1990 NASCAR Winston West Series

1990 NASCAR Winston West Series

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Champions  |  Seasons

The 1990 NASCAR Winston West Series was the 37th season of the series. The title was won by Bill Schmitt, his fourth in the series ^[1] and second in succession. Schmitt won the championship by just 1 point over Bill Sedgwick. ^[2]

Schedule and results

The 1990 season included 9 individual races, although Mesa Marin Raceway hosted two races. ^[3] The races at Sears Point International Raceway and Phoenix International Raceway were in combination with the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. ^{[4] [5]}

Date	Name	Racetrack	Location	Winner
May 20	Spears Manufacturing 400	Mesa Marin Raceway	Bakersfield, California	Bill Sedgwick [6]
June 10	Banquet Frozen Foods 300	Sears Point International Raceway	Sonoma, California	Rusty Wallace [7]
June 16	Winston 200	Saugus Speedway	Saugus, California	Bill Sedgwick [8] [9]
July 1	Winston 200	Portland Speedway	Portland, Oregon	Roy Smith [10]
July 15	Motorcraft 500	Evergreen Speedway	Monroe, Washington	Bill Sedgwick [11]
August 25	Six Rivers National Bank 200	Redwood Acres Speedway	Eureka, California	Bill Sedgwick
September 30	Miller Genuine Draft 200	Tri-City Raceway	West Richland, Washington	Roy Smith [12]
October 14	Spears Manufacturing 400	Mesa Marin Raceway	Bakersfield, California	Mike Chase [13]
November 4	Checker 500	Phoenix International Raceway	Avondale, Arizona	Dale Earnhardt [14]

Spears Manufacturing 400 (May)

The Spears Manufacturing 400 was held on May 20 at Mesa Marin Raceway. Bill Sedgwick won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 75 - Bill Sedgwick
2. 28 - Gary Collins
3. 09 - Terry Fisher
4. 98 - Jerry Bowers
5. 19 - Robert Sprague -3
6. 34 - Ted Kennedy -4
7. 88 - Bob Walker -4
8. 04 - Hershel McGriff -5
9. 07 - Mark Walbridge -9
10. 24 - Butch Gilliland -9

• Bill Sedgwick started the season with a win, leading 254 of the 400 laps. Bill Schmitt, who led 62 laps, fell out with engine issues halfway through the race. Six other drivers took turns at the front of the field, but Sedgwick was able to prevail by 2.85 second over Gary Collins.
• It was the only standalone West race of the season where a driver failed to qualify, as Rick Mackey would not make the field.

Banquet Frozen Foods 300

Main article: 1990 Banquet Frozen Foods 300

The Banquet Frozen Foods 300 was held on June 10 at Sears Point International Raceway and was the first of two combination races with the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. Ricky Rudd won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 27 - Rusty Wallace
2. 6 - Mark Martin
3. 5 - Ricky Rudd
4. 11 - Geoff Bodine
5. 8 - Bobby Hillin Jr.
6. 94 - Sterling Marlin
7. 4 - Ernie Irvan
8. 0 - Irv Hoerr
9. 30 - Michael Waltrip
10. 75 - Rick Wilson

Failed to qualify: 52 - Jimmy Means, J. C. Danielsen, 22 - St. James Davis, Mike Hickingbottom

• Rusty Wallace continued his Winston Cup road course mastery in earning his second win of the season at Sears Point. It was his fifth road course win in the last seven, finishing second in the other two. Wallace overtook Ricky Rudd on the 11th turn on lap 60 and led the rest of the way, beating Mark Martin to the caution on lap 73, earning the win under caution in the final lap. Martin overtook the Winston Cup points race at 1800, while Terry Fisher moved to the Winston West points lead.
• This was the final race victory for Blue Max Racing, as the team would fold after Wallace left the team at the end of 1990, and Roger Penske would acquire their equipment and hire Wallace starting in 1991.
• Terry Fisher was the highest finishing West Series driver, coming home 15th overall and scoring points equivalent to a win. As previously mentioned, Fisher would take the points lead, leaving Sonoma with a 14 point lead over Bill Sedgwick.

Winston 200 (Saugus)

Main article: 1990 Winston 200 (Saugus)

The Winston 200 was held on June 16 at Saugus Speedway. Bill Sedgwick won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 75 - Bill Sedgwick
2. 73 - Bill Schmitt
3. 99 - John Krebs
4. 19 - Robert Sprague -1
5. 04 - Hershel McGriff -1
6. 23 - Mike Chase -1
7. 9 - J. C. Danielsen -1
8. 09 - Terry Fisher -2
9. 28 - Gary Collins -2
10. 24 - Butch Gilliland -2

• Bill Sedgwick scored his second win of the season, leading all 200 laps. He would retake the points leader from Terry Fisher, who would be 29 points behind after his eighth place finish.

Winston 200 (Portland)

Main article: 1990 Winston 200 (Portland)

The Winston 200 was held on July 1 at Portland Speedway. Mike Chase won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 79 - Roy Smith
2. 73 - Bill Schmitt
3. 75 - Bill Sedgwick
4. 10 - Derrike Cope
5. 24 - Butch Gilliland
6. 04 - Hershel McGriff
7. 23 - Mike Chase
8. 19 - Robert Sprague -4
9. 33 - Rick Mackey -6
10. 88 - Bob Walker -7

• Roy Smith, in his second start of the season, would score his first win of the season, leading only 23 of the race's 200 laps.
• Bill Sedgwick would grow his points lead, leading Portland with a 71 point advantage over Bill Schmitt, who surpassed Terry Fisher and left Portland with a 3 point advantage over him.
• This was the last standalone West race Derrike Cope would compete in.

Motorcraft 500

The Motorcaft 500 was held on July 15 at Evergreen Speedway. Winston Cup driver Bill Elliott won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 75 - Bill Sedgwick
2. 9 - Bill Elliott
3. 73 - Bill Schmitt
4. 23 - Mike Chase -1
5. 09 - Terry Fisher -4
6. 87 - Mike Nicholson -14
7. 89 - Bob Howard -15
8. 33 - Rick Mackey -30
9. 79 - Roy Smith -31
10. 72 - Brad Tidrick -33

• Bill Sedgwick scored his third win of the season, beating polesitter and 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup Series champion Bill Elliott by 0.67 seconds.
• Sedgwick maintained his points lead over Bill Schmitt, who was 76 points behind after the race. Terry Fisher maintained third, however was now 99 points behind Sedgwick.

Six Rivers National Bank 200

The Six Rivers National Bank 200 was held on August 25 at Redwood Acres Speedway. Jim Bown won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 75 - Bill Sedgwick
2. 88 - Bob Walker
3. 9 - J. C. Danielsen
4. 24 - Butch Gilliland
5. 19 - Robert Sprague -2
6. 23 - Mike Chase -2
7. 09 - Terry Fisher -5
8. 44 - Jack Sellers -28
9. 33 - Rick Mackey -33
10. 99 - John Krebs -35

• Bill Sedgwick scored his fourth and final win of the season, and his second in a row. He led 179 of the race's 200 laps, with the other 21 being led by polesitter Jim Bown, who fell out of the race with overheating issues after 129 laps.
• Sedgwick expanded his points lead to 134 points over Bill Schmitt. Schmitt stayed just 4 points ahead of Terry Fisher.

Miller Genuine Draft 200

Main article: 1990 Miller Genuine Draft 200

The Miller Genuine Draft 200 was held on September 30 at Tri-City Raceway. Bill Sedgwick won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 79 - Roy Smith
2. 23 - Mike Chase
3. 73 - Bill Schmitt
4. 09 - Terry Fisher
5. 19 - Robert Sprague
6. 99 - John Krebs
7. 72 - Brad Tidrick -2
8. 44 - Jack Sellers -2
9. 10 - Jim Bown -3
10. 70 - L. J. Pryor -4

• Roy Smith scored his second win of the season and the final of his career.
• Bill Sedgwick had engine issues late in the race and finished 16th, allowing Bill Schmitt to gain in the standings, leaving Tri-City with an 84 point deficit.

Spears Manufacturing 400 (October)

Main article: 1990 Spears Manufacturing 400 (October)

The Spears Manufacturing 400 was held on October 14 at Mesa Marin Raceway. Bill Sedgwick won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 23 - Mike Chase
2. 73 - Bill Schmitt
3. 79 - Roy Smith
4. 99 - John Krebs -4
5. 87 - Mike Nicholson -9
6. 88 - Bob Walker -10
7. 33 - Rick Mackey -25
8. 05 - Will Harper -28
9. 15 - Rick Scribner -36
10. 24 - Butch Gilliland -48

• Mike Chase scored his first career win, winning by 1.3 seconds over Bill Schmitt.
• John Krebs got credit for fourth, although he required relief from Robert Sprague, who had fallen out of the race early with engine issues.
• After starting on pole, Bill Sedgwick only completed five laps before engine issues sent him out of the race and he finished 22nd. Terry Fisher failed to start the race and was given credit for 24th place.
• Sedgwick's points lead was cut to just 6 points after Schmitt led the most laps and finished second. Fisher finally lost third in points, as Chase was able to move into third, only 34 points behind Sedgwick.

Checker 500

Main article: 1990 Checker 500

The Checker 500 was held on November 4 at Phoenix International Raceway and was the second of two combination races with the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. Rusty Wallace won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 3 - Dale Earnhardt
2. 25 - Ken Schrader
3. 15 - Morgan Shepherd
4. 17 - Darrell Waltrip
5. 9 - Bill Elliott
6. 7 - Alan Kulwicki
7. 98 - Rick Mast
8. 11 - Geoff Bodine
9. 4 - Ernie Irvan
10. 6 - Mark Martin

Failed to qualify: 04 - Hershel McGriff, 34 - Ted Kennedy, 24 - Butch Gilliland, 61 - Rick Scribner, 44 - Jack Sellers, 22 - St. James Davis, 09 - Terry Fisher, 36 - Rick Mackey, 56 - Ron Esau, 88 - Bob Walker

• Dale Earnhardt won his first (and only) race at Phoenix in a dominant fashion, leading 262 laps of 312 laps. He also took the Cup points lead by 6 points over Mark Martin heading into the season finale at Atlanta.
• Bill Schmitt was the highest finishing West driver and received points equivalent to a win, taking the championship from Bill Sedgwick by one point. Mike Chase, who finished last of the West drivers who made the field, ended the season third in points, with Terry Fisher and John Krebs completing the top five in the standings.

Full Drivers' Championship

Further information: List of NASCAR points scoring systems

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

Pos	Driver	MMR	SON	SGS	POR	EVG	RAS	TCR	MMR	PHO	Pts
1	Bill Schmitt	21	20	2	2	3*	12	3	2*	18	1342
2	Bill Sedgwick	1*	36	1*	3*	1	1*	16	22	20	1341
3	Mike Chase	20	25	6	7	4	6	2*	1	39	1278
4	Terry Fisher	3	15	8	11	5	7	4	24	DNQ	1205
5	John Krebs	15	23	3	13	16	10	6	4	31	1183
6	Robert Sprague	5		4	8	17	5	5	18	DNQ	1128
7	Butch Gilliland	10	28	10	5	22	4	19	10	DNQ	1107
8	Jack Sellers	24	40	16	17	13	8	8	13	DNQ	1018
9	Rick Mackey	DNQ		14	9	8	9	18	7	DNQ	994
10	Bob Walker	7		15	10		2	20	6	DNQ	947
11	St. James Davis	23	DNQ	17	21	12	17	17	19	DNQ	902
12	Hershel McGriff	8	44	5	6	23				DNQ	814
13	J.C. Danielsen	13	DNQ	7	14	19	3				792
14	Roy Smith	18			1	9		1	3		782
15	Gary Collins	2		9	15				14	33	712
16	Mike Hickingbottom	17	DNQ	12	19	21	15				690
17	Rick Scribner					11	11	13	9	DNQ	640
18	Chuck Welch	25			24	25	18	21	17		640
19	Mike Nicholson	14				6	16	5			541
20	Ted Kennedy	6	43						16	DNQ	519
21	Bob Howard	16				7			11		396
22	Mark Walbridge	9		11	12						395
23	Brad Tidrick				18	10		7			394
24	Troy Beebe		30			24				35	387
25	Larry Gaylord				23	14		12			342
26	Gary Scott				20	18		15			330
27	Mike French					20	14	22			321
28	Mark Reed								15	34	273
29	Jim Bown						13	9			272
30	L.J. Pryor							10	23		228
31	Tim McCauley							14	20		224
32	Bill Elliott		21†			2				5†	175
33	Brent Kaeding									29	165
34	Jerry Bowers	4									165
35	Derrike Cope		13†		4					14†	160
36	Will Harper								8		142
37	Ron Esau									DNQ	138
38	Glen Steurer	12									132
39	Randy Becker	11									130
40	Larry Gunselman							11			130
41	John Clayton								12		127
42	Duke Hoenshell			13							124
43	Chad Little		37†			15				21†	123
44	Ron Eaton				16						115
45	Ron Hornaday Jr.			18							109
46	Ray Kelly	19									106
47	Rick McCray	22									102
48	P. J. Jones								21		100
49	Dick Gaboury				22						97

See also

• 1990 NASCAR Winston Cup Series
• 1990 NASCAR Busch Series

References

1. "NASCAR In 1990 — The 75 Years Edition". SPEED SPORT. June 30, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
2. "1990 NASCAR Winston West Series Central". The Third Turn. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
3. "1990 NASCAR Winston West Series Season Stats". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 24, 2025.
4. "1990 Banquet Frozen Foods 300 results". The Third Turn. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
5. "1990 Checker 500 results". The Third Turn. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
6. Glick, Shav (June 14, 1990). "MOTOR RACING / SHAV GLICK : Sedgwick Drives at Saugus Toward Big League Goal". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved May 4, 2025.
7. Higgins, Tom (June 11, 1990). "Wallace Returns, Conquers Sears Point Course (Part 1)". The Charlotte Observer . p. 9. Retrieved March 26, 2025– via Newspapers.com.
8. "Throwback Thursday: June 16". Racing America. June 16, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
9. "Sedgwick wins Winston West 200". UPI . June 17, 1990. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
10. "Roy Smith wins NASCAR Pontiac/Winston 200". UPI . July 1, 1990. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
11. Jaffe, Michael. "A Roundup of the Week July 9-15". Sports Illustrated Vault. Retrieved May 4, 2025.
12. "Smith beats Chase in Miller 200". UPI Archives. October 1, 1990. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
13. "Chase wins NASCAR West Series race". UPI . October 15, 1990. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
14. Higgins, Tom (November 5, 1990). "Phoenix Victory Gives Earnhardt Points Lead (Part 1)". The Charlotte Observer . p. 29. Retrieved March 26, 2025– via Newspapers.com.