# 1985 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

The 1985 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 37th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 14th modern-era Cup series season. The season began on Sunday, February 10 and ended on Sunday, November 17. Darrell Waltrip, driving for Junior Johnson, was crowned champion (for the third time in his career) at the end of the season. Bill Elliott, driving for Harry Melling, had won 11 races in 1985 (as well as the Winston Million), but lost the title by 101 points to three-time race winner Waltrip. This was the first season where all races were televised in some form.
This would be the last season without Dale Jarrett until 2009 and Mark Martin until 2014.

## Teams and drivers
### Complete schedule

There were 23 full-time teams in 1985.
| Manufacturer | Team | No. | Race Driver | Crew Chief |
| Buick | Race Hill Farm Team | 47 | Ron Bouchard | Jake Elder |
| Buick | Stavola Brothers Racing | 8 | Bobby Hillin Jr. | |
| Chevrolet | Hamby Motorsports | 17 | Ken Ragan 6 | |
| Chevrolet | Hamby Motorsports | 17 | Phil Parsons 14 | |
| Chevrolet | Hamby Motorsports | 17 | Bosco Lowe 1 | |
| Chevrolet | Hamby Motorsports | 17 | Lennie Pond 7 | |
| Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports | 5 | Geoff Bodine | Harry Hyde |
| Chevrolet | Junior Johnson & Associates | 11 | Darrell Waltrip | Jeff Hammond |
| Chevrolet | Junior Johnson & Associates | 12 | Neil Bonnett | Doug Richert |
| Chevrolet | Mach 1 Racing | 33 | Harry Gant | Travis Carter |
| Chevrolet | Marcis Auto Racing | 71 | Dave Marcis | |
| Chevrolet | Richard Childress Racing | 3 | Dale Earnhardt | Kirk Shelmerdine |
| Ford | Bud Moore Engineering | 15 | Ricky Rudd | Bud Moore |
| Ford | Donlavey Racing | 90 | Ken Schrader (R) | |
| Ford | Langley Racing | 64 | Clark Dwyer | |
| Ford | Melling Racing | 9 | Bill Elliott | Ernie Elliott |
| Ford | Wood Brothers Racing | 7 | Kyle Petty | Leonard Wood |
| Oldsmobile | Baker-Schiff Racing | 88 | Buddy Baker | |
| Oldsmobile | Hagan Racing | 44 | Terry Labonte | Dale Inman |
| Pontiac | Blue Max Racing | 27 | Tim Richmond | Barry Dodson |
| Pontiac | Cliff Stewart Racing | 2 | Rusty Wallace | Darrell Bryant |
| Pontiac | Curb Racing | 43 | Richard Petty | Mike Beam |
| Pontiac | Means Racing | 52 | Jimmy Means | |
| Pontiac | RahMoc Enterprises | 75 | Lake Speed | Bob Rahilly |
| Buick 8 Chevrolet 1 Ford 4 | Bobby Allison Motorsports | 22 | Bobby Allison | Reds Kagle |
| Chrysler 5 Dodge 1 Ford 22 | Arrington Racing | 67 | Morgan Shepherd 1 | |
| Chrysler 5 Dodge 1 Ford 22 | Arrington Racing | 67 | Phil Good 1 | |
| Chrysler 5 Dodge 1 Ford 22 | Arrington Racing | 67 | Buddy Arrington 26 | Joey Arrington 26 |

### Limited schedule

| Manufacturer | Team | No. | Race Driver | Crew Chief | Round(s) |
| Buick | Bahre Racing | 23 | Dick May | | 1 |
| Buick | Booher Farms | 65 | Joe Booher | | 1 |
| Buick | Ulrich Racing | 65 | D. K. Ulrich | | 1 |
| Buick | Buck Baker Racing | 87 | Randy Baker | | 3 |
| Buick | Stolarcyk Racing | 87 | Mike Stolarcyk | | 1 |
| Buick | Cooper Racing | 80 | Edward Cooper | | 1 |
| Buick | DiGard Motorsports | 22 | Bobby Allison | Robin Pemberton | 15 |
| Buick | DiGard Motorsports | 77 | Greg Sacks | Robin Pemberton | 13 |
| Buick | Edwards Racing | 32 | Jonathan Lee Edwards | | 1 |
| Buick | Edwards Racing | 40 | Jonathan Lee Edwards | | 1 |
| Buick | Edwards Racing | 41 | Jonathan Lee Edwards | | 1 |
| Buick | Elliott Racing | 72 | Brent Elliott | Kermit Elliott | 4 |
| Buick | Kieper Racing | 98 | Jim Bown | | 1 |
| Buick | Newsom Racing | 20 | Rick Newsom | | 4 |
| Buick | Osborne Racing | 16 | Bill Osborne | | 2 |
| Buick | Petris Racing | 63 | Dale Perry | | 1 |
| Buick | U.S. Racing | 50 | Jim Southard | | 4 |
| Chevrolet 5 Buick 6 | Wawak Racing | 74 | Bobby Wawak | | 8 |
| Chevrolet | Adcox Racing | 29 | Grant Adcox | | 2 |
| Chevrolet | Anderson Racing | 08 | Craig Spetman | | 2 |
| Chevrolet | Bahre Racing | 23 | Morgan Shepherd | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Bahre Racing | 23 | Jim Hull | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Bahre Racing | 23 | Eldon Dotson | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Ball Racing | 99 | Connie Saylor | | 6 |
| Chevrolet | Ball Racing | 99 | Blair Aiken | | 2 |
| Chevrolet | Beahr Racing | 35 | Bud Hickey | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Benfield Racing | 98 | Trevor Boys | | 6 |
| Chevrolet | Stoke Racing | 98 | Ron Esau | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Kieper Racing | 98 | Jim Bown | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Billy Matthews Racing | 09 | Dick Trickle | | 2 |
| Chevrolet | Bob Johnson Racing | 07 | Randy LaJoie | | 2 |
| Chevrolet | Bobby Hawkins Racing | 16 | Butch Lindley | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Bobby Hawkins Racing | 16 | Morgan Shepherd | | 4 |
| Chevrolet | Boys Racing | 24 | Trevor Boys | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Davis Racing | 06 | Joe Thurman | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Freelander Motorsports | 18 | Tommy Ellis | | 14 |
| Chevrolet | Freelander Motorsports | 18 | Glen Steurer | | 2 |
| Chevrolet | Hendrick Motorsports | 1 | Dick Brooks | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Ellington Racing | 1 | Charles Poalillo | Runt Pittman | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Ellington Racing | 1 | Davey Allison | Runt Pittman | 3 |
| Chevrolet | Ellington Racing | 1 | Pancho Carter | Runt Pittman | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Helen Rae Motorsports | 00 | Jody Ridley | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Helen Rae Motorsports | 00 | Ed Sanger | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Helen Rae Motorsports | 00 | Phil Barkdoll | | 2 |
| Chevrolet | Helen Rae Motorsports | 00 | Morgan Shepherd | | 7 |
| Chevrolet | Helen Rae Motorsports | 00 | Sterling Marlin | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Heveron Racing | 10 | Doug Heveron | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | DiGard Motorsports | 10 | Greg Sacks | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Gerhart Racing | 25 | Bobby Gerhart | | 5 |
| Chevrolet | Henley Gray Racing | 31 | Slick Johnson | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Henley Gray Racing | 31 | Steve Gray | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Henley Gray Racing | 54 | Bobby Wawak | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Goff Racing | 79 | Dick Skillen | | 2 |
| Chevrolet | H. L. Waters Racing | 0 | Delma Cowart | | 6 |
| Chevrolet | Hylton Racing | 48 | Lennie Pond | | 4 |
| Chevrolet | Hylton Racing | 48 | Don Hume (R) | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Hylton Racing | 49 | Don Hume (R) | | 6 |
| Chevrolet | Hylton Racing | 49 | James Hylton | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Hylton Racing | 49 | Greg Sacks | | 3 |
| Chevrolet | Hylton Racing | 49 | Trevor Boys | | 13 |
| Chevrolet | Hylton Racing | 49 | Lennie Pond | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Hylton Racing | 49 | Ron Esau | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Jackson Brothers Motorsports | 55 | Benny Parsons | Cliff Champion | 13 |
| Chevrolet | Jackson Brothers Motorsports | 66 | Phil Parsons | Cliff Champion | 13 |
| Chevrolet | Lain Motorsports | 37 | Satch Worley | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | McCray Racing | 45 | Rick McCray | | 2 |
| Chevrolet | Morris Racing | 45 | Rick Baldwin | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | McDuffie Racing | 70 | J. D. McDuffie | | 7 |
| Chevrolet | Morgan-McClure Motorsports | 4 | Joe Ruttman | Tony Glover | 16 |
| Chevrolet | Newsom Racing | 20 | Rick Newsom | | 5 |
| Chevrolet | Paul Racing | 53 | Donny Paul | | 2 |
| Chevrolet | Scott Racing | 53 | Bill Scott | | 3 |
| Chevrolet | Scott Racing | 53 | Jeff Hooker | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Ragan Racing | 77 | Davey Allison | Marvin Ragan | 2 |
| Chevrolet | Sacks & Sons | 51 | Greg Sacks | | 4 |
| Chevrolet | Sacks & Sons | 51 | Cecil Gordon | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Sadler Brothers Racing | 95 | Sterling Marlin | | 7 |
| Chevrolet | Sadler Brothers Racing | 95 | Mike Alexander | | 4 |
| Chevrolet | Schmitt Motorsports | 73 | Bill Schmitt | | 2 |
| Chevrolet | Schmitt Motorsports | 73 | Steve Moore | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Shepherd Racing | 38 | Morgan Shepherd | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Sims Brothers Racing | 84 | Mike Alexander | | 7 |
| Chevrolet | Sonntag Racing | 65 | Joey Sonntag | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Booher Farms | 65 | Joe Booher | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Stoner Racing | 96 | Eldon Dotson | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Terry Motorsports | 32 | Ruben Garcia | | 2 |
| Chevrolet | Terry Motorsports | 32 | Tommy Houston | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | U.S. Racing | 6 | Eddie Bierschwale (R) | | 27 |
| Chevrolet | Thomas Racing | 41 | Glenn Jarrett | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Thomas Racing | 41 | Ronnie Thomas | | 8 |
| Chevrolet | Williams Racing | 63 | Chuck Walton | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Wawak Racing | 74 | Bobby Wawak | | 6 |
| Chevrolet | Wawak Racing | 74 | Rick Wilson | | 1 |
| Chrysler | Good Racing | 76 | Phil Good | | 3 |
| Chrysler | Rick Baldwin Racing | 04 | Rick Baldwin | | 1 |
| Chrysler | MRE Racing | 93 | Maurice Randall | | 5 |
| Chrysler | Palmer Racing | 93 | Norm Palmer | | 1 |
| Chrysler | St. James Racing | 02 | St. James Davis | | 1 |
| Dodge | Good Racing | 76 | Phil Good | | 1 |
| Ford | Beahr Racing | 35 | Dick May | | 1 |
| Ford | Beahr Racing | 35 | Morgan Shepherd | | 1 |
| Ford | Bowman Racing | 96 | Jerry Bowman | | 5 |
| Ford | DiGard Motorsports | 10 | Ken Ragan | | 1 |
| Ford | Jefferson Racing | 07 | Derrike Cope | | 2 |
| Ford | McDuffie Racing | 70 | J. D. McDuffie | | 3 |
| Ford | McKnight Racing | 83 | Sumner McKnight | | 1 |
| Ford | Circle Bar Racing | 31 | Chet Fillip | | 1 |
| Ford | Pearson Racing | 21 | David Pearson | Leonard Wood | 12 |
| Ford | Pearson Racing | 21 | Rick Wilson | Leonard Wood | 1 |
| Ford | Petty Enterprises | 1 | Dick Brooks | | 3 |
| Ford | Petty Enterprises | 1 | Morgan Shepherd | | 1 |
| Ford | Ranier-Lundy Racing | 28 | Cale Yarborough | Waddell Wilson | 16 |
| Ford | Spohn Racing | 05 | Dean Roper | | 1 |
| Ford | Spohn Racing | 05 | Slick Johnson | | 5 |
| Ford | Spohn Racing | 51 | Doug Heveron | | 1 |
| Ford | Spohn Racing | 51 | Slick Johnson | | 1 |
| Ford | Stahl Racing | 82 | Mark Stahl | | 3 |
| Ford | Terry Motorsports | 32 | Alan Kulwicki | | 2 |
| Ford | Terry Motorsports | 38 | Alan Kulwicki | | 3 |
| Ford | Walker Enterprises | 68 | Mike Potter | | 7 |
| Ford | Walker Enterprises | 68 | Jimmy Walker | | 1 |
| Ford | Walker Enterprises | 68 | Ed Baugess | | 1 |
| Ford | Wangerin Racing | 39 | Blackie Wangerin | | 2 |
| Oldsmobile | A. J. Foyt Enterprises | 14 | A. J. Foyt | | 7 |
| Oldsmobile | Earle Canavan Racing | 01 | Earle Canavan | | 1 |
| Oldsmobile | KC Racing | 91 | John Krebs | | 1 |
| Oldsmobile | Midgley Racing | 29 | Scott Autrey | Dick Midgley | 1 |
| Oldsmobile | Williams Racing | 78 | Jim Robinson | | 2 |
| Pontiac | Bahre Racing | 23 | Michael Waltrip | | 5 |
| Pontiac | Blue Max Racing | 72 | Sammy Swindell | | 1 |
| Pontiac | Curb Racing | 42 | Tom Sneva | | 2 |
| Pontiac | DiGard Motorsports | 10 | Dick Trickle | | 1 |
| Pontiac | Francis Racing | 03 | Glenn Francis | | 1 |
| Pontiac | H. B. Bailey Racing | 36 | H. B. Bailey | | 2 |
| Pontiac | Leonard Racing | 85 | Tommie Crozier | | 4 |
| Pontiac | McDuffie Racing | 0 | Jeff McDuffie | | 1 |
| Pontiac | McDuffie Racing | 70 | J. D. McDuffie | | 18 |
| Pontiac | Mueller Brothers Racing | 89 | Jim Sauter | | 3 |
| Pontiac | Park Racing | 19 | Bob Park | | 3 |
| Pontiac | Riley Racing | 60 | Bob Riley | | 1 |
| Pontiac | Sosres Racing | 94 | John Soares Jr. | | 2 |
| Pontiac | Smith Motorsports | 04 | Hershel McGriff | | 2 |

## Schedule

| No. | Race Title | Track | Date |
| NC | Busch Clash | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach | February 10 |
| NC | 7-Eleven Twin 125's | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach | February 14 |
| NC | Daytona 500 Consolation Race | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach | February 15 |
| 1 | Daytona 500 | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach | February 17 |
| 2 | Miller High Life 400 | Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway, Richmond | February 24 |
| 3 | Carolina 500 | North Carolina Motor Speedway, Rockingham | March 3 |
| 4 | Coca-Cola 500 | Atlanta International Raceway, Hampton | March 17 |
| 5 | Valleydale 500 | Bristol International Raceway, Bristol | April 6 |
| 6 | TranSouth 500 | Darlington Raceway, Darlington | April 14 |
| 7 | Northwestern Bank 400 | North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro | April 21 |
| 8 | Sovran Bank 500 | Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway | April 28 |
| 9 | Winston 500 | Alabama International Motor Speedway, Talladega | May 5 |
| 10 | Budweiser 500 | Dover Downs International Speedway, Dover | May 19 |
| NC | The Winston | Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord | May 25 |
| 11 | Coca-Cola World 600 | Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord | May 26 |
| 12 | Budweiser 400 | Riverside International Raceway, Riverside | June 2 |
| 13 | Van Scoy Diamond Mine 500 | Pocono International Raceway, Long Pond | June 9 |
| 14 | Michigan 400 | Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn | June 16 |
| 15 | Pepsi Firecracker 400 | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach | July 4 |
| 16 | Summer 500 | Pocono International Raceway, Long Pond | July 21 |
| 17 | Talladega 500 | Alabama International Motor Speedway, Talladega | July 28 |
| 18 | Champion Spark Plug 400 | Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn | August 11 |
| 19 | Busch 500 | Bristol International Raceway, Bristol | August 24 |
| 20 | Southern 500 | Darlington Raceway, Darlington | September 1 |
| 21 | Wrangler Sanfor-Set 400 | Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway, Richmond | September 8 |
| 22 | Delaware 500 | Dover Downs International Speedway, Dover | September 15 |
| 23 | Goody's 500 | Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway | September 22 |
| 24 | Holly Farms 400 | North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro | September 29 |
| 25 | Miller High Life 500 | Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord | October 6 |
| 26 | Nationwise 500 | North Carolina Motor Speedway, Rockingham | October 20 |
| 27 | Atlanta Journal 500 | Atlanta International Raceway, Hampton | November 3 |
| 28 | Winston Western 500 | Riverside International Raceway, Riverside | November 17 |
Bold indicates the race was part of the Winston Million.

## Races

| No. | Race | Pole position | Most laps led | Winning driver | Manufacturer |
| | Busch Clash | Ricky Rudd | Terry Labonte | Terry Labonte | Chevrolet |
| | 7-Eleven 125 #1 | Bill Elliott | Bill Elliott | Bill Elliott | Ford |
| | 7-Eleven 125 #2 | Cale Yarborough | Unknown | Cale Yarborough | Ford |
| | Daytona 500 Consolation Race | Rick Newsom | Randy LaJoie | Randy LaJoie | Chevrolet |
| 1 | Daytona 500 | Bill Elliott | Bill Elliott | Bill Elliott | Ford |
| 2 | Miller High Life 400 | Darrell Waltrip | Darrell Waltrip | Dale Earnhardt | Chevrolet |
| 3 | Carolina 500 | Terry Labonte | Terry Labonte | Neil Bonnett | Chevrolet |
| 4 | Coca-Cola 500 | Neil Bonnett | Bill Elliott | Bill Elliott | Ford |
| 5 | Valleydale 500 | Harry Gant | Dale Earnhardt | Dale Earnhardt | Chevrolet |
| 6 | TranSouth 500 | Bill Elliott | Bill Elliott | Bill Elliott | Ford |
| 7 | Northwestern Bank 400 | Darrell Waltrip | Neil Bonnett | Neil Bonnett | Chevrolet |
| 8 | Sovran Bank 500 | Darrell Waltrip | Harry Gant | Harry Gant | Chevrolet |
| 9 | Winston 500 | Bill Elliott | Cale Yarborough | Bill Elliott | Ford |
| 10 | Budweiser 500 | Terry Labonte | Bill Elliott | Bill Elliott | Ford |
| | The Winston | Terry Labonte | Harry Gant | Darrell Waltrip | Chevrolet |
| 11 | Coca-Cola World 600 | Bill Elliott | Dale Earnhardt | Darrell Waltrip | Chevrolet |
| 12 | Budweiser 400 | Darrell Waltrip | Terry Labonte | Terry Labonte | Chevrolet |
| 13 | Van Scoy Diamond Mine 500 | Bill Elliott | Geoff Bodine | Bill Elliott | Ford |
| 14 | Miller 400 | Bill Elliott | Darrell Waltrip | Bill Elliott | Ford |
| 15 | Pepsi Firecracker 400 | Bill Elliott | Bill Elliott | Greg Sacks | Chevrolet |
| 16 | Summer 500 | Darrell Waltrip | Neil Bonnett | Bill Elliott | Ford |
| 17 | Talladega 500 | Bill Elliott | Bill Elliott | Cale Yarborough | Ford |
| 18 | Champion Spark Plug 400 | Bill Elliott | Darrell Waltrip | Bill Elliott | Ford |
| 19 | Busch 500 | Dale Earnhardt | Dale Earnhardt | Dale Earnhardt | Chevrolet |
| 20 | Southern 500 | Bill Elliott | Dale Earnhardt | Bill Elliott | Ford |
| 21 | Wrangler Sanfor-Set 400 | Geoff Bodine | Terry Labonte | Darrell Waltrip | Chevrolet |
| 22 | Delaware 500 | Bill Elliott | Harry Gant | Harry Gant | Chevrolet |
| 23 | Goody's 500 | Geoff Bodine | Tim Richmond | Dale Earnhardt | Chevrolet |
| 24 | Holly Farms 400 | Geoff Bodine | Harry Gant | Harry Gant | Chevrolet |
| 25 | Miller High Life 500 | Harry Gant | Harry Gant | Cale Yarborough | Ford |
| 26 | Nationwise 500 | Terry Labonte | Cale Yarborough | Darrell Waltrip | Chevrolet |
| 27 | Atlanta Journal 500 | Harry Gant | Bill Elliott | Bill Elliott | Ford |
| 28 | Winston Western 500 | Terry Labonte | Terry Labonte | Ricky Rudd | Ford |

### Busch Clash

The Busch Clash was run on February 10 at Daytona International Speedway. Ricky Rudd drew for the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 44 – Terry Labonte
* 11 – Darrell Waltrip
* 9 – Bill Elliott
* 5 – Geoff Bodine
* 33 – Harry Gant
* 15 – Ricky Rudd
* 88 – Buddy Baker
* 2 – Rusty Wallace
* 4 – Joe Ruttman
* 28 – Cale Yarborough

### 7-Eleven Twin 125's

The 7-Eleven Twin 125's were run on February 14 at Daytona. Bill Elliott won the pole for race 1 with a lap average speed of 205.114 mph (330.099 km/h). Cale Yarborough won the pole for race 2 with a lap average speed of 203.814 mph (328.007 km/h).
Race One Top Ten Results
* 9 – Bill Elliott
* 11 – Darrell Waltrip
* 55 – Benny Parsons
* 88 – Buddy Baker
* 15 – Ricky Rudd
* 1 – Dick Brooks
* 51 – Greg Sacks
* 47 – Ron Bouchard
* 5 – Geoff Bodine
* 12 – Neil Bonnett
Race Two Top Ten Results
* 28 – Cale Yarborough
* 21 – David Pearson
* 7 – Kyle Petty
* 43 – Richard Petty
* 33 – Harry Gant
* 66 – Phil Parsons
* 75 – Lake Speed
* 14 – A. J. Foyt
* 3 – Dale Earnhardt
* 95 – Sterling Marlin

### Daytona 500 Consolation Race

For the final time to date, all 9 drivers that failed to qualify for the Daytona 500 were allowed to race in a 30 lap (75 mi (121 km)) race on February 15. Rick Newsom was on the pole.
Full Results
| Finish | Grid | Car no. | Driver | Car Make | Laps | Status | Laps Led | Money |
| 1 | 5 | 07 | Randy LaJoie | Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 30 | 0:23:46 | 36 | $3,500 |
| 2 | 7 | 41 | Glenn Jarrett | Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 30 | -3 seconds | 0 | $500 |
| 3 | 6 | 37 | Satch Worley | Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 30 | Flagged | 2 | $100 |
| 4 | 1 | 20 | Rick Newsom | Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 30 | Flagged | 3 | |
| 5 | 2 | 05 | Dean Roper | Ford Thunderbird | 29 | -1 lap | 0 | |
| 6 | 3 | 06 | Joe Thurman | Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 29 | -1 lap | 0 | |
| 7 | 9 | 65 | Joey Sonntag | Chevrolet Monte Carlo | 28 | -2 laps | 0 | |
| 8 | 4 | 82 | Mark Stahl | Ford Thunderbird | 11 | Engine | 0 | |
| 9 | 8 | 19 | Bob Park | Pontiac Grand Prix | 2 | Engine | 0 | |
| Source: |||||||||
Average speed: 189.341 mi (304.715 km) Caution flags: none
Lead changes: 2 :
| From lap | To lap | Total laps | Driver |
| 1 | 3 | 3 | Rick Newsom |
| 4 | 5 | 2 | Satch Worley |
| 6 | 30 | 25 | Randy LaJoie |

### Daytona 500

The Daytona 500, the 27th running of the event, was held on February 17, 1985, at Daytona International Speedway, in Daytona Beach, Florida. Bill Elliott won the pole with a new track record (at the time) speed of 205.114 mph (330.099 km/h), he also won his qualifying race.
Top Ten Results
* 9 - Bill Elliott
* 75 - Lake Speed
* 11 - Darrell Waltrip -1 Lap
* 88 - Buddy Baker -1 Lap
* 15 - Ricky Rudd -1 Lap
* 51 - Greg Sacks -1 Lap
* 5 - Geoff Bodine -2 Laps
* 2 - Rusty Wallace -3 Laps
* 8 - Bobby Hillin Jr. -3 Laps
* 12 - Neil Bonnett -5 Laps (DNF: Engine Failure)

### Miller High Life 400

The Miller High Life 400 was run on February 24 at Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway in Richmond, Virginia. Darrell Waltrip won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 3 – Dale Earnhardt
* 5 – Geoff Bodine
* 11 – Darrell Waltrip
* 47 – Ron Bouchard
* 33 – Harry Gant
* 44 – Terry Labonte
* 7 – Kyle Petty
* 71 – Dave Marcis
* 27 – Tim Richmond
* 75 – Lake Speed

### Carolina 500

The Carolina 500 was run on March 3 at North Carolina Motor Speedway in Rockingham, North Carolina. Terry Labonte won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 12 – Neil Bonnett
* 33 – Harry Gant
* 44 – Terry Labonte
* 75 – Lake Speed
* 7 – Kyle Petty
* 4 – Joe Ruttman
* 28 – Cale Yarborough
* 43 – Richard Petty
* 2 – Rusty Wallace
* 3 – Dale Earnhardt

### Coca-Cola 500

The Coca-Cola 500 was run on March 17 at Atlanta International Raceway in Atlanta, Georgia. For the final time in his Cup Series career Neil Bonnett won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 9 – Bill Elliott
* 5 – Geoff Bodine
* 12 – Neil Bonnett
* 15 – Ricky Rudd
* 22 – Bobby Allison
* 44 – Terry Labonte
* 47 – Ron Bouchard
* 55 – Benny Parsons
* 3 – Dale Earnhardt
* 51 – Greg Sacks

### Valleydale 500

The Valleydale 500 at Bristol International Raceway in Bristol, Tennessee was originally scheduled to run on Sunday, March 31, 1985, but was postponed and ran Saturday, April 6 due to rain. Harry Gant won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 3 – Dale Earnhardt
* 15 – Ricky Rudd
* 44 – Terry Labonte -2 laps
* 88 – Buddy Baker -2 laps
* 2 – Rusty Wallace -3 laps
* 7 – Kyle Petty -5 laps
* 75 – Lake Speed -5 laps
* 43 – Richard Petty -5 laps
* 8 – Bobby Hillin Jr. -5 laps
* 90 – Ken Schrader (R) -11 laps
* Earnhardt's victory came despite losing the power steering in his car during the race.

### TranSouth 500

The TranSouth 500 was run on April 14 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina. Bill Elliott won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 9 – Bill Elliott
* 11 – Darrell Waltrip
* 27 – Tim Richmond
* 44 – Terry Labonte
* 2 – Rusty Wallace
* 12 – Neil Bonnett
* 5 – Geoff Bodine
* 66 – Phil Parsons
* 75 – Lake Speed
* 22 – Bobby Allison

### Northwestern Bank 400

The Northwestern Bank 400 was run on April 21 at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Darrell Waltrip won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 12 – Neil Bonnett
* 11 – Darrell Waltrip
* 22 – Bobby Allison
* 15 – Ricky Rudd
* 5 – Geoff Bodine
* 9 – Bill Elliott
* 44 – Terry Labonte
* 3 – Dale Earnhardt
* 75 – Lake Speed
* 33 – Harry Gant

### Sovran Bank 500

The Sovran Bank 500 was run on April 28 at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia. Darrell Waltrip won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 33 – Harry Gant
* 15 – Ricky Rudd
* 5 – Geoff Bodine
* 22 – Bobby Allison
* 12 – Neil Bonnett
* 44 – Terry Labonte
* 43 – Richard Petty
* 75 – Lake Speed
* 66 – Phil Parsons
* 2 – Rusty Wallace

### Winston 500

The Winston 500 was run on May 5 at Alabama International Motor Speedway in Talladega, Alabama. Bill Elliott won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 9 – Bill Elliott
* 7 – Kyle Petty
* 28 – Cale Yarborough
* 22 – Bobby Allison
* 15 – Ricky Rudd
* 88 – Buddy Baker
* 44 – Terry Labonte
* 71 – Dave Marcis
* 8 – Bobby Hillin Jr.
* 75 – Lake Speed
* Prior to this event, two-time Winston Cup champion Darrell Waltrip complained to NASCAR about how Bill Elliott was ruining the parity of the sport and he needed to be slowed down. As a result, NASCAR raised the height of the Ford vehicles by half an inch. The roof of the GM race cars was lowered by the same amount in order to improve their speed performance.
* In spite of the last minute rule changes, Bill Elliott won the race but he was forced to make up two laps under green during the race from having to pit due to a broken oil fitting. With the victory, Elliott claimed the second leg of the Winston Million.
* Fords also claimed 2nd & 3rd with Kyle Petty beating Cale Yarborough in a photo finish for 2nd.

### Budweiser 500

The Budweiser 500 was run on May 19 at Dover Downs International Speedway in Dover, Delaware. Terry Labonte won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 9 – Bill Elliott
* 33 – Harry Gant
* 7 – Kyle Petty
* 15 – Ricky Rudd
* 11 – Darrell Waltrip
* 27 – Tim Richmond
* 43 – Richard Petty
* 75 – Neil Bonnett
* 71 – Dave Marcis
* 90 – Ken Schrader (R)
* This would mark the first time since 1971 (when he occasionally drove Dodge Chargers) where independent driver J.D. McDuffie; who finished 31st, drove a vehicle other than a General Motors product, as he made the first of three appearances (along with the spring race at Pocono and a one-off with Bahre Racing at the Delaware 500 at Dover) driving a Ford. Unfortunately he finished 31st (of 32 cars) after completing 115 laps due to a broken valve in the engine.

### The Winston

The inaugural Winston was run on May 25 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. Terry Labonte won the pole due to being the defending NASCAR Winston Cup Champion.
Top Six Results
* 11 - Darrell Waltrip
* 33 - Harry Gant
* 44 - Terry Labonte
* 28 - Cale Yarborough
* 27 - Tim Richmond
* 22 - Bobby Allison
* After Darrell Waltrip took the checkered flag his engine expired in spectacular fashion which potentially jeopardized him from being able to compete in the next days Coca-Cola 600.

### Coca-Cola World 600

The Coca-Cola World 600 was run on May 26 at Charlotte. Bill Elliott won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 11 – Darrell Waltrip
* 33 – Harry Gant
* 22 – Bobby Allison
* 3 – Dale Earnhardt
* 44 – Terry Labonte
* 75 – Lake Speed
* 4 – Joe Ruttman
* 2 – Rusty Wallace
* 27 – Tim Richmond
* 1 – Dick Brooks
* Bill Elliott had a chance to clinch the first Winston Million, and a then NASCAR record crowd of 155,000 spectators arrived to cheer him on. After considerable pre-race hype, Elliott led 81 laps, but fell short, however, as mechanical problems plagued much of his day. Elliott would finish in 18th, running 21 laps down to the winner. Elliott would have one more chance to claim the Million at Darlington in the Southern 500.
* Darrell Waltrip gambled on fuel, stretching his tank over the final 110 laps to secure the victory. Waltrip (who won The Winston a day earlier) nearly missed the race after a car/engine swap controversy with NASCAR Director of Competition Dick Beatty.
* This was the first NASCAR Winston Cup start for Michael Waltrip. He would finish 28th due to a transmission failure.
* Final start for 10th-place finisher Dick Brooks.

### Budweiser 400

The Budweiser 400 was run on June 2 at Riverside International Raceway in Riverside, California. Darrell Waltrip won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 44 – Terry Labonte
* 33 – Harry Gant
* 22 – Bobby Allison
* 15 – Ricky Rudd
* 7 – Kyle Petty
* 9 – Bill Elliott
* 43 – Richard Petty
* 11 – Darrell Waltrip
* 27 – Tim Richmond
* 90 – Ken Schrader (R)

### Van Scoy Diamond Mine 500

The Van Scoy Diamond Mine 500 was run on June 9 at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. Bill Elliott won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 9 – Bill Elliott
* 33 – Harry Gant
* 11 – Darrell Waltrip
* 5 – Geoff Bodine
* 12 – Neil Bonnett
* 55 – Benny Parsons
* 15 – Ricky Rudd
* 88 – Buddy Baker
* 22 – Bobby Allison
* 27 – Tim Richmond

### Miller 400

The Miller 400 was run on June 16 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan. Bill Elliott won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 9 – Bill Elliott
* 11 – Darrell Waltrip
* 28 – Cale Yarborough
* 27 – Tim Richmond
* 3 – Dale Earnhardt
* 22 – Bobby Allison
* 15 – Ricky Rudd
* 12 – Neil Bonnett
* 71 – Dave Marcis
* 55 – Benny Parsons

### Pepsi Firecracker 400

The Pepsi Firecracker 400 was run on July 4 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Bill Elliott won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 10 – Greg Sacks
* 9 – Bill Elliott
* 11 – Darrell Waltrip
* 47 – Ron Bouchard
* 7 – Kyle Petty
* 88 – Buddy Baker
* 15 – Ricky Rudd
* 44 – Terry Labonte
* 3 – Dale Earnhardt
* 21 – David Pearson
* The race was won by Greg Sacks, who was driving as a Research & Development driver for DiGard Motorsports. His win caused Bobby Allison to leave the team.
* This would be Sacks’ lone career win in Winston Cup competition.

### Summer 500

The Summer 500 was run on July 21 at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. Darrell Waltrip won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 9 – Bill Elliott
* 12 – Neil Bonnett
* 11 – Darrell Waltrip
* 5 – Geoff Bodine
* 33 – Harry Gant
* 55 – Benny Parsons
* 7 – Kyle Petty
* 66 – Phil Parsons
* 47 – Ron Bouchard
* 88 – Buddy Baker
* Bill Elliott completes his 1st of 4 track sweeps of 1985.

### Talladega 500

The Talladega 500 was run on July 28 at Alabama International Motor Speedway in Talladega, Alabama. Bill Elliott won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 28 – Cale Yarborough
* 12 – Neil Bonnett
* 47 – Ron Bouchard
* 9 – Bill Elliott
* 14 – A. J. Foyt
* 43 – Richard Petty
* 33 – Harry Gant
* 75 – Lake Speed
* 11 – Darrell Waltrip
* 1 – Davey Allison*
* This race was Davey Allison's Winston Cup debut.

### Champion Spark Plug 400

The Champion Spark Plug 400 was run on August 11 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan. Bill Elliott won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 9 – Bill Elliott
* 11 – Darrell Waltrip
* 33 – Harry Gant
* 7 – Kyle Petty
* 55 – Benny Parsons
* 66 – Phil Parsons
* 2 – Rusty Wallace
* 10 – Dick Trickle
* 44 – Terry Labonte
* 67 – Buddy Arrington
* Bill Elliott completes his 2nd of 4 track sweeps of 1985.

### Busch 500

The Busch 500 was run on August 24 at Bristol International Raceway in Bristol, Tennessee. Dale Earnhardt won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 3 – Dale Earnhardt
* 27 – Tim Richmond
* 12 – Neil Bonnett
* 11 – Darrell Waltrip
* 9 – Bill Elliott
* 33 – Harry Gant
* 47 – Ron Bouchard
* 43 – Richard Petty
* 15 – Ricky Rudd
* 75 – Lake Speed
* Dale Earnhardt would be the 2nd and final driver to do a track sweep in 1985 by sweeping both Bristol races.

### Southern 500

The Southern 500 was run on September 1 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina. Bill Elliott won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 9 – Bill Elliott
* 28 – Cale Yarborough
* 5 – Geoff Bodine
* 12 – Neil Bonnett -1 Lap
* 47 – Ron Bouchard -1 Lap
* 15 – Ricky Rudd -1 Lap
* 44 – Terry Labonte -2 Laps
* 55 – Benny Parsons -2 Laps
* 4 – Joe Ruttman -3 Laps
* 7 – Kyle Petty -3 Laps
* Bill Elliott won the Winston Million with the race victory.
* With this victory Elliott had a 206-point lead in the standings with 8 races left in the season.
* Elliott also completes the Darlington sweep for his 3rd of 4 track sweeps of 1985.

### Wrangler Sanfor-Set 400

The Wrangler Sanfor-Set 400 was run on September 8 at Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway in Richmond, Virginia. Geoff Bodine won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 11 – Darrell Waltrip
* 44 – Terry Labonte
* 43 – Richard Petty
* 3 – Dale Earnhardt
* 15 – Ricky Rudd
* 33 – Harry Gant
* 5 – Geoff Bodine
* 7 – Kyle Petty
* 12 – Neil Bonnett
* 18 – Tommy Ellis
* This race marked the Winston Cup Series debut of Alan Kulwicki, driving Bill Terry's #32 Ford. Kulwicki would finish 19th, 8 laps down.
* By Elliott finishing 12th in this race, Darrell Waltrip gained 53 points on Elliott.

### Delaware 500

The Delaware 500 was run on September 15 at Dover Downs International Speedway in Dover, Delaware. Bill Elliott won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 33 – Harry Gant
* 11 – Darrell Waltrip
* 15 – Ricky Rudd
* 22 – Bobby Allison
* 12 – Neil Bonnett
* 27 – Tim Richmond
* 3 – Dale Earnhardt
* 47 – Ron Bouchard
* 43 – Richard Petty
* 75 – Lake Speed
* Elliott had a disastrous race finishing in 20th place 70 laps down. Waltrip gained 67 points, Elliott now only led by 86 points.

### Goody's 500

The Goody's 500 was run on September 22 at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia. Geoff Bodine won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 3 – Dale Earnhardt
* 11 – Darrell Waltrip
* 33 – Harry Gant
* 15 – Ricky Rudd
* 7 – Kyle Petty
* 47 – Ron Bouchard
* 27 – Tim Richmond
* 8 – Bobby Hillin Jr.
* 12 – Neil Bonnett
* 22 – Bobby Allison
* Elliott had another disastrous race finishing in 17th place 33 laps down. Waltrip continued to chip away at Elliotts lead gaining 63 points, Elliott now only led by 23 points.

### Holly Farms 400

The Holly Farms 400 was run on September 29 at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Geoff Bodine won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 33 – Harry Gant
* 5 – Geoff Bodine
* 44 – Terry Labonte
* 3 – Dale Earnhardt
* 15 – Ricky Rudd
* 47 – Ron Bouchard
* 27 – Tim Richmond
* 43 – Richard Petty
* 71 – Dave Marcis
* 12 – Neil Bonnett
* By virtue of Elliott being the second car out of the race finishing in 30th place (out of 31 starters) and Waltrip managing to finish in 14th even with car issues 7 laps down, Waltrip erased a 206 point deficit from Darlington and overtook Elliott in the standings. Waltrip now led Elliott by 30 points.
* Following the race Harry Gant would enter a dry spell and not win a Cup Series race again until the 1989 spring Darlington race.

### Miller High Life 500

The Miller High Life 500 was run on October 6 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. Harry Gant won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 28 – Cale Yarborough
* 9 – Bill Elliott
* 5 – Geoff Bodine
* 11 – Darrell Waltrip
* 4 – Joe Ruttman
* 27 – Tim Richmond
* 16 – Morgan Shepherd
* 88 – Buddy Baker
* 8 – Bobby Hillin Jr.
* 43 – Richard Petty
* Cale Yarborough's win would be his 83rd and the final one of his career before retiring after 1988.
* Elliott and Waltrip both led laps and by Elliott finishing in 2nd he sliced 10 points off Waltrips lead with just 20 points separating the two with three races remaining.

### Nationwise 500

The Nationwise 500 was run on October 20 at a freshly repaved North Carolina Motor Speedway in Rockingham, North Carolina. Terry Labonte won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 11 – Darrell Waltrip
* 47 – Ron Bouchard
* 33 – Harry Gant
* 9 – Bill Elliott
* 5 – Geoff Bodine
* 27 – Tim Richmond
* 15 – Ricky Rudd
* 3 – Dale Earnhardt
* 2 – Rusty Wallace
* 77 – Greg Sacks
* Elliott finishing three spots down in 4th lost ground to Waltrip by 15 points due to Waltrip winning. Waltrip now led by 35 points, with just Atlanta and Riverside left to settle the Championship.

### Atlanta Journal 500

The Atlanta Journal 500 was run on November 3 at Atlanta International Raceway in Hampton, Georgia. Harry Gant won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 9 – Bill Elliott
* 28 – Cale Yarborough
* 11 – Darrell Waltrip
* 3 – Dale Earnhardt
* 16 – Morgan Shepherd
* 44 – Terry Labonte
* 75 – Lake Speed
* 33 – Harry Gant
* 77 – Greg Sacks
* 43 – Richard Petty
* The race began under the green and yellow flags (starting under caution) due to an earlier rainstorm that drenched the track with the green flag displayed after the completion of lap 6.
* 11th and final win of the season for Bill Elliott.
* With this win, and as of 2022, Bill Elliott is the only driver in NASCAR history to pull off the season sweep at 4 different tracks in one season. Along with the season sweep at Atlanta, he swept Pocono, Michigan, and Darlington. In 2004 however, Jimmie Johnson pulled off the season sweep at 3 different tracks, coming close to tying Bill Elliott's record. The tracks Johnson pulled off the season sweep are Pocono, Charlotte, and Darlington.
* With Elliott getting the bonus points for leading the most laps, Waltrip lost 15 points on his lead. Elliott now had a 20-point deficit going into the season finale at Riverside where he picked up his first Cup victory in 1983, while Waltrip had five wins at the road course. If Elliott won at Riverside then all Waltrip would have to do to win the title would be to finish no lower than seventh if he did not lead a lap. If DW led a lap then he could finish no lower than eighth to win the title. If he led the most laps then he could finish no lower than ninth.
* Morgan Shepherd scored his only top five finish of 1985 driving for David Pearson's team.
* Sprint car ace Sammy Swindell starts his first of two career Cup races. He finished 30th after a crash, he completed 242 of 328 laps.

### Winston Western 500

The Winston Western 500 was run on November 17 at Riverside International Raceway in Riverside, California. Terry Labonte won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 15 – Ricky Rudd
* 44 – Terry Labonte
* 75 – Neil Bonnett
* 33 – Harry Gant
* 3 – Dale Earnhardt
* 5 – Geoff Bodine
* 11 – Darrell Waltrip
* 43 – Richard Petty
* 75 – Lake Speed
* 47 – Ron Bouchard
* After winning the previous race, which was at Atlanta, Bill Elliott came into this race 2nd in points, only 20 points behind Darrell Waltrip, giving him a shot to rebound for the championship after a string of poor finishes in 4 of the last 5 races. During this race however, Elliott would suffer early transmission problems, and it would unfortunately cost him the championship. He finished the race in 31st. Waltrip clinched the title once he completed 99 laps of the race, he then finished in 7th, gaining 81 points on Elliott. Darrell Waltrip won his 3rd and final Winston Cup title, having won only three races to Bill Elliott's eleven. Elliott would officially lose the championship by 101 points. This would be the 1st time in Bob Latford's Winston Cup points system that a driver winning 10 or more races in a season failed to win the championship due to poor finishes and lack of consistency in the final stretch of the season.
* This was the final race for Richard Petty driving for Mike Curb. Richard would take his number 43 with STP sponsorship home to Petty Enterprises for 1986.
* This was the final race for Rusty Wallace driving for Cliff Stewart Racing. Rusty's season of misery concluded with a 36th-place finish due to engine failure completing 70 of 119 laps. This was Rusty's 12th DNF of the season, 10 of them were due to engine failures.

## Full Drivers' Championship

(key) Bold – Pole position awarded by time. Italics – Pole position set by owner's points. * – Most laps led.
| Pos | Driver | DAY | RCH | CAR | ATL | BRI | DAR | NWS | MAR | TAL | DOV | CLT | RSD | POC | MCH | DAY | POC | TAL | MCH | BRI | DAR | RCH | DOV | MAR | NWS | CLT | CAR | ATL | RSD | Pts |
| 1 | Darrell Waltrip | 3 | 3* | 18 | 16 | 23 | 2 | 2 | 23 | 24 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 2* | 3 | 3 | 9 | 2* | 4 | 17 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 14 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 4292 |
| 2 | Bill Elliott | 1* | 22 | 29 | 1* | 11 | 1* | 6 | 13 | 1 | 1* | 18 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2* | 1 | 4* | 1* | 5 | 1 | 12 | 20 | 17 | 30 | 2 | 4 | 1* | 31 | 4191 |
| 3 | Harry Gant | 26 | 5 | 2 | 24 | 20 | 14 | 10 | 1* | 38 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 24 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 21 | 6 | 1* | 3 | 1* | 24* | 3 | 8 | 4 | 4033 |
| 4 | Neil Bonnett | 10 | 23 | 1 | 3 | 19 | 6 | 1* | 5 | 26 | 8 | 15 | 27 | 5 | 8 | 12 | 2* | 2 | 11 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 5 | 9 | 10 | 42 | 15 | 12 | 3 | 3902 |
| 5 | Geoff Bodine | 7 | 2 | 12 | 2 | 18 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 11 | 11 | 16 | 22 | 4* | 11 | 14 | 4 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 3 | 7 | 25 | 24 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 11 | 6 | 3862 |
| 6 | Ricky Rudd | 5 | 25 | 32 | 4 | 2 | 25 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 13 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 18 | 31 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 15 | 7 | 31 | 1 | 3857 |
| 7 | Terry Labonte | 25 | 6 | 3* | 6 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 16 | 5 | 1* | 28 | 22 | 8 | 26 | 39 | 9 | 29 | 7 | 2 | 24 | 27 | 3 | 33 | 12 | 6 | 2* | 3683 |
| 8 | Dale Earnhardt | 32 | 1 | 10 | 9 | 1* | 24 | 8 | 25 | 21 | 25 | 4* | 40 | 39 | 5 | 9 | 39 | 24 | 22 | 1* | 19* | 4 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 20 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 3561 |
| 9 | Kyle Petty | 37 | 7 | 5 | 11 | 6 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 14 | 5 | 14 | 12 | 5 | 7 | 25 | 4 | 16 | 10 | 8 | 15 | 5 | 28 | 22 | 31 | 29 | 27 | 3528 |
| 10 | Lake Speed | 2 | 10 | 4 | 40 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 24 | 6 | 25 | 12 | 14 | 34 | 11 | 8 | 16 | 10 | 16 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 29 | 7 | 9 | 3507 |
| 11 | Tim Richmond | 35 | 9 | 11 | 30 | 30 | 3 | 11 | 21 | 16 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 4 | 28 | 30 | 13 | 40 | 2 | 11 | 14 | 6 | 7* | 7 | 6 | 6 | 17 | 37 | 3413 |
| 12 | Bobby Allison | 33 | 16 | 31 | 5 | 13 | 10 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 6 | 18 | 12 | 27 | 36 | 22 | 30 | 28 | 4 | 10 | 31 | 14 | 38 | 26 | 17 | 3312 |
| 13 | Ron Bouchard | 38 | 4 | 33 | 7 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 28 | 28 | 20 | 29 | 32 | 29 | 13 | 4 | 9 | 3 | 38 | 7 | 5 | 18 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 26 | 2 | 16 | 10 | 3267 |
| 14 | Richard Petty | 34 | 26 | 8 | 13 | 8 | 33 | 21 | 7 | 27 | 7 | 26 | 7 | 33 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 6 | 37 | 8 | 12 | 3 | 9 | 22 | 8 | 10 | 33 | 10 | 8 | 3140 |
| 15 | Bobby Hillin Jr. | 9 | 11 | 24 | 12 | 9 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 9 | 12 | 12 | 17 | 18 | 28 | 15 | 29 | 38 | 26 | 24 | 13 | 21 | 23 | 8 | 17 | 9 | 25 | 19 | 13 | 3091 |
| 16 | Ken Schrader (R) | 11 | 14 | 40 | 17 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 10 | 38 | 10 | 15 | 34 | 21 | 15 | 11 | 20 | 19 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 26 | 15 | 25 | 19 | 15 | 23 | 3024 |
| 17 | Buddy Baker | 4 | 29 | 25 | 39 | 4 | 27 | 30 | 12 | 6 | 22 | 37 | 35 | 8 | 15 | 6 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 15 | 16 | 35 | 31 | 29 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 35 | 2986 |
| 18 | Dave Marcis | 24 | 8 | 26 | 37 | 24 | 31 | 16 | 26 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 27 | 9 | 23 | 38 | 26 | 12 | 23 | 23 | 17 | 19 | 23 | 9 | 34 | 14 | 28 | 18 | 2871 |
| 19 | Rusty Wallace | 8 | 27 | 9 | 27 | 5 | 5 | 22 | 10 | 37 | 18 | 8 | 24 | 13 | 26 | 41 | 33 | 17 | 7 | 12 | 38 | 13 | 31 | 25 | 25 | 30 | 9 | 21 | 36 | 2867 |
| 20 | Buddy Arrington | | | 16 | 18 | 25 | 17 | 20 | 15 | 14 | 23 | 22 | 31 | 19 | 23 | 16 | 18 | 16 | 10 | 15 | 18 | 22 | 11 | 21 | 23 | 17 | 16 | 20 | 22 | 2780 |
| 21 | Phil Parsons | 29 | 15 | 19 | 41 | 28 | 8 | 15 | 9 | 34 | 29 | 33 | 33 | 11 | 19 | 27 | 8 | 31 | 6 | 21 | 39 | 27 | 12 | 20 | 13 | 27 | 13 | 14 | 33 | 2740 |
| 22 | Clark Dwyer | 18 | 18 | 37 | 20 | 14 | 26 | 18 | 17 | 23 | 28 | 23 | 16 | 20 | 25 | 25 | 16 | 20 | 34 | 18 | 26 | 24 | 30 | 19 | 18 | 16 | 24 | 40 | 28 | 2641 |
| 23 | Jimmy Means | 14 | 21 | 30 | 28 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 12 | 30 | 32 | 37 | 22 | 35 | 32 | 23 | 42 | 15 | 27 | 27 | 23 | 13 | 13 | 21 | 38 | 18 | 41 | 20 | 2548 |
| 24 | Eddie Bierschwale (R) | DNQ | | 23 | 15 | 15 | 19 | 29 | 20 | 19 | 32 | 19 | 18 | 34 | 29 | 31 | 17 | 34 | 21 | 20 | 32 | 29 | 27 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 17 | 24 | 32 | 2396 |
| 25 | Greg Sacks | 6 | | 13 | 10 | | | | | Wth | | 35 | 36 | 16 | | 1 | 34 | 15 | 33 | 28 | 35 | 20 | 29 | 14 | 16 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 21 | 1944 |
| 26 | Cale Yarborough | 36 | | 7 | 22 | | 30 | | | 3* | | 40 | | 24 | 3 | 36 | 31 | 1 | 32 | | 2 | | | | | 1 | 28* | 2 | | 1861 |
| 27 | J. D. McDuffie | DNQ | 20 | 28 | 23 | 27 | 39 | 24 | 24 | 15 | 31 | 39 | 42 | 25 | 31 | 20 | 40 | 28 | 29 | DNQ | DNQ | 26 | 28 | 15 | DNQ | | 26 | 27 | 25 | 1853 |
| 28 | Trevor Boys | 27 | 24 | 39 | | | 29 | | | 39 | | 41 | | | 24 | 26 | 20 | 32 | 30 | 17 | 31 | | 34 | 12 | 22 | 23 | 20 | 37 | 40 | 1461 |
| 29 | Benny Parsons | 31 | | | 8 | | 32 | | | 29 | | 42 | | 6 | 10 | 11 | 6 | 36 | 5 | | 8 | | | | | 41 | | 33 | | 1427 |
| 30 | Joe Ruttman | 17 | | 6 | 26 | 29 | 11 | | | 30 | | 7 | | 35 | | 35 | | 33 | | 13 | 9 | | 33 | | | 5 | 40 | 32 | | 1410 |
| 31 | Morgan Shepherd | 15 | | 38 | | | 18 | | 27 | 13 | | 25 | | | | 39 | | | 35 | | 37 | 30 | 22 | 29 | 27 | 7 | 39 | 5 | | 1406 |
| 32 | Bobby Wawak | 13 | | 27 | DNQ | | 34 | | | 32 | | DNQ | | 23 | 27 | 37 | 25 | 21 | 27 | DNQ | DNQ | | 17 | 16 | 20 | | 34 | DNQ | | 1226 |
| 33 | Lennie Pond | 19 | 13 | 14 | 31 | | | | | | | 30 | | 17 | 18 | 19 | 13 | 19 | | | | 25 | | | | 39 | | | | 1107 |
| 34 | Tommy Ellis | | | | | | | | | | | 20 | | | 21 | 17 | 36 | 30 | | 30 | 33 | 10 | 26 | 30 | 11 | 40 | 30 | 36 | | 1100 |
| 35 | Mike Alexander | 12 | | | 34 | | 23 | | 29 | 31 | | 24 | | | | 13 | | | 13 | 26 | | | | | 26 | 18 | | | | 1046 |
| 36 | David Pearson | 28 | | | 29 | | 28 | | | 36 | | 27 | | | 17 | 10 | 35 | 35 | 39 | | 40 | | | | | 37 | | | | 879 |
| 37 | Sterling Marlin | 16 | | | 25 | 22 | | | | 25 | | 34 | | | | 33 | | 12 | | | | | | | | 29 | | | | 645 |
| 38 | Don Hume (R) | | | | 19 | 16 | 21 | 23 | 19 | 33 | | | | | | | 37 | | | | | | | | | | | | | 637 |
| 39 | Ronnie Thomas | | 12 | 34 | | 21 | | | 30 | DNQ | | | | 40 | | DNQ | | | 19 | 14 | | | | | | | | | | 631 |
| 40 | Alan Kulwicki | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 19 | 21 | | | 13 | 27 | 22 | | 509 |
| 41 | Rick Newsom | DNQ | 28 | 36 | DNQ | | | | | DNQ | 21 | | | 38 | | | 21 | | | | DNQ | | 32 | | | | | | | 450 |
| 42 | Mike Potter | | | 17 | | 26 | | | | DNQ | | DNQ | | 21 | | | DNQ | | | 31 | 28 | | | | | | 22 | | | 443 |
| 43 | Jerry Bowman | | | | | | | | | | 19 | | | 37 | | | 22 | | | | | | 14 | | | | 35 | | | 434 |
| 44 | Bobby Gerhart | | | | | | | 27 | | | | | | 31 | | | 24 | | 25 | | | | | | 24 | | | | | 422 |
| 45 | A. J. Foyt | 30 | | | 36 | | | | | | | | | | | 30 | | 5 | | | 25 | | | | | 32 | | 38 | | 410 |
| 46 | Phil Good | | 17 | | | QL | | | | | 17 | | | 30 | | | | | | | | | 18 | | DNQ | | | | | 406 |
| 47 | Ken Ragan | 21 | | | 33 | | 37 | | | QL | | | | | | | | | 17 | | 20 | DNQ | | | | 28 | | 34 | | 356 |
| 48 | Slick Johnson | 20 | | 15 | 21 | | 36 | | | DNQ | | 17 | | | | | | | | | 29 | | | | | | | QL | | 343 |
| 49 | Connie Saylor | | | | | | 35 | | | 22 | | DNQ | | | | 40 | | 41 | | | DNQ | | | | | | | 35 | | 296 |
| 50 | Jim Sauter | 23 | | | | | | | | | | 31 | | | 20 | | | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | | 267 |
| 51 | Glen Steurer | | | | | | | | | | | | 11 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 11 | 260 |
| 52 | Jim Robinson | | | | | | | | | | | | 13 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | 12 | 251 |
| 53 | Dick Brooks | 22 | | 20 | 38 | | | | | | | 10 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 249 |
| 54 | Tommie Crozier | | | | | | | DNQ | | | 15 | | | | 33 | | | | | DNQ | | | 37 | | | | DNQ | | | 234 |
| 55 | Derrike Cope | | | | | | | | | | | | 15 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 19 | 224 |
| 56 | Ruben Garcia | | | | | | | | | | | | 23 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 14 | 215 |
| 57 | Michael Waltrip | | | | | | | | | | | 28 | | | | | | | 18 | | 24 | | | | | 31 | | 39 | | 207 |
| 58 | Dick Trickle | | | | | | | | | | | 36 | | | | | | | 8 | | | | | | | 36 | | | | 197 |
| 59 | Jim Bown | | | | | | | | | | | | 28 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | 194 |
| 60 | Bill Osborne | | | | | | | | | | | | 21 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 24 | 191 |
| 61 | Bill Schmitt | | | | | | | | | | | | 34 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 15 | 179 |
| 62 | John Soares Jr. | | | | | | | | | | | | 19 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 30 | 179 |
| 63 | Brent Elliott | | | | | | | 28 | 22 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 28 | DNQ | | | | | 176 |
| 64 | Rick Baldwin | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | | | | | | | 28 | | | | | | | | | 23 | | 173 |
| 65 | Joe Booher | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 28 | | 24 | | | | | | | | | | | 170 |
| 66 | Hershel McGriff | | | | | | | | | | | | 29 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 26 | 161 |
| 67 | Maurice Randall | | | 35 | | | | DNQ | DNQ | | | | | | 37 | | | | | | | | 39 | | DNQ | | DNQ | | | 156 |
| 68 | Phil Barkdoll | | | | | | | | | 35 | | | | | | | | 22 | | | | | | | | | | | | 155 |
| 69 | Jonathan Lee Edwards | | | 21 | | | | | | | | DNQ | | | | | | | | | DNQ | | | | DNQ | | 36 | | | 155 |
| 70 | Davey Allison | DNQ | | | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10 | | | | | | | | 19 | | 42 | | 143 |
| 71 | Grant Adcox | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 22 | | 40 | | | | | | | | | | | | 140 |
| 72 | Blair Aiken | | | | | | | | | | | | 38 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 29 | 125 |
| 73 | Summer McKnight | | | | | | | | | | | | 14 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 121 |
| 74 | H. B. Bailey | | | | 35 | | | | | | | DNQ | | | | | | | | | 34 | | | | | | | | | 119 |
| 75 | Rick Wilson | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 29 | | | | | | | | | | 18 | | 109 |
| 76 | Dick Skillen | DNQ | | | | | | | | 18 | | DNQ | | | | DNQ | | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | 109 |
| 77 | Glenn Francis | | | | | | | | | | | | 20 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 103 |
| 78 | Mark Stahl | DNQ | | | | | | | | DNQ | | 21 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 100 |
| 79 | Eldon Dotson | | | | | | 38 | | | DNQ | | | | | | 38 | | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | 95 |
| 80 | Delma Cowart | 40 | | | DNQ | | | | | DNQ | | DNQ | | | | DNQ | | 37 | | | | | | | | | | | | 98 |
| 81 | Chet Fillip | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 25 | | 88 |
| 82 | John Krebs | | | | | | | | | | | | 26 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 85 |
| 83 | Ed Sanger | | | | | | | 26 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 85 |
| 84 | Jimmy Walker | | | DNQ | | | | | | | 27 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 82 |
| 85 | Dale Perry | | | | | | | | | | | | 30 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 73 |
| 86 | Sammy Swindell | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 30 | | 73 |
| 87 | Jim Hull | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 32 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 67 |
| 88 | Mike Stolarcyk | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 32 | | | | | | | | | | | | | 67 |
| 89 | Scott Autrey | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 34 | 61 |
| 90 | Donny Paul | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 35 | | | | 58 |
| 91 | Earle Canavan | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 36 | | | | | | | 55 |
| 92 | Edward Cooper | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 36 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 55 |
| 93 | Tommy Houston | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 36 | | | | | | | | | 55 |
| 94 | Craig Spetman | DNQ | | | | | | | | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 37 | | | 52 |
| 95 | Bud Hickey | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 38 | 49 |
| 96 | Chuck Walton | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 38 | | | | | | | 49 |
| 97 | Doug Heveron | 39 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 19 | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | | 46 |
| 98 | Norm Palmer | | | | | | | | | | | | 39 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 46 |
| 99 | Rick McCray | | | | | | | | | | | | 41 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 39 | 46 |
| 100 | Ron Esau | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | 41 | 40 |
| 101 | Dick May | | | | | | 22 | 25 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 102 | Randy LaJoie | DNQ | | | 14 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 103 | Bob Riley | | | | | | | | | | 14 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 104 | Bosco Lowe | | | | | | | | | 17 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | | | | |
| 105 | Butch Lindley | | 19 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 106 | Randy Baker | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | | | | | | | | | DNQ | | 21 | | | |
| 107 | Pancho Carter | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 22 | | | | | | | | | |
| 108 | Jim Southard | | | 22 | DNQ | | | | | | | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | | |
| 109 | Jeff McDuffie | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 23 | | | |
| 110 | Steve Gray | | | | | | | | | | | | | 26 | | | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 111 | James Hylton | | | | | | | | | | 26 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 112 | Cecil Gordon | | 30 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 113 | Bill Scott | | | | DNQ | | | | | | | | | 32 | | | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 114 | Tom Sneva | DNQ | | | 32 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 115 | D. K. Ulrich | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 32 | | | |
| 116 | Charles Poalillo | | | | | | | | | | | | | 36 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 117 | Jeff Hooker | | | | | | 40 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 118 | Jody Ridley | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 119 | Dean Roper | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 120 | Joe Thurman | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 121 | Satch Worley | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 122 | Glenn Jarrett | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 123 | Bob Park | DNQ | | | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 124 | Joey Sonntag | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 125 | Jim Hall | | | | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 126 | Ed Baugess | | | | | | | DNQ | | | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 127 | Blackie Wangerin | | | | | | | | | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | | |
| 128 | George Wiltshire | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | | | DNQ | | | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 129 | John Haver | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | | |
| 130 | St. James Davis | | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 131 | Pat Mintey | | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 132 | Jerry Holden | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | DNQ | | |
| 133 | Ferrel Harris | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | | | | | | | | | |
| 134 | Mike Tilley | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | | | | | |
| 135 | Bryan Baker | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | | | | | |
| 136 | Elton Sawyer | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | | | | |
| 137 | Glenn Sears | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | | | | |
| 138 | Kirk Bryant | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | | | | |
| 139 | Jon Fontana | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | | | |
| 140 | Johnny Coy Jr. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | | | |
| 141 | Gary Fedewa | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | | | |
| 142 | Gary Sowell | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | | | |
| 143 | Buddie Boys | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | DNQ | | |
| Pos | Driver | DAY | RCH | CAR | ATL | BRI | DAR | NWS | MAR | TAL | DOV | CLT | RSD | POC | MCH | DAY | POC | TAL | MCH | BRI | DAR | RCH | DOV | MAR | NWS | CLT | CAR | ATL | RSD | Pts |

## Rookie of the year

Ken Schrader won the 1985 NASCAR Winston Cup Series rookie of the year. He beat out both Eddie Bierschwale (who failed to qualify for the Daytona 500 and skipped the next race) and Don Hume (who only competed in 7 races) for the honors.