 500 at Texas World Speedway, the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, and the Delaware 500 at Dover. Dale Earnhardt led the point standings for most of the season until Labonte surpassed him in August. Bill Elliott had a breakout season winning the Michigan 400 and the Warner W. Hodgdon American 500 at North Carolina Motor Speedway. The final point standings were:

1. 44-Terry Labonte 4508
2. 33-Harry Gant 4443
3. 9-Bill Elliott 4377
4. 3-Dale Earnhardt 4265
5. 11-Darrell Waltrip 4230
6. 22-Bobby Allison 4094
7. 15-Ricky Rudd 3918
8. 12-Neil Bonnett 3802
9. 5-Geoff Bodine 3734
10. 43-Richard Petty 3643

THE BEGINNING:
From 1981-2008, the NASCAR awards banquet was held at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. The 1984 banquet was the most significant. During the ceremony, NASCAR president Bill France Jr. and Edward A. Corrigan Jr. who was the CEO of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco, which was about to merge with Nabisco, announced three changes for the 1985 season.

The first was the creation of the Winston Million. A million dollars would be awarded to a driver who won three of these four races: the Daytona 500, the Winston 500 at Talladega, the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte, and the Southern 500 at Darlington.

The second announcement was the formation of an All-Star race. Similar to the Busch Clash at Daytona, this race focused on winners between one All-Star race and another rather than who won pole positions between the clashes. Each year, it would be held at a different track. Charlotte got the honours of hosting the inaugural race.

Third (and biggest) was the first "playoff" system in NASCAR. Inspired by other American sports, Bill France Jr. finally decided it was time for NASCAR to have one. Here's how it works: the playoffs start after the Southern 500. The top twelve drivers in points make it in. After every other race, two drivers are eliminated. By the finale at Ontario, there would be a final four. In the final four, any of the four drivers who wins or finishes ahead of the others is the champion. Wins don't count towards making the chase since some top drivers compete part-time like Cale Yarborough and Benny Parsons.

1985 in next post.

 

1985 NASCAR WINSTON CUP SERIES:

MANUFACTURERS:


Buick Regal


Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS


Ford Thunderbird


Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme


Pontiac Grand Prix

The 1985 NASCAR Winston Cup series is about to begin. Let's go over the driver roster:

#00 Chevrolet: Phil Barkdoll
Part-time

#05 Ford: Slick Johnson
Part-time

#07 Chevrolet: Randy LaJoie
LaJoie will run a few races in his own car.

#0 Chevrolet: Delma Cowart
Cowart will only run superspeedway races.

#1 Petty Enterprises Ford: Dick Brooks
Only runs in a few of the races in the earlier part of the season before shutting down. Maurice Petty can't find sponsorship so this is the end of this historic team.

#2 Cliff Stewart Racing ALUGARD Pontiac: Rusty Wallace
The team loses it's Gatorade sponsorship, so they re-brand for 1985. 84 Rookie of the year Rusty Wallace returns.

#3 Richard Childress Racing Wrangler Jeans Chevrolet: Dale Earnhardt
Earnhardt continues looking for a second championship. Hoping to win it in 1985.

#4 Morgan McClure Folgers Chevrolet: Joe Ruttman
Ruttman joins the Morgan McClure team in 1985 and the team picks up Folgers Coffee as sponsor. Will compete part-time.

#5 Hendrick Motorsports Levi Garrett Chevrolet: Geoff Bodine
This team picks up Levi Garrett smokeless tobacco as the new sponsor on the #5.

#6 U.S. Racing Chevrolet: Eddie Bierschwale
Bierschwale is competing for Rookie of the year.

#7 Wood Brothers Racing 7-Eleven Ford: Kyle Petty
Kyle Petty moves to the Wood Brothers and brings his sponsorship with him. This is the first time the team doesn't use the #21. Kyle appears in Ford ads saying, "That's Incredible".

#8 Stavola Brothers Racing Chevrolet: Bobby Hillin Jr.

#9 Melling Racing Coors Ford: Bill Elliott

#10 (DiGard) Chevrolet: Doug Heveron/ Greg Sacks
Heveron runs this as his own car in the Daytona 500. By the Pepsi Firecracker 400, Greg Sacks is driving this as a DiGard R&D car.

#11 Junior Johnson and Associates Budweiser/Bud Light/KFC Chevrolet: Darrell Waltrip
Anheuser-Busch diversifies it's sponsorship on the #11 and #12 cars. Waltrip gets Bud Light as a secondary sponsor. KFC is only an associate sponsor.

#12 Junior Johnson and Associates Busch Beer/KFC Chevrolet: Neil Bonnett
Busch is now on the #12 car as part of Anheuser-Busch's sponsorship plan. Busch returns to a Junior Johnson car since Cale Yarborough drove the #11 in 1980.

#14 Gilmore Oldsmobile: A.J. Foyt
Will run part-time, mostly in the bigger events.

#15 Bud Moore Engineering Ford Motorcraft Ford: Ricky Rudd
Rudd returns for his fourth season with the Bud Moore team. Motorcraft returns for its second season as sponsor.

#17 Roger Hamby Skoal Bandit/ other sponsors Chevrolet: Phil Parsons/Ken Ragan/Lennie Pond
Phil Parsons will drive this car when his brother and the Jackson Brothers team don't race. The other two compete in various rounds throughout the season.

#18 Freelander Chevrolet: Tommy Ellis
Part-time

#20 Chevrolet: Rick Newsome
Part-time

#21 Chattanooga Chew Chevrolet/Ford: David Pearson
Pearson will run a Chevrolet when racing for Hoss Ellington. He will run a Ford when he drives this car for himself.

#22 Miller High Life Buick: Bobby Allison
Allison starts the year at DiGard before leaving to run the car by himself.

#23 Dick Bahre Pontiac: Michael Waltrip/Dick May
Waltrip will run part-time in this car. Possibly could go full-time next season. Dick May drives this too.

#25 Chevrolet: Bobby Gerhart
Part-time

#27 Blue Maxx Racing Old Milwaukee Pontiac: Tim Richmond

#28 Harry Rainer Hardees Ford: Cale Yarborough
The Harry Rainer team switches from Chevrolet to Ford in 1985. Will run part-time.

#29 Chevrolet: Grant Adcox
Part-time

#33 Mach 1 Racing Skoal Bandit Chevrolet: Harry Gant

#36 Pontiac: H.B. Bailey
Part-time

#41 Chevrolet: Ronnie Thomas
Part-time

#42 Chevrolet: Terry Schoonover
Schoonover will compete for Rookie of the year in his own car.

#43 Curb Racing STP Pontiac: Richard Petty

#44 Billy Hagan Piedmont Airlines Chevrolet: Terry Labonte
Reigning champion

#47 RACE Hill Farm Valvoline Buick: Ron Bouchard
Valvoline joins this team in 1985.

#48 James Hylton Chevrolet: Lennie Pond/ various drivers.

#49 James Hylton Chevrolet: Don Hume/Trevor Boys/Greg Sacks
Hume tries to compete for Rookie of the year but is released. Boys drives this car after being released from the #98 car.

#51 Chevrolet: Greg Sacks/ Doug Heveron
Sacks drives this car until he and his dad can't fund it anymore. Doug Heveron runs this car in the Summer 500 as his own car.

#52 Pontiac: Jimmy Means

#55 Jackson Brothers Copenhagen Chevrolet: Benny Parsons
Part-time

#64 Elmo Langley Ford: Clark Dwyer

#66 Jackson Brothers Skoal Bandit Chevrolet: Phil Parsons
Drives this car when Benny and the Jackson Brothers compete.

#67 Ford: Buddy Arrington
Arrington is now driving Fords because NASCAR has banned the Dodge Mirada/ Chrysler Imperial due to no factory support.

#68 Ford: Mike Potter
Part-time

#70 Pontiac: J.D. McDuffie

#71 Chevrolet: Dave Marcis
Marcis returns to his team for 1985 having races at the RahMoc team the previous season.

#74 Chevrolet: Bobby Wawak

#75 RahMoc Nationwise Auto Parts Pontiac: Lake Speed
Speed joins the RahMoc team in 1985.

#76 Unocal 76 Pontiac: Morgan Shepherd
Shepherd is in his third and final season with this team.

#77 DiGard Miller High Life Buick: Greg Sacks
Sacks takes over Bobby Allison's former car which is re-numbered 77

#84 Chevrolet: Mike Alexander
Part-time

#87 Buick: Randy Baker
Buddy Baker's little brother makes part-time starts in this car.

#88 Auto Shack Oldsmobile: Buddy Baker
Baker starts his own team in 1985.

#89 Mueller Brothers Racing Pontiac: Jim Sauter
Part-time

#90 Junie Donlavey Sunny King Ford: Ken Schrader
Schrader will compete for Rookie of the year.

#95 Sadler Brothers Chevrolet: Sterling Marlin
Part-time

#96 Ford: Jerry Bowman
Part-time

#98 Benfield Racing Chevrolet: Trevor Boys
The team loses the Levi Garrett sponsorship and eventually shuts down. Trevor Boys then returns to James Hylton's team.

#99 Chevrolet: Connie Saylor
Part-time

 

1985 NASCAR WINSTON CUP SCHEDULE:
This will be the first year every race is televised.

#1 Daytona 500, Daytona International Speedway-CBS

#2 Miller High Life 400, Richmond Fairgrounds-TBS

#3 Carolina 500, North Carolina Motor Speedway-SETN
Aired a week later.

#4 Coca-Cola 500, Atlanta Motor Speedway-ABC

#5 Valleydale Meats 500, Bristol International Speedway-ESPN

#6 Transouth 500, Darlington Raceway-ESPN

#7 Northwestern Bank 400, North Wilkesboro Speedway-ESPN

#8 Sovran Bank 500, Martinsville Speedway-SETN

#9 Winston 500, Talladega Superspeedway-NBC

#10 Music City 420, Nashville Fairgrounds-TBS

#11 Budweiser 500, Dover Downs International Speedway-Mizlou

All-Star Race: Charlotte Motor Speedway

#12 Coca-Cola World 600, Charlotte Motor Speedway- Jefferson Pilot Productions

#13 Budweiser 400, Riverside International Raceway- Diamond P American Sports Calvacade

#14 Van Scoy Diamond Mine 500, Pocono Raceway-ESPN

#15 Miller 400, Michigan Speedway-CBS

#16 Pepsi Firecracker 400, Daytona International Speedway- ABC Wide World of Sports

#17 Opryland 420, Nashville Fairgrounds- Diamond P American Sports Calvacade

#18 Summer 500, Pocono Raceway-ESPN

#19 Talladega 500, Talladega-CBS

#20 Texaco Lone Star 500, Texas World Speedway-ESPN

#21 Champion Spark Plugs 400 Michigan International Speedway-ESPN

#22 Busch 500, Bristol International Speedway-ESPN

#23 Southern 500, Darlington Raceway-ESPN

PLAYOFFS: ROUND OF 12

#24 Wrangler Sanfor-Set 400, Richmond Fairgrounds SETN

#25 Delaware 500, Dover Downs International Speedway-Mizlou

ROUND OF 10:

#26 Goody's 500, Martinsville Speedway-SETN

#27 Holly Farms 400, North Wilkesboro Speedway-ESPN

ROUND OF 8

#28 Miller High Life 500, Charlotte Motor Speedway- Jefferson Pilot

#29 Nationwise 500, North Carolina Motor Speedway-TBS

ROUND OF 6:

#30 Atlanta Journal 500, Atlanta Motor Speedway-ESPN

#31 Winston Western 500, Riverside International Raceway-TBS

FINAL FOUR CHAMPIONSHIP RACE

#32 L.A. Times 500, Ontario Motor Speedway-CBS

Race recaps soon.

 

RACE REPORTS:

DAYTONA 500: Bill Elliott wins the pole. Early on, Elliott and Yarborough battle for the lead until Yarborough drops out. After that, Elliott goes on to dominate and win his first Daytona 500. Half the field DNF'S.

MILLER HIGH LIFE 400: Darrell Waltrip wins the pole and leads in the early stages. His teammate Neil Bonnett has a bizarre crash into the backstretch guardrail and is ok. Dale Earnhardt goes on to win.

CAROLINA 500: Harry Gant wins the pole and dominates the race only to be passed by Neil Bonnett right before the checkered flag.

COCA-COLA 500: Exactly the same as the Daytona 500. Bill Elliott wins.

VALLEYDALE MEATS 500: Harry Gant wins s the pole but then goes on to crash. Dale Earnhardt beats Ricky Rudd to win his second race of the season.

TRANSOUTH 500: Another Bill Elliott show.

NORTHWESTERN BANK 400: Darrell Waltrip wins the pole and has an epic battle with his teammate Neil Bonnett for the win. Waltrip losses the battle giving Bonnett his second win of the season. Bobby Allison narrowly beats Ricky Rudd for third.

SOVRAN BANK 500: Harry Gant wins his first race of the season.

WINSTON 500: Bill Elliott rallies back from being a few laps down and wins. He is now one race away from the Winston Million.

MUSIC CITY 420: Darrell Waltrip and Ricky Rudd battle it out for the win with Waltrip getting the advantage. Neil Bonnett is third, Harry Gant fourth, and Bobby Allison fifth. Bill Elliott crashes and Dale Earnhardt has engine problems.

BUDWEISER 500: Bill Elliott, enough said. He now has a commanding lead in the points.

INAUGURAL WINSTON ALL-STAR RACE: Darrell Waltrip runs down Harry Gant and passes him for the win. He wins $200,000

COCA-COLA WORLD 600: Darrell Waltrip battles Dale Earnhardt early on, but pulls away and wins as Earnhardt fades back and runs out of gas, finishing fifth. Harry Gant is second. Bill Elliott struggled in the race, so he will have to win the Southern 500 to get the Winston Million.

BUDWEISER CALIFORNIA 400: Terry Labonte stays upfront all day battling off Bill Elliott, Tim Richmond, Darrell Waltrip, and Harry Gant to win.

VAN SCOY DIAMOND MINE 500: Geoff Bodine leads a good portion of the race, but is passed by Harry Gant and Bill Elliott late in the race under caution. Gant and Elliott battle for the win with Elliott pulling it off once again.

MILLER 400: Bill Elliott wins for the seventh time.

PEPSI FIRECRACKER 400: Greg Sacks got an offer before this race to drive an R&D car for the DiGard team. This paid off. Sacks pulled off a huge upset.

OPRYLAND 420: Harry Gant wins his second race of the year.

SUMMER 500: Bobby Allison quits the DiGard team a few days before the race. Greg Sacks is immediately named his replacement as the old #22 car is renumbered #77. Allison takes the #22 car for his own team. Neil Bonnett has a dominant day, but Bill Elliott beats him. Darrell Waltrip beats Geoff Bodine for third by a nose length.

TALLADEGA 500: The race began after an hour long rain delay. Davey Allison makes his first start. Terry Labonte has a bizarre crash. Dale Earnhardt loses his windshield. Phil Parsons crashes after a fan throws something on to the track. In the end, Cale Yarborough holds off Neil Bonnett and Ron Bouchard for the win.

TEXACO LONE STAR 500: Bill Elliott, can he win any more races?

CHAMPION SPARK PLUGS 400: Yes he can!

BUSCH 500: With two races to go until the playoffs, drivers on the bubble include Tim Richmond, Dale Earnhardt, Bobby Hillin, and Buddy Baker. In the race, Richmond and Earnhardt prove they want to be playoff contenders. Earnhardt wins as Richmond is second. Even though their points positions don't change, they both had a great night. Darrell Waltrip is third.

SOUTHERN 500: Bill Elliott has the chance to win the Winston Million. He almost doesn't due to Dale Earnhardt spinning out. He battles Cale Yarboroughfor the win. Yarborough suddenly develops power steering failure, and Elliot wins the race and the Winston Million. The playoff contenders are:
1 Bill Elliott 3176
2 Darrell Waltrip 2970
3 Neil Bonnett 2880
4 Harry Gant 2760
5 Geoffrey Bodine 2742
6 Kyle Petty 2699
7 Ricky Rudd 2698
8 Terry Labonte 2634
9 Bobby Allison 2497
10 Lake Speed 2494
11 Tim Richmond 2366
12 Dale Earnhardt 2335

WRANGLER SANFOR-SET 400: Darrell Waltrip wins the first race of the playoffs. Alan Kulwicki makes his first career start in a #32 Hardees Ford that looks exactly like Cale Yarborough's.

DELAWARE 500: Bill Elliott blows his engine causing a gargantuan points lead to shrink drastically. Harry Gant wins. Tim Richmond and Dale Earnhardt are eliminated. Waltrip is now 86 points behind Elliott.

GOODY'S 500: Darrell Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt battle for the win. Earnhardt wins but is already out of the playoffs. Waltrip's second place finish gets him close to Elliott.

HOLLY FARMS 400: Harry Gant wins. Bill Elliott DNF'S again. Darrell Waltrip takes the lead by 30 points. Bobby Allison and Lake Speed are eliminated from the playoffs.

MILLER 500: Bill Elliott, Harry Gant, and Cale Yarborough are the three dominant cars. Gant blows his motor towards the end of the race. Yarborough is able to catch back up to Elliott and win. Darrell Waltrip is now 20 points ahead of Elliott.

NATIONWISE AUTO PARTS 500: Cale Yarborough dominated the race until his motor blew up. Darrell Waltrip won. Elliott is now 35 points behind. Kyle Petty and Terry Labonte are eliminated from the playoffs.

ATLANTA JOURNAL 500: Bill Elliott wins, proving that he won't be defeated.

WINSTON WESTERN 500: Ricky Rudd and Terry Labonte battle for the win while Bill Elliott is third. Darrell Waltrip suffered engine problems. Elliott leads the final four going into the finale. The final four drivers are:

1 Bill Elliott
2 Darrell Waltrip
3 Harry Gant
4 Neil Bonnett

L.A. TIMES 500: Bill Elliott wins the finale and the championship. He was clearly the dominant driver of the season. Darrell Waltrip finished 5th in the race while Gant finished 8th, and Bonnett crashed. Elliott will take this momentum into next season.

YOUR 1985 WINSTON CUP CHAMPION: BILL ELLIOTT

​

 

NOTABLE 1985 AWARDS:

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Ken Schrader
Schrader beats Eddie Bierschwale and Terry Schoonover.

CREW CHIEF OF THE YEAR: Ernie Elliott; Crew Chief of the #9 team.

PIT CREW OF THE YEAR: #9 Coors Ford.

MOST IMPROVED DRIVER: Greg Sacks

MOST POPULAR DRIVER: Richard Petty

​

 

1986 NASCAR WINSTON CUP SERIES
​

MANUFACTURERS:


Buick LeSabre


Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe


Ford Thunderbird


Oldsmobile Delta 88 Coupe


Pontiac Grand Prix 2+2

DRIVERS:

#01 All-Pro Auto Parts Chevrolet: Doug Heveron
Heveron is able to run his own team again in 86 with sponsorship. Randy Baker drives in the fall Charlotte race due to an illness.

#02 Ford: Mark Martin
Part-time

#04 Pontiac: Herschel McGriff
Riverside only.

#0 Chevrolet: Delma Cowart
Will only run on Superspeedways.

#1 Hoss Ellington Bull's Eye Barbecue Sauce Chevrolet: Sterling Marlin
Part-time

#2 Cliff Stewart Pontiac: Kirk Bryant
Only runs the first four races then folds.

#3 Richard Childress Wrangler Jeans Chevrolet: Dale Earnhardt

#4 Morgan McClure Kodak Film Oldsmobile: Terry Schoonover
Schoonover joins this team after running his own equipment in 85. He joined the team after A.J. Foyt recommended him to team owner Larry McClure. The team switches to Oldsmobile and gets Eastman Kodak as the sponsor. Will only run on the bigger tracks.

#5 Hendrick Motorsports Levi Garrett Chevrolet: Geoff Bodine

#6 U.S.Racing Chevrolet: Trevor Boys

#7 Wood Brothers 7-11 Ford: Kyle Petty

#8 Allison-Stavola Brothers Miller American Buick: Bobby Hillin Jr.
The Stavola Brothers and Bobby Allison's teams merge in 86. This gives Hillin Miller sponsorship.

#9 Harry Melling Coors Ford: Bill Elliott
Defending Champion

#10 DiGard TRW Pontiac: Greg Sacks

#11 Junior Johnson and Associates Budweiser/Bud Light/KFC Chevrolet: Darrell Waltrip

#12 Junior Johnson and Associates Busch Beer/KFC Chevrolet: Neil Bonnett

#14 Copenhagen/Gilmore Oldsmobile: AJ Foyt
Part-time

#15 Bud Moore Motorcraft Ford: Ricky Rudd

#17 Roger Hamby K-Mart Chevrolet/Oldsmobile: Eddie Bierschwale
Bierschwale will drive this car for the majority of the season. Phil Parsons will make two starts in the car as the Skoal Oldsmobile.

#18 Eric Freelander Chevrolet: Tommy Ellis

#20 Chevrolet: Rick Newsome
Part-time

#21 Chattanooga Chew Chevrolet: David/Larry Pearson
David and his son will run part-time.

#22 Allison-Stavola Brothers Miller American Buick: Bobby Allison

#23 Dick Bahre Hawaiian Punch Pontiac: Michael Waltrip
Waltrip will compete for Rookie of the year.

#25 Hendrick Motorsports Folgers Chevrolet: Tim Richmond
Richmond joins Hendrick Motorsports in 1986 in a new second car.

#26 King Racing Quaker State Buick: Joe Ruttman
Ruttman joins this brand new team fielded by drag racer Kenny Bernstein.

#27 Blue Max Racing ALUGARD Pontiac: Rusty Wallace
Wallace replaces Richmond in this car.

#28 Harry Rainer Hardees Ford: Cale Yarborough
Part-time

#29 Chevrolet: Grant Adcox
Part-time

#30 DiGard Chevrolet: Willy T. Ribbs
Part-time

#33 Mach 1 Racing Skoal Bandit Chevrolet: Harry Gant

#35 Quincy's Steakhouse Ford: Alan Kulwicki
Kulwicki will compete for Rookie of the year in his own car.

#36 Pontiac: H.B. Bailey
Part-time

#40 U.S. Racing Chevrolet: D.K. Ulrich
Part-Time

#41 Chevrolet: Ronnie Thomas
Part-time

#42 Chevrolet: Dick Trickle
Part-time.This is not Terry Schoonover's old team.

#43 Petty Enterprises STP Pontiac: Richard Petty
Petty returns to Petty Enterprises.

#44 Billy Hagan Piedmont Airlines Oldsmobile: Terry Labonte
The team switches to OLDS.

#47 RACE Hill Farm Buick: Morgan Shepherd
Looking for sponsorship since Ron Bouchard took Valvoline to another team.

#48 Chevrolet: James Hylton
Will drive his car this season part-time.

#52 Pontiac: Jimmy Means

#55 Copenhagen Oldsmobile: Benny Parsons
Part-time. The Jackson Brothers switch to Olds in 86.

#64 Elmo Langley Sunny King Ford: Various Drivers
Langley runs his car for those without rides.

#66 Skoal Classic Oldsmobile: Phil Parsons
Part-time. Will mostly run the bigger tracks.

#67 Ford: Buddy Arrington

#70 Pontiac: J.D. McDuffie

#71 Chevrolet: Dave Marcis

#74 Chevrolet: Bobby Wawack
Part-time

#75 RahMoc Nationwise Auto Parts Pontiac: Lake Speed
Speed signs on for another year in this car.

#76 Unocal 76 Pontiac: Jody Ridley
The 1980 rookie of the year tries to make a comeback, having not run since 1984. Will not run short tracks.

#77 Chevrolet: Ken Ragan
Part-time

#79 Ford: Derrike Cope
Part-time

#81 Ford: Chet Filip
Filip will compete for Rookie of the year.

#82 Ford: Mark Stahl
Part-Time

#85 Chevrolet: Bobby Gerhardt
Part-time

#87 Oldsmobile: Randy Baker
Part-time

#88 Crisco Oldsmobile: Buddy Baker
Baker drivers part-time for the first time. Al Unser Sr. will drive at Watkins Glen.

#89 Mueller Brothers Evinrude Pontiac: Jim Sauter
Part-time

#90 Junie Donlavey Red Baron Pizza Ford: Ken Schrader

#95 Sadler Brothers Chevrolet: Davey Allison
Part-time

#98 Curb Racing Valvoline Pontiac: Ron Bouchard
Mike Curb keeps his team afloat with Bouchard bringing the Valvoline sponsorship.

#99 Chevrolet: Connie Saylor
Part-time

(Will be updated as I watch races)

 

1986 SCHEDULE:

#1 Daytona 500-CBS

#2 Miller High Life 400, Richmond Fairgrounds-TBS

#3 Goodwrench 500, North Carolina Motor Speedway-SETN

#4 Motorcraft 500, Atlanta Motor Speedway-ABC

#5 Music City 420, Nashville Fairgrounds- Diamond P (TNN)
Nashville has to move to March this year due to May of 1986 not having enough weekends for the races.

#6 Valleydale Meats 500, Bristol International Raceway- ESPN

#7 TransSouth 500, Darlington Raceway-ESPN

#8 First Union 400, North Wilkesboro Speedway-ESPN

#9 Sovran Bank 500, Martinsville Speedway-SETN

#10 Winston 500, Talladega Superspeedway-ESPN

WINSTON ALL-STAR WEEKEND, Atlanta Motor Speedway-ESPN

#11 Budweiser 500, Dover Downs International Speedway- Mizlou

#12 Coca-Cola 600, Charlotte Motor Speedway- Jefferson Pilot Productions

#13 Budweiser 400, Riverside International Raceway- Diamond P

#14 Miller High Life 500, Pocono Raceway- SETN

#15 Miller American 400, Michigan International Speedway- CBS

#16 Pepsi Firecracker 400, Daytona International Speedway- ABC

#17 Opryland 420, Nashville Fairgrounds- Diamond P

#18 Summer 500, Pocono Raceway- SETN

#18 Talladega 500, Talladega Superspeedway- CBS

#20 Texaco Lone Star 500, Texas World Speedway- ESPN

#21 Budweiser at The Glen, Watkins Glen International- ESPN

#22 Champion Spark Plugs 400, Michigan International Speedway- ESPN

#23 Busch 500, Bristol International Raceway-ESPN

#24 Southern 500, Darlington Raceway- ESPN

PLAYOFFS: ROUND OF 12

#25 Wrangler Jeans Indigo 400, Richmond Fairgrounds-SETN

#26 Delaware 500, Dover Downs International Speedway- Mizlou

ROUND OF 10

#27 Goody's 500, Martinsville Speedway-SETN

#28 Holly Farms 400, North Wilkesboro Speedway-ESPN

ROUND OF 8

#29 Oakwood Homes 500, Charlotte Motor Speedway- Jefferson Pilot

#30 Nationwise Auto Parts 500, North Carolina Motor Speedway- TBS

ROUND OF 6

#31 Atlanta Journal 500, Atlanta Motor Speedway- ESPN

#32 Winston Western 500, Riverside International Raceway- TBS

FINAL FOUR RACE

#33 L.A. Times 500, Ontario Motor Speedway-CBS

 

RACE REPORTS:

BUSCH CLASH: Dale Earnhardt wins after battling with Neil Bonnett. There are only eight cars in the race.

DUELS: Bill Elliott and Dale Earnhardt win the duels.

DAYTONA 500: Dale Earnhardt and Geoff Bodine battle for the win until Earnhardt runs out of gas, giving Bodine his first Daytona 500 win.

MILLER HIGH LIFE 400: Dale Earnhardt and Darrell Waltrip battle for the win when they collide and take each other out. Kyle Petty wins for the first time in his career. Joe Ruttman could've won but was caught up in the melee between Earnhardt and Waltrip.

GOODWRENCH 500: This race was known as "The Terry Labonte Show" as Labonte dominated and won.

MOTORCRAFT 500: Dale Earnhardt dominates, but Morgan Shepherd pulls off an upset win after running in the top five most of the day.

MUSIC CITY 420: On a cold night in Nashville, Darrell Waltrip beats Harry Gant for the win. Earnhardt is third.

VALLEYDALE MEATS 500: After a brief rain delay, Rusty Wallace passes Dale Earnhardt, Terry Labonte, and battles Darrell Waltrip to win his first race.

TRANSOUTH 500: Dale Earnhardt dominates.

FIRST UNION 400: Dale Earnhardt wins again. Willy T. Ribbs makes his first start and becomes the second black driver to start a race in NASCAR history.

SOVRAN BANK 500: Ricky Rudd wins. Half the field DNF's.

WINSTON 500: Before the race, the pace car is stolen, but the perp is apprehended. Bobby Allison holds off Dale Earnhardt and Buddy Baker to win his first race since 1984.

WINSTON ALL-STAR WEEKEND: Bill Elliott wins the all star race. Benny Parsons wins the Atlanta Invitational. Other highlights of the weekend include a country music concert featuring Alabama and an endurance race to see who could last the longest on fuel and no tire changes.

BUDWEISER 500: Geoff Bodine dominates from the pole.

COCA-COLA 600: Dale Earnhardt is able to pull away from Bill Elliott and win.

BUDWEISER 400: Darrell Waltrip starts on pole, runs well throughout the race, and in the end, battles Tim Richmond for the win.

MILLER HIGH LIFE 500: Tim Richmond runs well, makes it through the rain delay, and wins his first race since 1984.

MICHIGAN MILLER 400: Bill Elliott holds off Harry Gant, who makes a comeback from a horrific wreck at Pocono, to win. Richard Petty makes his 1,000th start.

PEPSI FIRECRACKER 400: Tim Richmond, Buddy Baker , and Dale Earnhardt battle for the lead throughout the race. Earnhardt crashes and Baker drops out leaving Richmond to win. Sterling Marlin is second.

OPRYLAND 420: Dale Earnhardt battles Darrell Waltrip and Neil Bonnett for the win. Sterling Marlin finishes fourth, thankful for getting Hoss Ellington to run the car in this race.

SUMMER 500: Wreckfest 86' was raced in foggy conditions but in the end, Tim Richmond, Geoff Bodine, and Ricky Rudd finish in within inches of each other with Richmond declared the winner.

TALLADEGA 500: Bobby Hillin Jr. wins his first career race after racing back to the caution due to his teammate, Bobby Allison crashing. Allison was blocking Tim Richmond when he spun on the apron. Earlier, Hillin had turned Harry Gant into the wall causing a huge crash. Davey Allison subbed for Neil Bonnett who had injured himself at Pocono.

BUDWEISER AT THE GLEN: Tim Richmond and Geoff Bodine battle until Bodine spins out. Richmond then battles Darrell Waltrip and Bill Elliot for the win.

TEXACO LONE STAR 500: Dale Earnhardt beats Bill Elliot and Darrell Waltrip to win. Richmond finishes 4th.

CHAMPION SPARK PLUGS 400: Bill Elliott wins both Michigan races in 86. With the playoffs looming, Dale Earnhardt, Darrell Waltrip, and Tim Richmond are locked in. Harry Gant is in 12th but the point gap between him and Richard Petty is massive.

BUSCHHHHHHHH 500: Darrell Waltrip leads the final quarter of the race and wins. The points don't change much going into the final regular season race.

SOUTHERN 500: In a battle of the Hendrick cars, Tim Richmond beats Geoff Bodine. The drivers who make the playoffs are:

1 Dale Earnhardt 3218
2 Darrell Waltrip 3109 -109
3 Tim Richmond 3095 -123
4 Bobby Allison 2867 -351
5 Bill Elliott 2808 -410
6 Ricky Rudd 2783 -435
7 Rusty Wallace 2663 -555
8 Geoffrey Bodine 2654 -564
9 Bobby Hillin, Jr. 2551 -667
10 Terry Labonte 2532 -686
11 Harry Gant 2478 -740
12 Kyle Petty 2471 -747

WRANGLER JEANS INDIGO 400: Tim Richmond wins in a fuckfest of a race.

DELAWARE 500: Ricky Rudd wins. Kyle Petty and Harry Gant are eliminated.

GOODY'S 500: Rusty Wallace holds off Geoff Bodine to win.

HOLLY FARMS 400: Darrell Waltrip wins his final race with Junior Johnson. He will move to Hendrick Motorsports in 1987. Terry Labonte and Bobby Hillin are eliminated.

OAKWOOD HOMES 500: Dale Earnhardt and Tim Richmond battle for most of the race until Richmond blows his engine. Earnhardt then cruises to victory, sweeping both Charlotte races in 86' and increasing his championship hopes. Chet Fillip is injured in a crash.

NATIONWISE 500: Tim Richmond lead early until he had a suspension problem. Dale Earnhardt and Lake Speed battled for the lead for a while until Speed blew his motor. Earnhardt then battled both Junior Johnson cars, but in the end, Neil Bonnett pulls it off. Geoff Bodine and Bobby Allison are eliminated.

ATLANTA JOURNAL 500: Dale Earnhardt dominates. He can see the championship. He is so close.

WINSTON WESTERN 500: Tim Richmond starts on pole, stays towards the front, and wins. He advances to the final four along with Dale Earnhardt, Darrell Waltrip, and Ricky Rudd, as Bill Elliott DNF'S.

L.A. TIMES 500: Dale Earnhardt wins the season finale and the championship. He is now a two time champion.

YOUR 1986 WINSTON CUP CHAMPION: DALE EARNHARDT
​

 

NOTABLE 1986 AWARDS

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Alan Kulwicki

CREW CHIEF OF THE YEAR: Harry Hyde, #25 Folgers Chevrolet

PIT CREW OF THE YEAR: #11 Budweiser Chevrolet

MOST IMPROVED DRIVER: Bobby Hillin Jr.

MOST POPULAR DRIVER: Richard Petty

 

1987 NASCAR WINSTON CUP SERIES​

MANUFACTURERS:

BUICK LESABRE COUPE



CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO SS AEROCOUPE



FORD THUNDERBIRD



OLDSMOBILE DELTA 88 COUPE



PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 2+2 (1986 CARRYOVER)

 

1987 NASCAR WINSTON CUP DRIVER LINEUP
​

#01 Days Inn Chevrolet: Doug Heveron
Will not race on short tracks.

#04 Pontiac: Herschel McGriff
Riverside and Ontario Only

#0 Chevrolet: Delma Cowart
Superspeedways only.

#1 Hoss Ellington Bulls' Eye BBQ Sauce Buick: Ron Bouchard
Bouchard moves to the 1 car in 1987. Will race part-time.

#3 Richard Childress Wrangler Jeans Chevrolet: Dale Earnhardt
Reigning Champion

#4 Morgan-McClure Kodak Oldsmobile: Terry Schoonover
Will not race on short tracks.

#5 Rick Hendrick Levi Garrett Chevrolet: Geoff Bodine

#6 U.S. Racing Petro-Canada Chevrolet: Trevor Boys
Picked up the Petro-Canada sponsorship in mid 86'.

#7 Zerex/ALUGARD Ford: Alan Kulwicki
Changed number to 7 after the Wood Brothers abandoned it.

#8 SAR Miller High Life Buick: Bobby Hillin Jr.

#9 Melling Racing Coors/Coors Light Ford: Bill Elliott
Coors Light comes onboard after sponsoring some CART teams.

#11 Junior Johnson & Associates Bud/Bud Light/KFC Chevrolet: Terry Labonte
Labonte replaces Waltrip in 87.

#12 Junior Johnson & Associates Busch Beer Chevrolet: Joe Ruttman
Ruttman replaces Neil Bonnett

#14 Gilmore Copenhagen Oldsmobile: A.J. Foyt
Part-Time

#15 Bud Moore Ford Motorcraft Ford: Ricky Rudd

#16 Chattanooga Chew Chevrolet: Larry Pearson
Part-Time

#17 Rick Hendrick Tide Chevrolet: Darrell Waltrip
Waltrip joins Hendrick as part of Project Superteam. Rick Hendrick wants to be the first superteam in NASCAR. Roger Hamby sold his team and joined Junior Johnson.

#18 Eric Freelander Chevrolet: Dale Jarrett
Jarrett will compete for rookie of the year. He replaces Tommy Ellis who falls to the Busch series.

#19 Ford: Derrike Cope
Cope will compete for rookie of the year.

#21 Wood Brothers Citgo Ford: Kyle Petty
The Wood Brothers return to the #21 this year after 7/11 leaves.

#22 SAR Miller High Life Buick: Bobby Allison

#23 Bahari Racing All-Pro Auto Parts/Domino's Pontiac: Mike Waltrip

#25 Rick Hendrick Folgers/ Folgers Decaf Chevrolet: Tim Richmond

#26 King Racing Quaker State Buick: Morgan Shepherd

#27 Blue Maxx Racing Kodiak Pontiac: Rusty Wallace

#28 Harry Ranier Texaco Havoline Ford: Davey Allison
Will compete for rookie of the year. They will run full time except for short tracks.

#29 Chevrolet: Grant Adcox
Part-time

#33 Mach 1 Racing Skoal Bandit Chevrolet: Harry Gant

#35 Rick Hendrick Exxon Superflo Chevrolet: Ken Schrader
Schrader joins the superteam. Will run this car except on short tracks.

#36 Pontiac: H.B. Bailey
Part-Time.

#40 U.S. Racing Chevrolet: D.K. Ulrich
Part-Time

#43 STP Pontiac: Richard Petty

#44 Billy Hagan Piedmont Airlines Oldsmobile: Sterling Marlin
Marlin gets a full time ride for 87.

#47 Hardees Buick: Cale Yarborough
Yarborough buys out the RACE Hill Farm team and makes it his own. Part-Time

#48 Chevrolet: James Hylton/ Various drivers

#52 Turtle Wax/Eureka/Exxon Superflo Chevrolet: Jimmy Means/ Ken Schrader
Means now has a technical alliance with Hendrick. Ken Schrader will run this car on short tracks.

#55 Jackson Brothers Skoal Classic Oldsmobile: Phil Parsons
Phil replaces his brother in this car. He will now run full-time.

#62 Winkle Motorsports AC Spark Plugs Pontiac: Steven Christman
New team, new driver. Will compete for rookie of the year.

#63 Chevrolet: Jocko Maggiacomo
Part-time

#64 Elmo Langley Ford: Various Drivers

#66 Jackson Brothers Crown Gasoline Oldsmobile: Eddie Bierschwale
All races except short tracks.

#67 Panill Sweatshirts Ford: Buddy Arrington

#70 Rumple Furniture Pontiac: J.D. McDuffie

#71 Lifebuoy Deodorant Soap Chevrolet: Dave Marcis

#73 Helen Rae Special Ford: Phil Barkdoll
Superspeedways only.

#74 Chevrolet: Bobby Wawack
Part-time

#75 RahMoc Valvoline Pontiac: Neil Bonnett
Bonnett returns to the RahMoc team. He hasn't been here since 1983.

#76 Unocal 76 Pontiac: Greg Sacks
Sacks will compete part-time but is happy to have found a team for 1987 as he was dumped by DiGard mid season last year when they closed down.

#77 Ford: Ken Ragan
Part-Time

#81 Ford: Slick Johnson/Mike Potter/ Chet Filip

#82 Ford: Mark Stahl
Part-Time

#83 Kmart/Wynn's Oil Oldsmobile: Lake Speed
Speed buys Roger Hamby's old team and renumbers to the year he became a born again Christian: 1983. Will not race on short tracks.

#85 Chevrolet: Bobby Gerhardt
Part time.

#88 Crisco Oldsmobile: Buddy Baker
Part-Time

#89 Mueller Brothers Evinrude Pontiac: Jim Sauter
Part-Time

#90 Junie Donlavey Red Baron Pizza Ford: Benny Parsons
Parsons moves to the 90 car and will run full-time for the first time since 1980.

#98 Mike Curb Sunoco Buick: Ed Pimm
Pimm moves over from Curb's CART team. Will compete for rookie of the year.

#99 Chevrolet: Connie Saylor
Part-time

Will be updated as I watch races.

 

SCHEDULE:

#1 Daytona 500-CBS

#2 Goodwrench 500: North Carolina Motor Speedway-SETN

#3 Miller High Life 400: Richmond Fairgrounds-TBS

#4 Motorcraft Quality Parts 500: Atlanta Motor Speedway-ABC

#5 TranSouth 500: Darlington Raceway-ESPN

#6 First Union 400: North Wilkesboro Speedway-ESPN

#7 Valleydale Meats 500-ESPN

#8 Sovran Bank 500-SETN

#9 Winston 500: Talladega Superspeedway-ESPN

#10 Music City 420- Diamond P

Winston All-Star Weekend: Texas World Speedway-ABC

#11 Coca-Cola 600- Jefferson Pilot

#12 Budweiser 500: Dover Downs International Speedway-ESPN

#13 Miller High Life 500: Pocono Raceway-SETN

#14 Budweiser 400: Riverside International Raceway-ESPN

#15 Miller American 400: Michigan International Speedway- CBS

#16 Pepsi Firecracker 400-ABC

#17 Opryland 420- Diamond P

#18 Summer 500- SETN

#19 Talladega 500-CBS

#20 Texaco Lone Star 500-ESPN

#21 Budweiser at the Glen-ESPN

#22 Champion Spark Plugs 400-ESPN

#23 Busch 500-ESPN

#24 Southern 500-ESPN

PLAYOFFS: ROUND OF 12

#25 Wrangler Jeans 4000-SETN

#26 Deleware 500-ESPN

PLAYOFFS: ROUND OF 10

#27 Goodys 500-SETN

#28 Holly Farms 4000-ESPN

PLAYOFFS:ROUND OF 8

#29 Oakwood Homes 500-Jefferson Pilot

#30 AC Delco 500-TBS

PLAYOFFS:ROUND OF 6

#31 Atlanta Journal 500-TBS

#32 Winston Western 500-TBS

FINAL FOUR

#32 LA Times 500-CBS

​

 

NASCAR STORIES: THE LAWSUIT PART ONE
​

As other CART drivers raced part-time in NASCAR, Emerson Fittipaldi wanted to as well. He got his team owner, Pat Patrick to get a car together to run part-time in 1987. The car is the #20 Marlboro Chevrolet. RJ Reynolds Tobacco is immediately triggered at this and tells NASCAR not to let them race. Phillip Morris, parent company of Marlboro, decides to sue RJ Reynolds for discrimination. Fittipaldi takes the side of Phillip Morris. NASCAR stays neutral. As of the Daytona 500, he is not allowed to race. More on this story soon.

 

RACE REPORTS
​

BUSCH CLASH: Bill Elliott holds off Darrell Waltrip and Geoff Bodine to win. Terry Labonte crashes and takes out Ricky Rudd as well.

DUELS: Benny Parsons edged out Bill Elliott in the first duel. Tim Richmond won the second. They will start third and fourth respectively while Elliott is the pole sitter.

DAYTONA 500: Bill Elliott starts on pole, leads the most laps, and holds off Tim Richmond to win his second 500.

GM GOODWRENCH 500: Dale Earnhardt wins after Tim Richmond and Geoff Bodine both DNF, and Neil Bonnett has a pit road mishap.

MILLER HIGH LIFE 400: Alan Kulwicki and Harry Gant battle each other in the early parts of the race until Kulwicki fades and Gant spins out. After that, Bobby Allison leads until he causes a huge wreck. Dale Earnhardt then goes on to win after battling Bill Elliot and Darrell Waltrip.

MOTORCRAFT QUALITY PARTS 500: Dale Earnhardt and Bill Elliott battle for most of the race until Elliott blows his engine and Earnhardt has a battery problem. Cale Yarborough also does well but crashes late. Ricky Rudd, Tim Richmond, and Terry Labonte battle for the win with Rudd holding off Richmond by a car length.

TRANSOUTH 500: A lot of crashes take place in this race including a big one where Terry Labonte gets minor injuries. Davey Allison spins twice, hitting a guardrail in the second spin which breaks his fuel cell and ignites his car in flames. Buddy Baker leads for a bit until he spins. In the end, Dale Earnhardt wins after Bill Elliott runs out of gas.

FIRST UNION 400: Dale Earnhardt dominates. Kyle Petty tries to challenge Earnhardt, but ends up second. Brett Bodine filled in for Terry Labonte as he was still sustaining injuries.

VALLEYDALE MEATS 500: Through rain and multiple crashes, Dale Earnhardt wins his third race in a row. Richard Petty is second. Brett Bodine filled in for Labonte again.

SOVRAN BANK 500: Dale Earnhardt wins four in a row and commands the points.

WINSTON 500: Early in the race, Bobby Allison blows his engine which causes his tires to blow as well. The force is so powerful that it sends him barreling into the catch fence. The fence doesn't break but people are injured. Allison is alright. After two hours of repairs, Davey Allison avenges his father and grabs his first career win. Terry Labonte is second.

MUSIC CITY 420: Geoff Bodine wins his first race of the season. Darrell Waltrip is second followed by Earnhardt. The two of them put on a good fight for second with Waltrip inching Earnhardt out.

WINSTON ALL-STAR WEEKEND: Due to storms in central Texas, the event is moved to Charlotte. Bill Elliott and Dale Earnhardt put on a show. Bill tried to wreck Earnhardt but instead, Earnhardt drove through the grass and was able to get in front of Elliott. Earnhardt went on to win as Elliott wrecked with Geoff Bodine. The pass became the "Pass in the Grass".

COCA-COLA 600: Four cars are on the lead lap by halfway. Bill Elliott, Davey Allison, Rusty Wallace and Kyle Petty. Three of them dnf. Kyle Petty is the one who doesn't, so he wins.

BUDWEISER 500: Davey Allison gets his second career win.

MILLER HIGH LIFE 500: So far, Tim Richmond had been struggling. This all changed as he finally won his first race of the season.

TO BE CONTINUED​

 

NASCAR STORIES: THE LAWSUIT PART TWO
​

On Wednesday June 10th, 1987, U.S. Federal court decided in the case of Phillip Morris International vs. R.J. Reynolds Nabisco, in favor of Phillip Morris. They agree that Emerson Fittipaldi was discriminated against based solely on sponsorship. Infuriated by the outcome, Winston announces they will pull their sponsorship of the Cup series after the season. A new title sponsor is being looked for. Fittipaldi's first race will be the next race at Riverside.

 

RACE REPORTS (CONT.)
​

BUDWEISER 400: Tim Richmond gets his second win in a row. His fourth at Riverside. He beats Ricky Rudd, Neil Bonnett, and Terry Labonte.

MILLER AMERICAN 400: Bill Elliott and Rusty Wallace battle in the beginning of the race, but after the first caution, it was all Dale Earnhardt.

PEPSI FIRECRACKER 400: Due to Bobby Allison's Talladega flip, the carburetor size is reduced and the cars now have skirts on their bottoms. On the final lap, Benny Parsons spins out and flips. Bobby Allison goes on to win. This was the last time the race was run on the fourth of July. It would now be held the weekend before or after.

OPRYLAND 420: Tim Richmond gets his third win of the season. He puts on a great battle with Dale Earnhardt for the win. Darrell Waltrip is third while Geoff Bodine is fourth.

SUMMER 500: Alan Kulwicki looks like he's going to win, but then, Dale Earnhardt bumps him out of the way and goes on to win.

TALLADEGA 500: Bill Elliott holds off Davey Allison and Dale Earnhardt to win.

TEXACO LONE STAR 500: Terry Labonte scores a popular win in his home state. Davey Allison is second, Earnhardt third, Elliott fourth, Wallace fifth, and Richmond sixth.

BUDWEISER AT THE GLEN: Rusty Wallace pits for gas on the last lap and still wins. Dave Marcis gets a surprise third place. Patty Moise makes her career debut. Emerson Fittipaldi ends up last due to an engine problem.

CHAMPION SPARK PLUGS 400: Richard Petty gets his 201st win. His first since the 1984 Pepsi Firecracker 400. Rusty Wallace is second, Morgan Shepherd is thord. Dale Earnhardt and Bill Elliott crash into each other as they take fourth and fifth respectively. With the playoffs looming, Dale Earnhardt is in the clear with Elliott in second.

BUSCHHHH 500: A complete Dale Earnhardt show. Rusty Wallace tries to challenge him, but ends up second. A few drivers dnq'd because of short track field restrictions. These include Eddie Bierschwale and Kenny Schrader. Schrader filled in for Neil Bonnett, who had pink eye.

SOUTHERN 500: The new title sponsor for 88 is announced: The Solo Cup Company has signed on for a multi-year contract. The series will be known as the NASCAR Solo Cup Series. Dale Earnhardt wins a rain shortened race after battling Davey Allison and Tim Richmond who both crashed. Rusty Wallace finished second, while Petty was third. Earnhardt leads going into the playoffs. The standings are:

1 Dale Earnhardt 3521
2 Bill Elliott 2938 -583
3 Terry Labonte 2872 -649
4 Rusty Wallace 2825 -696
5 Darrell Waltrip 2723 -798
6 Ricky Rudd 2713 -808
7 Neil Bonnett 2708 -813
8 Kyle Petty 2663 -858
9 Richard Petty 2653 -868
10 Tim Richmond 2558 -963
11 Bobby Allison 2449 -1072
12 Phil Parsons 2421 -1100

Sterling Marlin almost made it. Geoff Bodine struggled all season. Benny Parsons was too far back despite having some good runs. Alan Kulwicki also didn't make it.

WRANGLER JEANS INDIGO 400: Fuckfest 87' saw most of the field taken out including pole sitter Alan Kulwicki. The race came down to another battle between Earnhardt and Darrell Waltrip. Earnhardt won. Ernie Irvan makes his first start in D.K. Ulrich's #40 Chevrolet.

DELAWARE 500: Ricky Rudd wins in a dominant fashion, his last for Bud Moore as he will move to Kenny Bernstein's Quaker State team next season. Phil Parsons and Bobby Allison are eliminated.

GOODY'S 500: A three car battle between Dale Earnhardt, Terry Labonte, an Darrell Waltrip, sees Earnhardt and Labonte spin on the last lap as Waltrip cruises to his first win of the year.

HOLLY FARMS 400: Terry Labonte hits the wall early, but then goes on to dominate and win. Earnhardt is second. Kyle Petty and Tim Richmond are eliminated.

OAKWOOD HOMES 500: Bill Elliott wins. Dale Earnhardt struggles. Both Elliott and Labonte gain on Earnhardt.

AC DELCO 500: Dale Earnhardt runs well, but then runs into some minor problems. Terry Labonte and Bill Elliott are front runners all day and Elliott goes on to win. Earnhardt's massive points lead is nearly vanished as Elliott is very close behind. Neil Bonnett and Richard Petty are eliminated.

ATLANTA JOURNAL 500: Bill Elliott wins his third race in a row and narrowly takes the points lead.

WINSTON WESTERN 500: Geoff Bodine dominates until he gets stuck in mud. Rusty Wallace then takes the lead and wins. Tim Richmond was second, Kyle and Richard third and fourth respectively, and Bobby Allison fifth. Rusty's win was enough to get him in the final four along with Bill Elliott, Dale Earnhardt, and Terry Labonte. Darrell Waltrip and Ricky Rudd are eliminated. Elliott now looks ready to win his second championship as Earnhardt struggled again. Earnhardt dominated the season early on, but now it has come crashing down.

L.A.TIMES 500: Davey Allison wins the race as Bill Elliott finished second and won his second championship. Earnhardt DNF'D as he blew up around halfway. While the Melling team celebrates, Earnhardt and Richard Childress begin to plan for 88'.

YOUR 1987 WINSTON CUP SERIES CHAMPION: BILL ELLIOTT
​

 

NOTABLE 1987 AWARDS

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Dale Jarrett
Davey Allison did not compete in all races, but Jarrett did.

CREW CHIEF OF THE YEAR: Kirk Shermaldine #3 Wrangler Jeans Chevrolet

PIT CREW OF THE YEAR: #3 Wrangler Jeans Chevrolet

MOST IMPROVED DRIVER: Rusty Wallace

MOST POPULAR DRIVER: Richard Petty