1979 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

Last updated

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.

Contents

The season was the last until 2006 without Rusty Wallace.

Teams and drivers

Complete schedule

MakeTeamNo.DriverCrew Chief
Chevrolet McDuffie Racing 70 J. D. McDuffie
Dodge Warren Racing 79 Frank Warren
Ford Bud Moore Engineering 15 Bobby Allison Bud Moore
Oldsmobile Junior Johnson & Associates 11 Cale Yarborough Travis Carter
Buick
Chevrolet
Ulrich Racing 40 D. K. Ulrich 30
Al Elmore 1
Buick
Chevrolet
Oldsmobile
Rod Osterlund Racing 2 Dale Earnhardt (R)27 Jake Elder
David Pearson 4
Hagan Racing 44 Terry Labonte (R)
Dodge
Ford
Arrington Racing 67 Buddy Arrington
Chevrolet
Oldsmobile
DeWitt Racing 72 Joe Millikan (R)
Richard Childress Racing 3 Richard Childress
Hylton Racing 48 James Hylton
M. C. Anderson Racing 27 Benny Parsons David Ifft
Petty Enterprises 43 Richard Petty Dale Inman

Limited schedule

MakeTeamNo.DriverCrew ChiefRounds
Buick Ballard Racing 30 Tighe Scott Harry Hyde 17
50 Bruce Hill 3
Gray Racing 19 Steve Spencer 1
Dick May 1
Thirkettle Racing 51 Jim Thirkettle 1
Robertson Racing 25 Ronnie Thomas 6
Chevrolet Al Rudd Auto 22 Richard White 2
Kevin Housby 1
Darrell Waltrip 1
Al Rudd Jr. 1
DiGard Motorsports 88 Darrell Waltrip Buddy Parrott 30
Al Holbert Racing 7 Al Holbert 5
Cunningham-Kelley Racing 14 Coo Coo Marlin 7
Dick Kranzler 1
Sterling Marlin 1
Jimmy Means 1
Donlavey Racing 90 Ricky Rudd 2
Ellington Racing 1 Donnie Allison Runt Pittman 18
Gray Racing 19 Vince Giamformaggio 2
Bill Dennis 2
Dick May 8
Joe Fields 1
Lennie Pond 5
Billy Hagan 1
Bob Burcham 2
Steve Spencer 1
Steve Gray 1
Cecil Gordon 2
Glenn Jarrett 1
Gordon Racing 24 Larry Isley 1
Goularte Racing 17 Harry Goularte 1
Hamby Motorsports Skip Manning 2
Roger Hamby 8
Jim Vandiver 1
Steve Pfeifer 2
Bill Elliott 3
Kennie Childers Racing 12 Harry Gant Kennie Childers 2
Lennie Pond 5
Jack Ingram 2
Butch Lindley 1
Buck Simmons 2
Means Racing 52 Don Graham 1
Jimmy Means 28
Marcis Auto Racing 02 Dave Marcis 9
7115
Nelson Malloch Racing 05 Dick Brooks 27
Elmo Langley 1
Petty Enterprises 42 Kyle Petty Maurice Petty 5
Puskarich Racing 13 Don Puskarich 1
Halverson Racing Jeff Halverson 1
Price Racing 45 Ferrel Harris 1
Baxter Price 21
Roy Smith 1
Race Hill Farm Team 47 Harry Gant (R)17
Ranier-Lundy Racing 28 Buddy Baker Waddell Wilson 21
Robertson Racing 25 Ronnie Thomas 23
Schmitt Racing 73 Steve Moore 1
Slick Johnson Racing 51 Slick Johnson 2
Williamson Racing 74 Tim Williamson 1
Wawak Racing Bobby Wawak 3
Dodge Arrington Racing 7 Earl Brooks 1
Canavan Racing 01 Earle Canavan 7
Robbins Racing 6 Marty Robbins 1
361
421
Petty Enterprises Kyle Petty Maurice Petty 1
Marcis Auto Racing 71 Joey Arrington 1
Ford Donlavey Racing 90 Ricky Rudd 11
Langley Racing 64 Tommy Gale 28
Elmo Langley 1
Mercury Donlavey Racing 90 Ricky Rudd 15
Wood Brothers Racing 21 David Pearson Leonard Wood 5
Neil Bonnett 17
Elliott Racing 9 Bill Elliott Ernie Elliott 9
172
Oldsmobile A. J. Foyt Enterprises 51 A. J. Foyt 2
Al Holbert Racing 7 Al Holbert 1
Ballard Racing 50 Bruce Hill 4
Craker Racing 01 Jimmy Insolo 3
DiGard Motorsports 88 Darrell Waltrip Buddy Parrott 4
Ellington Racing 1 Donnie Allison Runt Pittman 2
Gordon Racing 24 Cecil Gordon 26
D. K. Ulrich 1
Hamby Motorsports 17 Roger Hamby 5
01
Kennie Childers Racing 12 Harry Gant Kennie Childers 1
Neil Bonnett 1
Lennie Pond 3
Jack Ingram 2
Nelson Malloch Racing 05 Dick Brooks 27
Price Racing 45 Baxter Price 4
Race Hill Farm Team 47 Geoff Bodine 3
Harry Gant (R)5
Ranier-Lundy Racing 28 Buddy Baker Waddell Wilson 5
Schmitt Racing 73 Bill Schmitt 3
Wawak Racing 74 Bobby Wawak 1
Callentine Racing Hal Callentine 2

Schedule

No.Race Title Track Date
1 Winston Western 500 Riverside International Raceway, Riverside January 14
Busch Clash Daytona 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

The 1979 Winston Western 500 was run on January 14 at Riverside International Raceway at Riverside, California. David Pearson won the pole.

Top Ten Results
FinCar #DriverStatus
188 Darrell Waltrip 2:53:30
221 David Pearson Running
311 Cale Yarborough Running
473 Bill Schmitt -1 lap
51 Donnie Allison -1 lap
672 Joe Millikan -1 lap
728 Buddy Baker -1 lap
851 Jim Thirkettle -2 laps
974 Tim Williamson -3 laps
1012 Harry Gant -3 laps

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 Results
FinCar #DriverLapsStatus
128 Buddy Baker 200:15:26
288 Darrell Waltrip 20Running
311 Cale Yarborough 20Running
427 Benny Parsons 20Running
515 Bobby Allison 20Running
621 David Pearson 20Running
754 Lennie Pond 20Running
85 Neil Bonnett 20Running
970 J. D. McDuffie 17Engine

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 One
Top Ten Results
Race Two
Top Ten Results
FinCar #DriverStatusFinCar #DriverStatus
128 Buddy Baker 0:44:45188 Darrell Waltrip 0:49:01
211 Cale Yarborough Running251 A. J. Foyt Running
327 Benny Parsons Running305 Dick Brooks Running
415 Bobby Allison Running42 Dale Earnhardt Running
521 David Pearson Running502 Dave Marcis Running
690 Ricky Rudd Running612 Harry Gant Running
743 Richard Petty Running747 Geoff Bodine Running
867 Buddy Arrington Running817 Roger Hamby Running
950 Bruce Hill Running95 Neil Bonnett Running
1044 Terry Labonte Running1000 John Utsman Running

Cale Yarborough was pessimistic about rivals' chances against Baker, saying "Baker is just pure horsepower."

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 Results
FinCar #DriverStatus
143 Richard Petty 3:28:22
288 Darrell Waltrip Running
351 A. J. Foyt Running
41 Donnie Allison -1 lap (Crash)
511 Cale Yarborough -1 lap (Crash)
630 Tighe Scott -1 lap
768 Chuck Bown -1 lap
82 Dale Earnhardt -1 lap
914 Coo Coo Marlin -2 laps
1079 Frank Warren -3 laps

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

  1. 15–Bobby Allison
  2. 72–Joe Millikan
  3. 05–Dick Brooks
  4. 30–Tighe Scott
  5. 3–Richard Childress
  6. 40–D. K. Ulrich
  7. 48–James Hylton
  8. 37–Dave Watson
  9. 79–Frank Warren
  10. 27–Benny Parsons

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

  1. 11–Cale Yarborough
  2. 15–Bobby Allison
  3. 88–Darrell Waltrip
  4. 27–Benny Parsons
  5. 43–Richard Petty
  6. 72–Joe Millikan
  7. 70–J. D. McDuffie
  8. 44–Terry Labonte
  9. 1 –Donnie Allison
  10. 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

  1. 28–Buddy Baker
  2. 15–Bobby Allison
  3. 88–Darrell Waltrip
  4. 11–Cale Yarborough
  5. 27–Benny Parsons
  6. 02–Dave Marcis
  7. 1–Donnie Allison
  8. 72–Joe Millikan
  9. 90–Ricky Rudd
  10. 05–Dick Brooks

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

  1. 15–Bobby Allison
  2. 43–Richard Petty
  3. 27–Benny Parsons
  4. 2–Dale Earnhardt
  5. 88–Darrell Waltrip
  6. 70–J. D. McDuffie
  7. 3–Richard Childress
  8. 28–Buddy Baker
  9. 11–Cale Yarborough
  10. 72–Joe Millikan

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

  1. 2–Dale Earnhardt
  2. 15–Bobby Allison
  3. 88–Darrell Waltrip
  4. 43–Richard Petty
  5. 27–Benny Parsons
  6. 1–Donnie Allison
  7. 44–Terry Labonte
  8. 72–Joe Millikan
  9. 48–James Hylton
  10. 90–Ricky Rudd

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

  1. 88–Darrell Waltrip
  2. 43–Richard Petty
  3. 1–Donnie Allison
  4. 27–Benny Parsons
  5. 28–Buddy Baker
  6. 11–Cale Yarborough
  7. 9–Bill Elliott
  8. 90–Ricky Rudd
  9. 05–Dick Brooks
  10. 72–Joe Millikan

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

  1. 43–Richard Petty
  2. 28–Buddy Baker
  3. 88–Darrell Waltrip
  4. 15–Bobby Allison
  5. 72–Joe Millikan
  6. 47–Harry Gant
  7. 48–James Hylton
  8. 2–Dale Earnhardt
  9. 44–Terry Labonte
  10. 70–J. D. McDuffie

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

  1. 15–Bobby Allison
  2. 88–Darrell Waltrip
  3. 67–Buddy Arrington
  4. 43–Richard Petty
  5. 72–Joe Millikan
  6. 9–Bill Elliott
  7. 64–Tommy Gale
  8. 79–Frank Warren
  9. 44–Terry Labonte
  10. 14–Coo Coo Marlin

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

  1. 11–Cale Yarborough
  2. 43–Richard Petty
  3. 15–Bobby Allison
  4. 2–Dale Earnhardt
  5. 70–J. D. McDuffie
  6. 3–Richard Childress
  7. 27–Benny Parsons
  8. 28–Buddy Baker
  9. 44–Terry Labonte
  10. 90–Ricky Rudd

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

  1. 21–Neil Bonnett
  2. 11–Cale Yarborough
  3. 28–Buddy Baker
  4. 15–Bobby Allison
  5. 2–Dale Earnhardt
  6. 44–Terry Labonte
  7. 27–Benny Parsons
  8. 72–Joe Millikan
  9. 12–Lennie Pond
  10. 67–Buddy Arrington

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

  1. 88–Darrell Waltrip
  2. 43–Richard Petty
  3. 2–Dale Earnhardt
  4. 11–Cale Yarborough
  5. 27–Benny Parsons
  6. 90–Ricky Rudd
  7. 44–Terry Labonte
  8. 7–Al Holbert
  9. 12–Lennie Pond
  10. 3–Richard Childress

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

  1. 88–Darrell Waltrip
  2. 15–Donnie Allison
  3. 28–Buddy Baker
  4. 11–Cale Yarborough
  5. 44–Terry Labonte
  6. 43–Richard Petty
  7. 3–Richard Childress
  8. 72–Joe Millikan
  9. 67–Buddy Arrington
  10. 48–James Hylton

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.

  1. 15–Bobby Allison
  2. 88–Darrell Waltrip
  3. 43–Richard Petty
  4. 11–Cale Yarborough
  5. 27–Benny Parsons
  6. 3–Richard Childress
  7. 70–J. D. McDuffie
  8. 93–Norm Palmer
  9. 67–Buddy Arrington
  10. 72–Joe Millikan

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

  1. 28–Buddy Baker
  2. 1–Donnie Allison
  3. 11–Cale Yarborough
  4. 21–Neil Bonnett
  5. 43–Richard Petty
  6. 2–Dale Earnhardt
  7. 15–Bobby Allison
  8. 90–Ricky Rudd
  9. 30–Tighe Scott
  10. 05–Dick Brooks

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

  1. 21–Neil Bonnett
  2. 27–Benny Parsons
  3. 2–Dale Earnhardt
  4. 88–Darrell Waltrip
  5. 43–Richard Petty
  6. 68–Chuck Bown
  7. 47–Harry Gant
  8. 72–Joe Millikan
  9. 05–Dick Brooks
  10. 51–A. J. Foyt

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

  1. 88–Darrell Waltrip
  2. 11–Cale Yarborough
  3. 2–Dale Earnhardt
  4. 27–Benny Parsons
  5. 43–Richard Petty
  6. 48–James Hylton
  7. 3–Richard Childress
  8. 70–J. D. McDuffie
  9. 25–Ronnie Thomas
  10. 52–Jimmy Means

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

  1. 11–Cale Yarborough
  2. 43–Richard Petty
  3. 28–Buddy Baker
  4. 27–Benny Parsons
  5. 90–Ricky Rudd
  6. 72–Joe Millikan
  7. 22–Darrell Waltrip
  8. 21–Neil Bonnett
  9. 15–Bobby Allison
  10. 30–Tighe Scott

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

  1. 88–Darrell Waltrip
  2. 2–David Pearson
  3. 90–Ricky Rudd
  4. 43–Richard Petty
  5. 77–Jody Ridley
  6. 30–Tighe Scott
  7. 47–Harry Gant
  8. 67–Buddy Arrington
  9. 42–Kyle Petty
  10. 3–Richard Childress

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

  1. 43–Richard Petty
  2. 28–Buddy Baker
  3. 27–Benny Parsons
  4. 2–David Pearson
  5. 08–John Anderson
  6. 72–Joe Millikan
  7. 90–Ricky Rudd
  8. 30–Tighe Scott
  9. 70–J. D. McDuffie
  10. 3–Richard Childress

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

  1. 88–Darrell Waltrip
  2. 43–Richard Petty
  3. 15–Bobby Allison
  4. 27–Benny Parsons
  5. 11–Cale Yarborough
  6. 72–Joe Millikan
  7. 2–David Pearson
  8. 44–Terry Labonte
  9. 90–Ricky Rudd
  10. 17–Bill Elliott

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

  1. 2–David Pearson
  2. 17–Bill Elliott
  3. 44–Terry Labonte
  4. 28–Buddy Baker
  5. 27–Benny Parsons
  6. 71–Dave Marcis
  7. 05–Dick Brooks
  8. 90–Ricky Rudd
  9. 43–Richard Petty
  10. 15–Bobby Allison

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

  1. 15–Bobby Allison
  2. 88–Darrell Waltrip
  3. 90–Ricky Rudd
  4. 2–Dale Earnhardt
  5. 11–Cale Yarborough
  6. 43–Richard Petty
  7. 71–Dave Marcis
  8. 27–Benny Parsons
  9. 47–Harry Gant
  10. 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

  1. 43–Richard Petty
  2. 1–Donnie Allison
  3. 11–Cale Yarborough
  4. 28–Buddy Baker
  5. 72–Joe Millikan
  6. 15–Bobby Allison
  7. 71–Dave Marcis
  8. 90–Ricky Rudd
  9. 2–Dale Earnhardt
  10. 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

  1. 28–Buddy Baker
  2. 43–Richard Petty
  3. 72–Joe Millikan
  4. 15–Bobby Allison
  5. 71–Dave Marcis
  6. 90–Ricky Rudd
  7. 67–Buddy Arrington
  8. 11–Cale Yarborough
  9. 44–Terry Labonte
  10. 40–D. K. Ulrich

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

  1. 11–Cale Yarborough
  2. 15–Bobby Allison
  3. 88–Darrell Waltrip
  4. 43–Richard Petty
  5. 1–Donnie Allison
  6. 27–Benny Parsons
  7. 9–Bill Elliott
  8. 05–Dick Brooks
  9. 40–D. K. Ulrich
  10. 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

  1. 27–Benny Parsons
  2. 15–Bobby Allison
  3. 43–Richard Petty
  4. 2–Dale Earnhardt
  5. 90–Ricky Rudd
  6. 44–Terry Labonte
  7. 25–Ronnie Thomas
  8. 40–D. K. Ulrich
  9. 67–Buddy Arrington
  10. 3–Richard Childress

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

  1. 43–Richard Petty
  2. 27–Benny Parsons
  3. 11–Cale Yarborough
  4. 1–Donnie Allison
  5. 2–Dale Earnhardt
  6. 88–Darrell Waltrip
  7. 3–Richard Childress
  8. 25–Ronnie Thomas
  9. 71–Dave Marcis
  10. 51–Slick Johnson

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

  1. 21–Neil Bonnett
  2. 2–Dale Earnhardt
  3. 11–Cale Yarborough
  4. 15–Bobby Allison
  5. 88–Darrell Waltrip
  6. 43–Richard Petty
  7. 44–Terry Labonte
  8. 90–Ricky Rudd
  9. 72–Joe Millikan
  10. 77–Jody Ridley

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

  1. 27–Benny Parsons
  2. 15–Bobby Allison
  3. 11–Cale Yarborough
  4. 28–Buddy Baker
  5. 43–Richard Petty
  6. 21–Neil Bonnett
  7. 05–Dick Brooks
  8. 88–Darrell Waltrip
  9. 2–Dale Earnhardt
  10. 90–Ricky Rudd

Full Drivers’ Championship

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

Pos.Driver RSD DAY CAR RCH ATL NWS BRI DAR MAR TAL NSV DOV CLT TWS RSD MCH DAY NSV POC TAL MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR CLT NWS CAR ATL ONT Pts
1 Richard Petty 321325112*421*42*3026355524129612431654830
2 Darrell Waltrip 1*21733531*3221181*1*21341*71*19111*229113136584819
3 Bobby Allison 19111*2*2*12264134222173016928233101*6422*19424633
4 Cale Yarborough 3518149246113312*44432021241751953*812033*3*4604
5 Benny Parsons 261810453541935775255312442134*582227612*3114256
6 Joe Millikan (R)63626810810552382781030821625661510532915189124014
7 Dale Earnhardt (R)21812131241*2383645312136332949291045293749
8 Richard Childress 15175262071116142462910762337712101011291513131410715163735
9 Ricky Rudd 3134119141081227101462881353798386115208103642
10 Terry Labonte (R)35161582515729999675182529252333268317259156277133615
11 Buddy Arrington 181219152925132522326101299151517228201414133271291717193589
12 D. K. Ulrich 141361014181212152116121815332118231127281213121210982825333508
13 J. D. McDuffie 172525717626191031513131471421813189261814272122282512313473
14 James Hylton 11DNQ7121316915715221733101420196332012133821142323111116263405
15 Buddy Baker 740312918255232833631*343392*441*25333943249
16 Frank Warren 2710921221720171882021211922224014192316172226181619262421253199
17 Ronnie Thomas 1234291734282324202517161426232791422242724232420387828272912
18 Tommy Gale DNQ13222120183416713192020332728173614152124152221271222342795
19 Cecil Gordon 25DNQ1125232215311711231721113511184018222618202432181338242737
20 Dave Marcis 242416166121727261426261731301867753721923172736
21 Harry Gant (R)10332621639282523177221572516129281220142111202664
22 Dick Brooks 33273281013229213727QL39109192011292072615825154072622
23 Jimmy Means DNQ2427333028302812113123311622101613221916201617402431192575
24 Donnie Allison 54*30971163272337212303125435112508
25 Baxter Price 1423192319202426191527171831262124231931142417222364
26 Neil Bonnett 343233132517*1252841*834333221183129162223
27 Tighe Scott 643713342416914106835101337291879
28 Bill Elliott DNQ36763812111211102117231548
29 Lennie Pond 30141129389931112834312525231415
30 Dick May DNQ202421273330201130292841213434251726411390
31 Roger Hamby DNQ213026191432DNQ292613381719121231
32 David Pearson 23723182224711203
33 Coo Coo Marlin 9381030252936613
34 Bruce Hill 1915DNQ2413411615594
35 Blackie Wangerin 20302815243736571
36 Grant Adcox 232811331927560
37 Kyle Petty WthWth913183214559
38 Chuck Bown 71623DNQ4061733523
39 John Anderson 5111624496
40 Ralph Jones 153130DNQ243730477
41 Earle Canavan Wth35182734392233456
42 Nelson Oswald Wth282625222725431
43 Slick Johnson 27241013431
44 Dave Watson 2681832413
45 Al Holbert 20218323738402
46 Bobby Wawak 21292814376
47 Jody Ridley 52610374
48 Bill Hollar Wth352429DNQ3030371
49 Rick Newsom 23261535355
50 Bill Schmitt 43018342
51 Ed Negre Wth181320336
52 John Kennedy Wth3918153023322
53 Tim Williamson 92622320
54 Richard White 291630264
55 Jimmy Insolo 162536258
56 H. B. Bailey 16352720255
57 Elmo Langley 2835DNQ246
58 Jim Robinson 302132240
59 Henry Jones 262929237
60 Steve Spencer 1220230
61 Travis Tiller Wth3640353634229
62 Jim Vandiver 41192834225
63 Bill Elswick 161914221
64 Jack Ingram 35253036219
65 Jimmy Finger 193439213
66 Wayne Watercutter 123226212
67 Bob Burcham 2414212
68 Mike Potter 16222335209
69 John Rezek DNQ11283635209
70 Marty Robbins 353227207
71 Steve Peles 2021203
72 Bill Dennis 1428200
73 Buck Simmons 1429197
74 Dave Dion 1926191
75 Mike Kempton Wth1829185
76 Vince Giaformaggio 1337176
77 Connie Saylor DNQ1834170
78 Paul Fess 2232164
79 Sandy Satullo II Wth1938155
80 David Sosebee 282733146
81 Norm Palmer 8DNQ142
82 Jim Thirkettle 8142
83 Geoff Bodine 292235139
84 Louis Gatto 2736137
85 Steve Pfeifer DNQ323034134
86 Sterling Marlin 15123
87 Butch Hartman 14121
88 Al Elmore 15118
89 Ed Hale DNQ15118
90 Gary Balough 351635116
91 Keith Davis 4030116
92 Skip Manning 3832116
93 Kevin Housby 16115
94 Ernie Shaw 16115
95 Billy Hagan 17112
96 Steve Moore DNQ17112
97 Nestor Peles DNQ19106
98 Dick Whalen 19DNQ106
99 John Borneman QL20103
100 Joe Fields 20103
101 Roy Smith 21100
102 Don Graham 2297
103 Larry Isley 2297
104 Jerry Jolly DNQ2297
105 Hal Callentine 122394
106 Harry Goularte 2394
107 Jim Hurlbert 2491
108 Jocko Maggiacomo Wth2491
109 Robert Tartaglia DNQ2491
110 Joey Arrington 2685
111 Rick McCray DNQ2782
112 Butch Lindley 2879
113 Don Puskarich 2879
114 John Utsman 2879
115 Dick Kranzler 29DNQ76
116 Wayne Broome 293073
117 Bobby Fisher QL3170
118 Don Noel 3170
119 Glenn Jarrett 293267
120 Bill Meazill 3267
121 Billy Smith 3364
122 Bobby Brack 3563
123 Chris Monoleos 3461
124 Jeff Halverson 3655
125 Bill Seifert 3655
126 Bub Strickler 3655
127 Richard Brickhouse 3946
128 Steve Gray 3946
129 Butch Mock 39Wth46
130 Ron Hutcherson 4140
131 Randy Ogden 303728
132 A. J. Foyt 310
133 Freddy Smith 1618
134 Claude Ballot-Léna DNQ2731
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 DNQ34
142 Ferrel Harris DNQ40
143 Gary Matthews DNQ
144 John Krebs DNQDNQ
145 Bobby Ligarski DNQ
146 Woody Fisher DNQ
147 Morgan Shepherd DNQ
148 Ron McGee DNQ
149 Glen Ward DNQ
150 Jan Opperman DNQWth
151 Don Satterfield WthDNQ
152 Richard Ulricht WthDNQ
153 Junior Miller DNQ
154 Ricky Knotts DNQ
155 Lake Speed DNQDNQ
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.Driver RSD DAY CAR RCH ATL NWS BRI DAR MAR TAL NSV DOV CLT TWS RSD MCH DAY NSV POC TAL MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR CLT NWS CAR ATL ONT Pts

[1]

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References

  1. "1979 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Central - The Third Turn". www.thethirdturn.com. Retrieved 2021-04-29.