1980 NASCAR Winston Cup Series


The 1980 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 32nd season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 9th modern-era NASCAR Cup season. It was the final year with the Gen 2 car. The season began on Sunday, January 13 and ended on Sunday, November 15. Dale Earnhardt won his first Winston Cup championship in his first full-season after missing couple races in 1979, winning by 19 points over Cale Yarborough. Jody Ridley was crowned NASCAR Rookie of the Year.

Teams and drivers

TeamMakeNo.DriverCar OwnerCrew Chief
A. J. Foyt EnterprisesOldsmobile Cutlass51A. J. FoytA. J. Foyt
A. J. Foyt EnterprisesOldsmobile Cutlass51Don WhittingtonA. J. Foyt
Arrington RacingDodge Magnum67Buddy ArringtonBuddy ArringtonJoey Arrington
Arrington RacingDodge Magnum77Dick MayBuddy Arrington
Arrington RacingDodge Magnum77Eddie DickersonBuddy Arrington-
Arrington RacingDodge Magnum97Eddie DickersonBuddy Arrington
B&B RacingBuick Century03Jimmy FingerDon Bierschwale
Ballard RacingOldsmobile Cutlass30Tighe ScottWalter BallardHarry Hyde
Billie Harvey RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo
Oldsmobile Cutlass		87Billie HarveyBillie Harvey
Billie Harvey RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo
Oldsmobile Cutlass		87Gary BaloughBillie Harvey
Billy Matthews RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo41Dick BrooksBilly Matthews
Borneman MotorsportsChevrolet Monte Carlo81John BornemanJohn Borneman
Bud Moore EngineeringFord Thunderbird15Bobby AllisonBud MooreBud Moore
DiGard MotorsportsChevrolet Monte Carlo88Darrell WaltripBill GardnerBuddy Parrott
Jake Elder
Donlavey RacingFord Thunderbird90Jody RidleyJunie Donlavey
Ellington RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo
Oldsmobile Cutlass		1David PearsonHoss EllingtonRunt Pittman
Elliott RacingMercury Cougar9Bill ElliottGeorge ElliottErnie Elliott
G. C. Spencer RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo
Oldsmobile Cutlass 		4Gary Baker G. C. Spencer
G. C. Spencer RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo
Oldsmobile Cutlass 		4Connie Saylor G. C. Spencer
Gordon RacingOldsmobile Cutlass24Cecil GordonCecil Gordon
Gray RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo19John Anderson 'Henley Gray
Hagan RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo44Terry LabonteBilly HaganDarrell Bryant
Halpern EnterprisesOldsmobile Cutlass
Chevrolet Monte Carlo		02Donnie AllisonJoel Halpern
Halpern EnterprisesOldsmobile Cutlass
Chevrolet Monte Carlo		02Chuck BownJoel HalpernHarold Fagan
Hamby MotorsportsChevrolet Monte Carlo17Roger HambyRoger Hamby
Hollar RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo99Dick MayBill Hollar
Hylton RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo48James HyltonJames Hylton
John KieperDodge Magnum93Chuck BownJohn Kieper
John KieperChevrolet Monte Carlo98Hershel McGriffJohn Kieper
Johnson RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo53Slick JohnsonJ. D. Johnson
Junior Johnson & AssociatesChevrolet Monte Carlo11Cale YarboroughJunior JohnsonTim Brewer
Junior Miller RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo79Junior MillerJunior Miller
Kennie Childers RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo12Donnie AllisonKennie Childers
Langley RacingFord Thunderbird64Tommy GaleElmo Xey
M. C. Anderson RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo27Benny ParsonsM. C. AndersonDavid Ifft
Marcis Auto RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo71Dave MarcisDave Marcis
McDuffie RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo70J. D. McDuffieJ. D. McDuffie
Means RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo52Jimmy MeansJimmy Means
Nelson Malloch RacingFord Thunderbird7Dick BrooksNelson Malloch
Nelson Malloch RacingFord Thunderbird7Ricky RuddNelson Malloch
Nelson Malloch RacingFord Thunderbird7Lake SpeedNelson Malloch
Osterlund RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo2Dale EarnhardtRod OsterlundJake Elder
Doug Richert
Petty EnterprisesChevrolet Monte Carlo42Kyle Petty Richard PettyMaurice Petty
Petty EnterprisesChevrolet Monte Carlo43Richard PettyRichard PettyDale Inman
Price RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo45Baxter PriceBaxter PriceRobert Beadle
Price RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo45Charlie ChambleeBaxter PriceRobert Beadle
Price RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo45Jimmy MeansBaxter PriceRobert Beadle
Price RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo45Roy SmithBaxter PriceRobert Beadle
Price RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo45Joel StoweBaxter PriceRobert Beadle
Race Hill Farm TeamChevrolet Monte Carlo47Harry GantJack BeebeBob Johnson
RahMoc EnterprisesChevrolet Monte Carlo75Bill Elswick Bob RahillyButch Mock
RahMoc EnterprisesChevrolet Monte Carlo75Joe Millikan Bob RahillyButch Mock
RahMoc EnterprisesChevrolet Monte Carlo75John Anderson Bob RahillyButch Mock
RahMoc EnterprisesChevrolet Monte Carlo75Chuck Bown Bob RahillyButch Mock
RahMoc EnterprisesChevrolet Monte Carlo75Harry Gant Bob RahillyButch Mock
RahMoc EnterprisesChevrolet Monte Carlo75Kyle Petty Bob RahillyButch Mock
RahMoc EnterprisesChevrolet Monte Carlo75Lennie Pond Bob RahillyButch Mock
RahMoc EnterprisesChevrolet Monte Carlo75Jim Sauter Bob RahillyButch Mock
Ranier-Lundy RacingOldsmobile Cutlass28Buddy BakerHarry RanierWaddell Wilson
Buddy Parrott
Richard Childress RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo3Richard ChildressRichard Childress
Robertson RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo25Ronnie ThomasDon Robertson
Speed RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo66Lake Speed 'Lake Speed
Testa RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo
Oldsmobile Cutlass		68Chuck Bown Jim TestaRon Kelly
Testa RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo
Oldsmobile Cutlass		68Lennie Pond Jim TestaRon Kelly
Testa RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo
Oldsmobile Cutlass		68John Greenwood Jim TestaRon Kelly
Ulrich RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo
Buick Century		40Bill Whittington D. K. Ulrich
Ulrich RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo
Buick Century		40Joe Booher D. K. Ulrich
Ulrich RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo
Buick Century		40Ricky Rudd D. K. UlrichD. K. Ulrich
Ulrich RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo
Buick Century		40Dick May D. K. Ulrich
Ulrich RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo
Buick Century		40D. K. Ulrich D. K. Ulrich
Ulrich RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo
Buick Century		40Dick Skillen D. K. Ulrich
Ulrich RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo
Buick Century		40Mike Alexander D. K. Ulrich
Ulrich RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo
Buick Century		40J. D. McDuffie D. K. Ulrich
Ulrich RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo
Buick Century		40Tommy GaleD. K. Ulrich
Ulrich RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo
Buick Century		40Lennie Pond D. K. Ulrich
Ulrich RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo
Buick Century		40Sterling Marlin D. K. Ulrich
Ulrich RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo
Buick Century		40Tim Richmond D. K. UlrichD. K. Ulrich
Ulrich RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo
Buick Century		40Harry Dinwiddle D. K. Ulrich
Ulrich RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo
Buick Century		40Stan Barrett D. K. Ulrich
Warren RacingDodge Magnum
Chevrolet Monte Carlo		79Dick May Frank Warren
Warren RacingDodge Magnum
Chevrolet Monte Carlo		79Jim Hurlbert Frank Warren
Warren RacingDodge Magnum
Chevrolet Monte Carlo		79Joey Arrington Frank Warren
Warren RacingDodge Magnum
Chevrolet Monte Carlo		79Frank Warren Frank Warren
Warren RacingDodge Magnum
Chevrolet Monte Carlo		79Travis Tiller Frank Warren
Warren RacingDodge Magnum
Chevrolet Monte Carlo		79Junior Miller Frank Warren
Warren RacingDodge Magnum
Chevrolet Monte Carlo		79Joe Booher Frank Warren
Warren RacingDodge Magnum
Chevrolet Monte Carlo		79Marty Robbins Frank Warren
Wawak RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo
Buick Century		74Joe Booher Bobby Wawak
Wawak RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo
Buick Century		74Bobby Wawak Bobby Wawak
Wawak RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo
Buick Century		74Bob Riley Bobby Wawak
Wawak RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo
Buick Century		74Stuart Hoffman Bobby Wawak
Wawak RacingChevrolet Monte Carlo
Buick Century		74Henry Jones Bobby Wawak
Wood Brothers RacingMercury Cougar21Neil BonnettGlen WoodLeonard Wood

Races

Winston Western 500

The Winston Western 500 was held on January 13 at Riverside International Raceway. Darrell Waltrip won the pole, and would claim his second straight win in Riverside's NASCAR season-opener. He took the win with crew chief Buddy Parrott, who had been fired from DiGard Racing immediately following the Los Angeles Times 500 the previous November but rehired at the start of January.
Top ten results
  1. #88 - Darrell Waltrip
  2. #2 - Dale Earnhardt
  3. #43 - Richard Petty
  4. #72 - Joe Millikan
  5. #73 - Bill Schmitt
  6. #3 - Richard Childress
  7. #44 - Terry Labonte
  8. #40 - Bill Whittington
  9. #55 - Don Whittington
  10. #25 - Ronnie Thomas

Daytona 500

The 22nd Daytona 500 was held on February 17 at Daytona International Speedway. Buddy Baker won the pole. Baker ended a career-long drought in the 500 as he dominated, winning in his 18th attempt. Darrell Waltrip blew his engine early and angrily ripped the DiGard Racing team in postrace interviews. With an average speed of 177.602 mph, the 1980 race remains the fastest Daytona 500 in history.
Top ten results
  1. #28 - Buddy Baker
  2. #15 - Bobby Allison
  3. #21 - Neil Bonnett
  4. #2 - Dale Earnhardt
  5. #27 - Benny Parsons
  6. #44 - Terry Labonte
  7. #1 - Donnie Allison
  8. #14 - Sterling Marlin
  9. #75 - Lennie Pond
  10. #90 - Jody Ridley

Richmond 400

The Richmond 400 was held on February 24 at Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway. Darrell Waltrip won the pole. Waltrip, Bobby Allison, and Richard Petty combined to lead 345 laps. Petty rallied from a mid-race spin to lead until Waltrip grabbed the lead for the final nineteen laps.
Top ten results
  1. #88 - Darrell Waltrip
  2. #15 - Bobby Allison
  3. #43 - Richard Petty
  4. #71 - Dave Marcis
  5. #2 - Dale Earnhardt
  6. #67 - Buddy Arrington
  7. #48 - James Hylton
  8. #24 - Cecil Gordon
  9. #70 - J.D. McDuffie
  10. #74 - Bobby Wawak

Carolina 500

The Carolina 500 was held on March 9 at North Carolina Motor Speedway. Darrell Waltrip won the pole. Cale Yarborough drove a backup Oldsmobile to the win, while Benny Parsons survived a hard crash in Turn One.
Top ten results
  1. #11 - Cale Yarborough
  2. #43 - Richard Petty
  3. #2 - Dale Earnhardt
  4. #88 - Darrell Waltrip
  5. #1 - Donnie Allison
  6. #21 - Neil Bonnett
  7. #15 - Bobby Allison
  8. #47 - Harry Gant
  9. #71 - Dave Marcis
  10. #44 - Terry Labonte

Atlanta 500

The Atlanta 500 was held on March 16 at Atlanta International Raceway. Buddy Baker won the pole. Cale Yarborough, Bobby Allison, and Donnie Allison dominated the first 300 miles of the race as sophomore Dale Earnhardt clawed from 31st into contention; Allison and Earnhardt were side by side for the lead when Donnie was hit by Terry Labonte and hit the wall in Turn Three. Cale broke in the final 60 laps as Earnhardt took the win; finishing second was rookie Rusty Wallace in his first career race.
Top ten results
  1. #2 - Dale Earnhardt
  2. #16 - Rusty Wallace
  3. #15 - Bobby Allison
  4. #71 - Dave Marcis
  5. #7 - Dick Brooks
  6. #90 - Jody Ridley
  7. #28 - Buddy Baker
  8. #11 - Cale Yarborough
  9. #70 - J.D. McDuffie
  10. #53 - Slick Johnson

Valleydale Southeastern 500

The Southeastern 500 was held on March 30 at Bristol International Speedway. Cale Yarborough won the pole. Earnhardt passed Yarborough and led the final 135 laps for his second straight win.
Top ten results
  1. #2 - Dale Earnhardt
  2. #88 - Darrell Waltrip
  3. #15 - Bobby Allison
  4. #27 - Benny Parsons
  5. #11 - Cale Yarborough
  6. #72 - Joe Millikan
  7. #47 - Harry Gant
  8. #43 - Richard Petty
  9. #71 - Dave Marcis
  10. #44 - Terry Labonte

CRC Chemicals Rebel 500

The Rebel 500 was held on April 13 at Darlington Raceway. Benny Parsons won the pole. Rain shortened the race after halfway as David Pearson, replacing Donnie Allison in Hoss Ellington's car, took his 105th and final career win. Neil Bonnett crashed out on the opening lap and Dale Earnhardt led fifteen laps but fell out with engine failure.
Top ten results
  1. #1 - David Pearson
  2. #27 - Benny Parsons
  3. #47 - Harry Gant
  4. #88 - Darrell Waltrip
  5. #7 - Dick Brooks
  6. #68 - Lennie Pond
  7. #72 - Joe Millikan
  8. #66 - Lake Speed
  9. #43 - Richard Petty
  10. #90 - Jody Ridley

Northwestern Bank 400

The Northwestern Bank 400 was held on April 10 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Bobby Allison won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. #43 - Richard Petty
  2. #47 - Harry Gant
  3. #15 - Bobby Allison
  4. #11 - Cale Yarborough
  5. #27 - Benny Parsons
  6. #2 - Dale Earnhardt
  7. #90 - Jody Ridley
  8. #42 - Kyle Petty
  9. #53 - Slick Johnson
  10. #72 - Joe Millikan

Virginia 500

The Virginia 500 was held on April 27 at Martinsville Speedway. Darrell Waltrip won the pole. In an effort to save money for race teams, NASCAR banned tire changes under caution on short tracks. Waltrip led 303 laps from the pole to the win.
Top ten results
  1. #88 - Darrell Waltrip
  2. #27 - Benny Parsons
  3. #43 - Richard Petty
  4. #11 - Cale Yarborough
  5. #72 - Joe Millikan
  6. #21 - Neil Bonnett
  7. #90 - Jody Ridley
  8. #71 - Dave Marcis
  9. #53 - Slick Johnson
  10. #67 - Buddy Arrington

Winston 500

The Winston 500 was held on May 4 at Alabama International Motor Speedway. David Pearson won the pole. On a newly repaved surface, Buddy Baker ran down Dale Earnhardt with two laps to go for the win, but was informed on his way to postrace interviews he would be replaced in the Ranier Racing car in 1981.
Top ten results
  1. #28 - Buddy Baker
  2. #2 - Dale Earnhardt
  3. #1 - David Pearson
  4. #68 - Lennie Pond
  5. #30 - Tighe Scott
  6. #11 - Cale Yarborough
  7. #66 - Lake Speed
  8. #27 - Benny Parsons
  9. #7 - Dick Brooks
  10. #90 - Jody Ridley

Music City USA 420

The Music City 420 was held on May 10 at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway. Cale Yarborough won the pole. Yarborough cut a tire but could not pit under yellow to change it; as a result Richard Petty took his eighth win at the Nashville Fairgrounds. Petty and Cale were critical of NASCAR's new rule for short tracks banning tire changes under yellow. Petty's win was also Chevrolet's 100th manufacturer win in NASCAR.
Top ten results
  1. #43 - Richard Petty
  2. #27 - Benny Parsons
  3. #11 - Cale Yarborough
  4. #88 - Darrell Waltrip
  5. #15 - Bobby Allison
  6. #2 - Dale Earnhardt
  7. #44 - Terry Labonte
  8. #90 - Jody Ridley
  9. #47 - Harry Gant
  10. #40 - Mike Alexander

Mason-Dixon 500

The Mason-Dixon 500 was held on May 18 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Cale Yarborough won the pole. Bobby Allison won after leading 126 laps, edging Richard Petty for his first win of the season. Allison was critical of the Ford racecars he was running, saying "We still need a Chevy for the other tracks."
Top ten results
  1. #15 - Bobby Allison
  2. #43 - Richard Petty
  3. #28 - Buddy Baker
  4. #47 - Harry Gant
  5. #44 - Terry Labonte
  6. #90 - Jody Ridley
  7. #40 - Dick May
  8. #3 - Richard Childress
  9. #24 - Cecil Gordon
  10. #2 - Dale Earnhardt

World 600

The World 600 was held on May 25 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Cale Yarborough won the pole. The race ran over seven hours thanks to fourteen yellows for crashes on the newly paved surface and two rain delays lasting two hours. The lead changed 47 times as Benny Parsons out-dueled Darrell Waltrip; they swapped the lead eight times in the final twenty laps. Dale Earnhardt's crash at Lap 275 with David Pearson and Cale Yarborough combined with Richard Petty's fourth cut Earnhardt's point lead to under 50; crew chief Jake Elder quit the team after the race, citing an attitude change with Earnhardt and also conflict with Rod Osterlund and team manager Roland Wlodyka
Top ten results
  1. #27 - Benny Parsons
  2. #88 - Darrell Waltrip
  3. #44 - Terry Labonte
  4. #43 - Richard Petty
  5. #21 - Neil Bonnett
  6. #1 - David Pearson
  7. #42 - Kyle Petty
  8. #89 - Jim Vandiver
  9. #22 - Ricky Rudd
  10. #67 - Buddy Arrington

NASCAR 400

The NASCAR 400 was held on June 1 at Texas World Speedway. Cale Yarborough won the pole. Yarborough led 110 laps from the pole and edged Richard Petty, while point leader Dale Earnhardt led 54 laps but finished a distant ninth in his first race with Doug Richert as crew chief. Benny Parsons led 30 laps but overheated and fell out.
Top ten results
  1. #11 - Cale Yarborough
  2. #43 - Richard Petty
  3. #15 - Bobby Allison
  4. #88 - Darrell Waltrip
  5. #44 - Terry Labonte
  6. #3 - Richard Childress
  7. #71 - Dave Marcis
  8. #75 - Harry Gant
  9. #2 - Dale Earnhardt
  10. #48 - James Hylton

Warner W. Hodgdon 400

The Warner W. Hodgdon 400 was held on June 8 at Riverside International Raceway. Cale Yarborough won the pole for the fifth consecutive race.
Top ten results
  1. #88 - Darrell Waltrip
  2. #21 - Neil Bonnett
  3. #27 - Benny Parsons
  4. #11 - Cale Yarborough
  5. #2 - Dale Earnhardt
  6. #71 - Dave Marcis
  7. #75 - Harry Gant
  8. #43 - Richard Petty
  9. #70 - J.D. McDuffie
  10. #24 - Cecil Gordon

Gabriel 400

The Gabriel 400 was held on June 15 at Michigan International Speedway. Benny Parsons won the pole. Parsons, who grew up in the Detroit area, won at Michigan for the only time in his career. Darrell Waltrip fell out with engine failure, and following the race crew chief Buddy Parrott was fired; a fight ensued between Parrott and Robert Yates at the DiGard shop when the team returned home. Parrott publicly blamed Waltrip for his firing, saying "I'll die before I ever turn another wrench on a Darrell Waltrip car." Parrott was promptly hired to Ranier Racing.
Top ten results
  1. #27 - Benny Parsons
  2. #11 - Cale Yarborough
  3. #28 - Buddy Baker
  4. #21 - Neil Bonnett
  5. #43 - Richard Petty
  6. #90 - Jody Ridley
  7. #42 - Kyle Petty
  8. #15 - Bobby Allison
  9. #9 - Bill Elliott
  10. #30 - Tighe Scott

Firecracker 400

The Firecracker 400 was held on July 4 at Daytona International Speedway. Cale Yarborough won the pole. Bobby Allison edged Earnhardt and Pearson before a scary crash erupted off Turn Four as Phil Finney plowed into an earthen bank and flew twenty feet into the air before landing at the pit road entrance. The lead changed 41 times.
Top ten results
  1. #15 - Bobby Allison
  2. #1 - David Pearson
  3. #2 - Dale Earnhardt
  4. #28 - Buddy Baker
  5. #43 - Richard Petty
  6. #27 - Benny Parsons
  7. #90 - Jody Ridley
  8. #3 - Richard Childress
  9. #75 - John Anderson
  10. #67 - Buddy Arrington

Busch Nashville 420

The Busch Nashville 420 was held on July 12 at Nashville Speedway. Cale Yarborough won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. #2 - Dale Earnhardt
  2. #11 - Cale Yarborough
  3. #27 - Benny Parsons
  4. #88 - Darrell Waltrip
  5. #43 - Richard Petty
  6. #15 - Bobby Allison
  7. #40 - Sterling Marlin
  8. #90 - Jody Ridley
  9. #3 - Richard Childress
  10. #67 - Buddy Arrington

Coca-Cola 500

The Coca-Cola 500 was held on July 27 at Pocono Raceway. Cale Yarborough won the pole, his eighth pole in the last nine races. Neil Bonnett survived a physical last lap with Buddy Baker and Yarborough. The lead changed 50 times, but the story of the race was a bad wreck on Lap 57 as Richard Petty, holding the lead, broke a wheel entering the track's Tunnel Turn, shot into the wall, and bounced into the path of traffic, where he was hit in the driver's side door by Darrell Waltrip. Petty suffered a broken neck and his title chances effectively ended.
Top ten results
  1. #21 - Neil Bonnett
  2. #28 - Buddy Baker
  3. #11 - Cale Yarborough
  4. #2 - Dale Earnhardt
  5. #47 - Harry Gant
  6. #44 - Terry Labonte
  7. #42 - Kyle Petty
  8. #71 - Dave Marcis
  9. #3 - Richard Childress
  10. #7 - Ricky Rudd

Talladega 500

The Talladega 500 was held on August 3 at Alabama International Motor Speedway. Buddy Baker won the pole. Neil Bonnett fought off a last-lap challenge from Dale Earnhardt, Cale Yarborough, and Benny Parsons for the win, the second in a row for Wood Brothers Racing and the final win for the Mercury automobile brand.
Top ten results
  1. #21 - Neil Bonnett
  2. #11 - Cale Yarborough
  3. #2 - Dale Earnhardt
  4. #27 - Benny Parsons
  5. #47 - Harry Gant
  6. #3 - Richard Childress
  7. #9 - Bill Elliott
  8. #66 - Lake Speed
  9. #42 - Kyle Petty
  10. #19 - Dick May

Champion Spark Plug 400

The Champion Spark Plug 400 was held on August 17 at Michigan International Speedway. Buddy Baker won the pole. Darrell Waltrip crashed during practice and had to purchase the Joel Halpern Chevrolet to run the 400 at Michigan International Speedway; it was the second time in two seasons Waltrip had to drive another car after his primary DiGard entry was knocked out before the race; Waltrip led 67 laps but a late caution allowed Cale Yarborough to catch up and storm to the win. Following the race Waltrip stated he was "fed up" with the DiGard situation, saying "I fight the same battles every day." Richard Petty ran the entire race despite his broken neck and finished fifth.
Top ten results
  1. #11 - Cale Yarborough
  2. #21 - Neil Bonnett
  3. #12 - Donnie Allison
  4. #02 - Darrell Waltrip
  5. #43 - Richard Petty
  6. #28 - Buddy Baker
  7. #15 - Bobby Allison
  8. #27 - Benny Parsons
  9. #9 - Bill Elliott
  10. #77 - Kenny Hamphill

Busch Volunteer 500

The Busch Volunteer 500 was held on August 23 at Bristol International Speedway. Cale Yarborough won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. #11 - Cale Yarborough
  2. #2 - Dale Earnhardt
  3. #88 - Darrell Waltrip
  4. #43 - Richard Petty
  5. #27 - Benny Parsons
  6. #15 - Bobby Allison
  7. #71 - Dave Marcis
  8. #68 - Lennie Pond
  9. #3 - Richard Childress
  10. #40 - D.K. Ulrich

Southern 500

The 31st Southern 500 was held on September 1 at Darlington Raceway. Darrell Waltrip won the pole. In a wild final five laps David Pearson rocketed from midpack into the lead and held off Dale Earnhardt and Benny Parsons, then with two to go all three crashed in Turn Two in oil from a blown engine; Pearson limped to the race-deciding yellow, but Terry Labonte edged Pearson by a bumper to score his first career victory.
Top ten results
  1. #44 - Terry Labonte
  2. #1 - David Pearson
  3. #47 - Harry Gant
  4. #27 - Benny Parsons
  5. #21 - Neil Bonnett
  6. #15 - Bobby Allison
  7. #2 - Dale Earnhardt
  8. #71 - Dave Marcis
  9. #43 - Richard Petty
  10. #41 - Dick Brooks

Capital City 400

The Capital City 400 was held on September 7 at Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway. Cale Yarborough won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. #15 - Bobby Allison
  2. #43 - Richard Petty
  3. #68 - Lennie Pond
  4. #2 - Dale Earnhardt
  5. #90 - Jody Ridley
  6. #88 - Darrell Waltrip
  7. #71 - Dave Marcis
  8. #44 - Terry Labonte
  9. #29 - Dave Dion
  10. #27 - Benny Parsons

CRC Chemicals 500

The CRC Chemicals 500 was held on September 14 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Cale Yarborough won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. #88 - Darrell Waltrip
  2. #47 - Harry Gant
  3. #28 - Buddy Baker
  4. #11 - Cale Yarborough
  5. #27 - Benny Parsons
  6. #21 - Neil Bonnett
  7. #12 - Donnie Allison
  8. #68 - Lennie Pond
  9. #90 - Jody Ridley
  10. #25 - Ronnie Thomas

Holly Farms 400

The Holly Farms 400 was held on September 21 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Cale Yarborough won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. #15 - Bobby Allison
  2. #88 - Darrell Waltrip
  3. #71 - Dave Marcis
  4. #47 - Harry Gant
  5. #2 - Dale Earnhardt
  6. #27 - Benny Parsons
  7. #44 - Terry Labonte
  8. #53 - Slick Johnson
  9. #90 - Jody Ridley
  10. #11 - Cale Yarborough

Old Dominion 500

The Old Dominion 500 was held on September 28 at Martinsville Speedway. Buddy Baker won the pole.
Top ten results
  1. #2 - Dale Earnhardt
  2. #28 - Buddy Baker
  3. #11 - Cale Yarborough
  4. #27 - Benny Parsons
  5. #71 - Dave Marcis
  6. #12 - Donnie Allison
  7. #44 - Terry Labonte
  8. #67 - Buddy Arrington
  9. #90 - Jody Ridley
  10. #48 - James Hylton

National 500

The National 500 was held on October 5 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Buddy Baker won the pole. Dale Earnhardt edged Cale Yarborough and Baker amid an increasingly bitter public contract battle between Darrell Waltrip and his team owner, Bill Gardner, a battle that also involved Junior Johnson, who asserted DiGard had attempted to hire several of Johnson's crewmen out from under him. Waltrip fought for the lead in the first 100 laps but lost a lap when a sway bar bolt broke off an A arm; he kept battling to get his lap back but crashed with Benny Parsons, who was eligible for a $100,000 bonus for winning the race.
Top ten results
  1. #2 - Dale Earnhardt
  2. #11 - Cale Yarborough
  3. #28 - Buddy Baker
  4. #22 - Ricky Rudd
  5. #12 - Donnie Allison
  6. #9 - Bill Elliott
  7. #7 - Lake Speed
  8. #90 - Jody Ridley
  9. #42 - Kyle Petty
  10. #41 - Dick Brooks

American 500

The American 500 was held on October 19 at North Carolina Motor Speedway. Donnie Allison won the pole. Cale Yarborough led 167 laps en route to his fifth win of the season, but the key development of the race was Dale Earnhardt, who's 18th place finish reduced his point lead to just 44 with two races to go.
Top ten results
  1. #11 - Cale Yarborough
  2. #47 - Harry Gant
  3. #88 - Darrell Waltrip
  4. #44 - Terry Labonte
  5. #90 - Jody Ridley
  6. #71 - Dave Marcis
  7. #3 - Richard Childress
  8. #53 - Slick Johnson
  9. #48 - James Hylton
  10. #25 - Ronnie Thomas

Atlanta Journal 500

The Atlanta Journal 500 was held on November 2 at Atlanta International Raceway. Bobby Allison won the pole. An early accident eliminated the Allison brothers and Cale Yarborough dominated to the win. Dale Earnhardt lost a lap and crowded Cale for a prolonged stretch; his point lead over Yarborough was now just 29 points.
Top ten results
  1. #11 - Cale Yarborough
  2. #21 - Neil Bonnett
  3. #2 - Dale Earnhardt
  4. #28 - Buddy Baker
  5. #44 - Terry Labonte
  6. #90 - Jody Ridley
  7. #68 - Lennie Pond
  8. #25 - Ronnie Thomas
  9. #3 - Richard Childress
  10. #40 - Stan Barrett

Los Angeles Times 500

The Los Angeles Times 500 was held on November 15 at Ontario Motor Speedway. Cale Yarborough won his 14th pole of the season, the most in NASCAR's modern era. Earnhardt lost a lap but made it up and despite taking off from a late green-flag stop with unsecured lug nuts on his tires finished fifth with Yarborough third and Benny Parsons the race winner. The race was switched from Sunday to Saturday to accommodate live CBS Sports coverage. Earnhardt's 5th-place finish allowed him to win the championship by 19 points over Yarborough. Following the race Waltrip succeeded in buying out his contract with DiGard Racing while Yarborough announced he would not run the full season in 1981, taking over the M. C. Anderson #27 team driven by race winner Parsons; Waltrip was then hired by Junior Johnson.
Top ten results
  1. #27 - Benny Parsons
  2. #21 - Neil Bonnett
  3. #11 - Cale Yarborough
  4. #15 - Bobby Allison
  5. #2 - Dale Earnhardt
  6. #7 - Lake Speed
  7. #75 - Joe Millikan
  8. #44 - Terry Labonte
  9. #77 - John Anderson
  10. #67 - Buddy Arrington

Full Drivers' Championship

Bold – Pole position awarded by time. Italics – Pole position set by owner's points. * – Most laps led.
DriverRIVDAYRCHCARATLBRIDARNWSMARTALNSVDOVCLTTWSRIVMCHDAYNSVPOCTALMCHBRIDARRCHDOVNWSMARCLTCARATLONT
1Dale Earnhardt245311*2961326102095123143352743451*1*18354661
2Cale Yarborough2319251*8*5124463*16*171*42402*3211*2926410321*1*34642
3Benny Parsons3352821304252822212331*632048541056433233214278
4Richard Petty3253233891*3311242855533185492171815271421304255
5Darrell Waltrip1*401*42824121*424202*41*2631426114*325*61*2211832625*4239
6Bobby Allison182273330325405126315*81*634357661*301*2229263844019
7Jody Ridley '161018296111077108612261167818301812305999856183972
8Terry Labonte7624101510322223327535331132226311123182877314583766
9Dave Marcis1722494923218291125297635331483926787123519622153745
10Richard Childress61322141329211111122981161814899627912113719251179213742
11Harry Gant1242128167322137942887281629553714320242916236413703
12Buddy Arrington1441625192114131018272610281423101013381320171213268131211103461
13James Hylton1126713391418171813131923101224241715142517211719151021914243449
14Ronnie Thomas102926112212262322202111221116301726232129292222102518108383066
15Cecil Gordon218332422341723199371410202921162321191918151413241525172993
16J. D. McDuffie152793291322303041203330299152311362520111829382426202117142968
17Jimmy Means211530201224281412122714192226161415142216132712301320312947
18Tommy Gale20212618171529291615123325192818192922133119362011222015162885
19Neil Bonnett3436413662718524341*1256193025222865
20Roger HambyQL16183418162517231322232127152422301635162022142817122606
21Buddy Baker1*15735241*33934232*6263232742603
22Lake Speed '29DNQ1187DNQ1226173830816271121207282461853
23Slick Johnson '14301026259925323013311915824408DNQ1851
24John Anderson182417282624181391236153632271635323391805
25Bobby Wawak101731131631301829252422292324333927111742
26Donnie Allison7526253130361927263327652237391730
27Dick Brooks223629165275272693017152731331010311698
28Kyle Petty 'DNQ3114815217779122327935331690
29Baxter PriceDNQ3127212331191922142118271922273218241689
30Lennie Pond9236441112884038282834297291558
31Junior Miller382514163134202127232913172633351402
32Dick May32DNQ2019162415201517716302910192628242917161323
33Joe Millikan43427283767105242371274
34Bill Elliott1229214291279336181232
35Ricky Rudd1231199321328102034283441213
36Bill Elswick2415231920242735303414361053
37David Pearson1*3625217238311004
38D. K. Ulrich2628341536151013253037935
39Tighe Scott3937325233610363234791
40Frank WarrenQL20191733312325559
41Tim Richmond1231121229527
42Bill Schmitt5231311503
43Buck SimmonsDNQ224032271624495
44Rick NewsomDNQ193620322632483
45Dave Dion1791431441
46Don Whittington9163834352238429
47Steve Moore143518QL13412
48Tommy Houston17153124396
49Sterling Marlin81116736387
50Bruce Hill332736383541348
51Chuck Bown3635313735112527329
52Jim Vandiver3739825328
53Jeff McDuffie181719327
54Coo Coo MarlinQL111437303
55Don Sprouse14241523303
56Joe Booher171135191634294
57Rusty Wallace214291
58Jim Robinson242028273
59Hershel McGriff262423270
60Roy Smith132836263
61Don Puskarich191742255
62Kenny Hemphill2510413315252
63Blackie WangerinDNQ133734237
64Mike Potter363018237
65Travis Tiller28402630237
66Rick McCray353219231
67Connie Saylor1939142327227
68Rick Wilson153637225
69Janet Guthrie1128209
70Wayne WatercutterDNQ1624206
71Marty Robbins33301332204
72Randy Ogden30Wth3431204
73Eddie Dickerson2122197
74Don Waterman2520191
75Kevin Housby3017DNQ26185
76John Utsman2820182
77Steve Pfeifer2721182
78Phil FinneyDNQ3820152
79Nelson OswaldDNQ2038152
80DNQ2439137
81John Borneman3134131
82Harry Dinwiddie12127
83Mike Miller3928125
84Joey Arrington13124
85Jimmy Finger13124
86Jimmy Ingram15DNQDNQ118
87Billie Harvey27111617DNQ115
88Bill Osborne3735110
89Joel Stowe1816109
9020103
91John Callis2140DNQ100
92Bill Hollar2394
93Bruce Jacobi2394
94Ralph JonesDNQ252488
95Jim Hopkinson2782
96Stuart Huffman282479
97Nestor Peles2879
98Dick Skillen2879
99Ed Hale2976
100Bobby Sands3073
101A. J. Foyt3170
102Bill Whittington83267
103Glenn Francis3267
104Melvin Revis3364
105Glen Ward3558
106Henry Jones2137372252
107Jim Hurlbert3849
108Gary Balough39DNQ46
109Jim Sauter4140
110Bub StricklerDNQ1421283523
111Stan Barrett111013
112Steve Spencer282525
113Glenn Jarrett3412
114Ferrel Harris4020
115John Greenwood4021
116Bob RileyDNQ2739
117Mike Alexander10
118Charlie Chamblee16
119Clay Young19
120Gary BakerDNQ22
121Chuck Wahl25
122Dan Gurney28
123Ernie Cline30
124Steve Gray40
125Joe Ruttman40
126Gary MatthewsDNQ
127Dick WhalenDNQ
128Gene ThonesonDNQDNQ
129St. James DavisDNQDNQ
130Jim HurtubiseDNQ
131Ricky KnottsDNQ
132Steve PelesDNQ
133Ricky OttsDNQ
134Bill Green
135Bob SwitzerDNQ
136Terry RyanDNQ
137Jerry HansenDNQ
138Frank FredaDNQDNQ
139Dick KranzlerDNQ
140Harry GoularteDNQ
141Don StanleyDNQ
142Ron O'DellDNQ
143Tim McMillanDNQ
144Tim WilliamsonWth
145Bill DennisQL
DriverRIVDAYRCHCARATLBRIDARNWSMARTALNSVDOVCLTTWSRIVMCHDAYNSVPOCTALMCHBRIDARRCHDOVMARNWSCLTCARATLONT