1986 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

American motorsport season February 2025 November 2025 1986 NASCAR Winston Cup Series 1985 1987 The 1986 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 38th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 15th modern-era Cup series season. The season began on February 16 and ended November 16. Dale Earnhardt of RCR Enterprises won his second championship this year. 1986 NASCAR Winston Cup Series drivers Complete schedule ManufacturerTeamNo. Car numberDriverCrew ChiefBuick King Racing 26 Joe Ruttman Larry McReynolds Stavola Brothers Racing 22 Bobby Allison Bobby Hudsonhttps://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/allisbo01/1986/W Driver Season StatsChevroletHylton Motorsportshttps://www.racing-reference.info/misc-stats/ Misc Stats 48 Ron Esau 3 1, 12, 29 Eddie Bierschwale 1 2 Wayne Slark 1 3 James Hylton 8 4-5, 11, 14-15, 18, 21-22 Ronnie Thomas 5 6, 9, 17, 19-20 Morgan Shepherd 1 7 Jerry Cranmer 5 8, 10, 13, 16, 24 Johnny Coy Jr. 2 23, 27 Trevor Boys 1 25 Ken Ragan 2 26, 28 Hendrick Motorsports 5 Geoff Bodine Gary Nelson 25 Tim Richmond Harry Hyde Junior Johnson & Associates 11 Darrell Waltrip Jeff Hammond12 Neil Bonnett 28 1-16, 18-29 Tim BrewerDavey Allison 1 17 Mach 1 Racing 33 Harry Gant Travis Carter Marcis Auto Racing 71 Dave Marcis Richard Childress Racing 3 Dale Earnhardt Kirk ShelmerdineFord Arrington Racing 67 Buddy Arrington 28 1-13, 15-29 Joey Arringtonhttps://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/arrinbu01/1986/W Driver Season Stats Rick Baldwin 1 14 Bud Moore Engineering 15 Ricky Rudd Bud Moore Donlavey Racing 90 Ken Schrader Junie DonlaveyMelling Racing 9 Bill Elliott Ernie ElliottWood Brothers Racing 7 Kyle Petty Eddie WoodOldsmobile Hagan Racing 44 Terry Labonte Steve HmielPontiac Blue Max Racing 27 Rusty Wallace Barry Dodson Petty Enterprises 43 Richard Petty Dale Inman RahMoc Enterpriseshttps://www.racing-reference.info/misc-stats/?id=75&trk=t0&series=W&cn=1&season=1986 Driver Season Stats 75 Lake Speed 4 1-4 Robin Pemberton Jody Ridley 10 5-11, 13-15 Morgan Shepherd 11 12, 18, 20, 22-29 Jim Sauter 4 16-17, 19, 21 Chevrolet 1 1Buick 28 2-29 Stavola Brothers Racing 8 Bobby Hillin Jr. Ron Puryear Chevrolet 19 1, 4-5, 8-18, 21-25Oldsmobile 10 2-3, 6-7, 19-20, 26-29Hamby Motorsports17Doug Heveron 10 1, 4-8, 10-12, 16Phil Parsons 2 2-3Pancho Carter 6 9, 13-15, 17-18Jim Hull 1 19Eddie Bierschwale 10 20-29 Pontiac 28 1-4, 6-29Buick 1 5 Bahari Racing 23 Michael Waltrip (R) Pontiac 28 1-8, 10-28Chevrolet 1 9 Means Racing 52 Jimmy Means Limited schedule ManufacturerTeamNo. Car numberDriverCrew ChiefRound(s)ChevroletEllington Racing1Sterling Marlin10 1, 4, 6, 9, 11, 15, 17, 21, 26, 28Freelander Motorsports18Tommy EllisBuddy Parrott24 1-6, 8-11, 13-20, 22-28 Gray Racing 54 Eddie Bierschwale5 1, 4, 9, 15, 17 Donnie Allison1 21Jackson Brothers Motorsports55Benny ParsonsCliff Champion16 1, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13-19, 21, 26, 28-2966Phil ParsonsMarv Acton15 1, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13-19, 21, 26, 28Ford Bill Terry 32 Alan Kulwicki (R) Mike Beat3 1-3 35 14 4-11, 14-17, 19-20 AK Racing 9 21-29 Circle Bar Racing 81 Chet Fillip (R) 17 1, 4-5, 7, 9, 11, 13-21, 23, 25-26Langley Racing64Pancho CarterElmo Langley3 1, 3-4Doug Heveron 1 2Morgan Shepherd1 5Connie Saylor7 6, 11, 15, 17, 20-21, 26, 28Rick Baldwin3 7, 10-11Jimmy Hensley3 8, 22, 24Tommy Gale1 9Eddie Bierschwale5 13-14, 16, 18-19Bryan Baker1 23Mike Potter1 27Rick McCray1 29 RahMoc Enterprises 57 Jody Ridley 2 1, 4 Ranier-Lundy Racing 28 Cale Yarborough Joey Knuckles 16 1, 3-4, 6, 9, 11, 13-17, 19, 21, 26-28OldsmobileBaker-Schiff Racing88Buddy BakerDoug Richert17 1, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13-17, 19, 21, 23, 26-29Al Unser1 18 Pontiac C & M Motorsports 60 Cliff Hucul4 16, 19, 23, 28 94 Eddie Bierschwale7 1-7 Morgan Shepherd1 8 Doug Heveron1 9 Trevor Boys3 10-12 Cliff Stewart Racing 2 Kirk Bryant Darrell Bryant4 1-4 Curb Racing 98 Ron Bouchard Mike Beam17 1-7, 9-11, 13-15, 17, 21, 26, 28 Dale Jarrett1 20 McDuffie Racing 70 J. D. McDuffie Jeff McDuffie20 1-3, 5-21 Winkle Motorsports7 22-28 Chevrolet 1 1Buick 12 3-4, 6, 9, 11, 13-17, 19, 21 Race Hill Farm Team 47 Morgan Shepherd Jake Elder13 1, 3-4, 6, 9, 11, 13-17, 19, 21Chevrolet 5 1-3, 5-6 Buick 1 9Sadler Brothers Racing 95 Davey Allison Tom Pistone6 1-3, 5-6, 9 Chevrolet 23 1, 3-16, 18-25 Buick 1 2 U.S. Racing 6 Trevor Boys 9 1-9 Joe Booher2 10, 23 Richard Petty1 11 D.K. Ulrich10 12-14, 16, 19-22, 24-25 Jim Sauter1 15 Rick Knoop1 18Oldsmobile 17 1, 4-6, 11, 14-21, 23, 26, 28-29Chevrolet 1 9Morgan-McClure Motorsports4Rick WilsonTony Glover17 1, 4-6, 9, 14-21, 23, 26, 28-29Lake Speed1 11 Schedule No. Race title Track Date Busch ClashDaytona International Speedway, Daytona BeachFebruary 97-Eleven Twin 125'sFebruary 131Daytona 500February 162Miller High Life 400Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway, RichmondFebruary 233Goodwrench 500North Carolina Motor Speedway, RockinghamMarch 24Motorcraft 500Atlanta International Raceway, HamptonMarch 165Valleydale 500Bristol International Raceway, BristolApril 66TranSouth 500Darlington Raceway, DarlingtonApril 137First Union 400North Wilkesboro Speedway, North WilkesboroApril 208Sovran Bank 500Martinsville Speedway, RidgewayApril 279Winston 500Alabama International Motor Speedway, TalladegaMay 4Atlanta InvitationalAtlanta International Raceway, HamptonMay 11The Winston10Budweiser 500Dover Downs International Speedway, DoverMay 1811Coca-Cola 600Charlotte Motor Speedway, ConcordMay 2512Budweiser 400Riverside International Raceway, RiversideJune 113Miller High Life 500Pocono International Raceway, Long PondJune 814Miller American 400Michigan International Speedway, BrooklynJune 1515Firecracker 400Daytona International Speedway, Daytona BeachJuly 416Summer 500Pocono International Raceway, Long PondJuly 2017Talladega 500Alabama International Motor Speedway, TalladegaJuly 2718Budweiser at The GlenWatkins Glen International, Watkins GlenAugust 1019Champion Spark Plug 400Michigan International Speedway, BrooklynAugust 1720Busch 500Bristol International Raceway, BristolAugust 2321Southern 500Darlington Raceway, DarlingtonAugust 3122Wrangler Jeans Indigo 400Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway, RichmondSeptember 723Delaware 500Dover Downs International Speedway, DoverSeptember 1424Goody's 500Martinsville Speedway, RidgewaySeptember 2125Holly Farms 400North Wilkesboro Speedway, North WilkesboroSeptember 2826Oakwood Homes 500Charlotte Motor Speedway, ConcordOctober 527Nationwise 500North Carolina Motor Speedway, RockinghamOctober 1928Atlanta Journal 500Atlanta International Raceway, HamptonNovember 229Winston Western 500Riverside International Raceway, RiversideNovember 16 Races No.RacePole positionMost laps ledWinning driverManufacturer Winning manufacturerBusch ClashHarry GantDale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtChevrolet7-Eleven 125 #1Bill ElliottUnknownBill ElliottFord7-Eleven 125 #2Geoff BodineDale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtChevrolet1Daytona 500Bill ElliottGeoff BodineGeoff BodineChevrolet2Miller High Life 400Geoff BodineDale EarnhardtKyle PettyFord3Goodwrench 500Terry LabonteTerry LabonteTerry LabonteOldsmobile4Motorcraft 500Dale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtMorgan ShepherdBuick5Valleydale 500Geoff BodineRusty WallaceRusty WallacePontiac6TranSouth 500Geoff BodineDale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtChevrolet7First Union 400Geoff BodineDale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtChevrolet8Sovran Bank 500Tim RichmondRicky RuddRicky RuddFord9Winston 500Bill ElliottBill ElliottBobby AllisonBuickAtlanta InvitationalKyle PettyTim RichmondBenny ParsonsOldsmobileThe WinstonDarrell WaltripBill ElliottBill ElliottFord10Budweiser 500Ricky RuddHarry GantGeoff BodineChevrolet11Coca-Cola 600Geoff BodineCale Yarborough Bill ElliottDale EarnhardtChevrolet12Budweiser 400Darrell WaltripTim RichmondDarrell WaltripChevrolet13Miller High Life 500Geoff BodineTim RichmondTim RichmondChevrolet14Miller American 400Tim RichmondHarry GantBill ElliottFord15Firecracker 400Cale YarboroughDale EarnhardtTim RichmondChevrolet16Summer 500Harry GantGeoff BodineTim RichmondChevrolet17Talladega 500Bill ElliottDale EarnhardtBobby Hillin Jr.Buick18Budweiser at The GlenTim RichmondGeoff BodineTim RIchmondChevrolet19Champion Spark Plug 400Benny ParsonsBill ElliottBill ElliottFord20Busch 500Geoff BodineDarrell WaltripDarrell WaltripChevrolet21Southern 500Tim RichmondTim RichmondTim RichmondChevrolet22Wrangler Jeans Indigo 400Harry GantRicky RuddTim RichmondChevrolet23Delaware 500Geoff BodineRicky RuddRicky RuddFord24Goody's 500Geoff BodineGeoff BodineRusty WallacePontiac25Holly Farms 400Tim RichmondGeoff BodineDarrell WaltripChevrolet26Oakwood Homes 500Tim RichmondTim RichmondDale EarnhardtChevrolet27Nationwise 500Tim RichmondMorgan ShepherdNeil BonnettChevrolet28Atlanta Journal 500Bill ElliottDale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtChevrolet29Winston Western 500Tim RichmondGeoff BodineTim RichmondChevrolet Busch Clash The 8th annual Busch Clash was held on February 9 at Daytona International Speedway. Harry Gant drew for the pole. Only eight drivers ran. Full Results FinishGridCarno.DriverCar MakeLapsStatusLapsLed 1 4 3 Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet Monte Carlo 20 0:15:19 15 2 6 9 Bill Elliott Ford Thunderbird 20 -2 car lengths 3 2 12 Neil Bonnett Chevrolet Monte Carlo 20 Flagged 5 4 7 5 Geoff Bodine Chevrolet Monte Carlo 20 Flagged 5 8 44 Terry Labonte Oldsmobile Delta 88 20 Flagged 6 3 27 Rusty Wallace Pontiac Grand Prix 2+2 20 Flagged 7 1 33 Harry Gant Chevrolet Monte Carlo 20 Flagged 8 5 11 Darrell Waltrip Chevrolet Monte Carlo 20 Flagged Average speed: 195.865 mph Caution flags(caution flag laps do not count in this race)FromLapToLapReason 6 6 #5 Bodine spin, turn 4 Lap Leader BreakdownFromLapToLapTotalLapsDriver 1 5 5 Neil Bonnett 6 20 15 Dale Earnhardt 7-Eleven Twin 125's The 7-Eleven Twin 125's, a pair of qualifying races for the Daytona 500, were held February 13 at Daytona International Speedway. Bill Elliott and Geoff Bodine won the poles for both races, respectively. Race One Top Ten Results 9-Bill Elliott 22-Bobby Allison 44-Terry Labonte 7-Kyle Petty 1-Sterling Marlin 43-Richard Petty 12-Neil Bonnett 98-Ron Bouchard 4-Rick Wilson 66-Phil Parsons Race Two Top Ten Results 3-Dale Earnhardt 5-Geoff Bodine 11-Darrell Waltrip 47-Morgan Shepherd 27-Rusty Wallace 71-Dave Marcis 28-Cale Yarborough 33-Harry Gant 88-Buddy Baker 6-Trevor Boys Daytona 500 1986 Daytona 500 Top Ten Results 5-Geoff Bodine 44-Terry Labonte 11-Darrell Waltrip 8-Bobby Hillin Jr. 55-Benny Parsons -1 lap 98-Ron Bouchard -1 lap 4-Rick Wilson -1 lap 27-Rusty Wallace -1 lap 1-Sterling Marlin -2 laps 75-Lake Speed -2 laps In what would be the first of a string of Daytona 500 heartbreakers for Dale Earnhardt; Earnhardt ran out of fuel with three laps to go and coasted into pit road for gas, only to blow his engine when restarting it; resulting in a 14th place finish. Miller High Life 400 1986 Miller High Life 400 The Miller High Life 400 was held February 23 at Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway. Geoff Bodine won the pole. Top Ten Results 7-Kyle Petty* 26-Joe Ruttman 3-Dale Earnhardt 22-Bobby Allison -1 lap 11-Darrell Waltrip -2 laps 8-Bobby Hillin Jr. -2 laps 12-Neil Bonnett -2 laps 5-Geoff Bodine -3 laps 71-Dave Marcis -3 laps 27-Rusty Wallace -5 laps This was Kyle Petty's first career Winston Cup Series victory. The race is widely considered one of the most controversial finishes in NASCAR history. Darrell Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt battled for the better part of the race. In the final five laps, Waltrip rode on the back bumper of Earnhardt, bumping and rubbing the whole way. With three laps to go, Waltrip finally got a nose underneath Earnhardt exiting turn two. But Waltrip did not fully clear Earnhardt down the backstretch. Going into turn 3, Earnhardt spun Waltrip out, but lost control himself and both cars crashed hard into outside guardrail. The wreck collected Joe Ruttman (3rd place) and Geoff Bodine (4th place), allowing 5th place Kyle Petty to slip by and take his first-career Cup victory in improbable fashion. The incident drew a fine for Earnhardt, raised tempers throughout the garage area, and earned Earnhardt the "Ironhead" nickname. The incident was dramatized in the movie 3. With his victory, Kyle Petty became NASCAR's first third generation winner. In the 1990 film Days of Thunder, a clip of the incident between Earnhardt and Waltrip appears on the TV set that Cole Trickle and Harry Hogge are watching in the scene where they are riding in a transporter. Terry Labonte, thinking his engine had failed, pulled his #44 Piedmont Airlines Oldsmobile behind the wall. However, a crew member noticed some metal interfering with the ignition, and once the obstruction was cleared, the engine refired, allowing Labonte to return to the race and finish in 15th place. Early in the race, Earnhardt could be seen steering his car while simultaneously wiping dirt off his windshield. Goodwrench 500 1986 Goodwrench 500 The Goodwrench 500 was held March 2 at North Carolina Motor Speedway. Terry Labonte won the pole. Top Ten Results 44-Terry Labonte 33-Harry Gant 43-Richard Petty 47-Morgan Shepherd -1 lap 11-Darrell Waltrip -1 lap 28-Cale Yarborough -2 laps 9-Bill Elliott -2 laps 3-Dale Earnhardt -2 laps 12-Neil Bonnett -2 laps 75-Lake Speed -3 laps The win proved to be Labonte's last with Billy Hagan. This was the only points paying win for the Oldsmobile Delta 88 in the Winston Cup Series. Motorcraft 500 The Motorcraft 500 was held March 16 at Atlanta International Raceway. Dale Earnhardt won the pole. Top Ten Results 47-Morgan Shepherd 3-Dale Earnhardt 44-Terry Labonte 11-Darrell Waltrip 9-Bill Elliott 55-Benny Parsons 25-Tim Richmond 27-Rusty Wallace -1 lap 22-Bobby Allison -1 lap 5-Geoff Bodine -1 lap This was Morgan Shepherd's 1st victory since 1981. Valleydale 500 The Valleydale 500 was held April 6 at Bristol International Raceway. The No. 5 of Geoff Bodine won the pole. Top Ten Results 27-Rusty Wallace* 15-Ricky Rudd 11-Darrell Waltrip 33-Harry Gant -1 lap 9-Bill Elliott -1 lap 22-Bobby Allison -1 lap 44-Terry Labonte -2 laps 25-Tim Richmond -2 laps 7-Kyle Petty -3 laps 3-Dale Earnhardt -3 laps This was Rusty Wallace's 1st career Winston Cup victory. This was also the 1st victory for the Pontiac Grand Prix 2+2. TranSouth 500 The TranSouth 500 was held April 13 at Darlington Raceway. The No. 5 of Geoff Bodine won the pole. Top Ten Results 3-Dale Earnhardt 11-Darrell Waltrip 22-Bobby Allison -1 lap 12-Neil Bonnett -1 lap 25-Tim Richmond -3 laps 27-Rusty Wallace -3 laps 43-Richard Petty -3 laps 9-Bill Elliott -5 laps 7-Kyle Petty -6 laps 90-Ken Schrader -11 laps First Union 400 The First Union 400 was held April 20 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Geoff Bodine won the pole. Top Ten Results 3-Dale Earnhardt 15-Ricky Rudd 5-Geoff Bodine 11-Darrell Waltrip 26-Joe Ruttman 22-Bobby Allison 33-Harry Gant 7-Kyle Petty 9-Bill Elliott 27-Rusty Wallace -1 lap This race marked the 1st career Winston Cup start for Willy T. Ribbs, best known for being the 1st African-American to start the Indianapolis 500 in 1991. Ribbs struggled during the race, spinning out twice on his way to a 22nd-place finish, 13 laps down. The No. 6 of Trevor Boys smacked the wall in Turn 3 on lap 89 and came to a stop at the entrance of pit road, blocking it. Instead of throwing a caution, the tow truck was sent out to tow the D. K. Ulrich-owned car to his pit stall/hauler (until the September 1988 event at the track, race team haulers were literally parked right behind their chosen pit stall) while the rest of the cars continued around the track at full speed. This race included two caution periods around halfway due to rain. However, the race was not red-flagged either time the caution was thrown for the rain showers. Sovran Bank 500 The Sovran Bank 500 was held April 27 at Martinsville Speedway. No. 25 of Tim Richmond won the pole. Top Ten Results 15-Ricky Rudd* 26-Joe Ruttman -1 lap 44-Terry Labonte -4 laps 35-Alan Kulwicki (R) -4 laps 7-Kyle Petty -4 laps 8-Bobby Hillin Jr. -5 laps 90-Ken Schrader -7 laps 22-Bobby Allison -8 laps 79-Derrike Cope (R) -11 laps 75-Jody Ridley -13 laps Ricky Rudd's official margin of victory in the race was 1 lap, and an additional 6 seconds. According to Bill Elliott's book, Awesome Bill From Dawsonville, Elliott suffered his first engine failure in 3 years in this race. This race marked the first career Winston Cup start for Mike Skinner. Skinner finished 22nd, 156 laps behind. First career top 5 for Alan Kulwicki. Winston 500 1986 Winston 500 The Winston 500 was held May 4 at Alabama International Motor Speedway. The No. 9 of Bill Elliott won the pole. Top Ten Results 22-Bobby Allison 3-Dale Earnhardt 88-Buddy Baker 8-Bobby Hillin Jr. 55-Phil Parsons 47-Morgan Shepherd 43-Richard Petty 4-Rick Wilson 98-Ron Bouchard 10-Greg Sacks Failed to qualify: 35-Alan Kulwicki (R), 60-Dick Skillen, 70-J. D. McDuffie, 77-Ken Ragan, 95-Davey Allison, 02-Mark Martin, Steve Moore This race is most notable for a pre-race incident involving a drunken fan who stole the pace car before the race started and drove a lap around the track. Local Sheriff's Deputies and track workers quickly set up a road block at the exit of Turn 4. When the fan stopped the Pontiac Firebird, the sheriffs opened the door, pulled the driver out and detained him. The whole field qualified over 200 miles per hour with several upcoming stars failing to qualify. Bill Elliott led a race-high 116 laps. Elliott had the dominant car all day, but finished 24th after his engine blew while leading with 14 laps remaining. The Winston 1986 The Winston The second edition of the NASCAR All-Star Race (then known as The Winston; the name used since 2008 is now a retronym to comply with Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement regulations in effect), an all-star event for the previous season's race winners, was held at Atlanta International Raceway on Sunday May 11 (Mother's Day). The pole position was awarded to Darrell Waltrip as the defending Winston Cup champion. Top Ten Results 9-Bill Elliott 3-Dale Earnhardt 33-Harry Gant 11-Darrell Waltrip 28-Cale Yarborough 12-Neil Bonnett 5-Geoff Bodine 15-Ricky Rudd 44-Terry Labonte 10-Greg Sacks This was the only time the All-Star Race was held at Atlanta, and featured a 200-kilometer (83 lap) format, with a mandatory green flag pit stop. Because there were only nine race winners in 1985, the highest placed non-winner from the 1985 point standings (Geoff Bodine) was added to the field to make it an even ten cars. Bill Elliott led 82 of the 83 en route to a dominating victory. Elliott collected the $200,000 first place prize, plus $40,000 in additional cash bonuses for leading laps 20, 30, 50, and 60. A consolation race for non-winners from 1985, the Atlanta Invitational (now known as the All-Star Open), was added to the weekend's events. Benny Parsons won the 100-lap/152.2 mile race, his last NASCAR-sanctioned victory. The win gave Parsons a free spot in the next year's All-Star Race. In subsequent years, the winner of the All-Star Open advances to the All-Star Race, followed by a few years where the number of cars advancing to the All-Star Race were designed to ensure the field reaches 20 cars. Since 2023, the top two drivers in the All-Star Open and a fan vote winner (added in 2004) advance to the feature. A lackluster crowd of only 18,500 attended the event, and only 23 cars entered (10 in the All-Star Race, 13 in the Open). However, the all-star format of having a non-winners' "last chance" race followed by a main event would become a permanent fixture of all-star weekend. Originally, R. J. Reynolds intended the race to rotate to different tracks each year. This was the second and last year of that format. Rather that rotate each year, for 1987 it was moved back to Charlotte where it remained through 2019. The All-Star Race moved to Bristol in 2020 because of NASCAR's compacted schedule and North Carolina's ban on spectator events at the time, it was then held in Fort Worth, Texas for both 2021 and 2022. It was then moved to North Wilkesboro for 2023 through 2025. The 2026 edition moved yet again to Dover Motor Speedway, then for 2027 the race is currently scheduled to move back to North Wilkesboro. Budweiser 500 The Budweiser 500 was held May 18 at Dover International Speedway. Ricky Rudd won the pole. Top Ten Results 5-Geoff Bodine 22-Bobby Allison 3-Dale Earnhardt -1 lap 15-Ricky Rudd -2 laps 11-Darrell Waltrip -2 laps 43-Richard Petty -6 laps 9-Bill Elliott -7 laps 8-Bobby Hillin Jr. -7 laps 18-Tommy Ellis -7 laps 90-Ken Schrader -7 laps Coca-Cola 600 The Coca-Cola 600 was held May 25 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The No. 5 of Geoff Bodine won the pole. Top Ten Results 3-Dale Earnhardt 25-Tim Richmond 28-Cale Yarborough 33-Harry Gant 11-Darrell Waltrip 9-Bill Elliott 1-Sterling Marlin -1 lap 15-Ricky Rudd -1 lap 47-Morgan Shepherd -1 lap 27-Rusty Wallace -2 laps Richard Petty was not allowed to bring out a backup car after crashing his #43 Pontiac in practice. As a result, Petty Enterprises bought the lime green-and-white #6 Chevrolet of D.K. Ulrich, and raced that car. Petty finished 38th as a result of a blown engine after completing 123 laps. This was the 1st career Winston Cup start for Brett Bodine, who drove a Hendrick Motorsports #2 Chevrolet to an 18th-place finish, 6 laps down. This race insured there would be no Winston Million winner in 1986. The bonus for winning 2 out of 4 races was still alive for the Southern 500 later in the season. After this race, Dale Earnhardt would not take the checkered flag first again until returning to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Oakwood Homes 500 on October 5. Budweiser 400 The Budweiser 400 was held on June 1 at Riverside International Raceway. Darrell Waltrip won the pole. Top Ten Results 11-Darrell Waltrip 25-Tim Richmond 15-Ricky Rudd 27-Rusty Wallace 3-Dale Earnhardt 43-Richard Petty 22-Bobby Allison 12-Neil Bonnett 33-Harry Gant 18-Glen Steurer -1 lap This was the 1st career Winston Cup start for Chad Little, who was then a regular in the Winston West series. Little finished 13th, 3 laps down in the race after starting 25th. This was the final time that Darrell Waltrip wins from the pole. Miller High Life 500 The Miller High Life 500 was held June 8 at Pocono International Raceway. Geoff Bodine won the pole. Top Ten Results 25-Tim Richmond 3-Dale Earnhardt 28-Cale Yarborough 15-Ricky Rudd 9-Bill Elliott 27-Rusty Wallace 26-Joe Ruttman 7-Kyle Petty 5-Geoff Bodine 8-Bobby Hillin Jr. -1 lap The race ended under caution when Morgan Shepherd, Harry Gant, and Buddy Arrington were involved in a violent crash with four laps to go in turn one. The win was Richmond's first since April 1984, coming after two second-place finishes in the two preceding races, and the first for Harry Hyde since November 1984. Miller American 400 The Miller American 400 was held June 15 at Michigan International Speedway. Tim Richmond won the pole. Top Ten Results 9-Bill Elliott 33-Harry Gant 5-Geoff Bodine 88-Buddy Baker 11-Darrell Waltrip 3-Dale Earnhardt 8-Bobby Hillin Jr. 4-Rick Wilson 26-Joe Ruttman 15-Ricky Rudd This race celebrated Richard Petty's 1,000th career start in the Winston Cup Series, dating back to 1958.Petty makes 1,000th race; Richmond gets Miller Pole https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-star/173815599/ The Indianapolis Star Bob Walters 26 Newspapers.com June 15, 1986 June 4, 2025 Since the race also fell on Father's Day, Petty's daughters Rebecca, Sharron, and Lisa gave the starting command. Petty would finish 13th after falling a lap down early on; a caution came out while he was pitting on lap 45. Rick Baldwin, who was scheduled for the ARCA event that weekend, substituted for Buddy Arrington, who had been ruled out from a concussion in the Lap 196 crash the previous week at Pocono. During the first round qualifying session, Baldwin, who drove Arrington's No. 67 Ford Thunderbird that was a former Melling Racing car, spun in Turn 1, with the car hitting the wall flush with the driver's side, knocking him unconscious into a coma from the massive head injuries. In 1992, drivers Ken Schrader and Darrell Waltrip, along with owners Elmo Langley and Richard Childress, testified in court after Baldwin's wife Deborah sued NASCAR over the incident. The drivers testified Baldwin's car was too fast with a chassis setup that was not appropriate for him. Childress testified that Baldwin made chassis adjustments, while Langley (by then a NASCAR official) cautioned Baldwin about the chassis alterations. The jury ruled in NASCAR's favour. The seat mount broke, and Baldwin's head hit the wall (then a common issue with seat safety, which would become at the forefront of later changes), from which he would succumb eleven years later. NASCAR made changes to seat mounting for the 1990 season. Firecracker 400 1986 Firecracker 400 The Firecracker 400 was held on July 4 at Daytona International Speedway. Cale Yarborough won the pole. Top Ten Results 25-Tim Richmond 1-Sterling Marlin 8-Bobby Hillin Jr. 11-Darrell Waltrip 7-Kyle Petty 15-Ricky Rudd 26-Joe Ruttman 27-Rusty Wallace 66-Phil Parsons 35-Alan Kulwicki (R) Dale Earnhardt blew his engine with 7 laps remaining and spun head-on into the wall after the blown engine dumped oil on his back tires. Attempting to avoid the crash, leader Buddy Baker clipped Connie Saylor's car; damaging Baker's car and providing an opening for Richmond. Summer 500 The Summer 500 was held July 20 at Pocono International Raceway. Harry Gant won the pole. Top Ten Results 25-Tim Richmond 15-Ricky Rudd 5-Geoff Bodine 11-Darrell Waltrip 22-Bobby Allison 44-Terry Labonte 3-Dale Earnhardt 7-Kyle Petty -1 lap 18-Tommy Ellis -2 laps 4-Rick Wilson -2 laps This race was shortened to 150 laps (375 miles) due to a combination of rain, fog and darkness. On lap 121, Tim Richmond, racing with Geoff Bodine and Neil Bonnett, spun out and was hit by Richard Petty exiting Turn 2. His car had both front tires flattened and was in a position so that he could not drive it forwards. Richmond backed the car out, then drove it in reverse nearly 1 mile to his pit. At that point, his crew fixed the car so that he could go forward, but only in high gear (4th). He lost a lap but raced with the leaders until Dale Earnhardt crashed around Lap 140; he beat the leaders to the flag and thus got his lap back. With a long rain delay at the start of the race, a NASCAR rule used until July 2024 stated they would race until NASCAR gave the ten laps remaining indicator from the starter. On Lap 141, officials gave the ten laps remaining indicator because of darkness. Richmond pitted for new tires and then charged through the field after the restart; he passed Bodine on the final lap, but Bodine dove back alongside and the two raced through Turn Three; Bodine got loose and Ricky Rudd stormed three abreast; Richmond won in a photo finish. As the 1990 movie Days of Thunder was based on Richmond, this incident was fictionalised in the said movie. Talladega 500 The Talladega 500 was held July 27 at Alabama International Motor Speedway. The No. 9 of Bill Elliott won the pole. Top Ten Results 8-Bobby Hillin Jr.* 25-Tim Richmond 15-Ricky Rudd* 1-Sterling Marlin 55-Benny Parsons 47-Morgan Shepherd 12-Davey Allison* 26-Joe Ruttman 7-Kyle Petty 22-Bobby Allison -1 lap This was Bobby Hillin Jr.'s only career Winston Cup victory. The lead changed a season-high 49 times. The race set a motorsports record with 26 leaders, a record broken in 2008. Among the race's 26 leaders were Richard Petty, Bill Elliott, Darrell Waltrip, Rodney Combs, Buddy Baker, and Rick Wilson. Cale Yarborough took the lead on the backstretch on lap 107 but Dale Earnhardt beat him to the stripe. Ricky Rudd was relieved during the race by Rusty Wallace, who had blown an engine earlier. Davey Allison drove the race in place of Neil Bonnett, who was injured in a multi-car wreck at Pocono the previous week; Bonnett worked with CBS Sports as a second color analyst on the telecast of the race. Hillin was involved in a five car crash down the backstretch with 25 laps to go when he was drafting race leader Harry Gant; Gant was spun into Phil Parsons and the wreck swept up Darrell Waltrip, Geoff Bodine, and Cale Yarborough. Bobby Allison was eliminated while racing Richmond for third; he was hooked by Sterling Marlin and spun into traffic in Turn One; Richmond passed Wallace subbing for Rudd for second while Marlin finished fourth. Budweiser at The Glen The Budweiser at The Glen was held August 10 at Watkins Glen International. Tim Richmond won the pole. Top Ten Results 25-Tim Richmond 11-Darrell Waltrip 3-Dale Earnhardt 9-Bill Elliott 12-Neil Bonnett 27-Rusty Wallace 15-Ricky Rudd 55-Benny Parsons 7-Kyle Petty 43-Richard Petty Withdrew: 30-Willy T. Ribbshttps://www.racing-reference.info/race/1986_The_Budweiser_At_The_Glen/W Race Results Ribbs withdrew after four engine failures during practice sessions. This was the first time a NASCAR race had been run at the track since 1965. However, the 1971 Six Hours configuration was new, as the circuit had moved the pits in the 1971 reconstruction. This was Richmond's 4th victory of the season. Neil Bonnett returns after sitting out the previous race due to broken ribs. Junior Johnson had Doug Heveron on standby to take over if Bonnett could not run the full race. He would run the full race, running as high as 2nd but eventually settling for 5th. Rusty Wallace had to earn his finishing spot the hard way. After taking the lead for three laps from laps 17 to 19, Wallace was black-flagged by NASCAR for leaking oil onto the track. Rejoining the field at the tail-end, Wallace would cut a tire after making contact with the wall, then spun out in turn 5 to bring out a full course caution flag. Despite the setbacks, Wallace would rally to finish 6th. Al Unser, Sr. made his first NASCAR start since 1969, driving the #88 Pontiac in place of Buddy Baker. Baker, the car co-owner and regular driver, was the crew chief. Champion Spark Plug 400 1986 Champion Spark Plug 400 The Champion Spark Plug 400 was held August 17 at Michigan International Speedway. The No. 55 of Benny Parsons won the final pole of his hall of fame career. Top Ten Results 9-Bill Elliott 25-Tim Richmond 11-Darrell Waltrip 5-Geoff Bodine 3-Dale Earnhardt -1 lap 27-Rusty Wallace -1 lap 28-Cale Yarborough -1 lap 33-Harry Gant -1 lap 66-Phil Parsons -1 lap 21-David Pearson* -1 lap With this win, Bill Elliott became the 1st driver in NASCAR history to win 4 straight races at one Superspeedway. This was David Pearson's last Winston Cup start. He ran as high as 3rd place at one point in the race. Buddy Arrington returned to the track where rookie Rick Baldwin, driving Arrington's #67, had suffered injuries that would eventually prove to be fatal in a crash during qualifying for the June event. Arrington would finish 6 laps down in 19th. Busch 500 The Busch 500 was held August 23 at Bristol International Raceway. Geoff Bodine won the pole. Top Ten Results 11-Darrell Waltrip 44-Terry Labonte 5-Geoff Bodine -1 lap 3-Dale Earnhardt -1 lap 33-Harry Gant -1 lap 25-Tim Richmond -2 laps 43-Richard Petty -3 laps 22-Bobby Allison -4 laps 8-Bobby Hillin Jr. -5 laps 35-Alan Kulwicki (R) -6 laps This was the final race for owner of the #35 car Bill Terry. His driver Alan Kulwicki would buy out the team before the next race and be the sports newest owner/driver Darrell Waltrip scores his record 10th victory at Bristol. Southern 500 The Southern 500 was held August 31 at Darlington Raceway. Tim Richmond won the pole. Top Ten Results 25-Tim Richmond 22-Bobby Allison 9-Bill Elliott 47-Morgan Shepherd 11-Darrell Waltrip 15-Ricky Rudd 8-Bobby Hillin Jr. 5-Geoff Bodine 3-Dale Earnhardt -1 lap 28-Cale Yarborough -1 lap Geoff Bodine was leading with 14 laps left when Bill Elliott passed him coming off of turn 2 on lap 354. Bodine had slowed down due to running out of fuel and was forced to pit for a splash-and-go. Bodine's engine stalled and the car had to be pushed out, dropping him to the tail end of the lead lap. Elliott stretched his lead to a huge margin, but with 7 laps left, he clipped the outside wall in turn 1. Tim Richmond, who had led a race-high 168 laps, caught Elliott going down the front straightaway and passed him for the lead, winning the race by 2 seconds. It was Richmond's 5th win of the season. This race was plagued by rain, to the point of the race running on a damp surface and the drivers having to race as if Darlington Raceway was a dirt track. Before this race, rookie Alan Kulwicki bought out his owner Bill Terry and became the owner/driver of the #35 car. He would finish in 12th place, 7 laps down in his first owner/driver outing. This race insured no one would win the Winston bonus for winning 2 out of 4 crown jewel races. The race was red-flagged for 2 hours and 15 minutes after lap 14 due to a rain shower. Because of the delay, ESPN broke away from its TV coverage of the race on Lap 192 (about 4:30 pm ET) to broadcast the final round of the PGA Tour's St. Jude Classic, as originally scheduled. ESPN provided updates on the race during golf coverage and aired the finish live. Wrangler Jeans Indigo 400 The Wrangler Jeans Indigo 400 was held September 7 at Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway. Harry Gant won the pole. Top Ten Results 25-Tim Richmond 3-Dale Earnhardt 75-Morgan Shepherd* 43-Richard Petty 12-Neil Bonnett 26-Joe Ruttman 33-Harry Gant 22-Bobby Allison 9-Bill Elliott -1 lap 8-Bobby Hillin Jr. -3 laps Morgan Shepherd was hired by RahMoc Enterprises as the driver of the No. 75 Pontiac. Tim Richmond had to survive a late race restart because on lap 395 the caution flag flew when Michael Waltrip's entire driveshaft fell out of the car. The race went back under the green flag with 2 laps remaining. Richmond held on by 3 car lengths. This was the last Cup Series race to feature less than a 30 car field. Delaware 500 1986 Delaware 500 The Delaware 500 was held September 14 at Dover Downs International Speedway. The No. 5 of Geoff Bodine won the pole. Top Ten Results 15-Ricky Rudd 12-Neil Bonnett 7-Kyle Petty 88-Buddy Baker -1 lap 71-Dave Marcis -2 laps 26-Joe Ruttman -2 laps 35-Alan Kulwicki (R) -3 laps 18-Tommy Ellis -4 laps 8-Bobby Hillin Jr. -5 laps 75-Morgan Shepherd -7 laps This was Rudd's 1st win on an oval that was 1 mile in length or longer. Goody's 500 The Goody's 500 was held September 21 at Martinsville Speedway. Geoff Bodine won the pole. Top Ten Results 27-Rusty Wallace 5-Geoff Bodine 33-Harry Gant 11-Darrell Waltrip -1 lap 26-Joe Ruttman -1 lap 7-Kyle Petty -1 lap 90-Ken Schrader -2 laps 12-Neil Bonnett -3 laps 71-Dave Marcis -3 laps 25-Tim Richmond -4 laps This was Pontiac's 2nd & final victory for 1986. Holly Farms 400 The Holly Farms 400 was held September 28 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. The No. 25 of Tim Richmond won the pole. Top Ten Results 11-Darrell Waltrip 5-Geoff Bodine 43-Richard Petty 27-Rusty Wallace 33-Harry Gant 26-Joe Ruttman -1 lap 15-Ricky Rudd -1 lap 71-Dave Marcis -1 lap 3-Dale Earnhardt -2 laps 44-Terry Labonte -2 laps Geoff Bodine had the dominant car leading the most laps (218) but faded late, losing the lead at lap 390 to Darrell Waltrip, he would pull away to a 1.21 second lead for his final victory of 1986. The win was also Waltrip's final race victory with Junior Johnson. Waltrip would join Bodine as Hendrick Motorsports teammates in 1987. Oakwood Homes 500 The Oakwood Homes 500 was held on October 5 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The No. 25 of Tim Richmond won the pole. Top Ten Results 3-Dale Earnhardt 33-Harry Gant 12-Neil Bonnett -1 lap 15-Ricky Rudd -1 lap 88-Buddy Baker -1 lap 5-Geoff Bodine -1 lap 9-Bill Elliott -1 lap 27-Rusty Wallace -2 laps 11-Darrell Waltrip -2 laps 66-Phil Parsons -3 laps Earnhardt had to work hard for this victory as he at one point in the race lost 2 laps due to separate tire issues. The pre-race ceremonies saw several members of marching bands pass out from heat exhaustion due to the warmer than normal for late October temperatures, which soared to around the upper 80s. Nationwise 500 The Nationwise 500 was held on October 19 at North Carolina Motor Speedway. The No. 25 of Tim Richmond won the pole. Top Ten Results 12-Neil Bonnett 15-Ricky Rudd 11-Darrell Waltrip 33-Harry Gant 88-Buddy Baker 3-Dale Earnhardt -1 lap 9-Bill Elliott -1 lap 43-Richard Petty -1 lap 26-Joe Ruttman -2 laps 7-Kyle Petty -3 laps The win was Bonnett's last with Junior Johnson, as he was tabbed to drive for RahMoc Enterprises in 1987. Atlanta Journal 500 The Atlanta Journal 500 was held November 2 at Atlanta International Raceway. Bill Elliott won the pole. Top Ten Results 3-Dale Earnhardt* 43-Richard Petty -1 lap 9-Bill Elliott -1 lap 25-Tim Richmond -1 lap 88-Buddy Baker -1 lap 12-Neil Bonnett -1 lap 7-Kyle Petty -2 laps 44-Terry Labonte -2 laps 26-Joe Ruttman -2 laps 66-Phil Parsons -2 laps Dale Earnhardt's official margin of victory was 1 lap and an additional 3 seconds. By virtue of Darrell Waltrip blowing an engine to finish 39th and Dale Earnhardt winning the race while leading the most laps, Earnhardt clinched his 2nd Winston Cup Championship. Winston Western 500 The Winston Western 500 was held on November 16 at Riverside International Raceway. Tim Richmond won the pole. Top Ten Results 25-Tim Richmond 3-Dale Earnhardt 5-Geoff Bodine 11-Darrell Waltrip 26-Joe Ruttman 8-Bobby Hillin Jr. 22-Bobby Allison 27-Rusty Wallace 12-Neil Bonnett -1 lap 44-Terry Labonte -1 lap Going into the race, Dale Earnhardt had already clinched the Winston Cup championship. The attention shifted to the battle for second in the championship. Polesitter Tim Richmond needed to finish five positions higher than Darrell Waltrip to move into second. Richmond went on to win the race. However, Waltrip managed 4th place, which secured himself second in the championship, by 6 points over Richmond. This was the last race that both Darrell Waltrip and Neil Bonnett drove for Junior Johnson. Waltrip agreed to join Hendrick Motorsports in 1987 as a third car along with Bodine and Richmond, while Bonnett returned to RahMoc Enterprises to pilot the #75 Valvoline Pontiac after having previously driven for them during the 1983 season. Terry Labonte replaced Waltrip in the #11 car while the #12 team was dissolved and would reappear in 1991 as the #22 Maxwell House Ford Thunderbird with then journeyman driver Sterling Marlin behind the wheel. This was Al Unser's final NASCAR start. He would devote the rest of his career to CART. This marked the final time where Riverside would close the Cup season. Beginning in 1987 and lasting until 2000, the season finale would be at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Winston Cup Final Standings List of NASCAR points scoring systems (key) Bold – Pole position awarded by time. Italics – Pole position set by final practice results or 1985 Owner's points. * – Most laps led. Pos. Position DriverDAYRCHCARATLBRIDARNWSMARTALDOVCLTRIVPOCMCHDAYPOCTALGLNMCHBRIDARRCHDOVMARNWSCLTCARATLRIV Pts Points scored 1 Dale Earnhardt 14 3* 8 2* 10 1* 1* 21 2 3 1 5 2 6 27 7 26* 3 5 4 9 2 21 12 9 1 6 1* 2 4468 2 Darrell Waltrip 3 5 5 4 3 2 4 27 34 5 5 1 40 5 4 4 25 2 3 1* 5 29 14 4 1 9 3 39 4 4180 3 Tim Richmond 20 22 16 7 8 5 12 20 12 32 2 2 1* 15 1 1 2 1 2 6 1* 1 26 10 11 27* 20 4 1 4174 4 Bill Elliott 13 21 7 5 5 8 9 31 24 7 6 11 5 1 16 35 27 4 1 19 3 9 27 11 16 7 7 3 23 3844 5 Ricky Rudd 11 30 28 26 2 26 2 1 36 4 8 3 4 10 6 2 3 7 21 23 6 24 1 28 7 4 2 25 19 3823 6 Rusty Wallace 8 10 12 8 1 6 10 30 13 26 10 4 6 19 8 27 35 6 6 14 23 19 13 1 4 8 19 13 8 3762 7 Bobby Allison 42 4 34 9 6 3 6 8 1 2 12 7 13 11 15 5 10 12 24 8 2 8 20 21 22 41 25 16 7 3698 8 Geoff Bodine 1* 8 20 10 24 40 3 17 27 1 31 39 9 3 29 3* 23 19* 4 3 8 13 28 2* 2* 6 32 38 3* 3678 9 Bobby Hillin Jr. 4 6 39 16 28 38 13 6 4 8 15 32 10 7 3 33 1 28 13 9 7 10 9 17 15 26 11 15 6 3546 10 Kyle Petty 16 1 11 28 9 9 8 5 31 19 20 41 8 32 5 8 9 9 28 30 14 20 3 6 14 13 10 7 15 3537 11 Harry Gant 30 28 2 12 4 14 7 25 21 14 4 9 26 2 31 30 22 34 8 5 27 7 35 3 5 2 4 28 37 3498 12 Terry Labonte 2 15 1 3 7 32 27 3 29 17 11 12 35 12 19 6 38 32 12 2 21 18 19 15 10 15 31 8 10 3473 13 Neil Bonnett 32 7 9 34 30 4 11 26 40 28 13 8 23 25 11 31 5 34 11 24 5 2 8 12 3 1 6 9 3369 14 Richard Petty 36 20 3 11 14 7 29 28 7 6 38 6 19 13 22 34 37 10 18 7 40 4 12 16 3 35 8 2 21 3314 15 Joe Ruttman 28 2 33 42 19 21 5 2 17 11 32 42 7 9 7 38 8 33 30 17 38 6 6 5 6 25 9 9 5 3295 16 Ken Schrader 33 23 22 21 13 10 14 7 26 10 23 17 27 20 12 23 31 16 11 28 36 25 22 7 18 28 14 17 11 3052 17 Dave Marcis 38 9 27 33 27 27 25 16 11 21 16 38 14 37 20 24 36 13 35 15 11 23 5 9 8 11 34 33 12 2912 18 Morgan Shepherd 22 4 1 31 23 19 19 6 9 27 18 29 37 32 6 11 36 22 4 3 10 29 25 32 24* 27 38 2896 19 Michael Waltrip (R) DNQ 25 21 19 32 13 26 11 35 12 26 25 39 22 18 11 14 17 32 13 16 14 16 14 23 19 13 20 31 2853 20 Buddy Arrington 23 14 17 20 17 DNQ 21 15 22 15 DNQ 19 21 25 17 21 24 19 16 20 12 15 19 19 22 17 21 18 2776 21 Alan Kulwicki (R) DNQ DNQ 15 14 15 11 18 4 DNQ 23 27 16 10 22 32 14 10 12 15 7 13 17 14 12 18 24 2705 22 Jimmy Means 39 11 19 41 DNQ 25 20 12 16 24 DNQ 22 22 DNQ 24 13 15 21 25 27 15 26 24 22 27 18 22 29 17 2495 23 Tommy Ellis 19 24 14 13 11 29 24 32 9 35 15 14 38 9 34 39 12 21 8 26 13 31 35 12 2393 24 Buddy Baker 26 15 30 3 17 36 4 14 36 20 41 19 4 5 5 5 29 1924 25 Eddie Bierschwale 31 31 29 30 29 34 DNQ 30 29 32 27 35 15 39 30 16 18 25 11 25 24 20 24 16 23 DNQ 1860 26 J. D. McDuffie DNQ 16 31 DNQ 17 28 18 DNQ 20 DNQ 14 16 35 DNQ 19 DNQ 25 31 24 34 28 37 20 26 20 21 DNQ 1825 27 Phil Parsons 24 29 30 18 31 5 24 31 33 9 37 13 14 9 22 10 10 1742 28 Rick Wilson 7 39 12 15 8 21 21 10 11 23 40 26 28 32 29 14 40 1698 29 Cale Yarborough 27 6 27 22 37 3 3 30 17 25 24 7 10 36 33 34 1642 30 Benny Parsons 5 6 28 20 34 33 41 36 29 5 8 26 31 30 11 27 1555 31 Ron Bouchard 6 18 13 40 25 37 17 9 27 19 12 36 41 17 30 21 42 1553 32 Chet Fillip (R) DNQ 36 22 23 23 37 20 26 40 12 28 22 15 25 35 23 21 38 1433 33 Jody Ridley 12 29 23 20 15 10 42 18 21 11 34 13 1213 34 Trevor Boys 18 26 35 24 18 24 30 14 38 13 25 34 29 37 1064 35 Doug Heveron 15 13 35 21 35 16 29 15 35 33 20 33 16 1052 36 Sterling Marlin 9 32 33 39 7 2 4 37 33 32 989 37 D. K. Ulrich QL 33 17 40 18 20 20 18 17 27 28 804 38 Pancho Carter 34 23 38 18 28 17 28 40 31 706 39 Ken Ragan 21 DNQ 41 34 18 17 23 19 627 40 Lake Speed 10 17 10 22 14 608 41 Greg Sacks 35 19 37 25 10 39 39 38 579 42 Ronnie Thomas DNQ 26 26 36 DNQ 14 DNQ 16 DNQ DNQ 40 504 43 Bobby Wawak DNQ 38 23 19 DNQ 24 33 DNQ 29 480 44 Rodney Combs 32 19 29 16 37 421 45 Derrike Cope 9 30 31 28 Wth 41 400 46 James Hylton DNQ DNQ DNQ 38 DNQ 27 39 22 386 47 Davey Allison (R) DNQ 12 25 20 39 DNQ 7 364 48 Mark Martin 37 DNQ 22 11 26 13 364 49 Jim Sauter 25 41 18 23 14 12 37 13 361 50 A. J. Foyt 29 17 42 30 37 355 51 Gary Fedewa 22 23 21 DNQ 34 DNQ 352 52 H. B. Bailey 37 12 DNQ 17 DNQ 41 336 53 Jonathan Lee Edwards (R) DNQ 24 DNQ DNQ DNQ 30 DNQ DNQ 29 DNQ 27 322 54 Jimmy Hensley 23 16 18 318 55 Dick Trickle 17 DNQ DNQ 15 230 56 Jerry Cranmer (R) 13 16 24 26 23 303 57 Bobby Gerhart DNQ 34 28 22 DNQ 35 295 58 Kirk Bryant 41 27 18 31 DNQ 301 59 Connie Saylor DNQ 18 33 28 30 DNQ DNQ 26 17 30 334 60 Delma Cowart DNQ DNQ 19 DNQ 29 39 DNQ 61 Mike Skinner 22 30 23 264 62 Mark Stahl DNQ DNQ 16 DNQ DNQ 32 DNQ 30 DNQ 255 63 Glen Steurer 10 16 249 64 Bill Schmitt 18 14 230 65 Willy T. Ribbs Wth DNQ 22 DNQ 29 39 Wth 219 66 Jim Robinson 15 25 206 67 Mike Potter DNQ DNQ 33 DNQ 40 26 192 68 Brad Teague 40 DNQ 21 40 186 69 Rick Newson 40 25 37 DNQ DNQ 183 70 Chad Little 13 35 182 71 Joe Booher DNQ 31 DNQ 18 179 72 Ruben Garcia 30 22 170 73 Johnny Coy Jr. 17 36 167 74 Ted Kennedy 23 30 167 75 Butch Miller 16 21 33 164 76 George Follmer 18 36 164 77 Hershel McGriff 28 26 164 78 Mike Laws DNQ 31 24 161 79 Larry Pearson 40 12 160 80 Terry Petris 24 34 152 81 Phil Good 35 25 146 82 David Pearson 36 10 134 83 Randy Baker 42 22 134 84 Rick McCray 37 28 131 85 Jerry Bowman DNQ 29 36 131 86 Tommie Crozier DNQ DNQ 39 28 125 87 John Krebs 26 42 122 88 Joe Millikan 30 38 122 89 Tommy Riggins 15 118 90 David Sosebee DNQ DNQ 34 36 116 91 Cliff Hucul 40 DNQ 31 DNQ 113 92 Charlie Baker 18 109 93 Brett Bodine 18 109 94 Jack Ely 25 20 103 95 Rick Knoop 20 103 96 Jocko Maggiacomo 39 36 DNQ 101 97 Clay Young 21 100 98 Buddie Boys 38 39 95 99 Jim Hull 23 94 100 Brent Elliott 24 91 101 Grant Adcox DNQ 26 DNQ DNQ 85 102 Tom Rotsell 26 85 103 Phil Barkdoll DNQ 28 DNQ 33 84 104 Ron Shepahrd 27 DNQ 82 105 David Simko 27 82 106 Al Unser 29 20 76 107 Bryan Baker DNQ 29 76 108 Dale Jarrett 29 76 109 Randy LaJoie DNQ 29 76 110 Howard Rose 30 73 111 Jeff Swindell DNQ 31 70 112 Jim Bown 32 67 113 Ron Esau DNQ QL 16 33 64 114 Earle Canavan 32 DNQ DNQ DNQ 64 115 Donnie Allison 33 64 116 Ray Kelly 36 DNQ 55 117 Howard Mark 36 DNQ DNQ 55 118 Wayne Slark 36 55 119 Roy Lee Hendrick 38 49 120 Jim Fitzgerald 39 46 121 Tom Bigelow 40 43 122 Richard Lach 40 43 123 Rick Baldwin (R) 24 34 DNQ DNQ 124 Tommy Gale 25 125 Jerry Holden DNQ 30 DNQ 126 Bill Osborne 35 127 Joe Fields 37 128 Dick Skillen DNQ DNQ 129 Clark Dwyer DNQ DNQ 130 Donny Paul DNQ DNQ 131 Bob Park DNQ DNQ 132 Blackie Wangerin DNQ DNQ 133 Ferdin Wallace DNQ DNQ 134 Brad Heath DNQ 135 Steve Moore DNQ DNQ 136 Marta Leonard DNQ 137 St. James Davis DNQ DNQ 138 Jerry Ward DNQ 139 Don Hume DNQ 140 Harold Marks DNQ 141 George Wiltshire DNQ DNQ 142 Ed Baugess DNQ 143 Harry Goularte DNQ 144 Jimmy Insolo DNQ 145 Jack Sellers DNQ 146 Kevin Terris DNQ 147 Bob Kennedy DNQ 148 Brad Tidrick DNQ 149 Randy Becker DNQ 150 Ron Rainwater DNQ 151 John Soares Jr. DNQ 152 Bob Penrod Wth 153 Slick Johnson QL QL Pos. Position DriverDAYRCHCARATLBRIDARNWSMARTALDOVCLTRIVPOCMCHDAYPOCTALGLNMCHBRIDARRCHDOVMARNWSCLTCARATLRIV Pts Points scored Rookie of the Year Alan Kulwicki, a future hall of famer (see Class of 2019 hall of fame) driving for a team that had only one car (which he would buy out before the Southern 500 and become an owner/driver), won the Rookie of the Year award in 1986 despite skipping 6 races (3 of those he failed to qualify for, rounds 1, 2, and 9), finishing in the top-ten four times. Of the rest of the candidates, only runner-up Michael Waltrip ran a complete schedule. See also 1986 NASCAR Busch Series 1986 NASCAR Winston West Series References External links Winston Cup Standings and Statistics for 1986 https://web.archive.org/web/20060903124941/http://www.racing-reference.info/raceyear?yr=1986&series=W 2006-09-03 Category:1986 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Category:NASCAR Cup Series seasons