1986 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

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1986 NASCAR Winston Cup Series
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The 1986 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 38th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 15th modern-era Cup series season. The season began on February 16 and ended November 16. Dale Earnhardt of RCR Enterprises won his second championship this year.

This was the last season without Ernie Irvan until 2000.

1986 NASCAR Winston Cup Series drivers[]

Make Team No. Driver Crew Chief
Buick King Racing 26 Joe Ruttman Larry McReynolds
Stavola Brothers Racing 8 Bobby Hillin Jr.
22 Bobby Allison Bobby Hudson[1]
Chevrolet Ellington Racing 1 Sterling Marlin
18 Tommy Ellis
Hendrick Motorsports 5 Geoff Bodine
25 Tim Richmond Harry Hyde
55 Benny Parsons
66 Phil Parsons Marv Acton
Junior Johnson & Associates 11 Darrell Waltrip Jeff Hammond
12 Neil Bonnett28 Tim Brewer
Davey Allison1
Mach 1 Racing 33 Harry Gant Travis Carter
Marcis Auto Racing 71 Dave Marcis
Richard Childress Racing 3 Dale Earnhardt Kirk Shelmerdine
Ford AK Racing 35 Alan Kulwicki (R)
Arrington Racing 67 Buddy Arrington Joey Arrington[2]
Bud Moore Engineering 15 Ricky Rudd Bud Moore
Circle Bar Racing 81 Chet Fillip (R)
Donlavey Racing 90 Ken Schrader Junie Donlavey
Melling Racing 9 Bill Elliott
Ranier-Lundy Racing 28 Cale Yarborough
Wood Brothers Racing 7 Kyle Petty Eddie Wood
Oldsmobile Baker-Schiff Racing 88 Buddy Baker28 Doug Richert
Al Unser1
Hagan Racing 44 Terry Labonte
Hamby Motorsports 17 Eddie Bierschwale
Morgan-McClure Motorsports 4 Rick Wilson
Pontiac Bahari Racing 23 Michael Waltrip (R)
Blue Max Racing 27 Rusty Wallace
Curb Racing 98 Ron Bouchard Mike Beam
McDuffie Racing 70 J. D. McDuffie
Means Racing 52 Jimmy Means
Petty Enterprises 43 Richard Petty Dale Inman
RahMoc Enterprises 75 Morgan Shepherd Robin Pemberton

Schedule[]

No. Race Title Track Date
Busch Clash Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach February 9
7-Eleven Twin 125's February 13
1 Daytona 500 February 16
2 Miller High Life 400 Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway, Richmond February 23
3 Goodwrench 500 North Carolina Motor Speedway, Rockingham March 2
4 Motorcraft 500 Atlanta International Raceway, Hampton March 16
5 Valleydale 500 Bristol International Raceway, Bristol April 6
6 TranSouth 500 Darlington Raceway, Darlington April 13
7 First Union 400 North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro April 20
8 Sovran Bank 500 Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway April 27
9 Winston 500 Alabama International Motor Speedway, Talladega May 4
Atlanta Invitational Atlanta International Raceway, Hampton May 11
The Winston
10 Budweiser 500 Dover Downs International Speedway, Dover May 18
11 Coca-Cola 600 Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord May 25
12 Budweiser 400 Riverside International Raceway, Riverside June 1
13 Miller High Life 500 Pocono International Raceway, Long Pond June 8
14 Miller American 400 Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn June 15
15 Firecracker 400 Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach July 4
16 Summer 500 Pocono International Raceway, Long Pond July 20
17 Talladega 500 Alabama International Motor Speedway, Talladega July 27
18 Budweiser at The Glen Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen August 10
19 Champion Spark Plug 400 Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn August 17
20 Busch 500 Bristol International Raceway, Bristol August 23
21 Southern 500 Darlington Raceway, Darlington August 31
22 Wrangler Jeans Indigo 400 Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway, Richmond September 7
23 Delaware 500 Dover Downs International Speedway, Dover September 14
24 Goody's 500 Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway September 21
25 Holly Farms 400 North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro September 28
26 Oakwood Homes 500 Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord October 5
27 Nationwise 500 North Carolina Motor Speedway, Rockingham October 19
28 Atlanta Journal 500 Atlanta International Raceway, Hampton November 2
29 Winston Western 500 Riverside International Raceway, Riverside November 16

Busch Clash[]

The 8th annual Busch Clash was held on February 9 at Daytona International Speedway. Harry Gant drew for the pole. Only eight drivers ran.

Full Results

Finish Grid Car
no. 		Driver Car Make Laps Status Laps
Led
1 4 3 Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet Monte Carlo 20 0:15:19 15
2 6 9 Bill Elliott Ford Thunderbird 20 -2 car lengths
3 2 12 Neil Bonnett Chevrolet Monte Carlo 20 Flagged 5
4 7 5 Geoff Bodine Chevrolet Monte Carlo 20 Flagged
5 8 44 Terry Labonte Oldsmobile Delta 88 20 Flagged
6 3 27 Rusty Wallace Pontiac Grand Prix 2+2 20 Flagged
7 1 33 Harry Gant Chevrolet Monte Carlo 20 Flagged
8 5 11 Darrell Waltrip Chevrolet Monte Carlo 20 Flagged

Average speed: 195.865 mph

Caution flags
(caution flag laps do not count in this race)
From
Lap 		To
Lap 		Reason
6 6 #5 Bodine spin, turn 4
Lap Leader Breakdown
From
Lap 		To
Lap 		Total
Laps 		Driver
1 5 5 Neil Bonnett
6 20 15 Dale Earnhardt

7-Eleven Twin 125's[]

The 7-Eleven Twin 125's, a pair of qualifying races for the Daytona 500, were held February 13 at Daytona International Speedway. Bill Elliott and Geoff Bodine won the poles for both races, respectively.

Race One Top Ten Results

  1. 9-Bill Elliott
  2. 22-Bobby Allison
  3. 44-Terry Labonte
  4. 7-Kyle Petty
  5. 1-Sterling Marlin
  6. 43-Richard Petty
  7. 12-Neil Bonnett
  8. 98-Ron Bouchard
  9. 4-Rick Wilson
  10. 66-Phil Parsons

Race Two Top Ten Results

  1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  2. 5-Geoff Bodine
  3. 11-Darrell Waltrip
  4. 47-Morgan Shepherd
  5. 27-Rusty Wallace
  6. 71-Dave Marcis
  7. 28-Cale Yarborough
  8. 33-Harry Gant
  9. 88-Buddy Baker
  10. 6-Trevor Boys

Daytona 500[]

Main article: 1986 Daytona 500

Top Ten Results

  1. 5 - Geoff Bodine
  2. 44 - Terry Labonte
  3. 11 - Darrell Waltrip
  4. 8 - Bobby Hillin Jr.
  5. 55 - Benny Parsons -1 Lap
  6. 98 - Ron Bouchard -1 Lap
  7. 4 - Rick Wilson -1 Lap
  8. 27 - Rusty Wallace -1 Lap
  9. 1 - Sterling Marlin -2 Laps (DNF: Engine)
  10. 75 - Lake Speed -2 Laps
  • In what would be the first of a string of Daytona 500 heartbreakers for Dale Earnhardt; Earnhardt ran out of fuel with three laps to go and coasted into pit road for gas, only to blow his engine when restarting it; resulting in a 14th place finish.

Miller High Life 400[]

Main article: 1986 Miller High Life 400

The Miller High Life 400 was held February 23 at Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway. Geoff Bodine won the pole.

Top Ten Results

  1. 7-Kyle Petty*
  2. 26-Joe Ruttman
  3. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  4. 22-Bobby Allison -1 lap
  5. 11-Darrell Waltrip -2 laps
  6. 8-Bobby Hillin Jr. -2 laps
  7. 12-Neil Bonnett -2 laps
  8. 5-Geoff Bodine -3 laps
  9. 71-Dave Marcis -3 laps
  10. 27-Rusty Wallace -5 laps
  • This was Petty's first career Winston Cup win.
  • Petty won this race as the direct result of Dale Earnhardt and Darrell Waltrip wrecking while racing for the lead with 2 laps to go. Going into Turn 3, Earnhardt hooked the right rear corner of Waltrip's car and turned him head on into the wall. Geoff Bodine and Joe Ruttman, running 3rd and 4th at the time then proceeded to pile in behind Earnhardt and Waltrip. Petty, who was running 5th at the time of the caution, was the first lead lap car through the mess, and thus was gifted his first career victory.
  • With his victory, Petty became NASCAR's first third generation winner.
  • In the 1990 film Days of Thunder, a clip of the incident between Earnhardt and Waltrip appears on the TV set that Cole Trickle and Harry Hogge are watching in the scene where they are riding in a transporter.
  • Terry Labonte, thinking his engine had failed, pulled his #44 Piedmont Airlines Oldsmobile behind the wall. However, a crew member noticed some metal interfering with the ignition, and once the obstruction was cleared, the engine refired, allowing Labonte to return to the race and finish in 15th place.
  • Early in the race, Earnhardt could be seen steering his car while simultaneously wiping dirt off his windshield.

Goodwrench 500[]

Main article: 1986 Goodwrench 500

The Goodwrench 500 was held March 2 at North Carolina Motor Speedway. Terry Labonte won the pole.

Top Ten Results

  1. 44-Terry Labonte
  2. 33-Harry Gant
  3. 43-Richard Petty
  4. 47-Morgan Shepherd -1 lap
  5. 11-Darrell Waltrip -1 lap
  6. 28-Cale Yarborough -2 laps
  7. 9-Bill Elliott -2 laps
  8. 3-Dale Earnhardt -2 laps
  9. 12-Neil Bonnett -2 laps
  10. 75-Lake Speed -3 laps
  • The win proved to be Labonte's last with Billy Hagan.
  • This was the only points paying win for the Oldsmobile Delta 88 in the Winston Cup Series.

Motorcraft 500[]

The Motorcraft 500 was held March 16 at Atlanta International Raceway. Dale Earnhardt won the pole.

Top Ten Results

  1. 47-Morgan Shepherd
  2. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  3. 44-Terry Labonte
  4. 11-Darrell Waltrip
  5. 9-Bill Elliott
  6. 55-Benny Parsons
  7. 25-Tim Richmond
  8. 27-Rusty Wallace -1 lap
  9. 22-Bobby Allison -1 lap
  10. 5-Geoff Bodine -1 lap
  • This was Morgan Shepherd's 1st victory since 1981.

Valleydale 500[]

The Valleydale 500 was held April 6 at Bristol International Raceway. The No. 5 of Geoff Bodine won the pole.

Top Ten Results

  1. 27-Rusty Wallace*
  2. 15-Ricky Rudd
  3. 11-Darrell Waltrip
  4. 33-Harry Gant -1 lap
  5. 9-Bill Elliott -1 lap
  6. 22-Bobby Allison -1 lap
  7. 44-Terry Labonte -2 laps
  8. 25-Tim Richmond -2 laps
  9. 7-Kyle Petty -3 laps
  10. 3-Dale Earnhardt -3 laps
  • This was Rusty Wallace's 1st career Winston Cup victory.
  • This was also the 1st victory for the Pontiac Grand Prix 2+2.

TranSouth 500[]

The TranSouth 500 was held April 13 at Darlington Raceway. The No. 5 of Geoff Bodine won the pole.

Top Ten Results

  1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  2. 11-Darrell Waltrip
  3. 22-Bobby Allison -1 lap
  4. 12-Neil Bonnett -1 lap
  5. 25-Tim Richmond -3 laps
  6. 27-Rusty Wallace -3 laps
  7. 43-Richard Petty -3 laps
  8. 9-Bill Elliott -5 laps
  9. 7-Kyle Petty -6 laps
  10. 90-Ken Schrader -11 laps

First Union 400[]

The First Union 400 was held April 20 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Geoff Bodine won the pole.

Top Ten Results

  1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  2. 15-Ricky Rudd
  3. 5-Geoff Bodine
  4. 11-Darrell Waltrip
  5. 26-Joe Ruttman
  6. 22-Bobby Allison
  7. 33-Harry Gant
  8. 7-Kyle Petty
  9. 9-Bill Elliott
  10. 27-Rusty Wallace -1 lap
  • This race marked the 1st career Winston Cup start for Willy T. Ribbs, best known for being the 1st African-American to start the Indianapolis 500 in 1991. Ribbs struggled during the race, spinning out twice on his way to a 22nd-place finish, 13 laps down.
  • The No. 6 of Trevor Boys smacked the wall in Turn 3 on lap 89 and came to a stop at the entrance of pit road, blocking it. Instead of throwing a caution, the tow truck was sent out to tow the D. K. Ulrich-owned car to his pit stall/hauler (until the September 1988 event at the track, race team haulers were literally parked right behind their chosen pit stall) while the rest of the cars continued around the track at full speed.
  • This race included two caution periods around halfway due to rain. However, the race was not red-flagged either time the caution was thrown for the rain showers.

Sovran Bank 500[]

The Sovran Bank 500 was held April 27 at Martinsville Speedway. No. 25 of Tim Richmond won the pole.

Top Ten Results

  1. 15-Ricky Rudd*
  2. 26-Joe Ruttman -1 lap
  3. 44-Terry Labonte -4 laps
  4. 35-Alan Kulwicki (R) -4 laps
  5. 7-Kyle Petty -4 laps
  6. 8-Bobby Hillin Jr. -5 laps
  7. 90-Ken Schrader -7 laps
  8. 22-Bobby Allison -8 laps
  9. 79-Derrike Cope (R) -11 laps
  10. 75-Jody Ridley -13 laps
  • Ricky Rudd's official margin of victory in the race was 1 lap, and an additional 6 seconds.
  • According to Bill Elliott's book, , Elliott suffered his first engine failure in 3 years in this race.
  • This race marked the first career Winston Cup start for Mike Skinner. Skinner finished 22nd, 156 laps behind.
  • First career top 5 for Alan Kulwicki.

Winston 500[]

Main article: 1986 Winston 500

The Winston 500 was held May 4 at Alabama International Motor Speedway. The No. 9 of Bill Elliott won the pole.

Top Ten Results

  1. 22-Bobby Allison
  2. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  3. 88-Buddy Baker
  4. 8-Bobby Hillin Jr.
  5. 55-Phil Parsons
  6. 47-Morgan Shepherd
  7. 43-Richard Petty
  8. 4-Rick Wilson
  9. 98-Ron Bouchard
  10. 10-Greg Sacks

Failed to qualify: 35-Alan Kulwicki (R), 60-, 70-J. D. McDuffie, 77-Ken Ragan, 95-Davey Allison, 02-Mark Martin, Steve Moore

  • This race is most notable for the fact that a drunken fan stole the pace car before the race started and drove a lap around the track. Local Sheriff's Deputies and track workers quickly set up a road block at the exit of Turn 4. When the fan stopped the Pontiac Firebird, the sheriffs opened the door, pulled the driver out and detained him.
  • The whole field qualified over 200 miles per hour with several upcoming stars failing to qualify.
  • This marked the only race in Mark Martin's career that he failed to qualify for.

The Winston[]

Main article: 1986 The Winston

The second edition of The Winston, an all-star event for previous NASCAR winners, was held at Atlanta International Raceway on May 11.

This was the only time the race was run at Atlanta, and featured a 200-kilometer (83 lap) format, with a mandatory green flag pit stop. Because there were only nine race winners, the highest placed non-winner from the 1985 point standings was also invited.

Top Ten Results

  1. 9-Bill Elliott
  2. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  3. 33-Harry Gant
  4. 11-Darrell Waltrip
  5. 28-Cale Yarborough
  6. 12-Neil Bonnett
  7. 5-Geoff Bodine
  8. 15-Ricky Rudd
  9. 44-Terry Labonte
  10. 10-Greg Sacks
  • A non-winner's race, the Atlanta Invitational, was added, and was Benny Parsons' last NASCAR-sanctioned win in his career when he won the 100-lap, 152.2 mile race.
  • While only 18,500 attended the event, and only 23 cars featured (10 in The Winston, 13 in the Atlanta Invitational), the all-star weekend format of having a non-winners race and a winners race would be a permanent part of the weekend afterwards, although NASCAR made the non-winner's race the next year and afterwards a "last chance" race to make the winner's race.

Budweiser 500[]

The Budweiser 500 was held May 18 at Dover International Speedway. Ricky Rudd won the pole.

Top Ten Results

  1. 5-Geoff Bodine
  2. 22-Bobby Allison
  3. 3-Dale Earnhardt -1 lap
  4. 15-Ricky Rudd -2 laps
  5. 11-Darrell Waltrip -2 laps
  6. 43-Richard Petty -6 laps
  7. 9-Bill Elliott -7 laps
  8. 8-Bobby Hillin Jr. -7 laps
  9. 18-Tommy Ellis -7 laps
  10. 90-Ken Schrader -7 laps

Coca-Cola 600[]

The Coca-Cola 600 was held May 25 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The No. 5 of Geoff Bodine won the pole.

Top Ten Results

  1. 3 - Dale Earnhardt
  2. 25 - Tim Richmond
  3. 28 - Cale Yarborough
  4. 33 - Harry Gant
  5. 11 - Darrell Waltrip
  6. 9 - Bill Elliott
  7. 1 - Sterling Marlin -1 Lap
  8. 15 - Ricky Rudd -1 Lap
  9. 47 - Morgan Shepherd -1 Lap
  10. 27 - Rusty Wallace -2 Laps
  • Richard Petty was not allowed to bring out a backup car after crashing his #43 Pontiac in practice. As a result, Petty Enterprises bought the lime green-and-white #6 Chevrolet, and raced that car. Petty finished 38th as a result of a blown engine after completing 123 laps.
  • This was the 1st career Winston Cup start for Brett Bodine, who drove a Hendrick Motorsports #2 Chevrolet to an 18th-place finish, 6 laps down.
  • This race insured there would be no Winston Million winner in 1986. The bonus for winning 2 out of 4 races was still alive for the Southern 500 later in the season.
  • After this race, Dale Earnhardt would not take the checkered flag first again until returning to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Oakwood Homes 500 on October 5.

Budweiser 400[]

The Budweiser 400 was held on June 1 at Riverside International Raceway. Darrell Waltrip won the pole.

Top Ten Results

  1. 11-Darrell Waltrip
  2. 25-Tim Richmond
  3. 15-Ricky Rudd
  4. 27-Rusty Wallace
  5. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  6. 43-Richard Petty
  7. 22-Bobby Allison
  8. 12-Neil Bonnett
  9. 33-Harry Gant
  10. 18- -1 lap
  • This was the 1st career Winston Cup start for Chad Little, who was then a regular in the Winston West series. Little finished 13th, 3 laps down in the race after starting 25th.
  • This was the final time that Darrell Waltrip wins from the pole.

Miller High Life 500[]

The Miller High Life 500 was held June 8 at Pocono International Raceway. Geoff Bodine won the pole.

Top Ten Results

  1. 25-Tim Richmond
  2. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  3. 28-Cale Yarborough
  4. 15-Ricky Rudd
  5. 9-Bill Elliott
  6. 27-Rusty Wallace
  7. 26-Joe Ruttman
  8. 7-Kyle Petty
  9. 5-Geoff Bodine
  10. 8-Bobby Hillin Jr. -1 lap

Miller American 400[]

The Miller American 400 was held June 15 at Michigan International Speedway. Tim Richmond won the pole.

Top Ten Results

  1. 9-Bill Elliott
  2. 33-Harry Gant
  3. 5-Geoff Bodine
  4. 88-Buddy Baker
  5. 11-Darrell Waltrip
  6. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  7. 8-Bobby Hillin Jr.
  8. 4-Rick Wilson
  9. 26-Joe Ruttman
  10. 15-Ricky Rudd
  • During qualifying, 31-year-old ARCA driver Rick Baldwin, in the Buddy Arrington No. 67 Ford Thunderbird, suffered a severe crash in qualifying that resulted in the car hitting the wall flush with the driver's side, knocking him unconscious into a coma from the massive head injuries, from which he would succumb eleven years later.

Firecracker 400[]

Main article: 1986 Firecracker 400

The Firecracker 400 was held on July 4 at Daytona International Speedway. Cale Yarborough won the pole.

Top Ten Results

  1. 25-Tim Richmond
  2. 1-Sterling Marlin
  3. 8-Bobby Hillin Jr.
  4. 11-Darrell Waltrip
  5. 7-Kyle Petty
  6. 15-Ricky Rudd
  7. 26-Joe Ruttman
  8. 2-Rusty Wallace
  9. 66-Phil Parsons
  10. 35-Alan Kulwicki (R)
  • This race marked Richard Petty's 1000th career start in the Winston Cup Series, dating all the way back to 1958. As of 2020, he is the only driver to compete in 1,000+ races.
  • Dale Earnhardt blew his engine with 7 laps remaining and spun head-on into the wall after the blown engine dumped oil on his back tires. Attempting to avoid the crash, leader Buddy Baker clipped Connie Saylor's car; damaging Baker's car and providing an opening for Richmond.
  • After this crash, Earnhardt would not have another race that he didn't finish until 1994.

Summer 500[]

The Summer 500 was held July 20 at Pocono International Raceway. Harry Gant won the pole.

Top Ten Results

  1. 25-Tim Richmond
  2. 15-Ricky Rudd
  3. 5-Geoff Bodine
  4. 11-Darrell Waltrip
  5. 22-Bobby Allison
  6. 44-Terry Labonte
  7. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  8. 7-Kyle Petty -1 lap
  9. 18-Tommy Ellis -2 laps
  10. 4-Rick Wilson -2 laps
  • This race was shortened to 150 laps (375 miles) due to a combination of rain, fog and darkness.
  • On lap 121, Tim Richmond, racing with Geoff Bodine and Neil Bonnett, spun out and was hit by Richard Petty coming out of the Tunnel Turn (Turn 2). His car had both front tires flattened and was in a position so that he could not drive it forwards. Richmond backed the car out, then drove it in reverse nearly 1 mile to his pit. At that point, his crew fixed the car so that he could go forward, but only in high gear (4th). He lost a lap but raced with the leaders until Dale Earnhardt crashed around Lap 140; he beat the leaders to the flag and thus got his lap back. It was at this point that NASCAR announced the impending end of the race due to darkness. Richmond got tires and then charged through the field after the restart; he passed Bodine on the final lap, but Bodine dove back alongside and the two raced through Turn Three; Bodine got loose and Ricky Rudd stormed three abreast; Richmond won in a photo finish. A modified version of this incident was featured in the 1990 movie Days of Thunder.

Talladega 500[]

The Talladega 500 was held July 27 at Alabama International Motor Speedway. The No. 9 of Bill Elliott won the pole.

Top Ten Results

  1. 8-Bobby Hillin Jr.*
  2. 25-Tim Richmond
  3. 15-Ricky Rudd*
  4. 1-Sterling Marlin
  5. 55-Benny Parsons
  6. 47-Morgan Shepherd
  7. 12-Davey Allison*
  8. 26-Joe Ruttman
  9. 7-Kyle Petty
  10. 22-Bobby Allison -1 lap
  • This was Bobby Hillin Jr.'s only career Winston Cup victory.
  • The lead changed a season-high 49 times. The race set a motorsports record with 26 leaders, a record broken in 2008.
  • Among the race's 26 leaders were Richard Petty, Bill Elliott, Darrell Waltrip, Rodney Combs, Buddy Baker, and Rick Wilson. Cale Yarborough took the lead on the backstretch on lap 107 but Dale Earnhardt beat him to the stripe.
  • Ricky Rudd was relieved during the race by Rusty Wallace, who had blown an engine earlier.
  • Davey Allison drove the race in place of Neil Bonnett, who was injured in a multi-car wreck at Pocono the previous week; Bonnett worked with CBS Sports as a second color analyst on the telecast of the race.
  • Hillin was involved in a five car crash down the backstretch with 25 laps to go when he was drafting race leader Harry Gant; Gant was spun into Phil Parsons and the wreck swept up Darrell Waltrip, Geoff Bodine, and Cale Yarborough.
  • Bobby Allison was eliminated while racing Richmond for third; he was hooked by Sterling Marlin and spun into traffic in Turn One; Richmond passed Wallace subbing for Rudd for second while Marlin finished fourth.

Budweiser at The Glen[]

The Budweiser at The Glen was held August 10 at Watkins Glen International. Tim Richmond won the pole. It was the first time a NASCAR race had been run at the track since 1965 but this was an entirely new configuration.

Top Ten Results

  1. 25-Tim Richmond
  2. 11-Darrell Waltrip
  3. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  4. 9-Bill Elliott
  5. 12-Neil Bonnett
  6. 27-Rusty Wallace
  7. 15-Ricky Rudd
  8. 55-Benny Parsons
  9. 7-Kyle Petty
  10. 43-Richard Petty

Withdrew: 30-Willy T. Ribbs[3]

  • Ribbs withdrew as he blew up 4 engines during practice and qualifying and the team did not have any spares.
  • This was Richmond's 4th victory of the season.
  • Neil Bonnett returns after sitting out the previous race due to broken ribs. Junior Johnson had Doug Heveron on standby to take over if Bonnett could not run the full race. He would run the full race, running as high as 2nd but eventually settling for 5th.
  • Rusty Wallace had to earn his finishing spot the hard way. After taking the lead for 3 laps from laps 17 to 19, Wallace was black-flagged by NASCAR for leaking oil onto the track. Rejoining the field at the tail-end, Wallace would cut a tire after making contact with the wall, then spun out in turn 5 to bring out a full course caution flag. Despite the setbacks, Wallace would rally to finish 6th.

Champion Spark Plug 400[]

Main article: 1986 Champion Spark Plug 400

The Champion Spark Plug 400 was held August 17 at Michigan International Speedway. The No. 55 of Benny Parsons won the final pole of his hall of fame career.

Top Ten Results

  1. 9-Bill Elliott
  2. 25-Tim Richmond
  3. 11-Darrell Waltrip
  4. 5-Geoff Bodine
  5. 3-Dale Earnhardt -1 lap
  6. 27-Rusty Wallace -1 lap
  7. 28-Cale Yarborough -1 lap
  8. 33-Harry Gant -1 lap
  9. 66-Phil Parsons -1 lap
  10. 21-David Pearson* -1 lap
  • With this win, Bill Elliott became the 1st driver in NASCAR history to win 4 straight races at one Superspeedway.
  • This was David Pearson's last Winston Cup start. He ran as high as 3rd place at one point in the race.
  • Buddy Arrington returned to the track where rookie Rick Baldwin, driving Arrington's #67, had suffered fatal injuries in a crash during qualifying for the June event. Arrington would finish 6 laps down in 19th.

Busch 500[]

The Busch 500 was held August 23 at Bristol International Raceway. Geoff Bodine won the pole.

Top Ten Results

  1. 11-Darrell Waltrip
  2. 44-Terry Labonte
  3. 5-Geoff Bodine -1 lap
  4. 3-Dale Earnhardt -1 lap
  5. 33-Harry Gant -1 lap
  6. 25-Tim Richmond -2 laps
  7. 43-Richard Petty -3 laps
  8. 22-Bobby Allison -4 laps
  9. 8-Bobby Hillin Jr. -5 laps
  10. 35-Alan Kulwicki (R) -6 laps
  • This was the final race for owner of the #35 car Bill Terry. His driver Alan Kulwicki would buy out the team before the next race and be the sports newest owner/driver
  • Darrell Waltrip scores his record 10th victory at Bristol.

Southern 500[]

The Southern 500 was held August 31 at Darlington Raceway. Tim Richmond won the pole.

Top Ten Results

  1. 25-Tim Richmond
  2. 22-Bobby Allison
  3. 9-Bill Elliott
  4. 47-Morgan Shepherd
  5. 11-Darrell Waltrip
  6. 15-Ricky Rudd
  7. 8-Bobby Hillin Jr.
  8. 5-Geoff Bodine
  9. 3-Dale Earnhardt -1 lap
  10. 28-Cale Yarborough -1 lap
  • This race was plagued by rain, to the point of the race running on a damp surface and the drivers having to race as if Darlington Raceway was a dirt track.
  • Before this race, rookie Alan Kulwicki bought out his owner Bill Terry and became the owner/driver of the #35 car. He would finish in 12th place, 7 laps down in his first owner/driver outing.
  • This race insured no one would win the Winston bonus for winning 2 out of 4 crown jewel races.

Wrangler Jeans Indigo 400[]

The Wrangler Jeans Indigo 400 was held September 7 at Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway. Harry Gant won the pole.

Top Ten Results

  1. 25-Tim Richmond
  2. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  3. 75-Morgan Shepherd*
  4. 43-Richard Petty
  5. 12-Neil Bonnett
  6. 26-Joe Ruttman
  7. 33-Harry Gant
  8. 22-Bobby Allison
  9. 9-Bill Elliott -1 lap
  10. 8-Bobby Hillin Jr. -3 laps
  • Morgan Shepherd was hired by RahMoc Enterprises as the driver of the No. 75 Pontiac.
  • Tim Richmond had to survive a late race restart because on lap 395 the caution flag flew when Michael Waltrip's entire driveshaft fell out of the car. The race went back under the green flag with 2 laps remaining. Richmond held on by 3 car lengths.
  • This was the last Cup Series race to feature less than a 30 car field.

Delaware 500[]

Main article: 1986 Delaware 500

The Delaware 500 was held September 14 at Dover Downs International Speedway. The No. 5 of Geoff Bodine won the pole.

Top Ten Results

  1. 15-Ricky Rudd
  2. 12-Neil Bonnett
  3. 7-Kyle Petty
  4. 88-Buddy Baker -1 lap
  5. 71-Dave Marcis -2 laps
  6. 26-Joe Ruttman -2 laps
  7. 35-Alan Kulwicki (R) -3 laps
  8. 18-Tommy Ellis -4 laps
  9. 8-Bobby Hillin Jr. -5 laps
  10. 75-Morgan Shepherd -7 laps
  • This was Rudd's 1st win on an oval that was 1 mile in length or longer.
  • This race saw Dave Marcis' final top 5 finish.

Goody's 500[]

The Goody's 500 was held September 21 at Martinsville Speedway. Geoff Bodine won the pole.

Top Ten Results

  1. 27-Rusty Wallace
  2. 5-Geoff Bodine
  3. 33-Harry Gant
  4. 11-Darrell Waltrip -1 lap
  5. 26-Joe Ruttman -1 lap
  6. 7-Kyle Petty -1 lap
  7. 90-Ken Schrader -2 laps
  8. 12-Neil Bonnett -3 laps
  9. 71-Dave Marcis -3 laps
  10. 25-Tim Richmond -4 laps
  • This was Pontiac's 2nd & final victory for 1986.

Holly Farms 400[]

The Holly Farms 400 was held September 28 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. The No. 25 of Tim Richmond won the pole.

Top Ten Results

  1. 11-Darrell Waltrip
  2. 5-Geoff Bodine
  3. 43-Richard Petty
  4. 27-Rusty Wallace
  5. 33-Harry Gant
  6. 26-Joe Ruttman -1 lap
  7. 15-Ricky Rudd -1 lap
  8. 71-Dave Marcis -1 lap
  9. 3-Dale Earnhardt -2 laps
  10. 44-Terry Labonte -2 laps
  • Geoff Bodine had the dominant car leading the most laps (218) but faded late, losing the lead at lap 390 to Darrell Waltrip, he would pull away to a 1.21 second lead for his final victory of 1986.
  • The win was also Waltrip's final race victory with Junior Johnson, Waltrip would be tabbed to drive for Rick Hendrick in 1987.

Oakwood Homes 500[]

The Oakwood Homes 500 was held on October 5 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The No. 25 of Tim Richmond won the pole.

Top Ten Results

  1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  2. 33-Harry Gant
  3. 12-Neil Bonnett -1 lap
  4. 15-Ricky Rudd -1 lap
  5. 88-Buddy Baker -1 lap
  6. 5-Geoff Bodine -1 lap
  7. 9-Bill Elliott -1 lap
  8. 27-Rusty Wallace -2 laps
  9. 11-Darrell Waltrip -2 laps
  10. 66-Phil Parsons -3 laps
  • Earnhardt had to work hard for this victory as he at one point in the race lost 2 laps due to separate tire issues.
  • The pre-race ceremonies saw several members of marching bands pass out from heat exhaustion due to the warmer than normal for late October temperatures; which soared to around the upper 80s.

Nationwise 500[]

The Nationwise 500 was held on October 19 at North Carolina Motor Speedway. The No. 25 of Tim Richmond won the pole.

Top Ten Results

  1. 12-Neil Bonnett
  2. 15-Ricky Rudd
  3. 11-Darrell Waltrip
  4. 33-Harry Gant
  5. 88-Buddy Baker
  6. 3-Dale Earnhardt -1 lap
  7. 9-Bill Elliott -1 lap
  8. 43-Richard Petty -1 lap
  9. 26-Joe Ruttman -2 laps
  10. 7-Kyle Petty -3 laps
  • The win was Bonnett's last with Junior Johnson, as he was tabbed to drive for RahMoc Enterprises in 1987.

Atlanta Journal 500[]

The Atlanta Journal 500 was held November 2 at Atlanta International Raceway. Bill Elliott won the pole.

Top Ten Results

  1. 3-Dale Earnhardt*
  2. 43-Richard Petty -1 lap
  3. 9-Bill Elliott -1 lap
  4. 25-Tim Richmond -1 lap
  5. 88-Buddy Baker -1 lap
  6. 12-Neil Bonnett -1 lap
  7. 7-Kyle Petty -2 laps
  8. 44-Terry Labonte -2 laps
  9. 26-Joe Ruttman -2 laps
  10. 66-Phil Parsons -2 laps
  • Dale Earnhardt's official margin of victory was 1 lap and an additional 3 seconds.
  • By virtue of Darrell Waltrip blowing an engine to finish 39th and Dale Earnhardt winning the race while leading the most laps, Earnhardt clinched his 2nd Winston Cup Championship.

Winston Western 500[]

The Winston Western 500 was held on November 16 at Riverside International Raceway. Tim Richmond won the pole.

Top Ten Results

  1. 25-Tim Richmond
  2. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  3. 5-Geoff Bodine
  4. 11-Darrell Waltrip
  5. 26-Joe Ruttman
  6. 8-Bobby Hillin Jr.
  7. 22-Bobby Allison
  8. 27-Rusty Wallace
  9. 12-Neil Bonnett -1 lap
  10. 44-Terry Labonte -1 lap
  • Going into the race, Dale Earnhardt had already clinched the Winston Cup championship. The attention shifted to the battle for second in the championship. Polesitter Tim Richmond needed to finish five positions higher than Darrell Waltrip to move into second. Richmond went on to win the race. However, Waltrip managed 4th place, which secured himself second in the championship, by 6 points over Richmond.
  • This was the last race that both Darrell Waltrip and Neil Bonnett drove for Junior Johnson. Waltrip would drive the #17 Tide sponsored Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports in 1987, while Bonnett returned to RahMoc Enterprises to pilot the #75 Valvoline Pontiac after having previously driven for them during the 1983 season. Terry Labonte replaced Waltrip in the #11 car while the #12 team was dissolved and would reappear in 1991 as the #22 Maxwell House Ford Thunderbird with then journeyman driver Sterling Marlin behind the wheel.

Final points standings[]

Further information: List of NASCAR points scoring systems
  1. Dale Earnhardt – 4468
  2. Darrell Waltrip – 4180
  3. Tim Richmond – 4174
  4. Bill Elliott – 3844
  5. Ricky Rudd – 3823
  6. Rusty Wallace – 3762
  7. Bobby Allison – 3698
  8. Geoff Bodine – 3678
  9. Bobby Hillin Jr. – 3546
  10. Kyle Petty – 3537
  11. Harry Gant – 3498
  12. Terry Labonte – 3473
  13. Neil Bonnett – 3369
  14. Richard Petty – 3314
  15. Joe Ruttman – 3295
  16. Ken Schrader – 3052
  17. Dave Marcis – 2912
  18. Morgan Shepherd – 2896
  19. Michael Waltrip (R) – 2853
  20. Buddy Arrington – 2776
  21. Alan Kulwicki (R) – 2705
  22. Jimmy Means – 2495
  23. Tommy Ellis – 2393
  24. Buddy Baker – 1924
  25. Eddie Bierschwale – 1860
  26. J. D. McDuffie – 1825
  27. Phil Parsons – 1742
  28. Rick Wilson – 1698
  29. Cale Yarborough – 1642
  30. Benny Parsons – 1555
  31. Ron Bouchard – 1553
  32. Chet Fillip (R) – 1433
  33. Jody Ridley – 1213
  34. Trevor Boys – 1064
  35. Doug Heveron – 1052
  36. Sterling Marlin – 989
  37. D. K. Ulrich – 804
  38. Pancho Carter (R) – 706
  39. Ken Ragan – 627
  40. Lake Speed – 608
  41. Greg Sacks – 579
  42. Ronnie Thomas – 504
  43. Bobby Wawak – 480
  44. Rodney Combs – 421
  45. Derrike Cope (R) – 400
  46. James Hylton – 386
  47. Davey Allison – 364
  48. Mark Martin – 364
  49. Jim Sauter (R) – 361
  50. A. J. Foyt – 355

Winston Cup Final Standings[]

(key) Bold – Pole position awarded by time. Italics – Pole position set by final practice results or 1985 Owner's points. * – Most laps led.

Pos. # Driver Make DAY RCH CAR ATL BRI DAR NWS MAR TAL DOV CLT RSD POC MCH DAY POC TAL GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT CAR ATL RSD Pts
1 3 Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet 14 3* 8 2* 10 1* 1* 21 2 3 1 5 2 6 27 7 26* 3 5 4 9 2 21 12 9 1 6 1* 2 4468
2 11 Darrell Waltrip Chevrolet 3 5 5 4 3 2 4 27 34 5 5 1 40 5 4 4 25 2 3 1* 5 29 14 4 1 9 3 39 4 4180
3 25 Tim Richmond Chevrolet 20 22 16 7 8 5 12 20 12 32 2 2 1* 15 1 1 2 1 2 6 1* 1 26 10 11 27* 20 4 1 4174
4 9 Bill Elliott Ford 13 21 7 5 5 8 9 31 24 7 6 11 5 1 16 35 27 4 1 19 3 9 27 11 16 7 7 3 23 3844
5 15 Ricky Rudd Ford 11 30 28 26 2 26 2 1 36 4 8 3 4 10 6 2 3 7 21 23 6 24 1 28 7 4 2 25 19 3823
6 2 Rusty Wallace Pontiac 8 10 12 8 1 6 10 30 13 26 10 4 6 19 8 27 35 6 6 14 23 19 13 1 4 8 19 13 8 3762
7 22 Bobby Allison Buick 42 4 34 9 6 3 6 8 1 2 12 7 13 11 15 5 10 12 24 8 2 8 20 21 22 41 25 16 7 3698
8 5 Geoff Bodine Chevrolet 1* 8 20 10 24 40 3 17 27 1 31 39 9 3 29 3* 23 19* 4 3 8 13 28 2* 2* 6 32 38 3* 3678
9 8 Bobby Hillin Jr. Buick 4 6 39 16 28 38 13 6 4 8 15 32 10 7 3 33 1 28 13 9 7 10 9 17 15 26 11 15 6 3546
10 7 Kyle Petty Ford 16 1 11 28 9 9 8 5 31 19 20 41 8 32 5 8 9 9 28 30 14 20 3 6 14 13 10 7 15 3537
11 33 Harry Gant Chevrolet 30 28 2 12 4 14 7 25 21 14 4 9 26 2 31 30 22 34 8 5 27 7 35 3 5 2 4 28 37 3498
12 44 Terry Labonte Oldsmobile 2 15 1 3 7 32 27 3 29 17 11 12 35 12 19 6 38 32 12 2 21 18 19 15 10 15 31 8 10 3473
13 12 Neil Bonnett Chevrolet 32 7 9 34 30 4 11 26 40 28 13 8 23 25 11 31 5 34 11 24 5 2 8 12 3 1 6 9 3369
14 43 Richard Petty Pontiac 36 20 3 11 14 7 29 28 7 6 38 6 19 13 22 34 37 10 18 7 40 4 12 16 3 35 8 2 21 3314
15 26 Joe Ruttman Oldsmobile 28 2 33 42 19 21 5 2 17 11 32 42 7 9 7 38 8 33 30 17 38 6 6 5 6 25 9 9 5 3295
16 90 Ken Schrader Ford 33 23 22 21 13 10 14 7 26 10 23 17 27 20 12 23 31 16 11 28 36 25 22 7 18 28 14 17 11 3052
17 71 Dave Marcis Chevrolet 38 9 27 33 27 27 25 16 11 21 16 38 14 37 20 24 36 13 35 15 11 23 5 9 8 11 34 33 12 2912
18 47 Morgan Shepherd Buick 22 4 1 31 23 19 19 6 9 27 18 29 37 32 6 11 36 22 4 3 10 29 25 32 24* 27 38 2896
19 23 Michael Waltrip (R) Pontiac DNQ 25 21 19 32 13 26 11 35 12 26 25 39 22 18 11 14 17 32 13 16 14 16 14 23 19 13 20 31 2853
20 67 Buddy Arrington Ford 23 14 17 20 17 DNQ 21 15 22 15 DNQ 19 21 25 17 21 24 19 16 20 12 15 19 19 22 17 21 18 2776
21 32 Alan Kulwicki (R) Ford DNQ DNQ 15 14 15 11 18 4 DNQ 23 27 16 10 22 32 14 10 12 15 7 13 17 14 12 18 24 109
22 52 Jimmy Means Pontiac 39 11 19 41 DNQ 25 20 12 16 24 DNQ 22 22 DNQ 24 13 15 21 25 27 15 26 24 22 27 18 22 29 17 2495
23 18 Tommy Ellis Chevrolet 19 24 14 13 11 29 24 32 9 35 15 14 38 9 34 39 12 21 8 26 13 31 35 12 2393
24 88 Buddy Baker Oldsmobile 26 15 30 3 17 36 4 14 36 20 41 19 4 5 5 5 29 1924
25 54 Eddie Bierschwale Chevrolet 31 31 29 30 29 34 DNQ 30 29 32 27 35 15 39 30 16 18 25 11 25 24 20 24 16 23 DNQ 1860
26 70 J. D. McDuffie Pontiac DNQ 16 31 DNQ 17 28 18 DNQ 20 DNQ 14 16 35 DNQ 19 DNQ 25 31 24 34 28 37 20 26 20 21 DNQ 1825
27 66 Phil Parsons Oldsmobile 24 29 30 18 31 5 24 31 33 9 37 13 14 9 22 10 10 1742
28 4 Rick Wilson Oldsmobile 7 39 12 15 8 8 21 10 11 23 40 26 28 32 29 14 40 1698
29 28 Cale Yarborough Ford 27 6 27 22 37 3 3 30 17 25 24 7 10 36 33 34 1642
30 55 Benny Parsons Oldsmobile 5 6 28 20 34 33 41 36 29 5 8 26 31 30 11 27 1555
31 98 Ron Bouchard Pontiac 6 18 13 40 25 37 17 9 27 19 12 36 41 17 30 21 42 1553
Pos. # Driver Make Pts

Rookie of the Year[]

Alan Kulwicki, a future hall of famer (see Class of 2019 hall of fame) driving for a team that had only one car (which he would buy out before the Southern 500 and become an owner/driver), won the Rookie of the Year award in 1986 despite skipping 6 races (3 of those he failed to qualify for, rounds 1, 2, and 9), finishing in the top-ten four times. Of the rest of the candidates, only runner-up Michael Waltrip ran a complete schedule.

References[]

  1. ^ "Driver Season Stats".
  2. ^ "Driver Season Stats".
  3. ^ "Race Results".

External links[]

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