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1985 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

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1985 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

The 1985 NASCAR Winston Cup Season 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 (for the third time in his career) at the end of the season. Bill Elliott, driving for Harry Melling, had won 11 races in 1985 (as well as the Winston Million), but lost the title by 101 points to three-time race winner Waltrip.

Contents

Complete schedule

There were 23 full-time teams in 1985.

Busch Clash

The Busch Clash was run on February 10 at Daytona International Speedway. Ricky Rudd drew for the pole.

Top Ten Results

  1. 44 – Terry Labonte
  2. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
  3. 9 – Bill Elliott
  4. 5 – Geoffrey Bodine
  5. 33 – Harry Gant
  6. 15 – Ricky Rudd
  7. 88 – Buddy Baker
  8. 2 – Rusty Wallace
  9. 4 – Joe Ruttman
  10. 28 – Cale Yarborough

7-Eleven Twin 125's

The 7-Eleven Twin 125's were run on February 14 at Daytona. Bill Elliott and Cale Yarborough won the pole for Races 1 and 2, respectively.

Race One Top Ten Results

  1. 9 – Bill Elliott
  2. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
  3. 55 – Benny Parsons
  4. 88 – Buddy Baker
  5. 15 – Ricky Rudd
  6. 1 – Dick Brooks
  7. 51 – Greg Sacks
  8. 47 – Ron Bouchard
  9. 5 – Geoffrey Bodine
  10. 12 – Neil Bonnett

Race Two Top Ten Results

  1. 28 – Cale Yarborough
  2. 21 – David Pearson
  3. 7 – Kyle Petty
  4. 43 – Richard Petty
  5. 33 – Harry Gant
  6. 66 – Phil Parsons
  7. 75 – Lake Speed
  8. 14 – A.J. Foyt
  9. 3 – Dale Earnhardt
  10. 95 – Sterling Marlin

Miller High Life 400

The Miller High Life 400 was run on February 24 at Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway in Richmond, Virginia. Darrell Waltrip won the pole.

Top Ten Results

  1. 3 – Dale Earnhardt
  2. 5 – Geoffrey Bodine
  3. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
  4. 47 – Ron Bouchard
  5. 33 – Harry Gant
  6. 44 – Terry Labonte
  7. 7 – Kyle Petty
  8. 71 – Dave Marcis
  9. 27 – Tim Richmond
  10. 75 – Lake Speed

Carolina 500

The Carolina 500 was run on March 3 at North Carolina Motor Speedway in Rockingham, North Carolina. Terry Labonte won the pole.

Top Ten Results

  1. 12 – Neil Bonnett
  2. 33 – Harry Gant
  3. 44 – Terry Labonte
  4. 75 – Lake Speed
  5. 7 – Kyle Petty
  6. 4 – Joe Ruttman
  7. 28 – Cale Yarborough
  8. 43 – Richard Petty
  9. 2 – Rusty Wallace
  10. 3 – Dale Earnhardt

Coca-Cola 500

The Coca-Cola 500 was run on March 17 at Atlanta International Raceway in Atlanta, Georgia. Neil Bonnett won the pole.

Top Ten Results

  1. 9 – Bill Elliott
  2. 5 – Geoffrey Bodine
  3. 12 – Neil Bonnett
  4. 15 – Ricky Rudd
  5. 22 – Bobby Allison
  6. 44 – Terry Labonte
  7. 47 – Ron Bouchard
  8. 55 – Benny Parsons
  9. 3 – Dale Earnhardt
  10. 51 – Greg Sacks

Valleydale 500

The Valleydale 500 was run on April 6 at Bristol International Raceway in Bristol, Tennessee. Harry Gant won the pole.

Top Ten Results

  1. 3 – Dale Earnhardt
  2. 15 – Ricky Rudd
  3. 44 – Terry Labonte
  4. 88 – Buddy Baker
  5. 2 – Rusty Wallace
  6. 7 – Kyle Petty
  7. 75 – Lake Speed
  8. 43 – Richard Petty
  9. 8 – Bobby Hillin, Jr.
  10. 90 – Ken Schrader

This race was scheduled to run on March 31, 1985, but was moved to April 6 due to rain.

TranSouth 500

The TranSouth 500 was run on April 14 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina. Bill Elliott won the pole.

Top Ten Results

  1. 9 – Bill Elliott
  2. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
  3. 27 – Tim Richmond
  4. 44 – Terry Labonte
  5. 2 – Rusty Wallace
  6. 12 – Neil Bonnett
  7. 5 – Geoffrey Bodine
  8. 66 – Phil Parsons
  9. 75 – Lake Speed
  10. 22 – Bobby Allison

Northwestern Bank 400

The Northwestern Bank 400 was run on April 21 at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Darrell Waltrip won the pole.

Top Ten Results

  1. 12 – Neil Bonnett
  2. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
  3. 22 – Bobby Allison
  4. 15 – Ricky Rudd
  5. 5 – Geoffrey Bodine
  6. 9 – Bill Elliott
  7. 44 – Terry Labonte
  8. 3 – Dale Earnhardt
  9. 75 – Lake Speed
  10. 33 – Harry Gant

Sovran Bank 500

The Sovran Bank 500 was run on April 28 at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia. Darrell Waltrip won the pole.

Top Ten Results

  1. 33 – Harry Gant
  2. 15 – Ricky Rudd
  3. 5 – Geoffrey Bodine
  4. 22 – Bobby Allison
  5. 12 – Neil Bonnett
  6. 44 – Terry Labonte
  7. 43 – Richard Petty
  8. 75 – Lake Speed
  9. 66 – Phil Parsons
  10. 2 – Rusty Wallace

Winston 500

The Winston 500 was run on May 5 at Alabama International Motor Speedway in Talladega, Alabama. Bill Elliott won the pole.

Top Ten Results

  1. 9 – Bill Elliott
  2. 7 – Kyle Petty
  3. 28 – Cale Yarborough
  4. 22 – Bobby Allison
  5. 15 – Ricky Rudd
  6. 88 – Buddy Baker
  7. 44 – Terry Labonte
  8. 71 – Dave Marcis
  9. 8 – Bobby Hillin, Jr.
  10. 75 – Lake Speed

Bill Elliott made up two laps under green during this race. Elliott lost the laps from having to pit due to a broken oil fitting.

Budweiser 500

The Budweiser 500 was run on May 19 at Dover Downs International Speedway in Dover, Delaware. Terry Labonte won the pole.

Top Ten Results

  1. 9 – Bill Elliott
  2. 33 – Harry Gant
  3. 7 – Kyle Petty
  4. 15 – Ricky Rudd
  5. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
  6. 27 – Tim Richmond
  7. 43 – Richard Petty
  8. 75 – Neil Bonnett
  9. 71 – Dave Marcis
  10. 90 – Ken Schrader

The Winston

The inaugural Winston was run on May 25 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. Darrell Waltrip won.

Coca-Cola World 600

The Coca-Cola World 600 was run on May 26 at Charlotte. Bill Elliott won the pole.

Top Ten Results

  1. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
  2. 33 – Harry Gant
  3. 22 – Bobby Allison
  4. 3 – Dale Earnhardt
  5. 44 – Terry Labonte
  6. 75 – Lake Speed
  7. 4 – Joe Ruttman
  8. 2 – Rusty Wallace
  9. 27 – Tim Richmond
  10. 1 – Dick Brooks
  • this was the first NASCAR Winston cup start for Michael Waltrip

    • Budweiser 400

    The Budweiser 400 was run on June 2 at Riverside International Raceway in Riverside, California. Darrell Waltrip won the pole.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 44 – Terry Labonte
    2. 33 – Harry Gant
    3. 22 – Bobby Allison
    4. 15 – Ricky Rudd
    5. 7 – Kyle Petty
    6. 9 – Bill Elliott
    7. 43 – Richard Petty
    8. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
    9. 27 – Tim Richmond
    10. 90 – Ken Schrader

    Van Scoy Diamond Mine 500

    The Van Scoy Diamond Mine 500 was run on June 9 at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. Bill Elliott won the pole.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 9 – Bill Elliott
    2. 33 – Harry Gant
    3. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
    4. 5 – Geoffrey Bodine
    5. 12 – Neil Bonnett
    6. 55 – Benny Parsons
    7. 15 – Ricky Rudd
    8. 88 – Buddy Baker
    9. 22 – Bobby Allison
    10. 27 – Tim Richmond

    Miller 400

    The Miller 400 was run on June 16 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan. Bill Elliott won the pole.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 9 – Bill Elliott
    2. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
    3. 28 – Cale Yarborough
    4. 27 – Tim Richmond
    5. 3 – Dale Earnhardt
    6. 22 – Bobby Allison
    7. 15 – Ricky Rudd
    8. 12 – Neil Bonnett
    9. 71 – Dave Marcis
    10. 55 – Benny Parsons

    Pepsi Firecracker 400

    The Pepsi Firecracker 400 was run on July 4 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Bill Elliott won the pole. The race was won by Greg Sacks, who was driving as a Research & Development driver for DiGard Motorsports. His win caused Bobby Allison to leave the team.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 10 – Greg Sacks
    2. 9 – Bill Elliott
    3. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
    4. 47 – Ron Bouchard
    5. 7 – Kyle Petty
    6. 88 – Buddy Baker
    7. 15 – Ricky Rudd
    8. 44 – Terry Labonte
    9. 3 – Dale Earnhardt
    10. 21 – David Pearson

    Summer 500

    The Summer 500 was run on July 21 at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. Darrell Waltrip won the pole.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 9 – Bill Elliott
    2. 12 – Neil Bonnett
    3. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
    4. 5 – Geoffrey Bodine
    5. 33 – Harry Gant
    6. 55 – Benny Parsons
    7. 7 – Kyle Petty
    8. 66 – Phil Parsons
    9. 47 – Ron Bouchard
    10. 88 – Buddy Baker

    Talladega 500

    The Talladega 500 was run on July 28 at Alabama International Motor Speedway in Talladega, Alabama. Bill Elliott won the pole.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 28 Cale Yarborough
    2. 12 – Neil Bonnett
    3. 47 – Ron Bouchard
    4. 9 – Bill Elliott
    5. 14 – A.J. Foyt
    6. 43 – Richard Petty
    7. 33 – Harry Gant
    8. 75 – Lake Speed
    9. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
    10. 1 – Davey Allison*
  • This race was Davey Allison's Winston Cup debut.

    • Champion Spark Plug 400

    The Champion Spark Plug 400 was run on August 11 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan. Bill Elliott won the pole.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 9 – Bill Elliott
    2. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
    3. 33 – Harry Gant
    4. 7 – Kyle Petty
    5. 55 – Benny Parsons
    6. 66 – Phil Parsons
    7. 2 – Rusty Wallace
    8. 10 – Dick Trickle
    9. 44 – Terry Labonte
    10. 67 – Buddy Arrington

    Busch 500

    The Busch 500 was run on August 24 at Bristol International Raceway in Bristol, Tennessee. Dale Earnhardt won the pole.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 3 – Dale Earnhardt
    2. 27 – Tim Richmond
    3. 12 – Neil Bonnett
    4. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
    5. 9 – Bill Elliott
    6. 33 – Harry Gant
    7. 47 – Ron Bouchard
    8. 43 – Richard Petty
    9. 15 – Ricky Rudd
    10. 75 – Lake Speed

    Southern 500

    The Southern 500 was run on September 1 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina. Bill Elliott won the pole, and won the Winston Million with the race victory.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 9 – Bill Elliott
    2. 28 – Cale Yarborough
    3. 5 – Geoffrey Bodine
    4. 12 – Neil Bonnett
    5. 47 – Ron Bouchard
    6. 15 – Ricky Rudd
    7. 44 – Terry Labonte
    8. 55 – Benny Parsons
    9. 4 – Joe Ruttman
    10. 7 – Kyle Petty

    Wrangler Sanfor-Set 400

    The Wrangler Sanfor-Set 400 was run on September 8 at Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway in Richmond, Virginia. Geoffrey Bodine won the pole. This race marked the Winston Cup Series debut of Alan Kulwicki, driving Bill Terry's #32 Ford. Kulwicki would finish 19th, 8 laps down.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
    2. 44 – Terry Labonte
    3. 43 – Richard Petty
    4. 3 – Dale Earnhardt
    5. 15 – Ricky Rudd
    6. 33 – Harry Gant
    7. 5 – Geoffrey Bodine
    8. 7 – Kyle Petty
    9. 12 – Neil Bonnett
    10. 18 – Tommy Ellis

    Delaware 500

    The Delaware 500 was run on September 15 at Dover Downs International Speedway in Dover, Delaware. Bill Elliott won the pole.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 33 – Harry Gant
    2. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
    3. 15 – Ricky Rudd
    4. 22 – Bobby Allison
    5. 12 – Neil Bonnett
    6. 27 – Tim Richmond
    7. 3 – Dale Earnhardt
    8. 47 – Ron Bouchard
    9. 43 – Richard Petty
    10. 75 – Lake Speed

    Goody's 500

    The Goody's 500 was run on September 22 at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia. Geoffrey Bodine won the pole.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 3 – Dale Earnhardt
    2. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
    3. 33 – Harry Gant
    4. 15 – Ricky Rudd
    5. 7 – Kyle Petty
    6. 47 – Ron Bouchard
    7. 27 – Tim Richmond
    8. 8 – Bobby Hillin, Jr.
    9. 12 – Neil Bonnett
    10. 22 – Bobby Allison

    Holly Farms 400

    The Holly Farms 400 was run on September 29 at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Geoffrey Bodine won the pole.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 33 – Harry Gant
    2. 5 – Geoff Bodine
    3. 44 – Terry Labonte
    4. 3 – Dale Earnhardt
    5. 15 – Ricky Rudd
    6. 47 – Ron Bouchard
    7. 27 – Tim Richmond
    8. 43 – Richard Petty
    9. 71 – Dave Marcis
    10. 12 – Neil Bonnett

    Miller High Life 500

    The Miller High Life 500 was run on October 6 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. Harry Gant won the pole.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 28 – Cale Yarborough
    2. 9 – Bill Elliott
    3. 5 – Geoffrey Bodine
    4. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
    5. 4 – Joe Ruttman
    6. 27 – Tim Richmond
    7. 16 – Morgan Shepherd
    8. 88 – Buddy Baker
    9. 8 – Bobby Hillin, Jr.
    10. 43 – Richard Petty

    Nationwise 500

    The Nationwise 500 was run on October 20 at North Carolina Motor Speedway in Rockingham, North Carolina. Terry Labonte won the pole.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
    2. 47 – Ron Bouchard
    3. 33 – Harry Gant
    4. 9 – Bill Elliott
    5. 5 – Geoffrey Bodine
    6. 27 – Tim Richmond
    7. 15 – Ricky Rudd
    8. 3 – Dale Earnhardt
    9. 2 – Rusty Wallace
    10. 77 – Greg Sacks

    Atlanta Journal 500

    The Atlanta Journal 500 was run on November 3 at Atlanta International Raceway in Hampton, Georgia. Harry Gant won the pole.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 9 – Bill Elliott
    2. 28 – Cale Yarborough
    3. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
    4. 3 – Dale Earnhardt
    5. 16 – Morgan Shepherd
    6. 44 – Terry Labonte
    7. 75 – Lake Speed
    8. 33 – Harry Gant
    9. 77 – Greg Sacks
    10. 43 – Richard Petty

    Winston Western 500

    The Winston Western 500 was run on November 17 at Riverside International Raceway in Riverside, California. Terry Labonte won the pole. In this race, Darrell Waltrip clinched his third Winston Cup title, having won three races to Bill Elliott's eleven. Elliott, on the other hand, suffered early transmission problems in the race, which cost him the championship; he finished 31st.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 15 – Ricky Rudd
    2. 44 – Terry Labonte
    3. 75 – Neil Bonnett
    4. 33 – Harry Gant
    5. 3 – Dale Earnhardt
    6. 5 – Geoffrey Bodine
    7. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
    8. 43 – Richard Petty
    9. 75 – Lake Speed
    10. 47 – Ron Bouchard

    Final point standings

    1. Darrell Waltrip 4292
    2. Bill Elliott 4191
    3. Harry Gant 4033
    4. Neil Bonnett 3902
    5. Geoffrey Bodine 3862
    6. Ricky Rudd 3857
    7. Terry Labonte 3683
    8. Dale Earnhardt 3561
    9. Kyle Petty 3528
    10. Lake Speed 3507
    11. Tim Richmond 3413
    12. Bobby Allison 3312
    13. Ron Bouchard 3267
    14. Richard Petty 3140
    15. Bobby Hillin, Jr. 3091
    16. Ken Schrader 3024
    17. Buddy Baker 2986
    18. Dave Marcis 2871
    19. Rusty Wallace 2861
    20. Buddy Arrington 2870
    21. Phil Parsons 2840
    22. Clark Dwyer 2641
    23. Jimmy Means 2548
    24. Eddie Bierschwale 2396
    25. Greg Sacks 1944
    26. Cale Yarborough 1861
    27. J. D. McDuffie 1853
    28. Trevor Boys 1461
    29. Benny Parsons 1427
    30. Joe Ruttman 1410
    31. Morgan Shepherd 1406
    32. Bobby Wawak 1226
    33. Lennie Pond 1107
    34. Tommy Ellis 1100
    35. Mike Alexander 1046
    36. David Pearson 879
    37. Sterling Marlin 645
    38. Don Hume 637
    39. Ronnie Thomas 631
    40. Alan Kulwicki 509
    41. Rick Newsom 450
    42. Mike Potter 443
    43. Jerry Bowman 434
    44. Bobby Gerhart 422
    45. A.J. Foyt 410
    46. Phil Good 406
    47. Ken Ragan 356
    48. Slick Johnson 343
    49. Connie Saylor 296
    50. Jim Sauter 267

    The above information is from Racing Reference

    References

    1985 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA