Neha Patil (Editor)

1989 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit

The 1989 NASCAR Winston Cup Season was the 41st season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 18th modern-era Cup season. It began February 12 and ended November 19. Rusty Wallace of the No. 27 Pontiac for Blue Max Racing won the championship. This was the first year that every Winston Cup race was televised, with almost all of them being televised live.

Contents

Busch Clash

The Busch Clash, an annual invitational event for all winners of the Busch Pole award from the previous season, was held February 12 at Daytona International Speedway. Ken Schrader drew for the pole.

Top Ten Results

  1. 25-Ken Schrader
  2. 28-Davey Allison
  3. 11-Terry Labonte
  4. 5-Geoffrey Bodine
  5. 4-Rick Wilson
  6. 27-Rusty Wallace
  7. 6-Mark Martin
  8. 17-Darrell Waltrip
  9. 75-Morgan Shepherd
  10. 66-Rick Mast

Gatorade 125s

The Gatorade 125s, a pair of qualifying races for the Daytona 500, were held February 16 at Daytona International Speedway. Ken Schrader and Darrell Waltrip won the poles for each event, respectively.

Race One Top Ten Results

  1. 25-Ken Schrader
  2. 75-Morgan Shepherd
  3. 6-Mark Martin
  4. 55-Phil Parsons
  5. 7-Alan Kulwicki
  6. 66-Rick Mast
  7. 9-Jody Ridley
  8. 10-Ken Bouchard -1
  9. 45-Joe Ruttman -1
  10. 71-Dave Marcis -1

Race Two Top Ten Results

  1. 11-Terry Labonte
  2. 94-Sterling Marlin
  3. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  4. 5-Geoff Bodine
  5. 33-Harry Gant
  6. 16-Larry Pearson
  7. 28-Davey Allison
  8. 17-Darrell Waltrip -1
  9. 15-Brett Bodine -1
  10. 29-Dale Jarrett -1

Daytona 500

  • Darrell Waltrip stretched his fuel for 53 laps, and won the Daytona 500 for the first time in his career, after 17 tries.

    • Top Ten Results

    1. 17-Darrell Waltrip
    2. 25-Ken Schrader
    3. 3-Dale Earnhardt
    4. 5-Geoffrey Bodine
    5. 55-Phil Parsons
    6. 66-Rick Mast*
    7. 7-Alan Kulwicki
    8. 4-Rick Wilson
    9. 11-Terry Labonte
    10. 23-Eddie Bierschwale

    Goodwrench 500

    The Goodwrench 500 was held March 5 at North Carolina Motor Speedway. Rusty Wallace won the pole.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 27-Rusty Wallace
    2. 7-Alan Kulwicki
    3. 3-Dale Earnhardt
    4. 5-Geoff Bodine
    5. 6-Mark Martin
    6. 28-Davey Allison
    7. 94-Sterling Marlin
    8. 83-Lake Speed
    9. 88-Greg Sacks
    10. 31-Jim Sauter
  • Rusty Wallace became the first driver to claim the Unocal 76 Challenge. After one rollover, and bonus money added at the season ending banquet, Wallace received an additional $22,800 for winning from the pole.

    • Motorcraft Quality Parts 500

    The Motorcraft Quality Parts 500 was held March 12 at Atlanta International Raceway. The No. 7 of Alan Kulwicki won the pole.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 17-Darrell Waltrip
    2. 3-Dale Earnhardt
    3. 84-Dick Trickle
    4. 42-Kyle Petty
    5. 94-Sterling Marlin
    6. 4-Rick Wilson
    7. 21-Neil Bonnett
    8. 57-Hut Stricklin
    9. 29-Dale Jarrett
    10. 75-Morgan Shepherd

    Failed to Qualify: #36-H.B. Baily, #69-Lee Raymond, #70-J.D. McDuffie, Rodney Combs, Rick Jeffrey

  • Richard Petty was a factor among the leaders, and led 9 laps. But during a pit stop, the gas can leaked fuel onto the exhaust pipe, and started a bad pit fire. Crew member Robert Callicutt suffered second degree burns over 40% of his body and was hospitalized. Petty was forced to drop out of the race. The incident led to new rules regarding crew member fire protection, and newly designed gas can nozzles to prevent leakage.

    • Pontiac Excitement 400

    The Pontiac Excitement 400 was held March 26 at Richmond International Raceway. The No. 5 of Geoff Bodine won the pole.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 27-Rusty Wallace
    2. 7-Alan Kulwicki
    3. 3-Dale Earnhardt
    4. 26-Ricky Rudd
    5. 28-Davey Allison
    6. 16-Larry Pearson
    7. 17-Darrell Waltrip
    8. 94-Sterling Marlin
    9. 2-Ernie Irvan
    10. 9-Bill Elliott

    Failed to qualify: 43-Richard Petty

  • This race was scheduled for the weekend after the Daytona 500 (February 26), but snow fell in Richmond, and blanketed the Speedway. The race was postponed a month, and in subsequent seasons, the spring Richmond race was moved later and later into the season. It is one of the rare times a NASCAR race has been held on Easter Sunday, a weekend that has not had an originally scheduled NASCAR Cup race in the modern era.
  • After qualifying for 513 consecutive races, Richard Petty failed to make the field for this race. He wrecked his primary car during practice, and could not get the backup car up to speed. His consecutive starts record would stand until the 1996 First Union 400 when Terry Labonte broke the record.

    • TranSouth 500

    The TranSouth 500 was held April 2 at Darlington Raceway. Mark Martin won the pole.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 33-Harry Gant
    2. 28-Davey Allison
    3. 5-Geoff Bodine
    4. 6-Mark Martin
    5. 94-Sterling Marlin
    6. 9-Bill Elliott
    7. 7-Alan Kulwicki
    8. 27-Rusty Wallace
    9. 30-Michael Waltrip
    10. 83-Lake Speed

    Valleydale Meats 500

    The Valleydale Meats 500 was held April 9 at Bristol International Raceway. Mark Martin won the pole.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 27-Rusty Wallace
    2. 17-Darrell Waltrip
    3. 5-Geoff Bodine
    4. 28-Davey Allison
    5. 84-Dick Trickle
    6. 6-Mark Martin
    7. 88-Greg Sacks
    8. 26-Ricky Rudd
    9. 9-Bill Elliott
    10. 33-Harry Gant

    Failed to Qualify: #40-Ben Hess, #43-Richard Petty, #52-Jimmy Means, #70-J.D. McDuffie, #71-Dave Marcis, Steve Seligman

    First Union 400

    The First Union 400 was held April 16 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Rusty Wallace won the pole.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
    2. 7-Alan Kulwicki
    3. 6-Mark Martin
    4. 84-Dick Trickle
    5. 11-Terry Labonte
    6. 26-Ricky Rudd
    7. 5-Geoff Bodine
    8. 17-Darrell Waltrip
    9. 27-Rusty Wallace
    10. 2-Ernie Irvan

    Failed to qualify: 8-Bobby Hillin Jr., 43-Richard Petty, 55-Phil Parsons*, 70-J. D. McDuffie, 04-Bill Meacham, Jerry O'Neil, Kevin Evans, Mark Walbridge

  • Phil Parsons' team purchased the No. 60 in this event in order to race. He finished 12th, 6 laps down.

    • Pannill Sweatshirts 500

    The Pannill Sweatshirts 500 was held April 23 at Martinsville Speedway. The No. 5 of Geoff Bodine won the pole.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 17-Darrell Waltrip
    2. 3-Dale Earnhardt
    3. 84-Dick Trickle
    4. 4-Rick Wilson
    5. 11-Terry Labonte
    6. 6-Mark Martin
    7. 25-Ken Schrader
    8. 94-Sterling Marlin
    9. 71-Dave Marcis
    10. 21-Neil Bonnett

    Winston 500

    The Winston 500 was held May 7 at Alabama International Motor Speedway. Mark Martin won the pole.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 28-Davey Allison
    2. 11-Terry Labonte
    3. 6-Mark Martin
    4. 75-Morgan Shepherd
    5. 17-Darrell Waltrip
    6. 25-Ken Schrader
    7. 33-Harry Gant
    8. 3-Dale Earnhardt
    9. 21-Neil Bonnett
    10. 27-Rusty Wallace
  • This was the first race for the new Chevrolet Lumina bodystyle in Winston Cup.

    • The Winston

    The Winston, an annual all-star race for previous winners and champions, was held May 21 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The No. 11 of Terry Labonte won the pole. Rusty Wallace spun Darrell Waltrip out of the lead coming to the white flag to earn the victory. This sparked a fight between Wallace and Waltrip's crewmembers in the pits before Wallace got to victory lane.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 27-Rusty Wallace
    2. 25-Ken Schrader
    3. 3-Dale Earnhardt
    4. 9-Bill Elliott
    5. 7-Alan Kulwicki
    6. 94-Sterling Marlin
    7. 17-Darrell Waltrip
    8. 26-Ricky Rudd
    9. 5-Geoff Bodine
    10. 88-Greg Sacks

    Coca-Cola 600

    The Coca-Cola 600 was held May 28 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The No. 7 of Alan Kulwicki won the pole.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 17-Darrell Waltrip
    2. 94-Sterling Marlin
    3. 25-Ken Schrader
    4. 5-Geoff Bodine
    5. 9-Bill Elliott
    6. 6-Mark Martin
    7. 21-Neil Bonnett
    8. 15-Brett Bodine
    9. 8-Bobby Hillin, Jr.
    10. 26-Ricky Rudd
  • By winning the Daytona 500 earlier in the season, and now the Coca-Cola 600, Waltrip secured a $100,000 bonus for winning two of the Winston Million races, and put himself in position to win the Winston Million later in the season at Darlington.

    • Budweiser 500

    The Budweiser 500 was held June 4 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Mark Martin won the pole.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
    2. 6-Mark Martin
    3. 25-Ken Schrader
    4. 11-Terry Labonte
    5. 27-Rusty Wallace
    6. 26-Ricky Rudd
    7. 21-Neil Bonnett
    8. 9-Bill Elliott
    9. 17-Darrell Waltrip
    10. 55-Phil Parsons

    Banquet Frozen Foods 300

    The inaugural Banquet Frozen Foods 300 was held June 11 at Sears Point International Raceway. Rusty Wallace won the pole.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 26-Ricky Rudd
    2. 27-Rusty Wallace
    3. 9-Bill Elliott
    4. 3-Dale Earnhardt
    5. 83-Lake Speed
    6. 88-Joe Ruttman
    7. 75-Morgan Shepherd
    8. 4-Rick Wilson
    9. 28-Davey Allison
    10. 30-Michael Waltrip
  • Mark Martin actually rolled his car during the race due to an error by a new tire changer (only 2 of 5 lugnuts were properly fastened on the car). Right after the car left the pits, the right rear came off, the car spun, hit the tire barrier and rolled onto its roof. However, he came back to finish the race in 31st, 5 laps down.

    • Miller High Life 500

    The Miller High Life 500 was held June 18 at Pocono Raceway. The No. 27 of Rusty Wallace won the pole. This race was one of the few races telecast on Pay Per View.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 11-Terry Labonte
    2. 33-Harry Gant
    3. 3-Dale Earnhardt
    4. 25-Ken Schrader
    5. 75-Morgan Shepherd
    6. 94-Sterling Marlin
    7. 29-Dale Jarrett
    8. 21-Neil Bonnett
    9. 16-Larry Pearson
    10. 15-Brett Bodine

    Miller High Life 400

    The Miller High Life 400 was held June 25 at Michigan International Speedway. The No. 25 of Ken Schrader won the pole.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 9-Bill Elliott
    2. 27-Rusty Wallace
    3. 17-Darrell Waltrip
    4. 26-Ricky Rudd
    5. 15-Brett Bodine
    6. 4-Rick Wilson
    7. 83-Lake Speed
    8. 94-Sterling Marlin
    9. 10-Derrike Cope
    10. 42-Kyle Petty

    Pepsi 400

    The Pepsi 400 was held July 1 at Daytona International Speedway. The No. 6 of Mark Martin won the pole. This race featured a rollover crash involving the No. 83 of Lake Speed on lap 144.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 28-Davey Allison
    2. 75-Morgan Shepherd
    3. 55-Phil Parsons
    4. 9-Bill Elliott
    5. 7-Alan Kulwicki
    6. 11-Terry Labonte
    7. 94-Sterling Marlin
    8. 84-Dick Trickle
    9. 26-Ricky Rudd
    10. 57-Hut Stricklin
  • This was the last Pepsi 400 to be shown on tape delay, but was shown flag-to-flag. Previous to this, the race was aired as part of ABC's Wide World of Sports and only the last 25 laps or so of the race would be aired.

    • AC Spark Plug 500

    The AC Spark Plug 500 was held on July 23 at Pocono International Raceway. Ken Schrader won the pole. This race was notable for two wrecks that tore open portions of the track's boilerplate walls. Jimmy Horton crashed in Turn Two and tore open a hole in the wall. Later a big wreck erupted in Turn One involving Greg Sacks in the Tom Winkle No. 48 and the No. 83 of Lake Speed. The two cars got together going into Turn One and smashed into the boilerplate wall head-on. The hit punched open the wall and sent Sacks flipping. The yellow remained out for the duration of time needed to repair the wall. Speed broke his shoulder in the crash and had to sit out for a couple weeks.

    Top Ten Finishers

    1. 9-Bill Elliott
    2. 27-Rusty Wallace
    3. 6-Mark Martin
    4. 17-Darrell Waltrip
    5. 28-Davey Allison
    6. 33-Harry Gant
    7. 25-Ken Schrader
    8. 75-Morgan Shepherd
    9. 3-Dale Earnhardt
    10. 15-Brett Bodine
  • Elliott cut a tire on the opening lap but rallied to take the lead from Wallace in the final ten laps. The win tied Elliott with Tim Richmond for most wins at Pocono. Richmond, battling illness, was the subject of a short retrospective piece on the ESPN telecast and former Richmond crew chiefs Barry Dodson and Harry Hyde were interviewed on-air about him.

    • Talladega DieHard 500

    The Talladega DieHard 500 was held July 30 at Alabama International Motor Speedway. Mark Martin won the pole.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 11-Terry Labonte
    2. 17-Darrell Waltrip
    3. 6-Mark Martin
    4. 25-Ken Schrader
    5. 4-Rick Wilson
    6. 75-Morgan Shepherd
    7. 42-Kyle Petty
    8. 33-Harry Gant
    9. 28-Davey Allison
    10. 21-Neil Bonnett
  • Joe Ruttman substituted for Lake Speed in the No. 83, and crashed spectacularly on lap 145. Ruttman hit the wall nearly head-on and almost got on his side as a result.

    • The Budweiser at the Glen

    The Budweiser at the Glen was held August 13 at Watkins Glen International. Morgan Shepherd won the pole. This race is notable for a big wreck on lap 89 involving the No. 5 of Geoff Bodine. Bodine lost a tire at the end of the backstraight, spun around and went through the barrier and hitting a fence behind the barrier (more or less marking off the property line of Watkins Glen International's land). Bodine was uninjured. Also on that day, Tim Richmond who had a long battle with AIDS, died earlier in the day.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 27-Rusty Wallace
    2. 6-Mark Martin
    3. 3-Dale Earnhardt
    4. 28-Davey Allison
    5. 8-Bobby Hillin, Jr.
    6. 75-Morgan Shepherd
    7. 94-Sterling Marlin
    8. 4-Rick Wilson
    9. 44-Jim Sauter
    10. 30-Michael Waltrip
  • Eddie Bierschwale was the substitute driver in the No. 83 for Lake Speed, who was still recovering from his shoulder injury at Pocono. He finished 38th.

    • Champion Spark Plug 400

    The Champion Spark Plug 400 was held August 20 at Michigan International Speedway. Geoff Bodine won the pole.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 27-Rusty Wallace
    2. 75-Morgan Shepherd
    3. 33-Harry Gant
    4. 57-Hut Stricklin
    5. 5-Geoff Bodine
    6. 10-Derrike Cope
    7. 28-Davey Allison
    8. 26-Ricky Rudd
    9. 6-Mark Martin
    10. 7-Alan Kulwicki

    Busch 500

    The Busch 500 was held August 26 at Bristol International Raceway. Alan Kulwicki won the pole.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 17-Darrell Waltrip
    2. 7-Alan Kulwicki
    3. 26-Ricky Rudd
    4. 33-Harry Gant
    5. 11-Terry Labonte
    6. 27-Rusty Wallace
    7. 8-Bobby Hillin, Jr.
    8. 88-Jimmy Spencer
    9. 21-Neil Bonnett
    10. 29-Dale Jarrett

    Heinz Southern 500

    The Heinz Southern 500 was held September 3 at Darlington Raceway. The No. 7 of Alan Kulwicki won the pole.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
    2. 6-Mark Martin
    3. 26-Ricky Rudd
    4. 27-Rusty Wallace
    5. 25-Ken Schrader
    6. 33-Harry Gant
    7. 9-Bill Elliott
    8. 8-Bobby Hillin, Jr.
    9. 75-Morgan Shepherd
    10. 94-Sterling Marlin
  • Darrell Waltrip had a chance to win the Winston Million at Darlington, but hit the wall early in the race and finished 22nd.
  • Rodney Combs replaced Joe Ruttman as Lake Speed's substitute driver in the No. 83 at Darlington. He finished 23rd.

    • Miller High Life 400

    The Miller High Life 400 was held September 10 at Richmond International Raceway. The No. 9 of Bill Elliott won the pole.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 27-Rusty Wallace
    2. 3-Dale Earnhardt
    3. 5-Geoff Bodine
    4. 26-Ricky Rudd
    5. 33-Harry Gant
    6. 17-Darrell Waltrip
    7. 21-Neil Bonnett
    8. 84-Dick Trickle
    9. 57-Hut Stricklin
    10. 28-Davey Allison
  • Lake Speed returned to the No. 83 at Richmond after sitting out 5 races due to injury.

    • Peak Performance 500

    The Peak Performance 500 was held September 17 at Dover Downs International Speedway. The No. 28 of Davey Allison won the pole.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
    2. 6-Mark Martin
    3. 25-Ken Schrader
    4. 9-Bill Elliott
    5. 26-Ricky Rudd
    6. 30-Michael Waltrip
    7. 27-Rusty Wallace
    8. 10-Derrike Cope
    9. 15-Brett Bodine
    10. 88-Jimmy Spencer
  • Neil Bonnett broke his sternum in a crash at Dover. This forced him to step out of the car for 3 races.

    • Goody's 500

    The Goody's 500 was held September 24 at Martinsville Speedway. Dale Earnhardt started on the pole, which was actually won by Jimmy Hensley (as a substitute driver) as Earnhardt and others could not reach the track in time due to Hurricane Hugo, which affected the area.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 17-Darrell Waltrip
    2. 33-Harry Gant
    3. 84-Dick Trickle
    4. 27-Rusty Wallace
    5. 29-Dale Jarrett
    6. 2-Ernie Irvan
    7. 15-Brett Bodine
    8. 26-Ricky Rudd
    9. 3-Dale Earnhardt
    10. 25-Ken Schrader
  • Tommy Ellis substituted for Neil Bonnett in the No. 21 in this race, and the next 2 events in Charlotte and North Wilkesboro.

    • All Pro Auto Parts 500

    The All Pro Auto Parts 500 was held October 8 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Bill Elliott won the pole.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 25-Ken Schrader
    2. 33-Harry Gant
    3. 6-Mark Martin
    4. 9-Bill Elliott
    5. 28-Davey Allison
    6. 10-Derrike Cope
    7. 94-Sterling Marlin
    8. 27-Rusty Wallace -1
    9. 8-Bobby Hillin, Jr. -2
    10. 75-Morgan Shepherd -2

    Failed to Qualify: 14-A.J. Foyt*

  • A.J. Foyt was involved in a practice crash where he suffered a significant concussion which kept him from attempting to qualify.
  • Dale Earnhardt lost the points lead in this race when the camshaft in his No. 3 Chevrolet broke in the 13th lap, and he dropped out.

    • Holly Farms 400

    The Holly Farms 400 was held October 15 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Dale Earnhardt won the pole. This race was notable for the race for the win between Dale Earnhardt and Ricky Rudd. On the last lap, Earnhardt and Rudd touched in turn 1, spinning both cars out. This allowed Geoff Bodine to slip by and win the race, and allowed Rusty Wallace to gain points on Earnhardt for the championship hunt.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 5-Geoff Bodine
    2. 6-Mark Martin
    3. 11-Terry Labonte
    4. 33-Harry Gant
    5. 75-Morgan Shepherd
    6. 9-Bill Elliott
    7. 27-Rusty Wallace
    8. 2-Ernie Irvan
    9. 26-Ricky Rudd
    10. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  • This was Bodine's first win since 1986. Bodine led only the final lap of the race. Earnhardt had led 343 of the 400 laps.

    • AC Delco 500

    The AC Delco 500 was held October 22 at North Carolina Motor Speedway. Alan Kulwicki won the pole.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 6-Mark Martin*
    2. 27-Rusty Wallace
    3. 17-Darrell Waltrip
    4. 25-Ken Schrader
    5. 84-Dick Trickle
    6. 21-Neil Bonnett*
    7. 5-Geoff Bodine
    8. 8-Bobby Hillin, Jr.
    9. 7-Alan Kulwicki
    10. 42-Kyle Petty
  • This was Mark Martin's first career Winston Cup victory.
  • This was Neil Bonnett's first race back from his sternum injury that he suffered at Dover.

    • Autoworks 500

    The Autoworks 500 was held November 5 at Phoenix International Raceway. Ken Schrader won the pole.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 9-Bill Elliott
    2. 11-Terry Labonte
    3. 6-Mark Martin
    4. 17-Darrell Waltrip
    5. 29-Dale Jarrett
    6. 3-Dale Earnhardt
    7. 84-Dick Trickle
    8. 33-Harry Gant
    9. 30-Michael Waltrip
    10. 88-Jimmy Spencer
  • 2 cars entered by Hendrick Motorsports (The No. 46 Chevrolet driven by Greg Sacks and the No. 51 Chevrolet driven by Bobby Hamilton) were entered to get in-race footage for the 1990 movie, Days of Thunder. Hamilton actually led the race with 100 laps to go (in his 1st career start) before the engine blew.

    • Atlanta Journal 500

    The Atlanta Journal 500 was held November 19 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The No. 7 of Alan Kulwicki won the pole. On Lap 203, Grant Adcox struck the wall and suffered a heart attack and severe head injuries. Adcox died shortly after the accident.

    Top Ten Results

    1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
    2. 5-Geoff Bodine
    3. 94-Sterling Marlin
    4. 25-Ken Schrader
    5. 17-Darrell Waltrip
    6. 42-Kyle Petty
    7. 8-Bobby Hillin, Jr.
    8. 75-Morgan Shepherd
    9. 21-Neil Bonnett
    10. 83-Lake Speed
  • Rusty Wallace's 15th-place finish clinched the 1989 Winston Cup championship. It was his only Winston Cup championship.

    • Final points standings

    1. Rusty Wallace – 4176
    2. Dale Earnhardt – 4164
    3. Mark Martin – 4053
    4. Darrell Waltrip – 3971
    5. Ken Schrader – 3876
    6. Bill Elliott – 3774
    7. Harry Gant – 3610
    8. Ricky Rudd – 3608
    9. Geoff Bodine – 3600
    10. Terry Labonte – 3569
    11. Davey Allison – 3481
    12. Sterling Marlin – 3422
    13. Morgan Shepherd – 3403
    14. Alan Kulwicki – 3236
    15. Dick Trickle – 3203
    16. Bobby Hillin, Jr. – 3139
    17. Rick Wilson – 3119
    18. Michael Waltrip – 3057
    19. Brett Bodine – 3051
    20. Neil Bonnett – 2995
    21. Phil Parsons – 2933
    22. Ernie Irvan – 2919
    23. Larry Pearson – 2860
    24. Dale Jarrett – 2789
    25. Dave Marcis – 2715
    26. Hut Stricklin – 2705
    27. Lake Speed – 2550
    28. Derrike Cope – 2180
    29. Richard Petty – 2148
    30. Kyle Petty – 2099
    31. Jimmy Means – 1698
    32. Greg Sacks – 1565
    33. Jim Sauter – 1510
    34. Jimmy Spencer – 1445
    35. Rick Mast – 1315
    36. Eddie Bierschwale – 1306
    37. Ben Hess – 921
    38. Chad Little – 602
    39. Butch Miller – 576
    40. A.J. Foyt – 527
    41. Mickey Gibbs – 508
    42. Rodney Combs – 470
    43. Joe Ruttman – 469
    44. J. D. McDuffie – 457
    45. Phil Barkdoll – 378
    46. Jimmy Horton – 377
    47. Dick Johnson – 322
    48. Ken Bouchard – 313
    49. Terry Byers – 306
    50. Darin Brassfield – 306

    Winston Cup Standings

    (key) Bold – Pole position awarded by time. Italics – Pole position set by final practice results or 1988 Owner's points. * – Most laps led.

    Rookie of the Year

    Dick Trickle was named the 1989 Winston Cup Rookie of the Year, despite entering the competition in the second week of the season, replacing Mike Alexander at Stavola Brothers Racing. The top runner-up was former Dash champion Hut Stricklin, driving for returning car owner Rod Osterlund. Two-time Busch champion Larry Pearson and former modified driver Jimmy Spencer were the only other candidates to make a full schedule, as Rick Mast, Ben Hess, Chad Little, Butch Miller, and Mickey Gibbs all ran part-time.

    References

    1989 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA