1978 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

Last updated

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.

Contents

Teams and drivers

MakeTeamNo.DriverCrew ChiefRounds
Buick A. J. Foyt Enterprises 51 A. J. Foyt 2
Chevrolet DiGard Racing 88 Darrell Waltrip Buddy Parrott All
Gordon Racing 24 Cecil Gordon 25
Junior Miller 1
Hylton Racing 18 James Hylton Kirk Shelmerdine 2
Jimmy Means Racing 52 Jimmy Means 26
Kennie Childers Racing12 Harry Gant 4
McDuffie Racing 70 J.D. McDuffie All
Rod Osterlund Racing 98 Dale Earnhardt 1
Robertson Racing25 Ronnie Thomas (R)28
81 Jabe Thomas 1
Price Racing 45 Baxter Price (R)25
Richard Childress Racing 31 Bobby Wawak 1
Wawak Racing 749
Dick May 2
Joe Booher 2
Tommy Gale 1
Chrysler Negre Racing 1 Ed Negre Norman Negre1
181
812
61 Ferrel Harris 1
Dodge Jim Stacy Racing 6 Harry Hyde 2
Arrington Racing 7 Ed Negre 1
Joey Arrington 1
191
Warren Racing Frank Warren 1
7929
Ford Bud Moore Engineering 15 Bobby Allison Bud Moore All
Cronkrite Racing96 Dale Earnhardt 4
Baxter Price (R)1
Langley Racing 64 Dick Brooks 3
Tommy Gale 26
Elmo Langley 1
Mercury Wangerin Racing 39 Blackie Wangerin (R)10
84 Skip Manning 1
Wood Brothers Racing 21 David Pearson 22
Oldsmobile Clary Racing05 Bruce Hill 16
Junior Johnson & Associates 11 Cale Yarborough Tim Brewer All
Buick
Chevrolet
Gray Racing 10 Elmo Langley 1
191
Woody Fisher4
Dick May 18
Joe Booher 1
Bob Burcham 1
Joey Arrington 1
Bill Dennis 1
Rudd Racing Enterprises12 James Hylton 1
22 Ricky Rudd 13
Ulrich Racing 40 D.K. Ulrich 23
Buick
Chevrolet
Oldsmobile
Hagan Racing 92 Skip Manning 15
Mel Larson 1
Terry Labonte 5
Dick May 2
Chevrolet
Dodge
Petty Enterprises 43 Richard Petty Dale Inman All
Chevrolet
Dodge
Oldsmobile
Jim Stacy Racing 16
Rod Osterlund Racing 14
5 Neil Bonnett Harry Hyde All
Chevrolet
Oldsmobile
Ballard Racing 30 Tighe Scott All
DeWitt Racing 72 Benny Parsons Jake Elder All
Ellington Racing 1 Donnie Allison 17
Hamby Motorsports 17 Roger Hamby (R)27
Hylton Racing 48 Al Holbert (R) Kirk Shelmerdine 12
James Hylton 16
Walter Ballard 1
M. C. Anderson Racing 27 Buddy Baker 19
Ranier Racing 54 Lennie Pond 29
Richard Childress Racing 3 Richard Childress All
Rod Osterlund Racing 2 Dave Marcis All
Chrysler
Dodge
Negre Racing 8 Ed Negre Norman Negre18
Dick May 1
Dodge
Ford
Arrington Racing 67 Buddy Arrington All
Ford
Mercury
Donlavey Racing 90 Dick Brooks 27
Mercury
Oldsmobile
Elliott Racing 9 Bill Elliott 10

Season recap

NoDateEventCircuitWinner
1January 22 Winston Western 500 Riverside International Raceway Cale Yarborough
February 16 125 Mile Qualifying Races Daytona International Speedway A. J. Foyt
Darrell Waltrip
2February 19 Daytona 500 Bobby Allison
3February 26 Richmond 400 Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway Benny Parsons
4March 5 Carolina 500 North Carolina Speedway David Pearson
5March 19 Atlanta 500 Atlanta International Raceway Bobby Allison
6April 2 Southeastern 400 Bristol International Raceway Darrell Waltrip
7April 9 Rebel 500 Darlington Raceway Benny Parsons
8April 16 Gwyn Staley 400 North Wilkesboro Speedway Darrell Waltrip
9April 23 Virginia 500 Martinsville Speedway Darrell Waltrip
10May 14 Winston 500 Alabama International Motor Speedway Cale Yarborough
11May 21 Mason-Dixon 500 Dover Downs International Speedway David Pearson
12May 28 World 600 Charlotte Motor Speedway Darrell Waltrip
13June 3 Music City USA 420 Nashville Speedway Cale Yarborough
14June 11 NAPA 400 Riverside International Raceway Benny Parsons
15June 18 Cam 2 Motor Oil 400 Michigan International Speedway Cale Yarborough
16July 4 Firecracker 400 Daytona International Speedway David Pearson
17July 15 Nashville 420 Nashville Speedway Cale Yarborough
18July 30 Coca-Cola 500 Pocono Raceway Darrell Waltrip
19August 6 Talladega 500 Alabama International Motor Speedway Lennie Pond
20August 20 Champion Spark Plug 400 Michigan International Speedway David Pearson
21August 26 Volunteer 400 Bristol International Raceway Cale Yarborough
22September 4 Southern 500 Darlington Raceway Cale Yarborough
23September 10 Capital City 400 Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway Darrell Waltrip
24September 17 Delaware 500 Dover Downs International Speedway Bobby Allison
25September 24 Old Dominion 500 Martinsville Speedway Cale Yarborough
26October 1 Wilkes 400 North Wilkesboro Speedway Cale Yarborough
27October 8 National 500 Charlotte Motor Speedway Bobby Allison
28October 22 American 500 North Carolina Speedway Cale Yarborough
29November 5 Dixie 500 Atlanta International Raceway Donnie Allison
30November 19 Los Angeles Times 500 Ontario Motor Speedway Bobby Allison

Notable races

  1. 11 - Cale Yarborough
  2. 72 - Benny Parsons
  3. 21 - David Pearson
  4. 5 - Neil Bonnett
  5. 2 - Dave Marcis
  6. 95 - Hershel McGriff
  7. 01 - Jimmy Insolo
  8. 48 - Al Holbert
  9. 29 - Roy Smith
  10. 40 - D.K. Ulrich


Race 1 results:

  1. 51 - A.J. Foyt
  2. 21 - David Pearson
  3. 1 - Donnie Allison
  4. 11 - Cale Yarborough
  5. 9 - Bill Elliott
  6. 30 - Tighe Scott
  7. 41 - Grant Adcox
  8. 98 - Roland Wlodyka
  9. 67 - Buddy Arrington
  10. 3 - Richard Childress

Race 2 results:

  1. 88 - Darrell Waltrip
  2. 43 - Richard Petty
  3. 72 - Benny Parsons
  4. 53 - Ron Hutcherson
  5. 2 - Dave Marcis
  6. 5 - Neil Bonnett
  7. 48 - Al Holbert
  8. 14 - Coo Coo Marlin
  9. 92 - Skip Manning
  10. 66 - Harry Gant


  1. 15 - Bobby Allison
  2. 11 - Cale Yarborough
  3. 72 - Benny Parsons
  4. 53 - Ron Hutcherson
  5. 90 - Dick Brooks
  6. 2 - Dave Marcis
  7. 27 - Buddy Baker
  8. 9 - Bill Elliott
  9. 6 - Ferrel Harris
  10. 54 - Lennie Pond


  1. 72 - Benny Parsons
  2. 54 - Lennie Pond
  3. 11 - Cale Yarborough
  4. 88 - Darrell Waltrip
  5. 90 - Dick Brooks
  6. 15 - Bobby Allison
  7. 2 - Dave Marcis
  8. 3 - Richard Childress
  9. 5 - Neil Bonnett
  10. 30 - Tighe Scott


  1. 21 - David Pearson
  2. 15 - Bobby Allison
  3. 72 - Benny Parsons
  4. 43 - Richard Petty
  5. 54 - Lennie Pond
  6. 5 - Neil Bonnett
  7. 92 - Skip Manning
  8. 3 - Richard Childress
  9. 67 - Buddy Arrington
  10. 52 - Jimmy Means


  1. 15 - Bobby Allison
  2. 2 - Dave Marcis
  3. 1 - Donnie Allison
  4. 11 - Cale Yarborough
  5. 54 - Lennie Pond
  6. 90 - Dick Brooks
  7. 41 - Grant Adcox
  8. 49 - Connie Saylor
  9. 05 - Bruce Hill
  10. 68 - Janet Guthrie


  1. 88 - Darrell Waltrip
  2. 72 - Benny Parsons
  3. 2 - Dave Marcis
  4. 11 - Cale Yarborough
  5. 54 - Lennie Pond
  6. 3 - Richard Childress
  7. 48 - James Hylton
  8. 67 - Buddy Arrington
  9. 30 - Tighe Scott
  10. 8 - Ed Negre


  1. 72 - Benny Parsons
  2. 88 - Darrell Waltrip
  3. 54 - Lennie Pond
  4. 2 - Dave Marcis
  5. 43 - Richard Petty
  6. 27 - Buddy Baker
  7. 48 - Al Holbert
  8. 92 - Skip Manning
  9. 9 - Bill Elliott
  10. 22 - Ricky Rudd


  1. 11 - Cale Yarborough
  2. 72 - Benny Parsons
  3. 51 - A.J. Foyt
  4. 92 - Skip Manning
  5. 41 - Grant Adcox
  6. 9 - Bill Elliott
  7. 6 - Ferrel Harris
  8. 2 - Dave Marcis
  9. 3 - Richard Childress
  10. 48 - James Hylton


  1. 88 - Darrell Waltrip
  2. 1 - Donnie Allison
  3. 15 - Bobby Allison
  4. 11 - Cale Yarborough
  5. 21 - David Pearson
  6. 72 - Benny Parsons
  7. 27 - Buddy Baker
  8. 43 - Richard Petty
  9. 14 - Sterling Marlin
  10. 05 - Bruce Hill


  1. 11 - Cale Yarborough
  2. 54 - Lennie Pond
  3. 43 - Richard Petty
  4. 2 - Dave Marcis
  5. 5 - Neil Bonnett
  6. 41 - Grant Adcox
  7. 30 - Tighe Scott
  8. 3 - Richard Childress
  9. 67 - Buddy Arrington
  10. 40 - D.K. Ulrich


  1. 11 - Cale Yarborough
  2. 21 - David Pearson
  3. 72 - Benny Parsons
  4. 2 - Dave Marcis
  5. 1 - Donnie Allison
  6. 43 - Richard Petty
  7. 90 - Dick Brooks
  8. 27 - Buddy Baker
  9. 22 - Ricky Rudd
  10. 3 - Richard Childress


  1. 21 - David Pearson
  2. 11 - Cale Yarborough
  3. 88 - Darrell Waltrip
  4. 43 - Richard Petty
  5. 54 - Lennie Pond
  6. 2 - Dave Marcis
  7. 96 - Dale Earnhardt
  8. 81 - Ferrel Harris
  9. 9 - Bill Elliott
  10. 30 - Tighe Scott


  1. 11 - Cale Yarborough
  2. 88 - Darrell Waltrip
  3. 3 - Richard Childress
  4. 2 - Dave Marcis
  5. 70 - J.D. McDuffie
  6. 72 - Benny Parsons
  7. 15 - Bobby Allison
  8. 90 - Dick Brooks
  9. 81 - Ferrel Harris
  10. 25 - Ronnie Thomas


  1. 88 - Darrell Waltrip
  2. 21 - David Pearson
  3. 15 - Bobby Allison
  4. 2 - Dave Marcis
  5. 27 - Buddy Baker
  6. 22 - Ricky Rudd
  7. 90 - Dick Brooks
  8. 30 - Tighe Scott
  9. 47 - Satch Worley
  10. 70 - J.D. McDuffie


  1. 54 - Lennie Pond
  2. 1 - Donnie Allison
  3. 72 - Benny Parsons
  4. 11 - Cale Yarborough
  5. 21 - David Pearson
  6. 15 - Bobby Allison
  7. 43 - Richard Petty
  8. 5 - Neil Bonnett
  9. 90 - Dick Brooks
  10. 30 - Tighe Scott


  1. 21 - David Pearson
  2. 11 - Cale Yarborough
  3. 88 - Darrell Waltrip
  4. 2 - Dave Marcis
  5. 15 - Bobby Allison
  6. 90 - Dick Brooks
  7. 70 - J.D. McDuffie
  8. 54 - Lennie Pond
  9. 5 - Neil Bonnett
  10. 8 - Ferrel Harris


  1. 11 - Cale Yarborough
  2. 72 - Benny Parsons
  3. 88 - Darrell Waltrip
  4. 90 - Dick Brooks
  5. 43 - Richard Petty
  6. 2 - Dave Marcis
  7. 3 - Richard Childress
  8. 70 - J.D. McDuffie
  9. 40 - D.K. Ulrich
  10. 17 - Roger Hamby


  1. 11 - Cale Yarborough
  2. 88 - Darrell Waltrip
  3. 43 - Richard Petty
  4. 92 - Terry Labonte
  5. 15 - Bobby Allison
  6. 9 - Bill Elliott
  7. 48 - James Hylton
  8. 67 - Buddy Arrington
  9. 25 - Ronnie Thomas
  10. 72 - Benny Parsons


  1. 88 - Darrell Waltrip
  2. 15 - Bobby Allison
  3. 5 - Neil Bonnett
  4. 11 - Cale Yarborough
  5. 90 - Dick Brooks
  6. 72 - Benny Parsons
  7. 92 - Terry Labonte
  8. 70 - J.D. McDuffie
  9. 2 - Dave Marcis
  10. 17 - Roger Hamby


  1. 15 - Bobby Allison
  2. 11 - Cale Yarborough
  3. 27 - Buddy Baker
  4. 21 - David Pearson
  5. 88 - Darrell Waltrip
  6. 90 - Dick Brooks
  7. 54 - Lennie Pond
  8. 2 - Dave Marcis
  9. 1 - Donnie Allison
  10. 92 - Dick May


  1. 11 - Cale Yarborough
  2. 88 - Darrell Waltrip
  3. 15 - Bobby Allison
  4. 43 - Richard Petty
  5. 5 - Neil Bonnett
  6. 72 - Benny Parsons
  7. 54 - Lennie Pond
  8. 2 - Dave Marcis
  9. 90 - Dick Brooks
  10. 30 - Tighe Scott


  1. 15 - Bobby Allison
  2. 88 - Darrell Waltrip
  3. 2 - Dave Marcis
  4. 1 - Donnie Allison
  5. 21 - David Pearson
  6. 54 - Lennie Pond
  7. 14 - Coo Coo Marlin
  8. 57 - Dick May
  9. 3 - Richard Childress
  10. 90 - Dick Brooks


  1. 11 - Cale Yarborough
  2. 15 - Bobby Allison
  3. 88 - Darrell Waltrip
  4. 72 - Benny Parsons
  5. 90 - Dick Brooks
  6. 43 - Richard Petty
  7. 54 - Lennie Pond
  8. 2 - Dave Marcis
  9. 67 - Buddy Arrington
  10. 3 - Richard Childress


  1. 1 - Donnie Allison
  2. 43 - Richard Petty
  3. 2 - Dave Marcis
  4. 98 - Dale Earnhardt
  5. 72 - Benny Parsons
  6. 15 - Bobby Allison
  7. 12 - Harry Gant
  8. 11 - Cale Yarborough
  9. 22 - Ricky Rudd
  10. 14 - Coo Coo Marlin


  1. 15 - Bobby Allison
  2. 11 - Cale Yarborough
  3. 1 - Donnie Allison
  4. 27 - Buddy Baker
  5. 88 - Darrell Waltrip
  6. 54 - Lennie Pond
  7. 98 - Jimmy Insolo
  8. 72 - Benny Parsons
  9. 90 - Dick Brooks
  10. 51 - Jim Thirkettle

Full Drivers’ Championship

(key) Bold – Pole position awarded by time. Italics – Pole position set by owner's points. * – Most laps led. ** – All laps led.

Pos.Driver RIV DAY RCH CAR ATL BRI DAR NWS MAR TAL DOV CLT NSV RIV MCH DAY NSV POC TAL MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT CAR ATL ONT Pts
1 Cale Yarborough 1*23184415*26161*241**5*121*264*2*1*1*421*1221*824841
2 Bobby Allison 301621*21146638832132427736522521*731*261*4367
3 Darrell Waltrip 232842135121*1*226*1*261628*321*343321522*232854362
4 Benny Parsons 2313132*1315314620132662931321062636284584350
5 Dave Marcis 5671123454815324446441446359888383274335
6 Richard Petty 16332242625523117832642330714532027642762343949
7 Lennie Pond DNQ102*555341821333272552618262612757673963794
8 Dick Brooks 155528619358271591914267368796425561391051293769
9 Buddy Arrington 1116159148181151213159181234121415121281622101314916353626
10 Richard Childress 2013881562810893320815202432425317271112121491030113566
11 J. D. McDuffie 28302725162811726403422122413125101778208332211111214263255
12 Neil Bonnett 4279633263224239535510362328368920343*2945303134373129
13 Tighe Scott 1811103434934252513113171111102281019232327252910122122DNQ3110
14 Frank Warren 1324141219131722222927231629201713183324151223212124251633233036
15 Dick May 18291712361828232113182119161811161125381510172581119312936
16 Jimmy Means 3512103223121410261737301513241332151911133223231323222756
17 David Pearson 3341*21292135152721*2512842552432382756
18 Ronnie Thomas (R)DNQ181324203121201432301525182510332426119141116193315302733
19 Cecil Gordon 2521172217183317925251912173219401713171430261518152641
20 Tommy Gale 25231422222127171618242115162016211324172717311831172639
21 Roger Hamby (R)DNQ15252737171323141931232717273630101910182412182611122617
22 D. K. Ulrich 1017162611112013131716291014141920251923929DNQ2452
23 Baxter Price (R)DNQ202316161911202225172620272823211615222319212919DNQ2418
24 Buddy Baker 7*3327622378375283632326342221*42130
25 Donnie Allison 393132324253335229249420131993
26 James Hylton 111571271011394135177183411161514161965
27 Gary Myers Wth203026182823151921201414212015221727241915
28 Ed Negre DNQDNQ2129251015192835273518292130151820213526211857
29 Skip Manning 2112137231589234122616393838251802
30 Grant Adcox 14307255116222211223133381467
31 Ricky Rudd 37102728921639283623259DNQ1260
32 Bruce Hill DNQ936191025294014173534401336DNQ1214
33 Bill Elliott 8389614913617371176
34 Al Holbert (R)829317103831301230QL13351142
35 Ferrel Harris 9789201110182836203420191066
36 Coo Coo Marlin 26394122382630710765
37 Blackie Wangerin (R)36291930323115402533760
38 Bobby Wawak DNQ291228DNQ1334283727DNQ680
39 Terry Labonte 4792413659
40 Ralph Jones Wth20242127183029634
41 Janet Guthrie DNQ10113129273513592
42 Earle Canavan DNQ242422203331323916DNQ559
43 Dale Earnhardt 17712164558
44 Roland Wlodyka DNQ192632182721549
45 Joe Frasson DNQ1624141723533
46Nelson OswaldDNQ3038DNQ24252418501
47 Joe Mihalic 3119242630DNQ32419
48Jim Thirkettle17910389
49 Jimmy Insolo 7327369
50 Satch Worley 14DNQ18914368
51 John Kennedy DNQWth2929DNQ302740350
52 Bill Schmitt 32814350
53 Harry Gant 413628197325
54 Connie Saylor 83416318
55Richard White241918308
56 Chuck Bown 30302433301
57Nestor PelesDNQ242119297
58 Rick McCray 121339297
59John UtsmanDNQ40321632292
60 Joey Arrington 221931273
61 Joe Booher 183422273
62 John Borneman 272325264
63 Rocky Moran 263020261
64Jimmy Lee Capps231935258
65 Dave Dion 40382628256
66 Ray Elder 34640254
67 Elmo Langley 371629243
68Woody FisherDNQ283620237
69 Sterling Marlin 925226
70 Ron Hutcherson 43439221
71Jerry Jolly204036201
72 Junior Miller 1528197
73 Bill Hollar Wth283636189
74Norm Palmer1435DNQ179
75Ernie Stierly1931DNQ176
76 Morgan Shepherd 4012170
77Harry GoularteDNQ2033167
78 Mel Larson 3329140
79 Roy Smith 9DNQ138
80Chuck WahlDNQ2836134
81 Jim Vandiver 3827131
82 Sam Sommers DNQ1227127
83Wayne MorganDNQ3929122
84 Hershel McGriff 617112
85 Marty Robbins 18109
86 Glenn Jarrett 20103
87 Bob Burcham 2297
88Don Graham22DNQ97
89Jack Simpson22DNQ97
90Butch Mock262485
91 Steve Moore 2782
92Don Noel332879
93Billy McGinnis2879
94Vince Giaformaggio29QL76
95Richard Waters2976
96Raymond Williams2976
97Bill Green3073
98 Johnny Halford 3073
99Don Puskarich31DNQ70
100Steve PfeiferDNQDNQ3267
101Eddie Bradshaw3364
102 Bill Baker DNQ3461
103Louis GattoDNQ3558
104Gary Johnson35DNQ58
105 Butch Hartman Wth3655
106 Bill Dennis 3752
107 Jocko Maggiacomo DNQWth3752
108 Jabe Thomas 3752
109 Dick Trickle 3946
110Bobby Fisher294043
111 Claude Ballot-Léna 22183537
112 A. J. Foyt 323
113Lynn Carroll14
114 Dave Watson 17DNQ
115 Kenny Brightbill 23
116Paul Fess28
117Greg Heller29
118 Charlie Blanton 32
119Frank Hill37
120Pappy PryorDNQ
121John SoaresDNQ
122Evan Noyes Jr.DNQ
123Glenn FrancisDNQ
124Bob SwitzerDNQ
125Mike KemptonDNQ
126Bob BrownDNQ
127Mike BrockmanDNQDNQ
128John DineenDNQWthDNQ
129Dick WhalenDNQDNQDNQ
130Ron McGeeDNQDNQ
131Dick KranzlerDNQDNQ
132Bennie VaughtDNQDNQ
133Steve StolarekDNQ
134Tommy RobbsDNQ
135Tom FrankDNQ
136Claude AubinDNQ
137 Earl Ross DNQ
138Terry LinkDNQ
139Robin SchildknechtDNQ
140Keith NebernDNQ
141Hal CallentineDNQ
142Mike RocheDNQ
143Ross KusahDNQ
144 John Krebs DNQ
145 Billy Hagan DNQ
146Chris MonoleosDNQ
147Johnny KieperDNQ
148Fred LovellWth
149A. J. RenoWth
150Larry LaMayWth
151 Paul Dean Holt Wth
152 Travis Tiller Wth
153Jim BrayWth
154Keith DavisWth
155 Hoss Ellington QL
156 Walter Ballard QL30
Pos.Driver RIV DAY RCH CAR ATL BRI DAR NWS MAR TAL DOV CLT NSV RIV MCH DAY NSV POC TAL MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT CAR ATL ONT Pts

[2]

See also

References

  1. 2012 Richmond 400 Story With NASCAR Scoring Controversies from Mike Mulhern
  2. "1978 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Central - The Third Turn". www.thethirdturn.com. Retrieved April 29, 2021.