1988 in NASCAR

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The 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup Season began February 7 and ended November 20. Bill Elliott of Melling Racing won the championship.

See also: 1988 in NASCAR Busch Series

Preceded by 1987 in NASCAR

NASCAR seasons 1988

Succeeded by 1989 in NASCAR

Contents 1 Busch Clash 2 Gatorade 125s 3 Daytona 500 4 Pontiac Excitement 400 5 Goodwrench 500 6 Motorcraft Quality Parts 500 7 TranSouth 500 8 Valleydale Meats 500 9 First Union 400 10 Pannill Sweatshirts 500 11 Winston 500 12 Coca-Cola 600 13 Budweiser 500 14 Budweiser 400 15 Miller High Life 500 16 Miller High Life 400 17 Pepsi Firecracker 400 18 AC Spark Plug 500 19 Talladega DieHard 500 20 The Budweiser at the Glen 21 Champion Spark Plug 500 22 Busch 500 23 Southern 500 24 Miller High Life 400 25 Delaware 500 26 Goody's 500 27 Oakwood Homes 500 28 Holly Farms 400 29 AC Delco 500 30 Checker 500 31 Atlanta Journal 500 32 Final points standings 33 Rookie of the Year 34 External links

[edit] Busch Clash

The Busch Clash, an invitational event for all Busch Pole winners the previous season, was held February 7 at Daytona International Speedway. Dale Earnhardt won the race.

[edit] Gatorade 125s

The Gatorade 125s, a pair of qualifying races for the Daytona 500, were held February 11 at Daytona International Speedway. Ken Schrader and Davey Allison won the poles for both races, respectively.

Race One: Top Ten Results

1. 12-Bobby Allison
2. 27-Rusty Wallace
3. 25-Ken Schrader
4. 50-Greg Sacks
5. 8-Bobby Hillin, Jr.
6. 97-Morgan Shepherd
7. 4-Rick Wilson
8. 5-Geoff Bodine
9. 14-A. J. Foyt
10. 55-Phil Parsons

Race Two: Top Ten Results

1. 17-Darrell Waltrip
2. 3-Dale Earnhardt
3. 28-Davey Allison
4. 11-Terry Labonte
5. 83-Lake Speed
6. 44-Sterling Marlin
7. 75-Neil Bonnett
8. 7-Alan Kulwicki
9. 88-Buddy Baker
10. 33-Harry Gant

[edit] Daytona 500

The 30th annual Daytona 500 was held February 14 at Daytona International Speedway. Ken Schrader won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 12-Bobby Allison
2. 28-Davey Allison
3. 55-Phil Parsons
4. 75-Neil Bonnett
5. 11-Terry Labonte
6. 25-Ken Schrader
7. 27-Rusty Wallace
8. 44-Sterling Marlin
9. 88-Buddy Baker
10. 3-Dale Earnhardt

Failed to qualify: 67-Buddy Arrington, 01-Mickey Gibbs, 34-Donnie Allison, 63-Jocko Maggiacomo, 24-Bobby Coyle, 22-Steve Moore, 48-Tony Spanos, 64-Mike Potter, 82-Mark Stahl, 2-Ernie Irvan, 80-Jimmy Horton, 74-John Linville, 59-Mark Gibson, 49-Mike Porter, 03-David Pletcher, 57-Bobby Wawak, 56-Joey Sonntag, 30*-Michael Waltrip, 10-Ken Bouchard, 39-Blackie Wangerin, 07-Larry Moyer, 02-Joe Booher, 18-Sarel van der Merwe, 54-Ronnie Sanders, 77-Ken Ragan, 70-J.D. McDuffie, 0-Delma Cowart, 85-Bobby Gerhart

• Michael Waltrip's team (Bahari Racing) bought the Mueller Brothers' #89 entry after the #30 failed to qualify so that Waltrip could race.

[edit] Pontiac Excitement 400

The Pontiac Excitement 400 was held February 21 at Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway. The #97 of Morgan Shepherd won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 75-Neil Bonnett
2. 26-Ricky Rudd
3. 43-Richard Petty
4. 17-Darrell Waltrip
5. 44-Sterling Marlin
6. 83-Lake Speed
7. 27-Rusty Wallace
8. 8-Bobby Hillin, Jr.
9. 11-Terry Labonte
10. 3-Dale Earnhardt

Failed to qualify: 4-Rick Wilson, 25*-Ken Schrader, 2-Ernie Irvan

• Ken Schrader's team bought the #67 entry (normally driven by Buddy Arrington) in order to get Schrader into the race.

[edit] Goodwrench 500

The Goodwrench 500 was held March 6 at North Carolina Motor Speedway. Bill Elliott won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 75-Neil Bonnett
2. 83-Lake Speed
3. 44-Sterling Marlin
4. 7-Alan Kulwicki
5. 3-Dale Earnhardt
6. 9-Bill Elliott
7. 97-Morgan Shepherd
8. 10-Ken Bouchard
9. 28-Davey Allison
10. 25-Ken Schrader

[edit] Motorcraft Quality Parts 500

The Motorcraft Quality Parts 500 was held March 20 at Atlanta International Raceway. The #5 of Geoff Bodine won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
2. 27-Rusty Wallace
3. 17-Darrell Waltrip
4. 11-Terry Labonte
5. 21-Kyle Petty
6. 8-Bobby Hillin, Jr.
7. 88-Buddy Baker
8. 25-Ken Schrader
9. 15-Brett Bodine
10. 4-Rick Wilson

[edit] TranSouth 500

The TranSouth 500 was held March 27 at Darlington Raceway. The #25 of Ken Schrader won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 83-Lake Speed*
2. 7-Alan Kulwicki
3. 28-Davey Allison
4. 9-Bill Elliott
5. 44-Sterling Marlin
6. 6-Mark Martin
7. 5-Geoff Bodine
8. 55-Phil Parsons
9. 12-Bobby Allison
10. 88-Buddy Baker

• This was Lake Speed's only victory in the Winston Cup Series.

[edit] Valleydale Meats 500

The Valleydale Meats 500 was held April 10 at Bristol International Raceway. The #4 of Rick Wilson won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 9-Bill Elliott
2. 6-Mark Martin
3. 5-Geoff Bodine
4. 27-Rusty Wallace
5. 12-Bobby Allison
6. 43-Richard Petty
7. 21-Kyle Petty
8. 44-Sterling Marlin
9. 71-Dave Marcis
10. 25-Ken Schrader

[edit] First Union 400

The First Union 400 was held April 17 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Terry Labonte won the pole. Labonte passed Dale Earnhardt with 10 laps to go when Earnhardt suffered a slow leak of air from his right rear tire.

Top Ten Results

1. 11-Terry Labonte
2. 26-Ricky Rudd
3. 3-Dale Earnhardt
4. 27-Rusty Wallace
5. 21-Kyle Petty
6. 43-Richard Petty
7. 55-Phil Parsons
8. 28-Davey Allison
9. 5-Geoff Bodine
10. 9-Bill Elliott

Failed to Qualify: 00-Gary Brooks, 04-Bill Meacham, 09-Doug French, 20-Alan Russell, 31-Brad Teague, 46-Glenn Moffat, 67-Rick Jeffrey, 70-Jeff McDuffie, 78-Jay Sommers, 98-Brad Noffsinger

[edit] Pannill Sweatshirts 500

The Pannill Sweatshirts 500 was held April 24 at Martinsville Speedway. The #26 of Ricky Rudd won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
2. 44-Sterling Marlin
3. 8-Bobby Hillin, Jr.
4. 11-Terry Labonte
5. 17-Darrell Waltrip
6. 28-Davey Allison
7. 88-Buddy Baker
8. 12-Bobby Allison
9. 55-Phil Parsons
10. 25-Ken Schrader

Failed to qualify: 2-Ernie Irvan, 52-Jimmy Means

[edit] Winston 500

The Winston 500 was held May 1 at Alabama International Motor Speedway. The #28 of Davey Allison won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 55-Phil Parsons*
2. 12-Bobby Allison
3. 5-Geoff Bodine
4. 11-Terry Labonte
5. 25-Ken Schrader
6. 44-Sterling Marlin
7. 9-Bill Elliott
8. 21-Kyle Petty
9. 3-Dale Earnhardt
10. 27-Rusty Wallace

Failed to qualify: 10-Ken Bouchard

• This was Phil Parsons' only win in the Winston Cup Series.

[edit] Coca-Cola 600

The Coca-Cola 600 was held May 29 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Davey Allison won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 17-Darrell Waltrip
2. 27-Rusty Wallace
3. 7-Alan Kulwicki
4. 15-Brett Bodine
5. 28-Davey Allison
6. 25-Ken Schrader
7. 26-Ricky Rudd*
8. 55-Phil Parsons
9. 11-Terry Labonte
10. 50-Greg Sacks

• Ricky Rudd was relieved during the race by Mike Alexander (Rudd had suffered injuries earlier in the season).

[edit] Budweiser 500

The Budweiser 500 was held June 5 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Alan Kulwicki won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 9-Bill Elliott
2. 33-Morgan Shepherd*
3. 27-Rusty Wallace
4. 83-Lake Speed
5. 28-Davey Allison
6. 7-Alan Kulwicki
7. 4-Rick Wilson
8. 5-Geoff Bodine
9. 6-Mark Martin
10. 12-Bobby Allison

• Morgan Shepherd was subbing for Harry Gant, who had been injured during the Busch Grand National race the previous day.

[edit] Budweiser 400

The final Budweiser 400 was held June 12 at Riverside International Raceway. Ricky Rudd won the pole. It was the last NASCAR race held at Riverside.

Top Ten Results

1. 27-Rusty Wallace
2. 11-Terry Labonte
3. 26-Ricky Rudd
4. 3-Dale Earnhardt
5. 55-Phil Parsons
6. 43-Richard Petty
7. 6-Mark Martin
8. 29-Dale Jarrett
9. 44-Sterling Marlin
10. 75-Neil Bonnett

Failed to qualify: 10-Ken Bouchard

[edit] Miller High Life 500

The Miller High Life 500 was held June 19 at Pocono Raceway. The #7 of Alan Kulwicki won the pole. On the opening lap of this race, Bobby Allison suffered career-ending injuries when he spun and was T-boned by the #63 of Jocko Maggiacomo.

Top Ten Results

1. 5-Geoff Bodine
2. 30-Michael Waltrip
3. 27-Rusty Wallace
4. 6-Mark Martin
5. 28-Davey Allison
6. 17-Darrell Waltrip
7. 88-Buddy Baker
8. 55-Phil Parsons
9. 25-Ken Schrader
10. 9-Bill Elliott

[edit] Miller High Life 400

The Miller High Life 400 was held June 26 at Michigan International Speedway. Bill Elliott won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 27-Rusty Wallace
2. 9-Bill Elliott
3. 11-Terry Labonte
4. 3-Dale Earnhardt
5. 5-Geoff Bodine
6. 25-Ken Schrader
7. 55-Phil Parsons
8. 17-Darrell Waltrip
9. 29-Cale Yarborough
10. 12-Mike Alexander

[edit] Pepsi Firecracker 400

The Pepsi Firecracker 400 was held July 2 at Daytona International Speedway. Darrell Waltrip won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 9-Bill Elliott
2. 4-Rick Wilson
3. 55-Phil Parsons
4. 3-Dale Earnhardt
5. 17-Darrell Waltrip
6. 88-Buddy Baker
7. 33-Morgan Shepherd
8. 25-Ken Schrader
9. 83-Lake Speed
10. 50-Greg Sacks

[edit] AC Spark Plug 500

The AC Spark Plug 500 was held July 24 at Pocono Raceway. Morgan Shepherd won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 9-Bill Elliott
2. 25-Ken Schrader
3. 28-Davey Allison
4. 5-Geoff Bodine
5. 17-Darrell Waltrip
6. 75-Morgan Shepherd*
7. 6-Mark Martin
8. 7-Alan Kulwicki
9. 11-Terry Labonte
10. 33-Harry Gant*

• Morgan Shepherd drove the #75 in place of Neil Bonnett for this race and Talladega.
• Harry Gant's first race back from injury.

[edit] Talladega DieHard 500

The Talladega DieHard 500 was held July 31 at Alabama International Motor Speedway. The #17 of Darrell Waltrip won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 25-Ken Schrader*
2. 5-Geoff Bodine
3. 3-Dale Earnhardt
4. 4-Rick Wilson
5. 27-Rusty Wallace
6. 44-Sterling Marlin
7. 6-Mark Martin
8. 9-Bill Elliott
9. 29-Cale Yarborough
10. 88-Buddy Baker

• This was Ken Schrader's 1st career Winston Cup Series win.

[edit] The Budweiser at the Glen

The Budweiser at the Glen was held August 14 at Watkins Glen International Raceway. Geoff Bodine won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 26-Ricky Rudd
2. 27-Rusty Wallace
3. 9-Bill Elliott
4. 55-Phil Parsons
5. 12-Mike Alexander
6. 3-Dale Earnhardt
7. 88-Morgan Shepherd*
8. 44-Sterling Marlin
9. 31-Joe Ruttman*
10. 25-Ken Schrader

• Morgan Shepherd was subbing for Buddy Baker, who had suffered a blood clot in his brain in a crash in the Coca-Cola 600 earlier in the season.

• This was the best finish in the Winston Cup Series for Bob Clark's #31 Slender You Figure Salons team.

[edit] Champion Spark Plug 500

The Champion Spark Plug 500 was held August 21 at Michigan International Speedway. Bill Elliott won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 28-Davey Allison
2. 27-Rusty Wallace
3. 9-Bill Elliott
4. 88-Morgan Shepherd
5. 83-Lake Speed
6. 15-Brett Bodine
7. 30-Michael Waltrip
8. 21-Kyle Petty
9. 4-Rick Wilson
10. 5-Geoff Bodine

[edit] Busch 500

The Busch 500 was held August 27 at Bristol International Raceway. Alan Kulwicki won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
2. 9-Bill Elliott
3. 5-Geoff Bodine
4. 28-Davey Allison
5. 7-Alan Kulwicki
6. 33-Harry Gant
7. 17-Darrell Waltrip
8. 43-Richard Petty
9. 27-Rusty Wallace
10. 8-Bobby Hillin, Jr.

Failed to qualify: 10-Ken Bouchard, 90-Benny Parsons

[edit] Southern 500

The Southern 500 was held September 4 at Darlington Raceway. Bill Elliott won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 9-Bill Elliott
2. 27-Rusty Wallace
3. 3-Dale Earnhardt
4. 17-Darrell Waltrip
5. 44-Sterling Marlin
6. 55-Phil Parsons
7. 5-Geoff Bodine
8. 11-Terry Labonte
9. 28-Davey Allison
10. 26-Ricky Rudd

[edit] Miller High Life 400

The Miller High Life 400 was held September 11 at Richmond International Raceway. Davey Allison won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 28-Davey Allison
2. 3-Dale Earnhardt
3. 11-Terry Labonte
4. 6-Mark Martin
5. 7-Alan Kulwicki
6. 21-Kyle Petty
7. 9-Bill Elliott
8. 17-Darrell Waltrip
9. 75-Neil Bonnett
10. 71-Dave Marcis

Failed to qualify: 68-Derrike Cope

[edit] Delaware 500

The Delaware 500 was held September 18 at Dover International Speedway. The #6 of Mark Martin won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 9-Bill Elliott
2. 3-Dale Earnhardt
3. 27-Rusty Wallace
4. 28-Davey Allison
5. 5-Geoff Bodine
6. 21-Kyle Petty
7. 12-Mike Alexander
8. 75-Neil Bonnett
9. 83-Lake Speed
10. 26-Ricky Rudd

[edit] Goody's 500

The Goody's 500 was held September 25 at Martinsville Speedway. Rusty Wallace won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 17-Darrell Waltrip
2. 7-Alan Kulwicki
3. 27-Rusty Wallace
4. 25-Ken Schrader
5. 5-Geoff Bodine
6. 9-Bill Elliott
7. 11-Terry Labonte
8. 3-Dale Earnhardt
9. 6-Mark Martin
10. 15-Brett Bodine

Failed to qualify: 68-Derrike Cope

[edit] Oakwood Homes 500

The Oakwood Homes 500 was held October 9 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The #7 of Alan Kulwicki won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 27-Rusty Wallace
2. 17-Darrell Waltrip
3. 15-Brett Bodine
4. 9-Bill Elliott
5. 44-Sterling Marlin
6. 8-Bobby Hillin, Jr.
7. 25-Ken Schrader
8. 26-Ricky Rudd
9. 6-Mark Martin
10. 11-Terry Labonte

Failed to qualify: 2-Ernie Irvan

[edit] Holly Farms 400

The Holly Farms 400 was held October 16 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Bill Elliott won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 27-Rusty Wallace
2. 55-Phil Parsons
3. 5-Geoff Bodine
4. 11-Terry Labonte
5. 9-Bill Elliott
6. 3-Dale Earnhardt
7. 26-Ricky Rudd
8. 25-Ken Schrader
9. 12-Mike Alexander
10. 88-Greg Sacks*

Failed to qualify: 68-Derrike Cope

• Greg Sacks subbed for the still recovering Buddy Baker.

[edit] AC Delco 500

The AC Delco 500 was held October 23 at North Carolina Motor Speedway. Bill Elliott won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 27-Rusty Wallace
2. 26-Ricky Rudd
3. 11-Terry Labonte
4. 9-Bill Elliott
5. 3-Dale Earnhardt
6. 12-Mike Alexander
7. 33-Harry Gant
8. 55-Phil Parsons
9. 21-Kyle Petty
10. 75-Neil Bonnett

[edit] Checker 500

The inaugural Checker 500 was held November 6 at Phoenix International Raceway. Geoff Bodine won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 7-Alan Kulwicki*
2. 11-Terry Labonte
3. 28-Davey Allison
4. 9-Bill Elliott
5. 27-Rusty Wallace
6. 5-Geoff Bodine
7. 8-Bobby Hillin, Jr.
8. 90-Benny Parsons
9. 55-Phil Parsons
10. 44-Sterling Marlin

• This was Alan Kulwicki's 1st career Winston Cup Series win.

[edit] Atlanta Journal 500

The Atlanta Journal 500 was held November 20 at Atlanta International Raceway. Rusty Wallace won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 27-Rusty Wallace
2. 28-Davey Allison
3. 12-Mike Alexander
4. 26-Ricky Rudd
5. 17-Darrell Waltrip
6. 25-Ken Schrader
7. 30-Michael Waltrip
8. 11-Terry Labonte
9. 8-Bobby Hillin, Jr.
10. 29-Cale Yarborough*

Failed to qualify: 10-Ken Bouchard

• Bill Elliott finished 11th to clinch his first and only Winston Cup.
• Cale Yarborough's final career start in the Winston Cup Series.

[edit] Final points standings

1. Bill Elliott - 4488
2. Rusty Wallace - 4464
3. Dale Earnhardt - 4256
4. Terry Labonte - 4007
5. Ken Schrader - 3858
6. Geoff Bodine - 3799
7. Darrell Waltrip - 3764
8. Davey Allison - 3631
9. Phil Parsons - 3630
10. Sterling Marlin - 3621
11. Ricky Rudd - 3547
12. Bobby Hillin, Jr. - 3446
13. Kyle Petty - 3296
14. Alan Kulwicki - 3176
15. Mark Martin - 3142
16. Neil Bonnett - 3040
17. Lake Speed - 2984
18. Michael Waltrip - 2949
19. Dave Marcis - 2854
20. Brett Bodine - 2828
21. Rick Wilson - 2762
22. Richard Petty - 2644
23. Dale Jarrett - 2622
24. Benny Parsons - 2559
25. Ken Bouchard - 2378
26. Ernie Irvan - 2319
27. Harry Gant - 2266
28. Morgan Shepherd - 2193
29. Buddy Baker - 2056
30. Jimmy Means - 2045
31. Derrike Cope - 1985
32. Mike Alexander - 1931
33. Bobby Allison - 1654
34. Eddie Bierschwale - 1481
35. Rodney Combs - 1468
36. Brad Noffsinger - 1316
37. Greg Sacks - 1237
38. Cale Yarborough - 940
39. Joe Ruttman - 803
40. Brad Teague - 802
41. Jimmy Horton - 647
42. A. J. Foyt - 523
43. H.B. Bailey - 478
44. Jim Sauter - 463
45. Chad Little - 405
46. Buddy Arrington - 352
47. Ken Ragan - 314
48. Dana Patten - 313
49. Rick Jeffrey - 307
50. Mickey Gibbs - 283

[edit] Rookie of the Year

Ken Bouchard defeated Ernie Irvan by 59 points to win the Rookie of the Year title in 1988, driving for Bob Whitcomb. Bouchard only eight more starts in the Cup series over his career, while Irvan won fifteen races over the next twelve years. The only other contenders were USAC driver Brad Noffsinger and Jimmy Horton, both of whom ran part-time schedules that season.

[edit] External links

• Winston Cup Standings and Statistics for 1988

Preceded by 1987 in NASCAR

NASCAR seasons 1988

Succeeded by 1989 in NASCAR