1991 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

American motorsport season February 2025 November 2025 1991 NASCAR Winston Cup Series 1990 1992 thumb|Dale Earnhardt won his 5th of seven titles. thumb|Ricky Rudd finished second in points. thumb|Bobby Hamilton, the 1991 Winston Cup Rookie of the Year. The 1991 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 43rd of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 20th modern-era Cup Season. It began February 10 and ended November 17. Dale Earnhardt of Richard Childress Racing won his fifth Winston Cup championship at the conclusion of the season. The season was marred by the death of driver and team owner J. D. McDuffie, who was killed in a wreck at Watkins Glen. A bevy of new Pit rules were introduced at Daytona to start out the 1991 season, in response to the death of a Melling Racing rear tire changer in a pit road accident at Atlanta the previous November. The new rules changed the complexity of the races, and over the course of the season, they would be tweaked and revised. By mid-season, most of the more complicated rules were scrapped, but a few were made permanent. The pit road speed limit (at all times) and use of the "lollipop" style signboard were the significant changes made permanent (and remain to this day). The 1991 season introduced the past champion's provisional (also known as the "Petty rule"), which allowed a former Cup Series champion to claim the final starting position in a race if he failed to qualify on speed, and if he was too low in the points standings to secure an ordinary provisional spot. If there were two or more former champions that failed to qualify, the Champion's Provisional would be awarded to the most recent champion. This rule was implemented after Richard Petty failed to qualify for four races in 1989, resulting in a drop in ratings that season.http://www.espn.com/racing/news/story?id=2740483&seriesId=2 Past champion's provisional entry limited to six Newton, David ESPN February 1, 2007 August 8, 2018https://books.google.com/books?id=eVi3hg7Y6ZkC&q=NASCAR+past+champions+provisional&pg=PA119 NASCAR for Dummies Martin, Mark Mark Martin 29 April 2005 9780471750987 August 8, 2018 The 1991 season was also the final year for Buick as a full-time manufacturer in the series; Buick cars would run only limited schedules in 1992 and 1993 before leaving the series for good. The Nashville Network debuted as a cable television partner with the Cup Series in 1991. For 1991, there were five television networks broadcasting the 29-race Winston Cup Series schedule: CBS, ABC, ESPN, TBS, and TNN. 1991 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Drivers Full-time teams ManufacturerTeamNo. Car numberDriverCrew chief Buick Bobby Allison Motorsports 12 Hut Stricklin Jimmy Fennig King Racing 26 Brett BodineStavola Brothers Racing 8 Rick Wilson Harry HydeChevrolet Darrell Waltrip Motorsports 17 Darrell Waltrip Jeff Hammond Hendrick Motorsports 5 Ricky Rudd Waddell Wilson 25 Ken Schrader Richard Broome Marcis Auto Racing 71 Dave Marcis Bob Marcis Morgan-McClure Motorsports 4 Ernie Irvan Tony Glover Richard Childress Racing 3 Dale Earnhardt Kirk Shelmerdine Travis Carter Enterprises 98 Jimmy Spencer Travis Carter Bob Whitcomb Racing 10 Derrike Cope Buddy ParrottFord AK Racing 7 Alan Kulwicki Paul Andrews Bud Moore Engineering 15 Morgan Shepherd Donnie Wingo Junior Johnson & Associates11 Ran as #97 for rounds 10–13 Geoff Bodine 25 1–9, 14–29Tim Brewer Tommy Ellis 4 10–13 22 Sterling Marlin Mike Beam Little Racing 19 Chad LittleHarry Hyde Melling Racing 9 Bill Elliott Ernie ElliottRobert Yates Racing 28 Davey Allison Larry McReynoldsRoush Racing 6 Mark Martin Robin Pemberton U.S. Racing 55 Ted Musgrave (R) Wood Brothers Racing 21 Dale Jarrett Eddie WoodOldsmobile Hagan Racing 94 Terry Labonte Steve Lloyd Leo Jackson Motorsports 33 Harry Gant Andy Petree Precision Products Racing 1 Rick Mast Pontiac Bahari Racing 30 Michael Waltrip Bill IngleCale Yarborough Motorsports66 Dick Trickle 4 1–4 Lake Speed 20 5–24 Chuck Bown 1 25 Dorsey Schroeder 1 26 Randy LaJoie 3 27–29 Penske Racing 2 Rusty Wallace Jimmy Makar Petty Enterprises 43 Richard Petty Robbie LoomisSABCO Racing42 Kyle Petty 18 1–9, 21–29Gary NelsonKenny Wallace 2 10–11Tommy Kendall 1 12Bobby Hillin Jr. 7 13–20Team III Racing24 Mickey Gibbs 15 1–15Barry Dodson Dick Trickle 6 16–17, 19–21, 23 Dorsey Schroeder 1 18 Kenny Wallace 3 22, 28–29 Jimmy Hensley 4 24–27 Oldsmobile 25 1-18, 20, 22-24, 26-28Chevrolet 4 19, 21, 25, 29 RahMoc Enterprises 75 Joe Ruttman Bob Rahilly Oldsmobile 28 1-6, 8-29Pontiac 1 7 Tri-Star Motorsports 68 Bobby Hamilton (R) Pontiac 28 1-24, 26-29Oldsmobile 1 25 Means Racing52 Jimmy Means 25 1–10, 13–27 Bobby Hillin Jr. 2 11–12 Mike Wallace 2 28–29 Part-time teams ManufacturerTeamNo. Car numberDriverCrew chiefRoundsBuickAAG Racing34 Gary Balough 1 1 Dick Trickle 4 6–8, 10 Hylton Motorsports 48 James Hylton 1 17, 22–25, 28Labonte Motorsports 44 Jack Sellers 2 12, 28Linro Motorsports13 Brian Ross 1 1 Kerry Teague 1 10 Randy LaJoie 1 13 Gary Balough 1 16 Oma Kimbrough 1 18 29 Kerry Teague 1 29BS&S Motorsports49Stanley Smith (R) 11 3, 9–10, 12, 14–15, 17, 19, 23, 28–29Chevrolet 1 26 A. J. Foyt Enterprises 14 Mike Chase 1 28 Bahre Racing65Dave Mader III 2 1, 14 Mader Racing 3 23–24, 29 Ball Motorsports 99 Brad Teague 3 1, 12, 26 Buck Baker Racing 87 Randy Baker 3 5, 21, 26 Daytona Speed, Inc. 18 Greg Sacks 1 1 Faggart Racing 76 Robbie Faggart 1 26 Hylton Motorsports 48 James Hylton 1 14 Italian Connection 96 Phil Parsons 1 1 Larry Hedrick Motorsports 41 Larry Pearson 14 7, 9–10, 13–15, 17, 20–23, 26, 28–29 O'Neil Racing 63 Norm Benning 1 16 Phoenix Racing 51 Jeff Purvis 2 26, 28 Pinnacle Racing 86 Jeff Green 1 10 Ross Racing 58 Brian Ross 1 23Sadler Brothers Racing95 Rick Jeffrey 1 1 Kerry Teague 1 15 Eddie Bierschwale 2 17, 29 Spears Motorsports 76 Bill Sedgwick 4 7–8, 12, 28 Team Ireland53 John Paul Jr. 3 16, 18–19 Bobby Hillin Jr. 3 26–27, 29 S&H Racing80Jimmy Horton 1 1Ford 5 4, 11, 14–15, 23 Compton Racing 69 Dorsey Schroeder 1 1Donlavey Racing90 Robby GordonJunie Donlavey 2 1–2 Wally Dallenbach Jr. (R) 11 4, 9–10, 14–15, 17–19, 22, 26, 29 Steve Perry 1 23 Freymiller Racing 23 Mike Chase 1 12 Ragan Racing 77 Ken Ragan 1 9 Stahl Racing 82 Mark Stahl 10 1–5, 10, 14, 19, 21, 27 Waters Racing 0 Delma Cowart 5 1, 15, 17, 26, 29Oldsmobile Barkdoll Racing 73 Phil Barkdoll 4 1, 9, 15, 17 Bierschwale Motorsports 23 Eddie Bierschwale 5 1, 10, 14–15, 23Close Racing47 Rich Bickle 6 1, 3–5, 7, 11 Greg Sacks 13 9–10, 14–17, 21–24, 26–27, 29 A. J. Foyt Enterprises14 Mike Chase 3 15, 17, 19Labonte MotorsportsBobby Labonte 1 1144 2 10, 19 Irv Hoerr 4 7, 12, 16, 18Moroso Racing20 Sammy Swindell 1 1 Bobby Hillin Jr. 9 2–10 Kim Campbell 2 12, 18 Buddy Baker 6 14–15, 17, 19, 23, 26 Ricky Craven 1 27 27 Bobby Hillin Jr. 1 1 88 Buddy Baker 1 9 Phoenix Racing 51 Jeff Purvis 9 1, 3–4, 7, 9, 14–15, 17, 23 Sadler Brothers Racing 95 Kerry Teague 1 26Pontiac Bahre Racing 65 Dave Mader III 3 4–5, 9 Hill Motorsports 56 Jerry Hill 2 23, 27 Mansion Motorsports 27 Gary Balough 1 26 Mark Gibson Racing 59 Mark Gibson 3 9, 17, 29 McDuffie Racing 70 J. D. McDuffie 15 1–3, 5–11, 13–16, 18 Mueller Brothers Racing 89 Jim Sauter 10 1, 4, 10, 14, 18–19, 25–26, 28–29 Osterlund Motorsports 88 Buddy Baker 1 1 Schedule No. Race title Track DateBusch ClashDaytona International Speedway, Daytona BeachFebruary 10Gatorade Twin 125 QualifiersFebruary 141Daytona 500February 172Pontiac Excitement 400Richmond International Raceway, RichmondFebruary 243Goodwrench 500North Carolina Motor Speedway, RockinghamMarch 34Motorcraft 500Atlanta Motor Speedway, HamptonMarch 17–185TranSouth 500Darlington Raceway, DarlingtonApril 76Valleydale Meats 500Bristol International Raceway, BristolApril 147First Union 400North Wilkesboro Speedway, North WilkesboroApril 218Hanes 500Martinsville Speedway, RidgewayApril 289Winston 500Talladega Superspeedway, TalladegaMay 6Winston OpenCharlotte Motor Speedway, ConcordMay 19The Winston10Coca-Cola 600May 2611Budweiser 500Dover Downs International Speedway, DoverJune 312Banquet Frozen Foods 300Sears Point Raceway, SonomaJune 913Champion Spark Plug 500Pocono International Raceway, Long PondJune 1614Miller Genuine Draft 400Michigan International Speedway, BrooklynJune 2315Pepsi 400Daytona International Speedway, Daytona BeachJuly 616Miller Genuine Draft 500Pocono International Raceway, Long PondJuly 2117DieHard 500Talladega Superspeedway, TalladegaJuly 2818Budweiser at The GlenWatkins Glen International, Watkins GlenAugust 1119Champion Spark Plug 400Michigan International Speedway, BrooklynAugust 1820Bud 500Bristol International Raceway, BristolAugust 2421Heinz Southern 500Darlington Raceway, DarlingtonSeptember 122Miller Genuine Draft 400Richmond International Raceway, RichmondSeptember 723Peak Antifreeze 500Dover Downs International Speedway, DoverSeptember 1524Goody's 500Martinsville Speedway, RidgewaySeptember 2225Tyson/Holly Farms 400North Wilkesboro Speedway, North WilkesboroSeptember 2926Mello Yello 500Charlotte Motor Speedway, ConcordOctober 627AC Delco 500North Carolina Motor Speedway, RockinghamOctober 2028Pyroil 500KPhoenix International Raceway, PhoenixNovember 329Hardee's 500Atlanta Motor Speedway, HamptonNovember 17 Races No.RacePole positionMost laps ledWinning driverManufacturer Winning manufacturerBusch ClashDerrike CopeDale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtChevroletGatorade Twin 125 #1Davey AllisonDavey AllisonDavey AllisonFordGatorade Twin 125 #2Ernie IrvanDale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtChevrolet1Daytona 500Davey AllisonKyle PettyErnie IrvanChevrolet2Pontiac Excitement 400Davey AllisonRicky RuddDale EarnhardtChevrolet3GM Goodwrench 500Kyle PettyKyle PettyKyle PettyPontiac4Motorcraft 500Alan KulwickiBill ElliottKen SchraderChevrolet5TranSouth 500Geoff BodineMichael WaltripRicky RuddChevrolet6Valleydale Meats 500Rusty WallaceRicky RuddRusty WallacePontiac7First Union 400Brett BodineBrett BodineDarrell WaltripChevrolet8Hanes 500Mark MartinDale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtChevrolet9Winston 500Ernie IrvanDale EarnhardtHarry GantOldsmobileWinston OpenMichael WaltripMichael WaltripMichael WaltripPontiacThe WinstonDavey AllisonDavey AllisonDavey AllisonFord10Coca-Cola 600Mark MartinDavey AllisonDavey AllisonFord11Budweiser 500Michael WaltripDale EarnhardtKen SchraderChevrolet12Banquet Frozen Foods 300Ricky RuddRusty WallaceDavey AllisonFord13Champion Spark Plug 500Mark MartinErnie IrvanDarrell WaltripChevrolet14Miller Genuine Draft 400Michael WaltripDavey AllisonDavey AllisonFord15Pepsi 400Sterling MarlinErnie IrvanBill ElliottFord16Miller Genuine Draft 500Alan KulwickiErnie IrvanRusty WallacePontiac17DieHard 500Sterling MarlinDale EarnhardtDale EarnhardtChevrolet18Budweiser at The GlenTerry LabonteErnie IrvanErnie IrvanChevrolet19Champion Spark Plug 400Alan KulwickiDavey AllisonDale JarrettFord20Bud 500Bill ElliottJimmy SpencerAlan KulwickiFord21Heinz Southern 500Davey AllisonHarry GantHarry GantOldsmobile22Miller Genuine Draft 400Rusty WallaceDavey AllisonHarry GantOldsmobile23Peak AntiFreeze 500Alan KulwickiHarry GantHarry GantOldsmobile24Goody's 500Mark MartinHarry GantHarry GantOldsmobile25Tyson Holly Farms 400Harry GantHarry GantDale EarnhardtChevrolet26Mello Yello 500Mark MartinMark MartinGeoff BodineFord27AC Delco 500Kyle PettyHarry GantDavey AllisonFord28Pyroil 500Geoff BodineDavey AllisonDavey AllisonFord29Hardee's 500Bill ElliottMark MartinMark MartinFord Busch Clash The Busch Clash, an invitational event for all Busch Pole winners the previous year, was held February 10 at Daytona International Speedway. The starting lineup was decided by random draw. Derrike Cope drew the pole. Top-ten results: #3 - Dale Earnhardt #6 - Mark Martin #9 - Bill Elliott #4 - Ernie Irvan #2 - Rusty Wallace #25 - Ken Schrader #42 - Kyle Petty #5 - Ricky Rudd #11 - Geoff Bodine #26 - Brett Bodine After several years of mediocre competition, the race's format was slightly re-tooled. Instead of a single 20-lap sprint, the race was divided into two 10-lap segments. After the first 10-lap half, the caution was displayed (caution laps did not count), freezing the field. The field was inverted for the second 10-lap half. Prize money was awarded for finishing positions in both halves, encouraging drivers to race hard during the first segment, and not hold back or "sandbag" in order to start up front for the second half. Gatorade 125s The Gatorade 125s, qualifying races for the Daytona 500 were held February 14 at Daytona International Speedway. Davey Allison and Ernie Irvan won the pole for each race, respectively. Top-ten results (Race One): #28 - Davey Allison #43 - Richard Petty #12 - Hut Stricklin #1 - Rick Mast #5 - Ricky Rudd #33 - Harry Gant #30 - Michael Waltrip #9 - Bill Elliott #21 - Dale Jarrett #11 - Geoff Bodine Top-ten results (Race Two): #3 - Dale Earnhardt #4 - Ernie Irvan #42 - Kyle Petty #2 - Rusty Wallace #17 - Darrell Waltrip #22 - Sterling Marlin #75 - Joe Ruttman #88 - Buddy Baker #6 - Mark Martin #68 - Bobby Hamilton Daytona 500 by STP The Daytona 500 by STP was held on February 17 at Daytona International Speedway. Davey Allison won the pole. 1991 Daytona 500 Top-ten results: #4 - Ernie Irvan #22 - Sterling Marlin #75 - Joe Ruttman #1 - Rick Mast #3 - Dale Earnhardt #21 - Dale Jarrett −1 lap #27 - Bobby Hillin Jr. −1 lap #7 - Alan Kulwicki −1 lap #5 - Ricky Rudd −1 lap #68 - Bobby Hamilton −1 lap In response to the death of Melling Racing rear tire changer Mike Ritch in a pit road accident at Atlanta the previous November, A bevy of new Pit rules were introduced at Daytona to start out the 1991 season. The new rules changed the complexity of the race, and would be tweaked and revised over the next several races. Pontiac Excitement 400 The Pontiac Excitement 400 was held February 24 at Richmond International Raceway. Davey Allison won the pole. Top-ten results: #3 - Dale Earnhardt* #5 - Ricky Rudd #33 - Harry Gant #2 - Rusty Wallace #7 - Alan Kulwicki #6 - Mark Martin #17 - Darrell Waltrip #15 - Morgan Shepherd −1 lap #22 - Sterling Marlin −2 laps #25 - Ken Schrader −2 laps Failed to qualify: #70 - J. D. McDuffie Earnhardt left Richmond with a 340–318 point lead over Rudd. The two drivers would remain 1–2 in the championship all season long, trading the points lead multiple times. Goodwrench 500 The Goodwrench 500 was held March 3 at North Carolina Motor Speedway. Kyle Petty won the pole. Top-ten results: #42 - Kyle Petty #25 - Ken Schrader #33 - Harry Gant −1 lap #5 - Ricky Rudd −1 lap #9 - Bill Elliott −1 lap #4 - Ernie Irvan −2 laps #30 - Michael Waltrip −2 laps #3 - Dale Earnhardt −3 laps #17 - Darrell Waltrip −4 laps #15 - Morgan Shepherd −4 laps Failed to qualify: #64 - Gary Wright, #70 - J. D. McDuffie, #82 - Mark Stahl This was the first live flag to flag Winston Cup Series race televised on TNN. Both races at Rockingham, along with Dover, and the series penultimate race at Phoenix, switched from ESPN to TNN starting in 1991. This was after ESPN moved some races to tape delay at the last minute in 1990. Motorcraft 500 The Motorcraft 500 started on March 18 but heavy rain forced the finish of the race to be postponed to March 19, the race was run at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Alan Kulwicki won the pole. Top-ten results: #25 - Ken Schrader #9 - Bill Elliott #3 - –Dale Earnhardt #15 - Morgan Shepherd #30 - Michael Waltrip #5 - Ricky Rudd #22 - Sterling Marlin #7 - Alan Kulwicki* −1 lap #17 - Darrell Waltrip −1 lap #2 - Rusty Wallace −1 lap Failed to qualify: #49 - Stanley Smith, #82 - Mark Stahl* This was the last NASCAR race in this series not to be televised. It has been slated to air on ABC but was a two-day race because of rain early in the race. The majority of the race was not televised on TV (Motor Racing Network was able to cover the entirety of the race on the radio) and results were only available on local news. It was this race where Alan Kulwicki first gained his iconic Hooters sponsorship. Hooters was initially Mark Stahl's sponsor, but after Stahl failed to qualify for Hooter's home race, Hooters moved their sponsorship to Kulwicki's unsponsored machine. TranSouth 500 The TranSouth 500 was held April 7 at Darlington Raceway. Geoff Bodine won the pole. Top-ten results: #5 - Ricky Rudd #28 - Davey Allison #30 - Michael Waltrip #6 - Mark Martin −1 lap #2 - Rusty Wallace −2 laps #42 - Kyle Petty −2 laps #4 - Ernie Irvan −2 laps #15 - Morgan Shepherd −2 laps #11 - Geoff Bodine −2 laps #22 - Sterling Marlin −2 laps Failed to qualify: #82 - Mark Stahl Valleydale Meats 500 The Valleydale Meats 500 was held April 14 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Rusty Wallace won the pole. Top-ten results: #2 - Rusty Wallace #4 - Ernie Irvan #28 - Davey Allison #6 - Mark Martin #5 - Ricky Rudd #17 - Darrell Waltrip #21 - Dale Jarrett #98 - Jimmy Spencer #94 - Terry Labonte #15 - Morgan Shepherd −2 laps Failed to qualify: #52 - Jimmy Means, #70 - J. D. McDuffie, #71 - Dave Marcis Sterling Marlin suffered second and third degree burns following a crash late in the race. After numerous complaints about the pit road procedure where cars could not pit for tires under caution, NASCAR attempted a new procedure for cautions. When the pits opened, the blue flag waved to permit the odd-numbered cars to pit first. The second lap, the even-numbered cars (based on starting position) would then be able to pit. The blue-sticker cars lined up on the inside, the orange-sticker cars on the outside, and lapped cars to the rear on all restarts. Pit road was open for any car on green flag situations. ESPN moved the finish of the race on tape delay because of a rain delay lasting 1 hour and 12 minutes. First Union 400 The First Union 400 was held April 21 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Brett Bodine won the pole. Top-ten results: #17 - Darrell Waltrip* #3 - Dale Earnhardt #98 - Jimmy Spencer #15 - Morgan Shepherd #25 - Ken Schrader #28 - Davey Allison #30 - Michael Waltrip #9 - Bill Elliott #6 - Mark Martin #4 - Ernie Irvan Failed to qualify: #19 - Chad Little, #41 - Larry Pearson, #44 - Irv Hoerr, #47 - Rich Bickle, #51 - Jeff Purvis, #52 - Jimmy Means, #70 - J. D. McDuffie, #76 - Bill Sedgwick NASCAR tinkered and modified the pit procedure one final time. The odd/even policy was abandoned. On the first lap of a caution flag after the field had lined up behind the pace car, all cars on the lead lap could pit. On the second lap of caution following the opening of pit road, all of the cars that were not on the lead lap could pit. The rule was waived if NASCAR called a "quickie caution". A new pit speed limit was implemented, and for the remainder of the 1991 season, cars would be run through pit road for tachometer readings. The use of a "second" pace car during cautions for the pit road (to control the speed) was abandoned. The pit speed limit was in place for all situations when a car was on pit road, including green flag stops. A violation of the speed limit on entrance was subject to a 15-second holding penalty before the car exited the pit. A violation on exit was subject to a stop-and-go penalty. A violation under caution resulted in being sent to the rear of the field on the ensuing restart. By winning this race, Waltrip became the seventh different winner in the first seven races of the season, the longest such streak since 1964, and breaking the modern era record. Sterling Marlin, still recovering from burns suffered in his accident the previous week, was relieved by Charlie Glotzbach shortly after the start of the race. Hanes 500 The Hanes 500 was held April 28 at Martinsville Speedway. Mark Martin won the pole. Top-ten results: #3 - Dale Earnhardt* #42 - Kyle Petty #17 - Darrell Waltrip #26 - Brett Bodine #33 - Harry Gant −1 lap #98 - Jimmy Spencer −1 lap #30 - Michael Waltrip −1 lap #28 - Davey Allison −1 lap #7 - Alan Kulwicki −3 laps #12 - Hut Stricklin −4 laps Failed to qualify: #10 - Derrike Cope, #52 - Jimmy Means, #68 - Bobby Hamilton, #70 - J. D. McDuffie, #71 - Dave Marcis This victory made Dale Earnhardt the 9th driver to win 50+ NASCAR races. Ernie Irvan required relief from Dick Trickle during the race due to heat exhaustion. Trickle had started the race in a different car, but finished last (32nd) after overheating problems popped up after only 12 laps. Winston 500 The Winston 500 was scheduled for Sunday, May 5 but was delayed to Monday, May 6 due to rain at Talladega Superspeedway. Ernie Irvan won the pole. Top-ten results: #33 - Harry Gant #17 - Darrell Waltrip #3 - Dale Earnhardt* #22 - Sterling Marlin #30 - Michael Waltrip #11 - Geoff Bodine #25 - Ken Schrader #9 - Bill Elliott #98 - Jimmy Spencer #1 - Rick Mast −1 lap Failed to qualify: #59 - Mark Gibson, #65 - Dave Mader III, #70 - J. D. McDuffie, #77 - Ken Ragan, #53 - Don Paul Ernie Irvan was also the center of controversy after "The Big One" on lap 71. Kyle Petty would suffer a compound fracture in his leg, putting him out of racing until the Southern 500 in September. During the Big One on lap 71, Mark Martin's car became airborne, lifting to its nose, but it did not flip over. Harry Gant won the race on a gas-mileage gamble. He out-lasted Darrell Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt, and reportedly ran out of fuel right after taking the checkered flag. A mild controversy stirred up after the race, where it appeared Gant was being pushed by his teammate Rick Mast on the final lap, an action that is illegal on the final lap. Video footage was inconclusive, and the results were unchanged. Gant and Mast insisted they were simply drafting very closely. Dale Earnhardt would retake the points lead from Ricky Rudd in this race, and would hold it for the rest of the season. Winston Open The Winston Open, a qualifying race for drivers who are normally not eligible for The Winston, was held May 19 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Michael Waltrip won the pole. The top three finishers would be eligible to run in The Winston later that day. Top-five results (Winston Open): #30 - Michael Waltrip #22 - Sterling Marlin #12 - Hut Stricklin #1 - Rick Mast #68 - Bobby Hamilton The Winston 1991 The Winston The Winston, an invitational event for all past winners in the Cup series and the top three finishers in The Winston Open, was held May 19 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Davey Allison won the pole. Top-ten results (The Winston): #28 - Davey Allison #25 - Ken Schrader #17 - Darrell Waltrip #9 - Bill Elliott #4 - Ernie Irvan #30 - Michael Waltrip #2 - Rusty Wallace #12 - Hut Stricklin #33 - Harry Gant #3 - Dale Earnhardt Winston Legends Race During the festivities of The Winston, a special exhibition race of 22 retired NASCAR legends took place on a quarter-mile oval paved in the quad oval segment of the speedway. Elmo Langley battled Cale Yarborough on the final lap, and held him off for the victory by less than a car length. Dick Brooks started on the pole. Top-ten results: #64 - Elmo Langley #11 - Cale Yarborough #99 - Paul Goldsmith #06 - Neil Castles #28 - Fred Lorenzen #14 - Coo Coo Marlin #61 - Hoss Ellington #90 - Dick Brooks #42 - Marvin Panch #300 - Tim Flock The race was shortened by 10 laps due to damp conditions. Coca-Cola 600 The Coca-Cola 600 was held May 26 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Mark Martin won the pole. Top-ten results: #28 - Davey Allison #25 - Ken Schrader #3 - Dale Earnhardt #33 - Harry Gant #21 - Dale Jarrett #12 - Hut Stricklin #4 - Ernie Irvan −1 lap #17 - Darrell Waltrip −1 lap #5 - Ricky Rudd −1 lap #94 - Terry Labonte −1 lap Failed to qualify: #29 - Kerry Teague, #44 - Bobby Labonte, #70 - J. D. McDuffie, #82 - Mark Stahl, #99 - Brad Teague, #86 - Jeff Green During the previous week's The Winston, the #11 Junior Johnson-owned Ford was thrown out of the track. Johnson, crew chief Tim Brewer, and substitute driver Tommy Ellis were suspended for 12 weeks for the engine being larger than the legal limit of 358 cubic inches. Regular driver Geoff Bodine was injured in a practice crash for The Winston at Charlotte and was out for two races plus The Winston. All three parties appealed; Johnson and Brewer's suspensions were cut to four races, and Ellis, who drove as a late substitute, had his suspension nullified. Here, Ellis finished the race in 16th, 4 laps down. During the ban, Johnson designated his wife Flossie as the car owner and changed the number of the car to 97. Budweiser 500 The Budweiser 500 was held June 3 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Michael Waltrip won the pole. Top-ten results: #25 - Ken Schrader* #3 - Dale Earnhardt #33 - Harry Gant #4 - Ernie Irvan #6 - Mark Martin #12 - Hut Stricklin #17 - Darrell Waltrip −1 #15 - Morgan Shepherd −2 #2 - Rusty Wallace −2 #5 - Ricky Rudd −3 Failed to qualify: #45 - Billy Fulcher, #80 - Jimmy Horton, #85 - Bobby Gerhart, #47 - Rich Bickle This was Ken Schrader's fourth and final victory in the Winston Cup Series. Banquet Frozen Foods 300 1991 Banquet Frozen Foods 300 The Banquet Frozen Foods 300 was held June 9 at Sears Point Raceway. Ricky Rudd won the pole. Top-ten results: #28 - Davey Allison* #5 - Ricky Rudd* #2 - Rusty Wallace #4 - Ernie Irvan #25 - Ken Schrader #94 - Terry Labonte #3 - Dale Earnhardt #97 - Geoff Bodine* #6 - Mark Martin #30 - Michael Waltrip Failed to qualify: #24w - Butch Gilliland, #44 - Jack Sellers, #93 - Troy Beebe, #20 - Kim Campbell A wild finish ended in controversy. With 2 laps remaining, Davey Allison led Ricky Rudd into turn 11 as the cars were anticipating seeing the white flag. Rudd's nose got inside, touched Allison's rear bumper, and Allison spun out with the white flag waving. Allison refired, and got back on to the track to hold on to second position. The next time by, Ricky Rudd was displayed the black flag and penalized 5 seconds for "dirty driving." Allison, the second car in line, was given the checkered flag and declared the winner. Rudd officially dropped back to 2nd place, with the black flag being reduced to a 5-second penalty following Allison's time of victory. After the race, Dave Marcis, a lapped car who was right behind the incident and saw it unfold, claimed that Rudd's tap was not dirty, and in his opinion was simply drivers racing hard on the final lap. Geoff Bodine returned after missing two races and The Winston because of an injury during a practice crash for The Winston. Champion Spark Plug 500 The Champion Spark Plug 500 was held June 16 at Pocono Raceway. Mark Martin won the pole. Top-ten results: #17 - Darrell Waltrip #3 - Dale Earnhardt #6 - Mark Martin #33 - Harry Gant #97 - Geoff Bodine #4 - Ernie Irvan #25 - Ken Schrader #22 - Sterling Marlin #15 - Morgan Shepherd #10 - Derrike Cope Failed to qualify: none This race was plagued by rain, even causing a red flag at one point, but it still ran to the full 500 mile distance. During the race, the wife of ESPN color commentator Benny Parsons, Connie, died of an illness. ESPN announcers Bob Jenkins and Ned Jarrett broke word of her death coming back from a commercial. A video exists of the satellite feed, in which Jenkins and Jarrett were informed of Connie's passing (Benny Parsons was in North Carolina with her), and previewed an obituary slide that was shown after the commercial break.1991 Champion Spark Plug 500 - Sad News https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dS7ZRm8P4A https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/1dS7ZRm8P4A 2021-12-14 live YouTube Battalionfan888 9 February 2017 Bill Elliott, whose day ended early with a valve problem, would leave to return to his hometown of Dawsonville, Georgia, as his grandmother also died later on that same day (when interviewed after his car's problems developed, he mentioned that he had no word of his grandmother's condition at the time of the interview, but that she was still alive before the race began). Miller Genuine Draft 400 The Miller Genuine Draft 400 was held June 23 at Michigan International Speedway. Michael Waltrip won the pole. Top-ten results: #28 - Davey Allison #12 - Hut Stricklin #6 - Mark Martin #3 - Dale Earnhardt #4 - Ernie Irvan #25 - Ken Schrader #17 - Darrell Waltrip #5 - Ricky Rudd #15 - Morgan Shepherd –1 lap #33 - Harry Gant –1 lap Failed to qualify: #70 - J. D. McDuffie, #53 - Don Paul Geoff Bodine's team reverted to the #11 following owner Junior Johnson's return from his 4-race suspension. Pepsi 400 The Pepsi 400 was held July 6 at Daytona International Speedway. Sterling Marlin won the pole. Top-ten results: #9 - Bill Elliott #11 - Geoff Bodine #28 - Davey Allison #25 - Ken Schrader #4 - Ernie Irvan #30 - Michael Waltrip #3 - Dale Earnhardt #22 - Sterling Marlin #5 - Ricky Rudd #98 - Jimmy Spencer Failed to qualify: #95 - Kerry Teague, #70 - J. D. McDuffie*, #80 - Jimmy Horton, #95 - Eddie Bierschwale, #0 - Delma Cowart This was Bill Elliott's last victory for Melling Racing. It was also Elliott's only victory in a car that was not predominately red (it was a blue and white Ford Thunderbird, sponsored by Coors Light). This was the final race in which J. D. McDuffie would fail to qualify. This race was the first race Benny Parsons covered for ESPN after the loss of his wife Connie three weeks earlier. A bizarre incident involving Terry Labonte occurred on lap 8. Labonte would drop out of the race claiming an engine vibration, but when the car was tested in the garage, the engine was working normally. By that time, however, Labonte had already left and with the team unable to find a replacement driver, it was ultimately decided that the car would not attempt to return to the race. However, more info about this came to light in a book called Behind The Wall by Richard Huff where Labonte stated that the wrong car type was brought to the track (Intermediate car instead of Superspeedway car) and Labonte refused to continue due to the car being so slow.https://www.racing-reference.info/comments?id=1991-15&s=W User Comments - the 1991 Pepsi 400August 2026 InternetArchiveBot Miller Genuine Draft 500 The Miller Genuine Draft 500 was held July 21 at Pocono Raceway. Alan Kulwicki won the pole. The race was shortened to 179 laps due to rain. Top-ten results: #2 - Rusty Wallace* #6 - Mark Martin #11 - Geoff Bodine #12 - Hut Stricklin #22 - Sterling Marlin #21 - Dale Jarrett #4 - Ernie Irvan #26 - Brett Bodine #9 - Bill Elliott −1 lap #75 - Joe Ruttman −1 lap Failed to qualify: #85 - Bobby Gerhart, #63 - Norm Benning, #86 - Walter Surma, #48 - James Hylton When the red flag was thrown for rain, Rusty Wallace's car was nearly out of gas. The red flag was out for over two hours before the track dried and the cars were started again under a yellow condition. However, after just running 1 lap under yellow the rain started falling again. Rusty Wallace was very close to running out of gas, so he was pushed around by Dale Earnhardt so that he wouldn't run out of gas. Once the field was given the white flag, Earnhardt backed off. Under NASCAR rules, this is legal unless it is the final scheduled lap of the race. This was the final race J. D. McDuffie actually finished on track in. He finished in 25th, 27 laps down to the winner. DieHard 500 The DieHard 500 was held July 28 at Talladega Superspeedway. Sterling Marlin won the pole. Top-ten results: #3 - Dale Earnhardt #9 - Bill Elliott #6 - Mark Martin #5 - Ricky Rudd #22 - Sterling Marlin #2 - Rusty Wallace #30 - Michael Waltrip #21 - Dale Jarrett #28 - Davey Allison #75 - Joe Ruttman Failed to qualify: #0 - Delma Cowart, #51 - Jeff Purvis, #86 - Walter Surma, #59 - Mark Gibson Budweiser at The Glen 1991 Budweiser at The Glen The Budweiser at The Glen was held August 11 at Watkins Glen International. Terry Labonte won the pole. The race was marred by the death of veteran J. D. McDuffie in a Lap 5 crash in the Loop with Jimmy Means. The other drivers were not informed of McDuffie's death until after the race. Top-ten results: #4 - Ernie Irvan #5 - Ricky Rudd #6 - Mark Martin #2 - Rusty Wallace #21 - Dale Jarrett #17 - Darrell Waltrip #9 - Bill Elliott #12 - Hut Stricklin #43 - Richard Petty* #28 - Davey Allison Failed to qualify: #89 - Jim Sauter, #65 - Jerry O'Neil, #45 - Ed Ferree The wreck that claimed J. D. McDuffie's life resulted in a nearly 2 hour long red flag to repair the Armco barrier and remove the two wrecked race cars. McDuffie's crash was just one in a long series of big wrecks in the Loop-Chute area at Watkins Glen in 1991. Before this crash, Tommy Kendall had broken both legs in the IMSA Camel Continental race in June after spinning out at 180 mph and hitting the Armco head on. Multiple drivers in the Winston Cup Series and in IROC crashed in Turn 5 during the August race weekend. A bus stop chicane (Inner Loop) was added before the entrance of Turn 5 for the 1992 season to slow cars before the entrance of what is now the Carousel. Chip Williams, a media coordinator for NASCAR, made the first announcement of McDuffie's death, which was after the red flag period ended, in an interview with Jerry Punch of ESPN that was simulcast on Motor Racing Network. This was Richard Petty's 555th and final career top-10. Champion Spark Plug 400 The Champion Spark Plug 400 was held August 18 at Michigan International Speedway. Alan Kulwicki won the pole. Top-ten results: #21 - Dale Jarrett* #28 - Davey Allison #2 - Rusty Wallace #6 - Mark Martin #9 - Bill Elliott #33 - Harry Gant #4 - Ernie Irvan #7 - Alan Kulwicki #30 - Michael Waltrip #25 - Ken Schrader −1 lap Failed to qualify: #53 - John Paul Jr., #82 - Mark Stahl This was Dale Jarrett's first career Winston Cup victory. Jarrett raced door to door to the finish line with Davey Allison. The official margin of victory was 10 inches. The win was special to Dale's father Ned Jarrett who was in the ESPN broadcast booth for the telecast.1991 Champion Spark Plug 400 Telecast Bud 500 The Bud 500 was held August 24 at Bristol International Raceway. Bill Elliott won the pole. Top-ten results: #7 - Alan Kulwicki #22 - Sterling Marlin #25 - Ken Schrader #6 - Mark Martin −1 lap #5 - Ricky Rudd −1 lap #15 - Morgan Shepherd −2 laps #3 - Dale Earnhardt −2 laps #17 - Darrell Waltrip −2 laps #94 - Terry Labonte −7 laps #26 - Brett Bodine −7 laps Failed to qualify: #41 - Larry Pearson, #52 - Jimmy Means Jimmy Spencer led the majority of the race and appeared to be on his way to his first victory, but two late pit stop errors cost him the victory and Spencer would eventually fall to mechanical issues. During the race, Rick Wilson needed relief from Bobby Labonte after Wilson was suffering from flu-like symptoms.1991 Bud 500 ESPN telecast Heinz Southern 500 The Heinz Southern 500 was held September 1 at Darlington Raceway. Davey Allison won the pole. Top-ten results: #33 - Harry Gant #4 - Ernie Irvan #25 - Ken Schrader #10 - Derrike Cope −1 lap #94 - Terry Labonte −1 lap #22 - Sterling Marlin −2 laps #11 - Geoff Bodine −2 laps #3 - Dale Earnhardt −2 laps #75 - Joe Ruttman −2 laps #68 - Bobby Hamilton −3 laps Failed to qualify: #36 - H.B. Bailey This was Kyle Petty's first race since breaking his leg at Talladega in May. No driver was eligible for the Winston Million; however, three drivers going into this race (Ernie Irvan, Davey Allison, and Harry Gant) were eligible for a $100,000 bonus from Winston if a driver were to win 2 out of the 4 NASCAR majors. Gant won the bonus by winning the Winston 500 and this race. Miller Genuine Draft 400 The Miller Genuine Draft 400 was held September 7 at Richmond International Raceway. Rusty Wallace won the pole. Top-ten results: #33 - Harry Gant #28 - Davey Allison #2 - Rusty Wallace #4 - Ernie Irvan #5 - Ricky Rudd #7 - Alan Kulwicki #17 - Darrell Waltrip #25 - Ken Schrader #9 - Bill Elliott #22 - Sterling Marlin −1 lap Failed to qualify: #48 - James Hylton, #56 - Jerry Hill, #73 - Dale Fischlein This was the 1st night race for the Winston Cup Series held at Richmond International Raceway. Richard Petty led his lone lap of 1991; it also was the only lap he ever led on the 3/4 mile configuration of Richmond.https://www.racing-reference.info/race/1991_Miller_Genuine_Draft_400_(September)/W Race Results Peak Antifreeze 500 The Peak Antifreeze 500 was held September 15 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Alan Kulwicki won the pole. Top-ten results: #33 - Harry Gant* #11 - Geoff Bodine −1 lap #15 - Morgan Shepherd −1 lap #12 - Hut Stricklin −1 lap #30 - Michael Waltrip −2 laps #24 - Dick Trickle* −4 laps #5 - Ricky Rudd −7 laps #68 - Bobby Hamilton −7 laps #1 - Rick Mast −7 laps #71 - Dave Marcis −10 laps Harry Gant's official margin of victory in this race was 1 lap, and an additional 19 seconds. Gant's decisive victory was aided by a freak accident on lap 324 that eliminated Alan Kulwicki, Rusty Wallace, and Dale Earnhardt from contention. Dick Trickle's last start of 1991 ended up as his best finish of 1991 (6th).https://www.racing-reference.info/race/1991_Peak_AntiFreeze_500/W Race Results Goody's 500 The Goody's 500 was held September 22 at Martinsville Speedway. Mark Martin won the pole. Top-ten results: #33 - Harry Gant* #26 - Brett Bodine #3 - Dale Earnhardt #4 - Ernie Irvan #6 - Mark Martin #94 - Terry Labonte #2 - Rusty Wallace #5 - Ricky Rudd #25 - Ken Schrader #24 - Jimmy Hensley Failed to qualify: #52 - Jimmy Means This was Harry Gant's 4th consecutive victory, tying the modern-era record. Gant more or less dominated the race but crashed on lap 377 in Turn 3. The crash damaged the right front of Gant's Oldsmobile. This incident led ESPN's race analyst Benny Parsons to discount Gant as a threat to win the race. The team repaired the car the best they could, and sent Gant back out. Gant proceeded to charge up through the field and overtook Brett Bodine for the victory with about 50 laps to go. Gant's four victories throughout September, combined with two other victories in the Busch Series, gave Gant the new nickname "Mr. September." Tyson Holly Farms 400 The Tyson Holly Farms 400 was held September 29 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Harry Gant won the pole. Top-ten results: #3 - Dale Earnhardt* #33 - Harry Gant #15 - Morgan Shepherd #28 - Davey Allison #6 - Mark Martin #2 - Rusty Wallace #26 - Brett Bodine* #25 - Ken Schrader #21 - Dale Jarrett #7 - Alan Kulwicki Failed to qualify: #89 - Jim Sauter Dale Earnhardt passed Harry Gant for the victory with 12 laps to go, denying Gant a 5th consecutive victory. Gant had dominated the race when with just a few laps to go an O-Ring failed to give Gant limited braking for the final few laps allowing Earnhardt to pass. Earnhardt's victory would be the last win for a GM brand until his victory in the 1992 Coca-Cola 600. Brett Bodine's 7th-place finish came despite having to start at the rear of the field due to an emergency pit stop prior to the green flag start when his car began leaking fluid during the pace laps. Mello Yello 500 The Mello Yello 500 was held October 6 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Mark Martin won the pole. Top-ten results: #11 - Geoff Bodine #28 - Davey Allison #7 - Alan Kulwicki −1 lap #33 - Harry Gant −1 lap #22 - Sterling Marlin −3 laps #94 - Terry Labonte −4 laps #30 - Michael Waltrip −4 laps #26 - Brett Bodine −4 laps #17 - Darrell Waltrip −5 laps #19 - Chad Little −5 laps Failed to qualify: #0 - Delma Cowart, #41 - Larry Pearson, #76 - Robbie Faggart, #20 - Buddy Baker, #51 - Jeff Purvis, #74 - Mike Potter, #89 - Jim Sauter, #87 - Randy Baker, #72 - Tracy Leslie Five days before this race, Richard Petty held a press conference at his Level Cross, North Carolina race shop. Petty said that instead of retiring at the end of 1991, he would race for one more year. The 1992 NASCAR Winston Cup Series, his last as a driver, would be dubbed the "Fan Appreciation Tour". Petty denied it was a farewell tour because he "wasn't going anywhere". With this race and continuing into the beginning of 1992, the Ford brand would win 13 races in a row (the last four races in 1991 and the first nine races in 1992) AC Delco 500 The AC Delco 500 was held October 20 at North Carolina Speedway. Kyle Petty won the pole. Top-ten results: #28 - Davey Allison #33 - Harry Gant #6 - Mark Martin #11 - Geoff Bodine #25 - Ken Schrader −1 lap #68 - Bobby Hamilton −2 laps #3 - Dale Earnhardt −2 laps #22 - Sterling Marlin −2 laps #42 - Kyle Petty −2 laps #9 - Bill Elliott −2 laps Failed to qualify: #53 - Bobby Hillin Jr., #05 - Bill Meacham Pyroil 500K The Pyroil 500K was held November 3 at Phoenix International Raceway. Geoff Bodine won the pole. Top-ten results: #28 - Davey Allison #17 - Darrell Waltrip #22 - Sterling Marlin #7 - Alan Kulwicki #2 - Rusty Wallace #4 - Ernie Irvan #98 - Jimmy Spencer −1 lap #11 - Geoff Bodine −1 lap #3 - Dale Earnhardt −1 lap #15 - Morgan Shepherd −1 lap Failed to qualify: #93 - Troy Beebe, #44 - Jack Sellers, #89 - Jim Sauter, #00 - Scott Gaylord Hardee's 500 The Hardee's 500 was held November 17 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Bill Elliott won the pole. Top-ten results: #6 - Mark Martin #4 - Ernie Irvan #9 - Bill Elliott #33 - Harry Gant #3 - Dale Earnhardt* #15 - Morgan Shepherd #22 - Sterling Marlin −1 #11 - Geoff Bodine −1 #7 - Alan Kulwicki −2 #17 - Darrell Waltrip −2 Failed to qualify: #0 - Delma Cowart, #13 - Kerry Teague, #35 - Bill Venturini, #36 - H. B. Bailey, #59 - Mark Gibson, #65 - Dave Mader III, #65 - Keith van Houten This was the race in which Dale Earnhardt clinched his fifth Winston Cup championship. ESPN ran a comedic segment on "How to Steal a Championship" where two crew members from Davey Allison and Ricky Rudd's teams, which were second and third in points respectively, attempted to steal Earnhardt's driving uniform and helmet so Earnhardt could not start the race.1991 ESPN Broadcast of Hardee's 500 Those efforts were thwarted by longtime Earnhardt crewman Chocolate Myers and Earnhardt won by merely starting the race and completing the first lap. 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 DAY RCH CAR ATL DAR BRI NWS MAR TAL CLT DOV SON POC MCH DAY POC TAL GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT CAR PHO ATL Pts Points Scored 1 Dale Earnhardt 5 1 8 3 29 20 2 1* 3* 3 2* 7 2 4 7 22 1* 15 24 7 8 11 15 3 1 25 7 9 5 4287 2 Ricky Rudd 9 2* 4 6 1 5* 11 11 13 9 10 2 20 8 9 20 4 2 11 5 15 5 7 8 12 32 12 11 11 4092 3 Davey Allison 15 12 16 40 2 3 6 8 22 1* 16 1 12 1* 3 14 9 10 2* 24 12 2* 31 29 4 2 1 1* 17 4088 4 Harry Gant 25 3 3 19 27 11 23 5 1 4 33 27 4 10 23 26 39 28 6 19 1* 1 1* 1* 2* 4 2* 23 4 3985 5 Ernie Irvan 1 27 6 14 7 2 10 15 32 7 4 4 6 5 5* 7* 33 1 7 18 2 4 28 4 33 30 31 6 2 3925 6 Mark Martin 21 6 14 17 4 4 9 29 24 23 5 9 3 3 11 2 3 3 4 4 29 33 21 5 5 35* 3 19 1* 3914 7 Sterling Marlin 2 9 33 7 10 27 22 28 4 11 15 26 8 13 8 5 5 12 12 2 6 10 17 14 13 5 8 3 7 3839 8 Darrell Waltrip 24 7 9 9 25 6 1 3 2 8 7 25 1 7 32 29 15 6 32 8 24 7 19 15 20 9 32 2 10 3711 9 Ken Schrader 31 10 2 1 19 29 5 23 7 2 1 5 7 6 4 23 40 30 10 3 3 8 33 9 8 38 5 17 37 3690 10 Rusty Wallace 27 4 28 10 5 1 32 21 26 22 9 3* 31 17 12 1 6 4 3 32 32 3 25 7 6 27 11 5 34 3582 11 Bill Elliott 28 30 5 2* 12 28 8 26 8 26 13 20 36 11 1 9 2 7 5 21 18 9 11 27 24 11 10 25 3 3535 12 Morgan Shepherd 34 8 10 4 8 10 4 30 14 14 8 42 9 9 20 34 14 36 26 6 19 23 3 11 3 28 17 10 6 3438 13 Alan Kulwicki 8 5 17 8 34 26 29 9 27 35 14 17 16 24 14 16 16 23 8 1 35 6 24 22 10 3 33 4 9 3354 14 Geoff Bodine 32 13 12 23 9 24 28 20 6 8 5 39 2 3 30 22 35 31 7 14 2 23 15 1 4 8 8 3277 15 Michael Waltrip 38 17 7 5 3* 23 7 7 5 15 32 10 18 34 6 38 7 21 9 25 27 30 5 25 27 7 19 24 40 3254 16 Hut Stricklin 29 22 31 13 32 16 14 10 23 6 6 35 28 2 16 4 29 8 14 22 17 21 4 16 17 36 13 39 13 3199 17 Dale Jarrett 6 21 11 20 39 7 25 12 35 5 35 41 19 12 18 6 8 5 1 28 25 20 34 18 9 26 25 35 16 3124 18 Terry Labonte 13 14 39 35 15 9 31 31 37 10 24 6 21 25 41 15 24 34 16 9 5 19 26 6 14 6 28 12 15 3024 19 Brett Bodine 22 24 13 15 16 22 30* 4 11 28 33 11 33 36 36 8 32 25 37 10 14 18 32 2 7 8 30 14 29 2980 20 Joe Ruttman 3 29 24 27 26 13 24 16 29 21 12 31 22 19 31 10 10 14 30 17 9 28 13 31 29 16 27 22 20 2938 21 Rick Mast 4 35 30 29 13 18 12 13 10 30 20 19 25 29 19 27 28 35 18 26 11 27 9 13 25 13 18 28 28 2918 22 Bobby Hamilton (R) 10 28 21 33 20 31 21 DNQ 12 27 11 22 35 22 28 11 34 29 19 13 10 12 8 17 18 29 6 13 18 2915 23 Ted Musgrave (R) 30 19 25 37 21 12 17 24 16 17 18 37 27 21 37 13 26 29 17 16 20 22 14 20 22 14 21 18 30 2841 24 Richard Petty 19 11 15 38 37 17 16 14 40 20 17 34 11 35 22 31 18 9 23 12 16 24 20 30 19 12 16 41 22 2817 25 Jimmy Spencer 40 34 38 16 11 8 3 6 9 31 28 29 14 32 10 37 37 27 36 15* 31 15 18 28 23 23 22 7 38 2750 26 Rick Wilson 33 18 19 12 14 33 27 22 25 18 25 16 13 31 24 24 38 19 39 20 13 13 29 26 32 17 20 15 33 2723 27 Chad Little 14 16 22 18 36 14 DNQ 27 38 25 29 28 23 26 29 12 12 11 25 14 36 34 16 24 21 10 23 30 21 2678 28 Derrike Cope 26 32 34 11 31 32 15 DNQ 28 12 27 30 10 41 17 36 35 13 34 29 4 16 36 19 30 33 15 16 24 2516 29 Dave Marcis 35 33 23 36 18 DNQ 19 DNQ 18 32 23 24 24 16 25 18 21 37 20 23 33 29 10 21 31 34 26 40 12 2374 30 Bobby Hillin Jr. 7 20 18 21 17 15 20 17 17 19 19 21 15 15 15 28 11 18 33 30 18 DNQ 32 2317 31 Kyle Petty 16* 25 1* 39 6 21 18 2 33 22 26 12 12 16 15 9 20 19 2078 32 Lake Speed 40 25 13 18 31 29 22 12 17 18 38 30 36 33 15 11 34 17 35 32 1742 33 Jimmy Means 39 31 27 31 23 DNQ DNQ DNQ 20 38 26 27 26 21 23 39 27 DNQ 28 35 23 DNQ 28 24 35 1562 34 Mickey Gibbs 17 23 20 25 22 19 33 25 15 34 30 14 30 14 27 1401 35 Dick Trickle 11 15 29 28 30 26 32 40 35 20 21 27 23 6 1258 36 Stanley Smith (R) 37 DNQ 21 36 23 23 40 31 40 22 22 36 25 893 37 Larry Pearson DNQ 41 41 32 20 21 17 DNQ 30 36 30 DNQ 33 14 841 38 Wally Dallenbach Jr. (R) 26 34 33 28 34 41 32 22 25 QL 19 36 803 39 Greg Sacks 42 39 39 DNQ 39 17 19 21 32 DNQ DNQ 31 29 26 791 40 Buddy Baker 37 36 30 13 13 13 DNQ DNQ 552 41 Jimmy Hensley 10 11 20 14 488 42 Eddie Bierschwale 12 24 38 DNQ 27 DNQ 27 431 43 Jim Sauter 23 22 37 37 DNQ 31 DNQ DNQ DNQ 35 423 44 Kenny Wallace 13 26 31 43 23 412 45 Jeff Purvis (R) 36 35 24 DNQ 30 DNQ 30 DNQ DNQ 38 399 46 Phil Barkdoll 20 19 35 22 364 47 Mike Chase 40 33 25 29 26 356 48 J. D. McDuffie DNQ DNQ DNQ 30 DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ 31 34 DNQ DNQ 25 40 335 49 Bill Sedgwick DNQ 19 15 21 324 50 Randy LaJoie 29 24 32 31 304 51 Rich Bickle (R) DNQ 26 34 24 DNQ DNQ 237 52 Irv Hoerr DNQ 36 19 38 210 53 H. B. Bailey DNQ 35 33 28 DNQ DNQ 201 54 James Hylton 37 DNQ 38 DNQ 37 DNQ 40 196 55 Robby Gordon 18 26 194 56 John Paul Jr. 32 16 DNQ 182 57 Bill Schmitt 13 37 176 58 Randy Baker 28 26 DNQ 164 59 Dorsey Schroeder (R) DNQ 17 41 157 60 Hershel McGriff 32 27 149 61 Dave Mader III (R) DNQ 30 33 DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ 137 62 Mike Wallace 31 39 116 63 Tommy Kendall 18 114 64 Andy Hillenburg 40 32 110 65 Bobby Labonte DNQ 34 38 110 66 Mike Skinner 32 40 110 67 Mark Stahl DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ 37 36 107 68 Bill Meacham 36 38 DNQ 104 69 Jim Derhaag 20 103 70 Tommy Ellis 16 21 100 71 Brad Teague DNQ DNQ 21 100 72 Jerry Hill DNQ 38 38 94 73 Oma Kimbrough 24 91 74 Gary Balough DNQ 40 39 89 75 Bill Venturini DNQ 40 39 DNQ 89 76 Chuck Bown DNQ DNQ 26 85 77 Steve Perry 27 82 78 Butch Gilliland DNQ 29 76 79 Kim Campbell DNQ 31 70 80 Scott Gaylord 33 DNQ 64 81 Gary Wright DNQ 33 64 82 Mark Reed 34 61 83 Ricky Craven 34 61 84 John Krebs 38 DNQ 54 85 Kerry Teague DNQ DNQ 37 DNQ 52 86 Robert Sprague 39 DNQ 51 87 Gary Brooks 39 46 88 Brian Ross DNQ 39 46 89 Andy Belmont 40 43 90 Sammy Swindell (R) 41 40 91 Gary Collins 42 37 92 R. K. Smith 43 DNQ 34 93 Keith van Houten 37 DNQ 94 Phil Parsons DNQ 95 Rick Jeffrey DNQ 96 Philip Duffie DNQ 97 Blackie Wangerin DNQ 98 Jimmy Horton DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ 99 Delma Cowart DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ 100 K. C. Spurlock DNQ 101 Billy Fulcher DNQ DNQ DNQ 102 Ken Ragan DNQ 103 Donny Paul DNQ DNQ 104 Mark Gibson DNQ DNQ DNQ 105 Jeff Green DNQ 106 Bobby Gerhart DNQ DNQ 107 Jack Sellers DNQ DNQ 108 Troy Beebe DNQ DNQ 109 Walter Surma DNQ DNQ DNQ 110 Norm Benning DNQ 111 Jerry O'Neil DNQ 112 Ed Ferree DNQ 113 Dale Fischlein DNQ 114 Mike Potter DNQ 115 Robbie Faggart DNQ 116 Tracy Leslie DNQ 117 Rick Scribner DNQ 118 St. James Davis DNQ 119 Rick Carelli DNQ 120 Wayne Jacks DNQ 121 Ron Hornaday Jr. DNQ 122 Billy Jac Shaw DNQ Pos Position Driver DAY RCH CAR ATL DAR BRI NWS MAR TAL CLT DOV SON POC MCH DAY POC TAL GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT CAR PHO ATL Pts Points Scored Rookie of the Year Bobby Hamilton, driving for Tri-Star Motorsports, narrowly defeated Ted Musgrave for Rookie of the Year honors in 1991. Stanley Smith, Wally Dallenbach Jr., and Sammy Swindell also declared for the award, but did not complete enough races to challenge Hamilton or Musgrave. See also 1991 NASCAR Busch Series 1991 NASCAR Winston West Series References External links Winston Cup standings and statistics for 1991 Category:NASCAR Cup Series seasons