1979 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

American motorsport season February 2025 November 2025 1979 NASCAR Winston Cup Series 1978 1980 thumb|Richard Petty, the 1979 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Champion. This would be the final of his 7 championships. thumb|Darrell Waltrip finished second in the standings thumb|Dale Earnhardt, the 1979 rookie of the year. The 1979 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 31st season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 8th modern-era Cup series. It began on Sunday, January 14, and ended on Sunday, November 18. Richard Petty won his seventh and final Winston Cup championship, winning by 11 points over Darrell Waltrip. Dale Earnhardt was crowned NASCAR Rookie of the Year. Teams and drivers Complete schedule MakeTeamNo. Car numberDriverCrew Chief Dodge Warren Racing 79 Frank Warren Ford Bud Moore Engineering 15 Bobby Allison Bud Moore Buick Chevrolet Ulrich Racing 40 D. K. Ulrich 30 1-10, 12-31 Al Elmore 1 11 Buick Chevrolet Oldsmobile Rod Osterlund Racing 2 Dale Earnhardt (R) 27 1-19, 24-31 Jake Elder David Pearson 4 20-23 Hagan Racing 44 Terry Labonte (R) Darrell Bryant Chevrolet Oldsmobile DeWitt Racing 72 Joe Millikan (R) Tex Powell Hylton Racing 48/4 Ran as #4 at round 27 James Hylton Kirk Shelmerdine Junior Johnson & Associates 11 Cale YarboroughCale Yarborough 1979 NASCAR Winston Cup Results - Racing-Reference.info https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/yarboca01/1979/W https://web.archive.org/web/20111125141052/http://racing-reference.info/drivdet/yarboca01/1979/W 2026-09-28 2011-11-25 Travis Carter M. C. Anderson Racing 27 Benny Parsons David Ifft McDuffie Racing 70 J. D. McDuffieJ.D. McDuffie 1979 NASCAR Winston Cup Results - Racing-Reference.info https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/mcdufj.01/1979/W https://web.archive.org/web/20121014091235/http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/mcdufj.01/1979/W 2026-09-28 2012-10-14 Petty Enterprises 43 Richard Petty Dale Inman Richard Childress Racing 3 Richard Childress Dodge Ford Arrington Racing 67 Buddy Arrington Joey Arrington Limited schedule MakeTeamNo. Car numberDriverCrew ChiefRounds Buick Ballard Racing 30 Tighe Scott Harry Hyde17 2-3, 5, 9-10, 12-13, 16-17, 19-21, 23, 25, 27, 29-30 50 Bruce Hill 3 13-14, 17 Gray Racing 19 Steve Spencer 1 11 Dick May 1 12 Thirkettle Racing 51 Jim Thirkettle 1 1 Robertson Racing 25 Ronnie Thomas 6 2, 4-6, 10, 20 Chevrolet Al Rudd Auto 22 Richard White 2 1, 15, 31 Kevin Housby 1 10 Darrell Waltrip 1 19 Al Rudd Jr. 1 21 Al Holbert Racing 7 Al Holbert 5 1, 8, 13, 17, 19 Cunningham-Kelley Racing14 Coo Coo Marlin 7 2, 5, 10, 13, 17, 20, 23 Dick Kranzler 2 15, 31 Sterling Marlin 1 18 Jimmy Means 1 27 DiGard Motorsports 88 Darrell Waltrip Buddy Parrott 30 1-18, 20-31 Donlavey Racing 90 Ricky Rudd 2 Ellington Racing 1 Donnie Allison Runt Pittman 18 1, 3-9, 13, 16-17, 20, 23, 25, 27, 29-31 Gray Racing 19 Vince Giamformaggio 2 1, 31 Bill Dennis 2 2, 13 Dick May 8 3, 5-7, 9-10, 22, 26 Joe Fields 1 4 Lennie Pond 5 8, 21, 23-25 Billy Hagan 1 14 Bob Burcham 2 16, 20 Steve Spencer 1 18 Steve Gray 1 19 Cecil Gordon 2 27-28 Glenn Jarrett 1 29 Gordon Racing 24 Larry Isley 1 28 Goularte Racing17 Harry Goularte 1 1Hamby Motorsports Skip Manning 2 2, 13 Roger Hamby 8 3-6, 10, 16, 25-26 Jim Vandiver 1 23 Steve Pfeifer 2 27, 30 Bill Elliott 3 22, 24, 29Kennie Childers Racing12 Harry GantKennie Childers 2 1, 3 Lennie Pond 5 9, 12-14, 16 Jack Ingram 2 22, 27 Butch Lindley 1 26 Buck Simmons 2 22, 31Means Racing52 Don Graham 1 1 Jimmy Means 28 2-12, 14-26, 28-30Marcis Auto Racing 02Dave Marcis 9 1-9 71 15 10, 13, 16-17, 20-31 Nelson Malloch Racing 05 Dick Brooks 27 1-10, 13, 17, 20, 22, 28 Elmo Langley 1 12 Petty Enterprises 42 Kyle Petty Maurice Petty 5 20-21, 27, 30 Puskarich Racing13 Don Puskarich 1 1 Halverson Racing Jeff Halverson 1 25Price Racing 45 Ferrel Harris 1 2 Baxter Price 21 3-12, 14-15, 18-19, 21-23, 25-28 Roy Smith 1 31 Race Hill Farm Team 47 Harry Gant (R) 17 9, 11-13, 16, 18-19, 21-29, 31 Ranier-Lundy Racing 28 Buddy Baker Waddell Wilson 21 1, 3-4, 6-9, 11-14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27-31 Robertson Racing 25 Ronnie Thomas 23 1, 3, 7-9, 11-12, 14-16, 18-19, 21-31 Schmitt Racing 73 Steve Moore 1 20 Slick Johnson Racing 51 Slick Johnson 2 29-30 Williamson Racing74 Tim Williamson 1 1 Wawak Racing Bobby Wawak 3 7-8, 11Dodge Arrington Racing 7 Earl Brooks 1 6 Canavan Racing 01 Earle Canavan 7 8, 14, 19, 21, 23-25 Robbins Racing 6 Marty Robbins 1 16 36 1 2042 1 21 Petty Enterprises Kyle Petty Maurice Petty 1 31 Marcis Auto Racing 71 Joey Arrington 1 12Ford Donlavey Racing 90 Ricky Rudd 11 3, 6-7, 9, 11-12, 22, 24, 26, 28-29 Langley Racing64 Tommy Gale 28 2-14, 16-31 Elmo Langley 1 15 Mercury Donlavey Racing 90 Ricky Rudd 15Wood Brothers Racing21 David PearsonLeonard Wood 5 1-3, 5, 8 Neil Bonnett 17 9-10, 12-13, 15-17, 19-21, 23, 25-27, 29-31 Elliott Racing 9 Bill Elliott Ernie Elliott 9 2, 5, 8, 10, 13, 15-16, 20, 27 17 2 21, 23Oldsmobile A. J. Foyt Enterprises 51 A. J. Foyt 2 2, 17 Al Holbert Racing 7 Al Holbert 1 20 Ballard Racing 50 Bruce Hill 4 2, 5, 20, 31 Craker Racing 01 Jimmy Insolo 3 1, 15, 31 DiGard Motorsports 88 Darrell Waltrip Buddy Parrott 4 2, 10, 17, 20 Ellington Racing 1 Donnie Allison Runt Pittman 2 2, 10Gordon Racing24 Cecil Gordon 26 1, 3-10, 12-15, 17-26, 29-31 D. K. Ulrich 1 11Hamby Motorsports 17Roger Hamby 5 7-8, 17-19 0 1 2 Kennie Childers Racing12 Harry GantKennie Childers 1 2 Neil Bonnett 1 8 Lennie Pond 3 10, 17, 19 Jack Ingram 2 20, 23 Nelson Malloch Racing 05 Dick Brooks 27 11, 16, 18-19, 21, 23, 25-27, 29-31 Price Racing 45 Baxter Price 4 20-21, 27, 29Race Hill Farm Team47 Geoff Bodine 3 2-3, 5 Harry Gant (R) 5 7, 10, 17, 20, 30 Ranier-Lundy Racing 28 Buddy Baker Waddell Wilson 5 2, 5, 10, 17, 20 Schmitt Racing 73 Bill Schmitt 3 1, 15, 31 Wawak Racing74 Bobby Wawak 1 2 Callentine Racing Hal Callentine 2 15, 31 Schedule No. Race title Track Date 1 Winston Western 500 Riverside International Raceway, Riverside January 14 Busch ClashDaytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach February 11 125 Mile Qualifying Races February 15 2 Daytona 500 February 18 3 Carolina 500 North Carolina Motor Speedway, Rockingham March 4 4 Richmond 400 Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway, Richmond March 11 5 Atlanta 500 Atlanta International Raceway, Hampton March 18 6 Northwestern Bank 400 North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro March 25 7 Southeastern 500 Bristol International Raceway, Bristol April 1 8 CRC Chemicals Rebel 500 Darlington Raceway, Darlington April 8 9 Virginia 500 Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway April 22 10 Winston 500 Alabama International Motor Speedway, Talladega May 6 11 Sun-Drop Music City USA 420 Nashville Speedway, Nashville May 12 12 Mason-Dixon 500 Dover Downs International Speedway, Dover May 20 13 World 600 Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord May 27 14 Texas 400 Texas World Speedway, College Station June 3 15 NAPA Riverside 400 Riverside International Raceway, Riverside June 10 16 Gabriel 400 Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn June 17 17 Firecracker 400 Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach July 4 18 Busch Nashville 420 Nashville Speedway, Nashville July 14 19 Coca-Cola 500 Pocono International Raceway, Long Pond July 30 20 Talladega 500 Alabama International Motor Speedway, Talladega August 5 21 Champion Spark Plug 400 Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn August 19 22 Volunteer 500 Bristol International Raceway, Bristol August 25 23 Southern 500 Darlington Raceway, Darlington September 3 24 Capital City 400 Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway, Richmond September 9 25 CRC Chemicals 500 Dover Downs International Speedway, Dover September 16 26 Old Dominion 500 Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway September 23 27 NAPA National 500 Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord October 7 28 Holly Farms 400 North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro October 14 29 American 500 North Carolina Motor Speedway, Rockingham October 21 30 Dixie 500 Atlanta International Raceway, Hampton November 4 31 Los Angeles Times 500 Ontario Motor Speedway, Ontario November 18 Races Winston Western 500 1979 Winston Western 500 The 1979 Winston Western 500 was run on January 14 at Riverside International Raceway at Riverside, California. David Pearson won the pole. Top Ten ResultsFinCar # NumbersDriverStatus188Darrell Waltrip2:53:30221David PearsonRunning311Cale YarboroughRunning473Bill Schmitt -1 lap51Donnie Allison -1 lap672Joe Millikan -1 lap728Buddy Baker -1 lap851Jim Thirkettle -2 laps974Tim Williamson -3 laps1012Harry Gant -3 laps This would be the final pole that Pearson would win with The Wood Brothers. This would also be the final top 5 finish Pearson would achieve with The Wood Brothers. Busch Clash The inaugural Busch Clash, a non-points race for all of the pole winners from the previous season, was run on February 11 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Benny Parsons started on the pole via a random draw. Full ResultsFinCar # NumbersDriverLapsStatus128Buddy Baker200:15:26288Darrell Waltrip20Running311Cale Yarborough20Running427Benny Parsons20Running515Bobby Allison20Running621David Pearson20Running754Lennie Pond20Running85Neil Bonnett20Running970J. D. McDuffie17Engine 125 Mile Qualifying Races The two Daytona 500 125-mile qualifying races were run on February 15 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Buddy Baker and Donnie Allison started on the pole for races one and two, respectively. Race OneTop Ten ResultsRace TwoTop Ten ResultsFinCar # NumbersDriverStatusFinCar # NumbersDriverStatus128Buddy Baker0:44:45188Darrell Waltrip0:49:01211Cale YarboroughRunning251A. J. FoytRunning327Benny ParsonsRunning305Dick BrooksRunning415Bobby AllisonRunning42Dale EarnhardtRunning521David PearsonRunning502Dave MarcisRunning690Ricky RuddRunning612Harry GantRunning743Richard PettyRunning747Geoff BodineRunning867Buddy ArringtonRunning817Roger HambyRunning950Bruce HillRunning95Neil BonnettRunning1044Terry LabonteRunning1000John UtsmanRunning Cale Yarborough was pessimistic about rivals' chances against Baker, saying "Baker is just pure horsepower." Daytona 500 1979 Daytona 500 The 21st annual Daytona 500 was run on February 18 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Buddy Baker won the pole. Top Ten ResultsFinCar # NumbersDriverStatus143Richard Petty3:28:22288Darrell WaltripRunning351A. J. FoytRunning41Donnie Allison -1 lap (Crash)511Cale Yarborough -1 lap (Crash)630Tighe Scott -1 lap768Chuck Bown -1 lap82Dale Earnhardt -1 lap914Coo Coo Marlin -2 laps1079Frank Warren -3 laps The race, the first televised nationally in its entirety, ended in spectacular fashion, as race leaders Donnie Allison and Cale Yarborough crashed on the last lap in turn three, allowing Richard Petty to take the lead and win his sixth Daytona 500. During the cool-down lap, Allison and Yarborough got into a heated argument which later escalated into a fist-fight, which was later joined by Bobby Allison, who stepped in to try to defend his brother. TV ratings were bolstered that day due to much of the U.S. Northeast being snowed in by a major blizzard. Petty would use the win as a springboard to his seventh and final championship, but it was going to be anything but easy. Carolina 500 The 1979 Carolina 500 was run on March 4 at North Carolina Motor Speedway in Rockingham, North Carolina. Bobby Allison won the pole. Top Ten Results 15–Bobby Allison 72–Joe Millikan 05–Dick Brooks 30–Tighe Scott 3–Richard Childress 40–D. K. Ulrich 48–James Hylton 37–Dave Watson 79–Frank Warren 27–Benny Parsons The story of the race was Cale Yarborough and Donnie Allison, who crashed out of the lead on lap 10 in a wreck that swept up five other cars. Richard Petty who was involved in the lap 10 crash, had a crew member, one Maurice Petty involved in a post crash scuffle with NASCAR officials. Maurice was suspended by NASCAR for the next two Cup Series races. Bobby Allison's victory would make him the last Ford driver to win this particular race until Bill Elliott in 1992. Richmond 400 The 1979 Richmond 400 was scheduled for February 25 at Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway in Richmond, Virginia but it was postponed due to heavy snow. It was finally run on March 11 even though the track had a snow shower before race time which delayed the start by fifteen minutes. Bobby Allison won the pole. Top Ten Results 11–Cale Yarborough 15–Bobby Allison 88–Darrell Waltrip 27–Benny Parsons 43–Richard Petty 72–Joe Millikan 70–J. D. McDuffie 44–Terry Labonte 1 –Donnie Allison 40–D. K. Ulrich Atlanta 500 The 1979 Atlanta 500 was run on March 18 at Atlanta International Raceway in Hampton, Georgia. Buddy Baker won the pole. Top Ten Results 28–Buddy Baker 15–Bobby Allison 88–Darrell Waltrip 11–Cale Yarborough 27–Benny Parsons 02–Dave Marcis 1–Donnie Allison 72–Joe Millikan 90–Ricky Rudd 05–Dick Brooks After a late race yellow, Baker got tires and stormed away from Bobby Allison (who led the most laps) for his first win since May 1976. The race was marred by the death of pit crew member Dennis Wade, who was struck and killed on pit road by Dave Watson. Northwestern Bank 400 1979 Northwestern Bank 400 The 1979 Northwestern Bank 400 was run on March 25 at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Benny Parsons won the pole. Top Ten Results 15–Bobby Allison 43–Richard Petty 27–Benny Parsons 2–Dale Earnhardt 88–Darrell Waltrip 70–J. D. McDuffie 3–Richard Childress 28–Buddy Baker 11–Cale Yarborough 72–Joe Millikan When Bobby Allison crossed the line to win the race, his right front tire blew. His car was too damaged from running on the wheel rim to make the trip to victory lane, so Allison had to walk to victory lane. This was Fords first victory in the Cup Series spring race since 1968. This was Fords first victory at the track since the 1969 Cup Series fall race. Southeastern 500 1979 Southeastern 500 The 1979 Southeastern 500 was run on April 1 at Bristol International Raceway in Bristol, Tennessee. Buddy Baker won the pole. Top Ten Results 2–Dale Earnhardt 15–Bobby Allison 88–Darrell Waltrip 43–Richard Petty 27–Benny Parsons 1–Donnie Allison 44–Terry Labonte 72–Joe Millikan 48–James Hylton 90–Ricky Rudd This was Dale Earnhardt's first Winston Cup career victory. CRC Chemicals Rebel 500 The 1979 CRC Chemicals Rebel 500 was run on April 8 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina. Donnie Allison won the pole. Top Ten Results 88–Darrell Waltrip 43–Richard Petty 1–Donnie Allison 27–Benny Parsons 28–Buddy Baker 11–Cale Yarborough 9–Bill Elliott 90–Ricky Rudd 05–Dick Brooks 72–Joe Millikan Waltrip won this race following a fierce duel with Richard Petty; they exchanged the lead eight times in the final five laps and three times on the last lap alone. This was also David Pearson's last race with the Wood Brothers, for whom he had driven the #21 Mercury since 1972. Following a tire-change pit stop, Pearson reached the pit road exit, when two tires came off his car (the lug nuts had not been tightened when he left the pits). Within a week, Pearson was fired from the team and replaced by Neil Bonnett. Virginia 500 1979 Virginia 500 The 1979 Virginia 500 was run on April 22 at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia. Darrell Waltrip won the pole. Top Ten Results 43–Richard Petty 28–Buddy Baker 88–Darrell Waltrip 15–Bobby Allison 72–Joe Millikan 47–Harry Gant 48–James Hylton 2–Dale Earnhardt 44–Terry Labonte 70–J. D. McDuffie This was Petty's first win on a short track since 1975 and his first win in a Chevrolet. Neil Bonnett, in his first start driving for Wood Brothers Racing after longtime driver David Pearson was fired, finished 25th after blowing an engine on lap 207. Winston 500 The 1979 Winston 500 was run on May 6 at Alabama International Motor Speedway in Talladega, Alabama. Darrell Waltrip won the pole. Top Ten Results 15–Bobby Allison 88–Darrell Waltrip 67–Buddy Arrington 43–Richard Petty 72–Joe Millikan 9–Bill Elliott 64–Tommy Gale 79–Frank Warren 44–Terry Labonte 14–Coo Coo Marlin A 17-car crash erupted on the fourth lap when race-leader Baker blew a tire; Cale Yarborough came to a stop and got out of his car, then was hit by Dave Marcis' car, momentarily losing feeling in his legs; he recovered later that day. This was Ford’s first win at Talladega since the 1976 Winston 500. Ford products now stood with ten victories (six by Mercury) at the track. Sun-Drop Music City USA 420 1979 Sun-Drop Music City USA 420 The 1979 Sun-Drop Music City USA 420 was run on May 12 at Nashville Speedway in Nashville, Tennessee. Joe Millikan won the pole. Top Ten Results 11–Cale Yarborough 43–Richard Petty 15–Bobby Allison 2–Dale Earnhardt 70–J. D. McDuffie 3–Richard Childress 27–Benny Parsons 28–Buddy Baker 44–Terry Labonte 90–Ricky Rudd The finish was marred by controversy. Richard Petty and Bobby Allison asserted that Cale Yarborough was a lap down at the finish. Petty said, "He lost one lap when he spun (with J. D. McDuffie), then he lost another when he spent 22 seconds in the pits." Allison agreed, saying, "Richard won this race and I finished second. I don't know how they had Cale winning." Mason-Dixon 500 The 1979 Mason-Dixon 500 was run on May 20 at Dover Downs International Speedway in Dover, Delaware. Darrell Waltrip won the pole. Top Ten Results 21–Neil Bonnett 11–Cale Yarborough 28–Buddy Baker 15–Bobby Allison 2–Dale Earnhardt 44–Terry Labonte 27–Benny Parsons 72–Joe Millikan 12–Lennie Pond 67–Buddy Arrington Neil Bonnett was supposed to attempt to qualify for the 1979 Indianapolis 500 the previous day (Saturday) but qualifying for the Cup race was postponed to Saturday following heavy rain which forced him to withdraw from qualifying at Indy. He was rewarded by winning his first race with The Wood Brothers. This would be Mercury's final victory at Dover. World 600 1979 World 600 The 1979 World 600 was run on May 27 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. Neil Bonnett won the pole. Top Ten Results 88–Darrell Waltrip 43–Richard Petty 2–Dale Earnhardt 11–Cale Yarborough 27–Benny Parsons 90–Ricky Rudd 44–Terry Labonte 7–Al Holbert 12–Lennie Pond 3–Richard Childress The race saw 59 lead changes, a still-standing track record. Texas 400 1979 Texas 400 The 1979 Texas 400 was run on June 3 at Texas World Speedway in College Station, Texas. Buddy Baker won the pole. Top Ten Results 88–Darrell Waltrip 15–Donnie Allison 28–Buddy Baker 11–Cale Yarborough 44–Terry Labonte 43–Richard Petty 3–Richard Childress 72–Joe Millikan 67–Buddy Arrington 48–James Hylton This was NASCAR's first visit to the track in College Station, Texas since 1973; the track had closed in 1974 but reopened with USAC Gold Crown racing in 1976. NAPA Riverside 400 The 1979 NAPA Riverside 400 was run on June 10 at Riverside International Raceway in Riverside, California. Dale Earnhardt won his first Cup Series pole of his Hall of Fame career. 15–Bobby Allison 88–Darrell Waltrip 43–Richard Petty 11–Cale Yarborough 27–Benny Parsons 3–Richard Childress 70–J. D. McDuffie 93–Norm Palmer 67–Buddy Arrington 72–Joe Millikan This was the first victory for the Ford nameplate at Riverside since the 1970 Motor Trend 500. This was also Fords penultimate victory at Riverside. Gabriel 400 1979 Gabriel 400 The 1979 Gabriel 400 was run on June 17 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan. Neil Bonnett won the pole. Top Ten Results 28–Buddy Baker 1–Donnie Allison 11–Cale Yarborough 21–Neil Bonnett 43–Richard Petty 2–Dale Earnhardt 15–Bobby Allison 90–Ricky Rudd 30–Tighe Scott 05–Dick Brooks The lead changed 47 times among 11 drivers. Dale Earnhardt was criticized by Darrell Waltrip and Richard Petty when he nearly spun out trying to pass Neil Bonnett late in the race in front of both "He nearly took us all out in the third turn" Waltrip said after the race. Firecracker 400 1979 Firecracker 400 The 1979 Firecracker 400 was run on July 4 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Buddy Baker won the pole. Top Ten Results 21–Neil Bonnett 27–Benny Parsons 2–Dale Earnhardt 88–Darrell Waltrip 43–Richard Petty 68–Chuck Bown 47–Harry Gant 72–Joe Millikan 05–Dick Brooks 51–A. J. Foyt This was Mercury's penultimate victory at Daytona. Kyle Petty crashed in qualifying attempting to make his first Winston Cup start. That would come a few races later at Talladega Busch Nashville 420 The 1979 Busch Nashville 420 was run on July 14 at Nashville Speedway in Nashville, Tennessee. Darrell Waltrip won the pole. Top Ten Results 88–Darrell Waltrip 11–Cale Yarborough 2–Dale Earnhardt 27–Benny Parsons 43–Richard Petty 48–James Hylton 3–Richard Childress 70–J. D. McDuffie 25–Ronnie Thomas 52–Jimmy Means Coca-Cola 500 1979 Coca-Cola 500 The 1979 Coca-Cola 500 was initially scheduled for July 29 but day-long rains forced postponement and it was run on July 30 at Pocono International Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. Harry Gant won the pole. Top Ten Results 11–Cale Yarborough 43–Richard Petty 28–Buddy Baker 27–Benny Parsons 90–Ricky Rudd 72–Joe Millikan 22–Darrell Waltrip 21–Neil Bonnett 15–Bobby Allison 30–Tighe Scott The lead changed a still-standing track record 55 times. Dale Earnhardt suffered broken collar bones in a bad crash in Turn Two. Darrell Waltrip lost five spots when he pitted under yellow with four to go for tires but the race never restarted. It cost him 19 points, a margin he would regret at the end of the season. After crashing the main car in practice before the race, DiGard Motorsports bought out the #22 Chevrolet from Al Rudd Auto for Waltrip to race in. Talladega 500 1979 Talladega 500 The 1979 Talladega 500 was run on August 5 at Alabama International Motor Speedway in Talladega, Alabama. Neil Bonnett won the pole. Top Ten Results 88–Darrell Waltrip 2–David Pearson 90–Ricky Rudd 43–Richard Petty 77–Jody Ridley 30–Tighe Scott 47–Harry Gant 67–Buddy Arrington 42–Kyle Petty 3–Richard Childress This was David Pearson's first race after leaving the Wood Brothers following the spring Darlington race. Pearson was hired to drive the #2 temporarily after Dale Earnhardt's injury. Kyle Petty’s first career Cup start. Champion Spark Plug 400 1979 Champion Spark Plug 400 The 1979 Champion Spark Plug 400 was run on August 19 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan. David Pearson won the pole. Top Ten Results 43–Richard Petty 28–Buddy Baker 27–Benny Parsons 2–David Pearson 08–John Anderson 72–Joe Millikan 90–Ricky Rudd 30–Tighe Scott 70–J. D. McDuffie 3–Richard Childress Blackie Wangerin flipped out of the track on lap 2 resulting in a lengthy red flag to rebuild the turn 3 and 4 guardrails. Volunteer 500 The 1979 Volunteer 500 was run on August 25 at Bristol International Raceway in Bristol, Tennessee. Richard Petty won his final pole as a driver and last for his racecar until 1996. Top Ten Results 88–Darrell Waltrip 43–Richard Petty 15–Bobby Allison 27–Benny Parsons 11–Cale Yarborough 72–Joe Millikan 2–David Pearson 44–Terry Labonte 90–Ricky Rudd 17–Bill Elliott Southern 500 1979 Southern 500 The 1979 Southern 500 was run on September 3 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina. Bobby Allison won the pole. Top Ten Results 2–David Pearson 17–Bill Elliott 44–Terry Labonte 28–Buddy Baker 27–Benny Parsons 71–Dave Marcis 05–Dick Brooks 90–Ricky Rudd 43–Richard Petty 15–Bobby Allison David Pearson won the race for Rod Osterlund. This was Pearson's last race for Osterlund because Dale Earnhardt was back for the Capital City 400 due to a crash at Pocono with rib injuries. This is the last race not featuring the Earnhardt name on the grid until the 2012 Charlotte fall race. Darrell Waltrip had over a lap lead when he had an accident. Darrell Waltrip had to make a pit stop which put David Pearson on the lead lap as well. Waltrip was passed by David Pearson and then involved in a second accident. David Pearson would win by 2 laps over second place. First career top 5 for Bill Elliott. Capital City 400 The 1979 Capital City 400 was run on September 9 at Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway in Richmond, Virginia. Dale Earnhardt won the pole in his return race after being forced to sit out the previous four races due to injury. Top Ten Results 15–Bobby Allison 88–Darrell Waltrip 90–Ricky Rudd 2–Dale Earnhardt 11–Cale Yarborough 43–Richard Petty 71–Dave Marcis 27–Benny Parsons 47–Harry Gant 72–Joe Millikan CRC Chemicals 500 The 1979 CRC Chemicals 500 was run on September 16 at Dover Downs International Speedway in Dover, Delaware. Dale Earnhardt won the pole. Top Ten Results 43–Richard Petty 1–Donnie Allison 11–Cale Yarborough 28–Buddy Baker 72–Joe Millikan 15–Bobby Allison 71–Dave Marcis 90–Ricky Rudd 2–Dale Earnhardt 30–Tighe Scott Old Dominion 500 The 1979 Old Dominion 500 was run on September 23 at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia. Darrell Waltrip won the pole. Top Ten Results 28–Buddy Baker 43–Richard Petty 72–Joe Millikan 15–Bobby Allison 71–Dave Marcis 90–Ricky Rudd 67–Buddy Arrington 11–Cale Yarborough 44–Terry Labonte 40–D. K. Ulrich Waltrip blew his engine after leading 188 laps; the DiGard team changed engines in a record 11 minutes. NASCAR outlawed mid-race engine changes after the 1979 season citing costs. NAPA National 500 The 1979 NAPA National 500 was run on October 7 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. Neil Bonnett won the pole; it was the thirteenth straight Charlotte pole for the Wood Brothers. Top Ten Results 11–Cale Yarborough 15–Bobby Allison 88–Darrell Waltrip 43–Richard Petty 1–Donnie Allison 27–Benny Parsons 9–Bill Elliott 05–Dick Brooks 40–D. K. Ulrich 2–Dale Earnhardt Holly Farms 400 The 1979 Holly Farms 400 was run on October 14 at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Dale Earnhardt won the pole. The race had been postponed two weeks due to rain. Top Ten Results 27–Benny Parsons 15–Bobby Allison 43–Richard Petty 2–Dale Earnhardt 90–Ricky Rudd 44–Terry Labonte 25–Ronnie Thomas 40–D. K. Ulrich 67–Buddy Arrington 3–Richard Childress The story of the race was between Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip. On lap 309 Waltrip sideswiped past Allison in turn 3; coming onto the frontstretch Allison hooked Waltrip head-on into the wall. Benny Parsons took the lead at that point. Waltrip got repairs and under yellow began crowding Allison to the wall. NASCAR black-flagged Waltrip, but after pitting he went after Allison again. NASCAR competition director Bill Gazaway went onto the track and personally waved another black flag to Waltrip, making sure Waltrip stayed out of the way of the leaders. The wreck narrowed Waltrip's point lead over Richard Petty to just 17 points. American 500 The 1979 American 500 was run on October 21 at North Carolina Motor Speedway in Rockingham, North Carolina. Buddy Baker won the pole. Top Ten Results 43–Richard Petty 27–Benny Parsons 11–Cale Yarborough 1–Donnie Allison 2–Dale Earnhardt 88–Darrell Waltrip 3–Richard Childress 25–Ronnie Thomas 71–Dave Marcis 51–Slick Johnson With the win and Waltrip finishing 6th, Petty finished erasing a 229-point gap to Waltrip and led the points standings by 8 points with two races remaining in the season. Dixie 500 The 1979 Dixie 500 was run on November 4 at Atlanta International Raceway in Hampton, Georgia. Buddy Baker won the pole, his seventh of the season and locked up the season long pole award. Top Ten Results 21–Neil Bonnett 2–Dale Earnhardt 11–Cale Yarborough 15–Bobby Allison 88–Darrell Waltrip 43–Richard Petty 44–Terry Labonte 90–Ricky Rudd 72–Joe Millikan 77–Jody Ridley By virtue of finishing ahead of Petty and getting 5 bonus points for leading a lap when Petty did not lead any laps during the race, Waltrip re-took the points lead by two points over Petty going into the season finale at Ontario; it was the second straight race where the point lead changed hands. Los Angeles Times 500 The 1979 Los Angeles Times 500 was run on November 18 at Ontario Motor Speedway in Ontario, California. Cale Yarborough won the pole and became the last driver to qualify for the 1980 Busch Clash. Top Ten Results 27–Benny Parsons 15–Bobby Allison 11–Cale Yarborough 28–Buddy Baker 43–Richard Petty 21–Neil Bonnett 05–Dick Brooks 88–Darrell Waltrip 2–Dale Earnhardt 90–Ricky Rudd Waltrip finished a lap down when he spun with John Rezek and pitted before the leaders did. Richard Petty won the championship by 11 points, then the smallest margin of victory in NASCAR history and the first time in the sanctioning body's history the point lead changed hands in the final race. This would be the last time until 1992 where an owner/driver would win the championship (Alan Kulwicki). Full Drivers’ Championship List of NASCAR points scoring systems (key) Bold – Pole position awarded by time. Italics – Pole position set by owner's points. * – Most laps led. Pos. Position Driver RIV DAY CAR RCH ATL NWS BRI DAR MAR TAL NSV DOV CLT TWS RIV MCH DAY NSV POC TAL MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR CLT NWS CAR ATL ONT Pts Points scored 1 Richard Petty 32 1 32 5 11 2* 4 2 1* 4 2* 30 2 6 3 5 5 5 2 4 1 2 9 6 1 2 4 3 1 6 5 4830 2 Darrell Waltrip 1* 2 17 3 3 5 3 1* 3 2 21 18 1* 1* 2 13 4 1* 7 1* 19 1 11* 2 29 11 3 13 6 5 8 4819 3 Bobby Allison 19 11 1* 2* 2* 1 2 26 4 1 3 4 22 2 1 7 30 16 9 28 23 3 10 1* 6 4 2 2* 19 4 2 4633 4 Cale Yarborough 3 5 18 1 4 9 24 6 11 33 1 2* 4 4 4 3 20 2 1 24 17 5 19 5 3* 8 1 20 3 3* 3* 4604 5 Benny Parsons 26 18 10 4 5 3 5 4 19 35 7 7 5 25 5 31 2 4 4 21 3 4* 5 8 22 27 6 1 2* 31 1 4256 6 Joe Millikan (R) 6 36 2 6 8 10 8 10 5 5 23 8 27 8 10 30 8 21 6 25 6 6 15 10 5 3 29 15 18 9 12 4014 7 Dale Earnhardt (R) 21 8 12 13 12 4 1* 23 8 36 4 5 3 12 13 6 3 3 29 4 9 29 10 4 5 2 9 3749 8 Richard Childress 15 17 5 26 20 7 11 16 14 24 6 29 10 7 6 23 37 7 12 10 10 11 29 15 13 13 14 10 7 15 16 3735 9 Ricky Rudd 31 34 11 9 14 10 8 12 27 10 14 6 28 8 13 5 3 7 9 8 3 8 6 11 5 20 8 10 3642 10 Terry Labonte (R) 35 16 15 8 25 15 7 29 9 9 9 6 7 5 18 25 29 25 23 33 26 8 3 17 25 9 15 6 27 7 13 3615 11 Buddy Arrington 18 12 19 15 29 25 13 25 22 3 26 10 12 9 9 15 15 17 22 8 20 14 14 13 32 7 12 9 17 17 19 3589 12 D. K. Ulrich 14 13 6 10 14 18 12 12 15 21 16 12 18 15 33 21 18 23 11 27 28 12 13 12 12 10 9 8 28 25 33 3508 13 J. D. McDuffie 17 25 25 7 17 6 26 19 10 31 5 13 13 14 7 14 21 8 13 18 9 26 18 14 27 21 22 28 25 12 31 3473 14 James Hylton 11 DNQ 7 12 13 16 9 15 7 15 22 17 33 10 14 20 19 6 33 20 12 13 38 21 14 23 23 11 11 16 26 3405 15 Buddy Baker 7 40 31 29 1 8 25 5 2 32 8 3 36 3 1* 34 3 39 2* 4 4 1* 25 33 39 4 3249 16 Frank Warren 27 10 9 21 22 17 20 17 18 8 20 21 21 19 22 22 40 14 19 23 16 17 22 26 18 16 19 26 24 21 25 3199 17 Ronnie Thomas 12 34 29 17 34 28 23 24 20 25 17 16 14 26 23 27 9 14 22 24 27 24 23 24 20 38 7 8 28 27 2912 18 Tommy Gale DNQ 13 22 21 20 18 34 16 7 13 19 20 20 33 27 28 17 36 14 15 21 24 15 22 21 27 12 22 34 2795 19 Cecil Gordon 25 DNQ 11 25 23 22 15 31 17 11 23 17 21 11 35 11 18 40 18 22 26 18 20 24 32 18 13 38 24 2737 20 Dave Marcis 24 24 16 16 6 12 17 27 26 14 26 26 17 31 30 18 6 7 7 5 37 21 9 23 17 2736 21 Harry Gant (R) 10 33 26 21 6 39 28 25 23 17 7 22 15 7 25 16 12 9 28 12 20 14 21 11 20 2664 22 Dick Brooks 33 27 3 28 10 13 22 9 21 37 27 QL 39 10 9 19 20 11 29 20 7 26 15 8 25 15 40 7 2622 23 Jimmy Means DNQ 24 27 33 30 28 30 28 12 11 31 23 31 16 22 10 16 13 22 19 16 20 16 17 40 24 31 19 2575 24 Donnie Allison 5 4* 30 9 7 11 6 3 27 23 37 2 12 30 31 2 5 4 35 11 2508 25 Baxter Price 14 23 19 23 19 20 24 26 19 15 27 17 18 31 26 21 24 23 19 31 14 24 17 22 2364 26 Neil Bonnett 34 32 33 13 25 17* 1 25 28 4 1* 8 34 33 32 21 18 31 29 1 6 2223 27 Tighe Scott 6 4 37 13 34 24 16 9 14 10 6 8 35 10 13 37 29 1879 28 Bill Elliott DNQ 36 7 6 38 12 11 12 11 10 2 11 7 23 1548 29 Lennie Pond 30 14 11 29 38 9 9 31 11 28 34 31 25 25 23 1415 30 Dick May DNQ 20 24 21 27 33 30 20 11 30 29 28 41 21 34 34 25 17 26 41 1390 31 Roger Hamby DNQ 21 30 26 19 14 32 DNQ 29 26 13 38 17 19 12 1231 32 David Pearson 2 37 23 18 22 2 4 7 1 1203 33 Coo Coo Marlin 9 38 10 30 25 29 36 613 34 Bruce Hill 19 15 DNQ 24 13 41 16 15 594 35 Blackie Wangerin 20 30 28 15 24 37 36 571 36 Grant Adcox 23 28 11 33 19 27 560 37 Kyle Petty Wth Wth 9 13 18 32 14 559 38 Chuck Bown 7 16 23 DNQ 40 6 17 33 523 39 John Anderson 5 11 16 24 496 40 Ralph Jones 15 31 30 DNQ 24 37 30 477 41 Earle Canavan Wth 35 18 27 34 39 22 33 456 42 Nelson Oswald Wth 28 26 25 22 27 25 431 43 Slick Johnson 27 24 10 13 431 44 Dave Watson 26 8 18 32 413 45 Al Holbert 20 21 8 32 37 38 402 46 Bobby Wawak 21 29 28 14 376 47 Jody Ridley 5 26 10 374 48 Bill Hollar Wth 35 24 29 DNQ 30 30 371 49 Rick Newsom 23 26 15 35 355 50 Bill Schmitt 4 30 18 342 51 Ed Negre Wth 18 13 20 336 52 John Kennedy Wth 39 18 15 30 23 322 53 Tim Williamson 9 26 22 320 54 Richard White 29 16 30 264 55 Jimmy Insolo 16 25 36 258 56 H. B. Bailey 16 35 27 20 255 57 Elmo Langley 28 35 DNQ 246 58 Jim Robinson 30 21 32 240 59 Henry Jones 26 29 29 237 60 Steve Spencer 12 20 230 61 Travis Tiller Wth 36 40 35 36 34 229 62 Jim Vandiver 41 19 28 34 225 63 Bill Elswick 16 19 14 221 64 Jack Ingram 35 25 30 36 219 65 Jimmy Finger 19 34 39 213 66 Wayne Watercutter 12 32 26 212 67 Bob Burcham 24 14 212 68 Mike Potter 16 22 23 35 209 69 John Rezek DNQ 11 28 36 35 209 70 Marty Robbins 35 32 27 207 71 Steve Peles 20 21 203 72 Bill Dennis 14 28 200 73 Buck Simmons 14 29 197 74 Dave Dion 19 26 191 75 Mike Kempton Wth 18 29 185 76 Vince Giaformaggio 13 37 176 77 Connie Saylor DNQ 18 34 170 78 Paul Fess 22 32 164 79 Sandy Satullo II Wth 19 38 155 80 David Sosebee 28 27 33 146 81 Norm Palmer 8 DNQ 142 82 Jim Thirkettle 8 142 83 Geoff Bodine 29 22 35 139 84 Louis Gatto 27 36 137 85 Steve Pfeifer DNQ 32 30 34 134 86 Sterling Marlin 15 123 87 Butch Hartman 14 121 88 Al Elmore 15 118 89 Ed Hale DNQ 15 118 90 Gary Balough 35 16 35 116 91 Keith Davis 40 30 116 92 Skip Manning 38 32 116 93 Kevin Housby 16 115 94 Ernie Shaw 16 115 95 Billy Hagan 17 112 96 Steve Moore DNQ 17 112 97 Nestor Peles DNQ 19 106 98 Dick Whalen 19 DNQ 106 99 John Borneman QL 20 103 100 Joe Fields 20 103 101 Roy Smith 21 100 102 Don Graham 22 97 103 Larry Isley 22 97 104 Jerry Jolly DNQ 22 97 105 Hal Callentine 12 23 94 106 Harry Goularte 23 94 107 Jim Hurlbert 24 91 108 Jocko Maggiacomo Wth 24 91 109 Robert Tartaglia DNQ 24 91 110 Joey Arrington 26 85 111 Rick McCray DNQ 27 82 112 Butch Lindley 28 79 113 Don Puskarich 28 79 114 John Utsman 28 79 115 Dick Kranzler 29 DNQ 76 116 Wayne Broome 29 30 73 117 Bobby Fisher QL 31 70 118 Don Noel 31 70 119 Glenn Jarrett 29 32 67 120 Bill Meazill 32 67 121 Billy Smith 33 64 122 Bobby Brack 35 63 123 Chris Monoleos 34 61 124 Jeff Halverson 36 55 125 Bill Seifert 36 55 126 Bub Strickler 36 55 127 Richard Brickhouse 39 46 128 Steve Gray 39 46 129 Butch Mock 39 Wth 46 130 Ron Hutcherson 41 40 131 Randy Ogden 30 37 28 132 A. J. Foyt 3 10 133 Freddy Smith 16 18 134 Claude Ballot-Léna DNQ 27 31 135 Darrell Basham 24 136 Earl Brooks 27 137 Melvin Revis 28 138 Jimmy Hindman 30 139 Al Rudd Jr. 32 140 John Haver 33 141 Bill Green DNQ 34 142 Ferrel Harris DNQ 40 143 Gary Matthews DNQ 144 John Krebs DNQ DNQ 145 Bobby Ligarski DNQ 146 Woody Fisher DNQ 147 Morgan Shepherd DNQ 148 Ron McGee DNQ 149 Glen Ward DNQ 150 Jan Opperman DNQ Wth 151 Don Satterfield Wth DNQ 152 Richard Ulricht Wth DNQ 153 Junior Miller DNQ 154 Ricky Knotts DNQ 155 Lake Speed DNQ DNQ 156 Hershel McGriff DNQ 157 Freddy Fryar Wth 158 Gary Myers Wth 159 Joe Frasson Wth 160 Joe Mihalic Wth 161 Bruce Jacobi Wth 162 Joe Ruttman QL Pos. Position Driver RIV DAY CAR RCH ATL NWS BRI DAR MAR TAL NSV DOV CLT TWS RIV MCH DAY NSV POC TAL MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR CLT NWS CAR ATL ONT Pts Points scored 1979 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Central - The Third Turn https://www.thethirdturn.com/wiki/1979_NASCAR_Winston_Cup_Series_Central 2021-04-29 www.thethirdturn.com en See also 1979 NASCAR Winston West Series References External links Winston Cup Standings and Statistics for 1979 * Category:NASCAR Cup Series seasons