1988 Pontiac Excitement 400

Second race of the 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup Series June 2023 NASWINSTON 2 216.8 1988 20.616 Pontiac Excitement 400 0.542 348.905 0.872 400 34th Annual Pontiac Excitement 400 Richmond, Virginia, Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway 66.401 mph km/h 29 1988 2 21 75 Motor Racing Network TBS Ken Squier, Johnny Hayes 151 Neil Bonnett RahMoc Enterprises Dale Earnhardt Morgan Shepherd Winkle Motorsports Richard Childress Racing The 1988 Pontiac Excitement 400 program cover. 1988_Pontiac_Excitement_400.jpeg The 1988 Pontiac Excitement 400 was the second stock car race of the 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup Series season and the 34th iteration of the event. The race was held on Sunday, February 21, 1988, in Richmond, Virginia, at Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway, a 0.542 mi km D-shaped oval. The race took the scheduled 400 laps to complete. Coming back from a two lap deficit, RahMoc Enterprises driver Neil Bonnett would manage to pass for the lead on the final restart with 48 laps left in the race, coming back with the help of a long green flag stint to gain his first lap back, and a period of back-to-back cautions to regain his second lap. Bonnett would manage to lead the final 48 laps to take his 17th career NASCAR Winston Cup Series victory and his first victory of the season.Higgins Tom February 22, 1988 Bonnett Comeback A Triumph Despite Protest (Part 1) 49 The Charlotte Observer https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-bonnett-comeback/126903772/ June 22, 2023 Newspapers.com Higgins Tom February 22, 1988 Bonnett Comeback A Triumph Despite Protest (Part 2) 52 The Charlotte Observer https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-bonnett-comeback/126903794/ June 22, 2023 Newspapers.com Pearson Harold February 22, 1988 Bonnett prevails in 400; confusion shrouds finish (Part 1) 25 Richmond Times-Dispatch https://www.newspapers.com/article/richmond-times-dispatch-bonnett-prevails/126905244/ June 22, 2023 Newspapers.com Pearson Harold February 22, 1988 Bonnett prevails in 400; confusion shrouds finish (Part 2) 28 Richmond Times-Dispatch https://www.newspapers.com/article/richmond-times-dispatch-bonnett-prevails/126905257/ June 22, 2023 Newspapers.com The victory was disputed by second place finisher, Ricky Rudd, and his team, King Racing. In an appeal filed by King Racing, the team stated that the three of Rudd, Richard Petty, and Darrell Waltrip all believed that Neil Bonnett had an accidental lap added to his total, with all three insisting that Bonnett had run no more than 399 laps of the race.Pearson Harold February 22, 1988 Bonnett took the flag, but who is counting? 22 Richmond Times-Dispatch https://www.newspapers.com/article/richmond-times-dispatch-bonnett-took-the/126949771/ June 22, 2023 Newspapers.com In an investigation done by NASCAR and their chief scorer, Morris Metcalfe, they maintained the validity of Bonnett's victory on February 23. Metcalfe firmly stated that he believed Bonnett had earned his laps back, stating in the Winston-Salem Journal that "We had everything under control the whole way, and we never had any doubt about who was leading, or who'd gotten lapped, or how Neil Bonnett got his laps back."Mulhurn Mike February 23, 1988 Metcalfe, NASCAR Stand Behind Bonnett's Richmond Win (Part 1) 25 Winston-Salem Journal https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-metcalfe-nascar-s/126949795/ June 22, 2023 Newspapers.com Mulhurn Mike February 23, 1988 Metcalfe, NASCAR Stand Behind Bonnett's Richmond Win (Part 2) 29 Winston-Salem Journal https://www.newspapers.com/article/winston-salem-journal-metcalfe-nascar-s/126949799/ June 22, 2023 Newspapers.com The race was the final race using the former 0.542 mi km layout that Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway had been using at the time. The old track, one that was seen as an aging track and a track with few amenities,Pearson Harold February 21, 1988 Fairgrounds finale occasion for relief and remembrance 41 Richmond Times-Dispatch https://www.newspapers.com/article/richmond-times-dispatch-fairgrounds-fina/126949660/ June 22, 2023 Newspapers.com was being torn down in favor of a new, 0.75 mi km long D-shaped oval named Richmond International Raceway that would be built near the now-former location of Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway. The track was meant to be a more modern and expanded version of Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway, with more amenities and seats being added.Pearson Harold May 15, 1988 Fruits of struggle 40 Richmond Times-Dispatch https://www.newspapers.com/article/richmond-times-dispatch-fruits-of-strugg/126949673/ June 22, 2023 Newspapers.com The race was the first victory that featured a car using the Hoosier Racing Tire brand, who had entered NASCAR in 1988 as a direct competitor towards the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, who prior to the 1988 season, had a monopoly on tires used in NASCAR since the 1971 season.Macenka Joe February 22, 1988 Bonnett wins Richmond race 21 The Daily Item https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-item-bonnett-wins-richmond-rac/126947732/ June 22, 2023 Newspapers.com The victory was not viewed as a major victory for Hoosier Racing Tire, with Bonnett not showing a commitment towards using the brand for the entirety of the 1988 season. Bonnett would state that "We came here and tried the Hoosiers, and we found them to be the best tire for this track... we're going to run the best tire available at each track. Who knows? We might not run another race this year on Hoosier tires."King Randy February 22, 1988 Bonnett declared winner of wild race at Richmond (Part 1) 9 The Roanoke Times https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-bonnett-declared-winne/126949430/ June 22, 2023 Newspapers.com King Randy February 22, 1988 Bonnett declared winner of wild race at Richmond (Part 2) 12 The Roanoke Times https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-bonnett-declared-winne/126949438/ June 22, 2023 Newspapers.com Background Richmond International Raceway (RIR) is a 3/4-mile (1.2 km), D-shaped, asphalt race track located just outside Richmond, Virginia in Henrico County. It hosts the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series. Known as "America's premier short track", it formerly hosted a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, an IndyCar Series race, and two USAC sprint car races. Entry list (R) denotes rookie driver. #DriverTeamMakeSponsor2Ernie Irvan (R)U.S. RacingChevroletKroger3Dale EarnhardtRichard Childress RacingChevroletGM Goodwrench03Dave Pletcher Sr.Weaver RacingFordWild Turkey Music4Rick WilsonMorgan–McClure MotorsportsOldsmobileKodak5Geoff BodineHendrick MotorsportsChevroletLevi Garrett6Mark MartinRoush RacingFordStroh's Light7Alan KulwickiAK RacingFordZerex07Larry MoyerStark RacingPontiacJust Say No!8Bobby Hillin Jr.Stavola Brothers RacingBuickMiller High Life9Bill ElliottMelling RacingFordCoors Light10Ken Bouchard (R)Whitcomb RacingFordWhitcomb Racing11Terry LabonteJunior Johnson & AssociatesChevroletBudweiser12Bobby AllisonStavola Brothers RacingBuickMiller High Life15Brett BodineBud Moore EngineeringFordCrisco17Darrell WaltripHendrick MotorsportsChevroletTide21Kyle PettyWood Brothers RacingFordCitgo22Lennie PondHamby RacingChevroletHamby Racing25Ken SchraderHendrick MotorsportsChevroletFolgers26Ricky RuddKing RacingBuickQuaker State27Rusty WallaceBlue Max RacingPontiacKodiak28Davey AllisonRanier-Lundy RacingFordTexaco, Havoline29Dale JarrettCale Yarborough MotorsportsOldsmobileHardee's30Michael WaltripBahari RacingPontiacCountry Time31Brad TeagueBob Clark MotorsportsOldsmobileSlender You Figure Salons33Harry GantMach 1 RacingChevroletSkoal Bandit43Richard PettyPetty EnterprisesPontiacSTP44Sterling MarlinHagan RacingOldsmobilePiedmont Airlines46Glenn MoffatMoffat RacingChevroletMoffat Racing52Jimmy MeansJimmy Means RacingChevroletEureka55Phil ParsonsJackson Bros. MotorsportsOldsmobileSkoal, Crown Central Petroleum67Buddy ArringtonAfter Ken Schrader failed to qualify using his Hendrick Motorsports entry, team owner Rick Hendrick would manage to buy out owner-driver Buddy Arrington's car for the race, using Arrington's car for driver points.Pearson Harold February 21, 1988 Twist of events puts Pond in field 41 Richmond Times-Dispatch https://www.newspapers.com/article/richmond-times-dispatch-twist-of-events/126950164/ June 22, 2023 Newspapers.com swap NArrington RacingFordPannill Sweatshirts68Derrike CopeTesta RacingFordPurolator71Dave MarcisMarcis Auto RacingChevroletLifebuoy75Neil BonnettRahMoc EnterprisesPontiacValvoline76Graham TaylorBetty Taylor RacingFordCar-Mate Trailers83Lake SpeedSpeed RacingOldsmobileWynn's, Kmart88Buddy BakerBaker–Schiff RacingOldsmobileRed Baron Frozen Pizza90Benny ParsonsDonlavey RacingFordBull's-Eye Barbecue Sauce97Morgan ShepherdWinkle MotorsportsBuickAC Spark Plug98Ed PimmCurb RacingPontiacSunoco Qualifying Qualifying was originally scheduled to be split into two rounds. The first round was scheduled to be held on Friday, February 19, at 3:00 PM EST. Originally, the first 20 positions were going to be determined by first round qualifying, with positions 21-30 meant to be determined the following day on Saturday, February 20.February 19, 1988 NASCAR Today 28 The Charlotte Observer https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-nascar-today/126949969/ June 22, 2023 Newspapers.com However, due to rain, the first round was cancelled. As a result, qualifying was condensed into one round for all starting grid spots in the race, which was run on Saturday. Depending on who needed it, a select amount of positions were given to cars who had not otherwise qualified but were high enough in owner's points; up to two were given.Higgins Tom February 20, 1988 Rain May Put Allisons On Front Row 23 The Charlotte Observer https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-rain-may-put-alli/126950037/ June 22, 2023 Newspapers.com Morgan Shepherd, driving for Winkle Motorsports, would win the pole, setting a time of 20.616 and an average speed of 94.645 mph km/h in the first round.Higgins Tom February 21, 1988 Shepherd Captures Pole, Schrader At Back Of Field 30 The Charlotte Observer https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-observer-shepherd-captures/126950087/ June 22, 2023 Newspapers.com Eight drivers would fail to qualify. Full qualifying results Pos.#DriverTeamMakeTimeSpeed197Morgan ShepherdWinkle MotorsportsBuick20.61694.64523Dale EarnhardtRichard Childress RacingChevrolet20.65994.448375Neil BonnettRahMoc EnterprisesPontiac20.68994.311427Rusty WallaceBlue Max RacingPontiac20.68994.31157Alan KulwickiAK RacingFord20.69194.302633Harry GantMach 1 RacingChevrolet20.72394.15676Mark MartinRoush RacingFord20.72494.15285Geoff BodineHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet20.72994.129943Richard PettyPetty EnterprisesPontiac20.73194.1201011Terry LabonteJunior Johnson & AssociatesChevrolet20.73794.0931117Darrell WaltripHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet20.78093.8981290Benny ParsonsDonlavey RacingFord20.78193.8931310Ken Bouchard (R)Whitcomb RacingFord20.78293.8891444Sterling MarlinHagan RacingOldsmobile20.79493.8351528Davey AllisonRanier-Lundy RacingFord20.80493.790169Bill ElliottMelling RacingFord20.85893.5471755Phil ParsonsJackson Bros. MotorsportsOldsmobile20.86093.5381883Lake SpeedSpeed RacingOldsmobile20.87193.4891915Brett BodineBud Moore EngineeringFord20.87993.453208Bobby Hillin Jr.Stavola Brothers RacingBuick20.88793.4172168Derrike CopeTesta RacingFord20.88793.4172226Ricky RuddKing RacingBuick20.90293.3502331Brad TeagueBob Clark MotorsportsOldsmobile20.90493.3412421Kyle PettyWood Brothers RacingFord20.94393.1672512Bobby AllisonStavola Brothers RacingBuick20.98192.9982630Michael WaltripBahari RacingPontiac21.00092.9142788Buddy BakerBaker–Schiff RacingOldsmobile21.00292.9052871Dave MarcisMarcis Auto RacingChevrolet21.02892.7912952Jimmy MeansJimmy Means RacingChevrolet21.06092.6503067Buddy ArringtonArrington RacingFord21.10492.456Provisionals3122Lennie PondHamby RacingChevrolet21.16992.1733229Dale JarrettCale Yarborough MotorsportsOldsmobile21.11692.404Failed to qualify334Rick WilsonMorgan–McClure MotorsportsOldsmobile -* -*3425Ken SchraderHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet21.22891.916352Ernie Irvan (R)U.S. RacingChevrolet -* -*3698Ed PimmCurb RacingPontiac -* -*3703Dave Pletcher Sr.Weaver RacingFord -* -*3876Graham TaylorBetty Taylor RacingFord -* -*3907Larry MoyerStark RacingPontiac -* -*4046Glenn MoffatMoffat RacingChevrolet -* -*Official first round qualifying results Race results FinSt#DriverTeamMakeLapsLedStatusPtsWinnings1375Neil BonnettRahMoc EnterprisesPontiac400141running180$45,90022226Ricky RuddKing RacingBuick4000running170$25,6603943Richard PettyPetty EnterprisesPontiac4000running165$16,97541117Darrell WaltripHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet40039running165$14,18551444Sterling MarlinHagan RacingOldsmobile4000running155$12,31561883Lake SpeedSpeed RacingOldsmobile40067running155$5,2907427Rusty WallaceBlue Max RacingPontiac4000running146$11,7908208Bobby Hillin Jr.Stavola Brothers RacingBuick3990running142$6,55091011Terry LabonteJunior Johnson & AssociatesChevrolet3991running143$9,3201023Dale EarnhardtRichard Childress RacingChevrolet399151running144$16,245112512Bobby AllisonStavola Brothers RacingBuick3990running130$8,79512169Bill ElliottMelling RacingFord3990running127$10,5951385Geoff BodineHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet3980running124$5,305141290Benny ParsonsDonlavey RacingFord3980running121$5,125152788Buddy BakerBaker–Schiff RacingOldsmobile3980running118$5,50516197Morgan ShepherdWinkle MotorsportsBuick3981running120$8,025172871Dave MarcisMarcis Auto RacingChevrolet3970running112$4,450182421Kyle PettyWood Brothers RacingFord3970running109$8,075192331Brad TeagueBob Clark MotorsportsOldsmobile3950running106$1,835203067Ken Schraderswap NArrington RacingFord3950running103$4,6102157Alan KulwickiAK RacingFord3930crank100$4,045223122Lennie PondHamby RacingChevrolet3830running0$2,375231310Ken Bouchard (R)Whitcomb RacingFord3800running94$2,365242952Jimmy MeansJimmy Means RacingChevrolet3740running91$3,7552576Mark MartinRoush RacingFord3640running88$1,645263229Dale JarrettCale Yarborough MotorsportsOldsmobile3370crash85$1,510271915Brett BodineBud Moore EngineeringFord3250running82$9,27528633Harry GantMach 1 RacingChevrolet2890crash79$4,430291528Davey AllisonRanier-Lundy RacingFord2760running76$10,055301755Phil ParsonsJackson Bros. MotorsportsOldsmobile2250running73$3,420312630Michael WaltripBahari RacingPontiac1100engine70$2,820322168Derrike CopeTesta RacingFord470crash67$2,820Failed to qualify334Rick WilsonMorgan–McClure MotorsportsOldsmobile3425Ken SchraderHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet352Ernie Irvan (R)U.S. RacingChevrolet3698Ed PimmCurb RacingPontiac3703Dave Pletcher Sr.Weaver RacingFord3876Graham TaylorBetty Taylor RacingFord3907Larry MoyerStark RacingPontiac4046Glenn MoffatMoffat RacingChevroletOfficial race results Standings after the race Drivers' Championship standings Pos Driver Points 10px 3 1 Neil Bonnett 345 10px 1 2 Bobby Allison 315 (-30) 10px 2 3 Terry Labonte 303 (-42) 10px 4 4 Sterling Marlin 302 (–43) 10px 6 5 Darrell Waltrip 300 (–45) 10px 1 6 Rusty Wallace 297 (–48) 10px 2 7 Dale Earnhardt 283 (–62) 10px 9 8 Ricky Rudd 282 (–63) 10px 4 9 Bobby Hillin Jr. 266 (–79) 10px 4 10 Ken Schrader 258 (–87)Official driver's standings Note: Only the first 10 positions are included for the driver standings. Notes References 1988 Daytona 500 1988 Goodwrench 500 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Category:1988 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Category:NASCAR races at Richmond Raceway Category:February 1988 sports events in the United States Category:1988 in sports in Virginia