The 1978 NASCAR Grand National Winston Cup Series was the 30th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 7th modern era NASCAR Cup series. The season began on Sunday, January 22 and ended on Sunday, November 19. Cale Yarborough driving the Junior Johnson #11 First National City Travelers Checks Oldsmobile won his then record third consecutive NASCAR Grand National Winston Cup Winston Cup. Ronnie Thomas was crowned NASCAR Rookie of the Year in a tight battle with Roger Hamby.
(key) Bold – Pole position awarded by time. Italics – Pole position set by owner's points. * – Most laps led. ** – All laps led.
Pos. | Driver | RSD | DAY | RCH | CAR | ATL | BRI | DAR | NWS | MAR | TAL | DOV | CLT | NSV | RSD | MCH | DAY | NSV | POC | TAL | MCH | BRI | DAR | RCH | DOV | MAR | NWS | CLT | CAR | ATL | ONT | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Cale Yarborough | 1* | 2 | 3 | 18 | 4 | 4 | 15* | 26 | 16 | 1* | 2 | 4 | 1** | 5* | 1 | 2 | 1* | 26 | 4* | 2* | 1* | 1* | 4 | 2 | 1* | 1 | 22 | 1* | 8 | 2 | 4841 |
2 | Bobby Allison | 30 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 1* | 21 | 14 | 6 | 6 | 38 | 8 | 3 | 21 | 3 | 24 | 27 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 22 | 5 | 2 | 1* | 7 | 3 | 1* | 2 | 6 | 1* | 4367 |
3 | Darrell Waltrip | 23 | 28 | 4 | 21 | 35 | 1 | 2 | 1* | 1* | 22 | 6* | 1* | 26 | 16 | 28* | 3 | 2 | 1* | 34 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 2* | 2 | 3 | 28 | 5 | 4362 |
4 | Benny Parsons | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 13 | 2* | 1 | 3 | 15 | 31 | 4 | 6 | 20 | 1 | 3 | 26 | 6 | 29 | 3 | 13 | 2 | 10 | 6 | 26 | 3 | 6 | 28 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 4350 |
5 | Dave Marcis | 5 | 6 | 7 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 15 | 32 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 14 | 4 | 6 | 35 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 3 | 8 | 3 | 27 | 4335 |
6 | Richard Petty | 16 | 33 | 22 | 4 | 26 | 25 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 7 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 23 | 30 | 7 | 14 | 5 | 3 | 20 | 27 | 6 | 4 | 27 | 6 | 2 | 34 | 3949 |
7 | Lennie Pond | DNQ | 10 | 2* | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 18 | 21 | 3 | 33 | 2 | 7 | 25 | 5 | 26 | 1 | 8 | 26 | 26 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 39 | 6 | 3794 | |
8 | Dick Brooks | 15 | 5 | 5 | 28 | 6 | 19 | 35 | 8 | 27 | 15 | 9 | 19 | 14 | 26 | 7 | 36 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 25 | 5 | 6 | 13 | 9 | 10 | 5 | 12 | 9 | 3769 |
9 | Buddy Arrington | 11 | 16 | 15 | 9 | 14 | 8 | 18 | 11 | 5 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 9 | 18 | 12 | 34 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 16 | 22 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 9 | 16 | 35 | 3626 |
10 | Richard Childress | 20 | 13 | 8 | 8 | 15 | 6 | 28 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 33 | 20 | 8 | 15 | 20 | 24 | 3 | 24 | 25 | 31 | 7 | 27 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 14 | 9 | 10 | 30 | 11 | 3566 |
11 | J. D. McDuffie | 28 | 30 | 27 | 25 | 16 | 28 | 11 | 7 | 26 | 40 | 34 | 22 | 12 | 24 | 13 | 12 | 5 | 10 | 17 | 7 | 8 | 20 | 8 | 33 | 22 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 26 | 3255 |
12 | Neil Bonnett | 4 | 27 | 9 | 6 | 33 | 26 | 32 | 24 | 2 | 39 | 5 | 35 | 5 | 10 | 36 | 23 | 28 | 36 | 8 | 9 | 20 | 34 | 3* | 29 | 4 | 5 | 30 | 31 | 34 | 37 | 3129 |
13 | Tighe Scott | 18 | 11 | 10 | 34 | 34 | 9 | 34 | 25 | 25 | 13 | 11 | 31 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 22 | 8 | 10 | 19 | 23 | 23 | 27 | 25 | 29 | 10 | 12 | 21 | 22 | DNQ | 3110 |
14 | Frank Warren | 13 | 24 | 14 | 12 | 19 | 13 | 17 | 22 | 22 | 29 | 27 | 23 | 16 | 29 | 20 | 17 | 13 | 18 | 33 | 24 | 15 | 12 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 24 | 25 | 16 | 33 | 23 | 3036 |
15 | Dick May | 18 | 29 | 17 | 12 | 36 | 18 | 28 | 23 | 21 | 13 | 18 | 21 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 11 | 16 | 11 | 25 | 38 | 15 | 10 | 17 | 25 | 8 | 11 | 19 | 31 | 2936 | ||
16 | Jimmy Means | 35 | 12 | 10 | 32 | 23 | 12 | 14 | 10 | 26 | 17 | 37 | 30 | 15 | 13 | 24 | 13 | 32 | 15 | 19 | 11 | 13 | 32 | 23 | 23 | 13 | 23 | 22 | 2756 | |||
17 | David Pearson | 3 | 34 | 1* | 21 | 29 | 21 | 35 | 1 | 5 | 27 | 2 | 1* | 2 | 5 | 1 | 28 | 4 | 25 | 5 | 24 | 32 | 38 | 2756 | ||||||||
18 | Ronnie Thomas (R) | DNQ | 18 | 13 | 24 | 20 | 31 | 21 | 20 | 14 | 32 | 30 | 15 | 25 | 18 | 25 | 10 | 33 | 24 | 26 | 11 | 9 | 14 | 11 | 16 | 19 | 33 | 15 | 30 | 2733 | ||
19 | Cecil Gordon | 25 | 21 | 17 | 22 | 17 | 18 | 33 | 17 | 9 | 25 | 25 | 19 | 12 | 17 | 32 | 19 | 40 | 17 | 13 | 17 | 14 | 30 | 26 | 15 | 18 | 15 | 2641 | ||||
20 | Tommy Gale | 25 | 23 | 14 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 27 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 24 | 21 | 15 | 16 | 20 | 16 | 21 | 13 | 24 | 17 | 27 | 17 | 31 | 18 | 31 | 17 | 2639 | ||||
21 | Roger Hamby (R) | DNQ | 15 | 25 | 27 | 37 | 17 | 13 | 23 | 14 | 19 | 31 | 23 | 27 | 17 | 27 | 36 | 30 | 10 | 19 | 10 | 18 | 24 | 12 | 18 | 26 | 11 | 12 | 2617 | |||
22 | D. K. Ulrich | 10 | 17 | 16 | 26 | 11 | 11 | 20 | 13 | 13 | 17 | 16 | 29 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 19 | 20 | 25 | 19 | 23 | 9 | 29 | DNQ | 2452 | |||||||
23 | Baxter Price (R) | DNQ | 20 | 23 | 16 | 16 | 19 | 11 | 20 | 22 | 25 | 17 | 26 | 20 | 27 | 28 | 23 | 21 | 16 | 15 | 22 | 23 | 19 | 21 | 29 | 19 | DNQ | 2418 | ||||
24 | Buddy Baker | 7* | 33 | 27 | 6 | 2 | 23 | 7 | 8 | 37 | 5 | 28 | 36 | 32 | 3 | 26 | 34 | 22 | 21* | 4 | 2130 | |||||||||||
25 | Donnie Allison | 39 | 31 | 3 | 23 | 24 | 2 | 5 | 33 | 35 | 2 | 29 | 24 | 9 | 4 | 20 | 1 | 3 | 1993 | |||||||||||||
26 | James Hylton | 11 | 15 | 7 | 12 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 39 | 41 | 35 | 17 | 7 | 18 | 34 | 11 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 1965 | |||||||||||
27 | Gary Myers | Wth | 20 | 30 | 26 | 18 | 28 | 23 | 15 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 14 | 14 | 21 | 20 | 15 | 22 | 17 | 27 | 24 | 1915 | ||||||||||
28 | Ed Negre | DNQ | DNQ | 21 | 29 | 25 | 10 | 15 | 19 | 28 | 35 | 27 | 35 | 18 | 29 | 21 | 30 | 15 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 35 | 26 | 21 | 1857 | |||||||
29 | Skip Manning | 21 | 12 | 13 | 7 | 23 | 15 | 8 | 9 | 23 | 4 | 12 | 26 | 16 | 39 | 38 | 38 | 25 | 1802 | |||||||||||||
30 | Grant Adcox | 14 | 30 | 7 | 25 | 5 | 11 | 6 | 22 | 22 | 11 | 22 | 31 | 33 | 38 | 1467 | ||||||||||||||||
31 | Ricky Rudd | 37 | 10 | 27 | 28 | 9 | 21 | 6 | 39 | 28 | 36 | 23 | 25 | 9 | DNQ | 1260 | ||||||||||||||||
32 | Bruce Hill | DNQ | 9 | 36 | 19 | 10 | 25 | 29 | 40 | 14 | 17 | 35 | 34 | 40 | 13 | 36 | DNQ | 1214 | ||||||||||||||
33 | Bill Elliott | 8 | 38 | 9 | 6 | 14 | 9 | 13 | 6 | 17 | 37 | 1176 | ||||||||||||||||||||
34 | Al Holbert (R) | 8 | 29 | 31 | 7 | 10 | 38 | 31 | 30 | 12 | 30 | QL | 13 | 35 | 1142 | |||||||||||||||||
35 | Ferrel Harris | 9 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 20 | 11 | 10 | 18 | 28 | 36 | 20 | 34 | 20 | 19 | 1066 | ||||||||||||||||
36 | Coo Coo Marlin | 26 | 39 | 41 | 22 | 38 | 26 | 30 | 7 | 10 | 765 | |||||||||||||||||||||
37 | Blackie Wangerin (R) | 36 | 29 | 19 | 30 | 32 | 31 | 15 | 40 | 25 | 33 | 760 | ||||||||||||||||||||
38 | Bobby Wawak | DNQ | 29 | 12 | 28 | DNQ | 13 | 34 | 28 | 37 | 27 | DNQ | 680 | |||||||||||||||||||
39 | Terry Labonte | 4 | 7 | 9 | 24 | 13 | 659 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
40 | Ralph Jones | Wth | 20 | 24 | 21 | 27 | 18 | 30 | 29 | 634 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
41 | Janet Guthrie | DNQ | 10 | 11 | 31 | 29 | 27 | 35 | 13 | 592 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
42 | Earle Canavan | DNQ | 24 | 24 | 22 | 20 | 33 | 31 | 32 | 39 | 16 | DNQ | 559 | |||||||||||||||||||
43 | Dale Earnhardt | 17 | 7 | 12 | 16 | 4 | 558 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
44 | Roland Wlodyka | DNQ | 19 | 26 | 32 | 18 | 27 | 21 | 549 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
45 | Joe Frasson | DNQ | 16 | 24 | 14 | 17 | 23 | 533 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
46 | Nelson Oswald | DNQ | 30 | 38 | DNQ | 24 | 25 | 24 | 18 | 501 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
47 | Joe Mihalic | 31 | 19 | 24 | 26 | 30 | DNQ | 32 | 419 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
48 | Jim Thirkettle | 17 | 9 | 10 | 389 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
49 | Jimmy Insolo | 7 | 32 | 7 | 369 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
50 | Satch Worley | 14 | DNQ | 18 | 9 | 14 | 368 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
51 | John Kennedy | DNQ | Wth | 29 | 29 | DNQ | 30 | 27 | 40 | 350 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
52 | Bill Schmitt | 32 | 8 | 14 | 350 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
53 | Harry Gant | 41 | 36 | 28 | 19 | 7 | 325 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
54 | Connie Saylor | 8 | 34 | 16 | 318 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
55 | Richard White | 24 | 19 | 18 | 308 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
56 | Chuck Bown | 30 | 30 | 24 | 33 | 301 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
57 | Nestor Peles | DNQ | 24 | 21 | 19 | 297 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
58 | Rick McCray | 12 | 13 | 39 | 297 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
59 | John Utsman | DNQ | 40 | 32 | 16 | 32 | 292 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
60 | Joey Arrington | 22 | 19 | 31 | 273 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
61 | Joe Booher | 18 | 34 | 22 | 273 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
62 | John Borneman | 27 | 23 | 25 | 264 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
63 | Rocky Moran | 26 | 30 | 20 | 261 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
64 | Jimmy Lee Capps | 23 | 19 | 35 | 258 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
65 | Dave Dion | 40 | 38 | 26 | 28 | 256 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
66 | Ray Elder | 34 | 6 | 40 | 254 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
67 | Elmo Langley | 37 | 16 | 29 | 243 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
68 | Woody Fisher | DNQ | 28 | 36 | 20 | 237 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
69 | Sterling Marlin | 9 | 25 | 226 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
70 | Ron Hutcherson | 4 | 34 | 39 | 221 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
71 | Jerry Jolly | 20 | 40 | 36 | 201 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
72 | Junior Miller | 15 | 28 | 197 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
73 | Bill Hollar | Wth | 28 | 36 | 36 | 189 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
74 | Norm Palmer | 14 | 35 | DNQ | 179 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
75 | Ernie Stierly | 19 | 31 | DNQ | 176 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
76 | Morgan Shepherd | 40 | 12 | 170 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
77 | Harry Goularte | DNQ | 20 | 33 | 167 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
78 | Mel Larson | 33 | 29 | 140 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
79 | Roy Smith | 9 | DNQ | 138 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
80 | Chuck Wahl | DNQ | 28 | 36 | 134 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
81 | Jim Vandiver | 38 | 27 | 131 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
82 | Sam Sommers | DNQ | 12 | 27 | 127 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
83 | Wayne Morgan | DNQ | 39 | 29 | 122 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
84 | Hershel McGriff | 6 | 17 | 112 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
85 | Marty Robbins | 18 | 109 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
86 | Glenn Jarrett | 20 | 103 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
87 | Bob Burcham | 22 | 97 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
88 | Don Graham | 22 | DNQ | 97 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
89 | Jack Simpson | 22 | DNQ | 97 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
90 | Butch Mock | 26 | 24 | 85 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
91 | Steve Moore | 27 | 82 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
92 | Don Noel | 33 | 28 | 79 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
93 | Billy McGinnis | 28 | 79 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
94 | Vince Giaformaggio | 29 | QL | 76 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
95 | Richard Waters | 29 | 76 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
96 | Raymond Williams | 29 | 76 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
97 | Bill Green | 30 | 73 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
98 | Johnny Halford | 30 | 73 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
99 | Don Puskarich | 31 | DNQ | 70 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
100 | Steve Pfeifer | DNQ | DNQ | 32 | 67 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
101 | Eddie Bradshaw | 33 | 64 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
102 | Bill Baker | DNQ | 34 | 61 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
103 | Louis Gatto | DNQ | 35 | 58 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
104 | Gary Johnson | 35 | DNQ | 58 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
105 | Butch Hartman | Wth | 36 | 55 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
106 | Bill Dennis | 37 | 52 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
107 | Jocko Maggiacomo | DNQ | Wth | 37 | 52 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
108 | Jabe Thomas | 37 | 52 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
109 | Dick Trickle | 39 | 46 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
110 | Bobby Fisher | 29 | 40 | 43 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
111 | Claude Ballot-Léna | 22 | 18 | 35 | 37 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
112 | A. J. Foyt | 32 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
113 | Lynn Carroll | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
114 | Dave Watson | 17 | DNQ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
115 | Kenny Brightbill | 23 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
116 | Paul Fess | 28 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
117 | Greg Heller | 29 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
118 | Charlie Blanton | 32 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
119 | Frank Hill | 37 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
120 | Pappy Pryor | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
121 | John Soares | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
122 | Evan Noyes Jr. | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
123 | Glenn Francis | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
124 | Bob Switzer | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
125 | Mike Kempton | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
126 | Bob Brown | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
127 | Mike Brockman | DNQ | DNQ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
128 | John Dineen | DNQ | Wth | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
129 | Dick Whalen | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
130 | Ron McGee | DNQ | DNQ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
131 | Dick Kranzler | DNQ | DNQ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
132 | Bennie Vaught | DNQ | DNQ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
133 | Steve Stolarek | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
134 | Tommy Robbs | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
135 | Tom Frank | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
136 | Claude Aubin | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
137 | Earl Ross | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
138 | Terry Link | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
139 | Robin Schildknecht | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
140 | Keith Nebern | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
141 | Hal Callentine | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
142 | Mike Roche | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
143 | Ross Kusah | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
144 | John Krebs | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
145 | Billy Hagan | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
146 | Chris Monoleos | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
147 | Johnny Kieper | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
148 | Fred Lovell | Wth | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
149 | A. J. Reno | Wth | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
150 | Larry LaMay | Wth | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
151 | Paul Dean Holt | Wth | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
152 | Travis Tiller | Wth | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
153 | Jim Bray | Wth | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
154 | Keith Davis | Wth | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
155 | Hoss Ellington | QL | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
156 | Walter Ballard | QL | 30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pos. | Driver | RSD | DAY | RCH | CAR | ATL | BRI | DAR | NWS | MAR | TAL | DOV | CLT | NSV | RSD | MCH | DAY | NSV | POC | TAL | MCH | BRI | DAR | RCH | DOV | MAR | NWS | CLT | CAR | ATL | ONT | Pts |
The 1976 NASCAR Grand National Winston Cup Series was the 28th season of professional stock car racing in the United States, the 5th modern era season of the Grand National series and sixth under R. J. Reynolds sponsorship through its Winston cigarette brand. The season began on Sunday, January 18 and ended on Sunday, November 21. Cale Yarborough, driving the #11 Junior Johnson Holly Farms Chevrolet scored his first of three consecutive NASCAR Grand National Series Winston Cup Championships. Skip Manning was named NASCAR Rookie of the Year.
The 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 40th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 17th modern-era Cup series. The season began on February 7 at Daytona International Speedway and ended on November 20 at the Atlanta International Speedway. Bill Elliott of Melling Racing won the championship.
The 1987 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 39th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 16th modern-era cup series.
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.
The 1985 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 37th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 14th modern-era Cup series season. The season began on Sunday, February 10 and ended on Sunday, November 17. Darrell Waltrip, driving for Junior Johnson, was crowned champion at the end of the season. Bill Elliott, driving for Harry Melling, had won 11 races in 1985, but lost the title by 101 points to three-time race winner Waltrip. This was the first season where all races were televised in some form.
The 1984 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 36th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 13th modern-era Cup series season. It began on Sunday, February 19 and ended on Sunday, November 18. Terry Labonte was crowned champion at the end of the season. This was the final year for Chrysler until Dodge returned in 2001.
The 1974 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 26th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 3rd modern-era NASCAR Cup series. The season began on Sunday January 20 and ended on Sunday November 24. The first 15 races were shortened 10 percent due to the 1973 oil crisis. Following criticism of the 1972 and 1973 points systems that placed emphasis on completed miles, NASCAR implemented a new points system, that took basic purse winnings, multiplied by number of starts, and divided by 1,000; it was designed to more directly reward winning races, a response to Benny Parsons' championship the previous year with just one win. Richard Petty was Winston Cup champion at the end of the season finishing 567.45 points ahead of Cale Yarborough, while David Pearson finished a strong third in points despite only nineteen starts. Earl Ross was named NASCAR Rookie of the Year.
The 1977 NASCAR Grand National Winston Cup Series was the 29th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 6th modern era NASCAR Cup series. The season began on Sunday, January 16 and ended on Sunday, November 20. Cale Yarborough driving the Junior Johnson #11 Holly Farms Chevrolet won his second consecutive NASCAR Grand National Series Winston Cup Championship. Ricky Rudd was crowned NASCAR 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.
The 1982 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 34th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 11th modern-era Cup series. The season began on February 14 at the Daytona International Speedway and concluded on November 21 at Riverside International Raceway. Darrell Waltrip took his second straight championship driving for Junior Johnson by 72 points over Bobby Allison.
The 1980 Firecracker 400 was a NASCAR Winston Cup Series racing event that took place on July 4, 1980, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. The NASCAR Winston Cup Series was also plagued with top teams running big engines and finishing in third place to avoid inspection around the early-1980s.
The 1981 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the thirty-third season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 10th modern-era Cup Season. It was the first year of the Gen 3 car. Because of the energy crisis, manufacturers were downsizing their cars to be more fuel-efficient, which NASCAR reflected by mandating a 110-inch wheelbase that still exists today. The season began at Riverside International Raceway with the first Winston Western 500 on January 11, 1981 and ended with the same event on November 22. Darrell Waltrip won his first championship with point margin of fifty-three points over Bobby Allison. Ron Bouchard was named Rookie of the Year.
The 1975 NASCAR Grand National Winston Cup Series was the 27th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 4th season in the modern era of the NASCAR Cup series. The season began on Sunday, January 19 and ended on Sunday, November 12. Richard Petty, driving the #43 Petty Enterprises STP Dodge scored his sixth NASCAR Grand National Series Winston Cup Championship. Bruce Hill was named NASCAR Rookie of the Year. NASCAR introduced a new points system for 1975, a system designed by statistician Bob Latford. For the first time, each race on the NASCAR Winston Cup Grand National schedule carried an equal point value, a system that would be used for 36 seasons, from 1975 to 2010, with modifications in 2004 and 2007 each time by increasing the emphasis for a win in adding five additional points each time for a race winner. The original points system ran for the first 29 seasons, from 1975 to 2003.
The 1980 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 32nd season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 9th modern-era NASCAR Cup season. It was the final year with the Gen 2 car. The season began on Sunday, January 13 and ended on Sunday, November 15. Dale Earnhardt won his first Winston Cup championship, winning by 19 points over Cale Yarborough. Jody Ridley was crowned NASCAR Rookie of the Year.
The 1974 National 500 was a NASCAR Winston Cup Series racing event that took place on October 6, 1974, at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina.
The 1973 Dixie 500 was a NASCAR Winston Cup Series race that took place on July 22, 1973, at Atlanta International Raceway in Hampton, Georgia.
The 1976 Music City USA 420 was a NASCAR Winston Cup Series race that took place on May 8, 1976, at Nashville Speedway in Nashville, Tennessee.
The 1977 NAPA National 500 was a NASCAR Winston Cup Series racing event that was held on October 9, 1977, at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina.
The 1978 World 600, the 19th running of the event, was a NASCAR Winston Cup Series racing event that was held on May 28, 1978, at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina.
The 1980 CRC Chemicals Rebel 500 was a NASCAR Winston Cup Series racing event that was held on April 13, 1980, at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina.