# 1979 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

The 1979 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 31st season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 8th modern-era Cup series. It began on Sunday, January 14, and ended on Sunday, November 18. Richard Petty won his seventh and final Winston Cup championship, winning by 11 points over Darrell Waltrip. Dale Earnhardt was crowned NASCAR Rookie of the Year.
The season was the last until 2006 without Rusty Wallace.

## Teams and drivers
### Complete schedule

| Make | Team | No. | Driver | Crew Chief |
| Chevrolet | McDuffie Racing | 70 | J. D. McDuffie | |
| Dodge | Warren Racing | 79 | Frank Warren | |
| Ford | Bud Moore Engineering | 15 | Bobby Allison | Bud Moore |
| Oldsmobile | Junior Johnson & Associates | 11 | Cale Yarborough | Travis Carter |
| Buick Chevrolet | Ulrich Racing | 40 | D. K. Ulrich 30 | |
| Buick Chevrolet | Ulrich Racing | 40 | Al Elmore 1 | |
| Buick Chevrolet Oldsmobile | Rod Osterlund Racing | 2 | Dale Earnhardt (R) 27 | Jake Elder |
| Buick Chevrolet Oldsmobile | Rod Osterlund Racing | 2 | David Pearson 4 | Jake Elder |
| Buick Chevrolet Oldsmobile | Hagan Racing | 44 | Terry Labonte (R) | |
| Dodge Ford | Arrington Racing | 67 | Buddy Arrington | |
| Chevrolet Oldsmobile | DeWitt Racing | 72 | Joe Millikan (R) | |
| Chevrolet Oldsmobile | Richard Childress Racing | 3 | Richard Childress | |
| Chevrolet Oldsmobile | Hylton Racing | 48 1 | James Hylton | |
| Chevrolet Oldsmobile | M. C. Anderson Racing | 27 | Benny Parsons | David Ifft |
| Chevrolet Oldsmobile | Petty Enterprises | 43 | Richard Petty | Dale Inman |

### Limited schedule

| Make | Team | No. | Driver | Crew Chief | Rounds |
| Buick | Ballard Racing | 30 | Tighe Scott | Harry Hyde | 17 |
| Buick | Ballard Racing | 50 | Bruce Hill | | 3 |
| Buick | Gray Racing | 19 | Steve Spencer | | 1 |
| Buick | Gray Racing | 19 | Dick May | | 1 |
| Buick | Thirkettle Racing | 51 | Jim Thirkettle | | 1 |
| Buick | Robertson Racing | 25 | Ronnie Thomas | | 6 |
| Chevrolet | Al Rudd Auto | 22 | Richard White | | 2 |
| Chevrolet | Al Rudd Auto | 22 | Kevin Housby | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Al Rudd Auto | 22 | Darrell Waltrip | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Al Rudd Auto | 22 | Al Rudd Jr. | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | DiGard Motorsports | 88 | Darrell Waltrip | Buddy Parrott | 30 |
| Chevrolet | Al Holbert Racing | 7 | Al Holbert | | 5 |
| Chevrolet | Cunningham-Kelley Racing | 14 | Coo Coo Marlin | | 7 |
| Chevrolet | Cunningham-Kelley Racing | 14 | Dick Kranzler | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Cunningham-Kelley Racing | 14 | Sterling Marlin | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Cunningham-Kelley Racing | 14 | Jimmy Means | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Donlavey Racing | 90 | Ricky Rudd | | 2 |
| Chevrolet | Ellington Racing | 1 | Donnie Allison | Runt Pittman | 18 |
| Chevrolet | Gray Racing | 19 | Vince Giamformaggio | | 2 |
| Chevrolet | Gray Racing | 19 | Bill Dennis | | 2 |
| Chevrolet | Gray Racing | 19 | Dick May | | 8 |
| Chevrolet | Gray Racing | 19 | Joe Fields | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Gray Racing | 19 | Lennie Pond | | 5 |
| Chevrolet | Gray Racing | 19 | Billy Hagan | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Gray Racing | 19 | Bob Burcham | | 2 |
| Chevrolet | Gray Racing | 19 | Steve Spencer | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Gray Racing | 19 | Steve Gray | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Gray Racing | 19 | Cecil Gordon | | 2 |
| Chevrolet | Gray Racing | 19 | Glenn Jarrett | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Gordon Racing | 24 | Larry Isley | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Goularte Racing | 17 | Harry Goularte | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Hamby Motorsports | 17 | Skip Manning | | 2 |
| Chevrolet | Hamby Motorsports | 17 | Roger Hamby | | 8 |
| Chevrolet | Hamby Motorsports | 17 | Jim Vandiver | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Hamby Motorsports | 17 | Steve Pfeifer | | 2 |
| Chevrolet | Hamby Motorsports | 17 | Bill Elliott | | 3 |
| Chevrolet | Kennie Childers Racing | 12 | Harry Gant | Kennie Childers | 2 |
| Chevrolet | Kennie Childers Racing | 12 | Lennie Pond | Kennie Childers | 5 |
| Chevrolet | Kennie Childers Racing | 12 | Jack Ingram | Kennie Childers | 2 |
| Chevrolet | Kennie Childers Racing | 12 | Butch Lindley | Kennie Childers | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Kennie Childers Racing | 12 | Buck Simmons | Kennie Childers | 2 |
| Chevrolet | Means Racing | 52 | Don Graham | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Means Racing | 52 | Jimmy Means | | 28 |
| Chevrolet | Marcis Auto Racing | 02 | Dave Marcis | | 9 |
| Chevrolet | Marcis Auto Racing | 71 | Dave Marcis | | 15 |
| Chevrolet | Nelson Malloch Racing | 05 | Dick Brooks | | 27 |
| Chevrolet | Nelson Malloch Racing | 05 | Elmo Langley | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Petty Enterprises | 42 | Kyle Petty | Maurice Petty | 5 |
| Chevrolet | Puskarich Racing | 13 | Don Puskarich | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Halverson Racing | 13 | Jeff Halverson | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Price Racing | 45 | Ferrel Harris | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Price Racing | 45 | Baxter Price | | 21 |
| Chevrolet | Price Racing | 45 | Roy Smith | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Race Hill Farm Team | 47 | Harry Gant (R) | | 17 |
| Chevrolet | Ranier-Lundy Racing | 28 | Buddy Baker | Waddell Wilson | 21 |
| Chevrolet | Robertson Racing | 25 | Ronnie Thomas | | 23 |
| Chevrolet | Schmitt Racing | 73 | Steve Moore | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Slick Johnson Racing | 51 | Slick Johnson | | 2 |
| Chevrolet | Williamson Racing | 74 | Tim Williamson | | 1 |
| Chevrolet | Wawak Racing | 74 | Bobby Wawak | | 3 |
| Dodge | Arrington Racing | 7 | Earl Brooks | | 1 |
| Dodge | Canavan Racing | 01 | Earle Canavan | | 7 |
| Dodge | Robbins Racing | 6 | Marty Robbins | | 1 |
| Dodge | Robbins Racing | 36 | Marty Robbins | | 1 |
| Dodge | Robbins Racing | 42 | Marty Robbins | | 1 |
| Dodge | Petty Enterprises | 42 | Kyle Petty | Maurice Petty | 1 |
| Dodge | Marcis Auto Racing | 71 | Joey Arrington | | 1 |
| Ford | Donlavey Racing | 90 | Ricky Rudd | | 11 |
| Ford | Langley Racing | 64 | Tommy Gale | | 28 |
| Ford | Langley Racing | 64 | Elmo Langley | | 1 |
| Mercury | Donlavey Racing | 90 | Ricky Rudd | | 15 |
| Mercury | Wood Brothers Racing | 21 | David Pearson | Leonard Wood | 5 |
| Mercury | Wood Brothers Racing | 21 | Neil Bonnett | Leonard Wood | 17 |
| Mercury | Elliott Racing | 9 | Bill Elliott | Ernie Elliott | 9 |
| Mercury | Elliott Racing | 17 | Bill Elliott | Ernie Elliott | 2 |
| Oldsmobile | A. J. Foyt Enterprises | 51 | A. J. Foyt | | 2 |
| Oldsmobile | Al Holbert Racing | 7 | Al Holbert | | 1 |
| Oldsmobile | Ballard Racing | 50 | Bruce Hill | | 4 |
| Oldsmobile | Craker Racing | 01 | Jimmy Insolo | | 3 |
| Oldsmobile | DiGard Motorsports | 88 | Darrell Waltrip | Buddy Parrott | 4 |
| Oldsmobile | Ellington Racing | 1 | Donnie Allison | Runt Pittman | 2 |
| Oldsmobile | Gordon Racing | 24 | Cecil Gordon | | 26 |
| Oldsmobile | Gordon Racing | 24 | D. K. Ulrich | | 1 |
| Oldsmobile | Hamby Motorsports | 17 | Roger Hamby | | 5 |
| Oldsmobile | Hamby Motorsports | 0 | Roger Hamby | | 1 |
| Oldsmobile | Kennie Childers Racing | 12 | Harry Gant | Kennie Childers | 1 |
| Oldsmobile | Kennie Childers Racing | 12 | Neil Bonnett | Kennie Childers | 1 |
| Oldsmobile | Kennie Childers Racing | 12 | Lennie Pond | Kennie Childers | 3 |
| Oldsmobile | Kennie Childers Racing | 12 | Jack Ingram | Kennie Childers | 2 |
| Oldsmobile | Nelson Malloch Racing | 05 | Dick Brooks | | 27 |
| Oldsmobile | Price Racing | 45 | Baxter Price | | 4 |
| Oldsmobile | Race Hill Farm Team | 47 | Geoff Bodine | | 3 |
| Oldsmobile | Race Hill Farm Team | 47 | Harry Gant (R) | | 5 |
| Oldsmobile | Ranier-Lundy Racing | 28 | Buddy Baker | Waddell Wilson | 5 |
| Oldsmobile | Schmitt Racing | 73 | Bill Schmitt | | 3 |
| Oldsmobile | Wawak Racing | 74 | Bobby Wawak | | 1 |
| Oldsmobile | Callentine Racing | 74 | Hal Callentine | | 2 |

## Schedule

| No. | Race Title | Track | Date |
| 1 | Winston Western 500 | Riverside International Raceway, Riverside | January 14 |
| | Busch Clash | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach | February 11 |
| | 125 Mile Qualifying Races | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach | February 15 |
| 2 | Daytona 500 | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach | February 18 |
| 3 | Carolina 500 | North Carolina Motor Speedway, Rockingham | March 4 |
| 4 | Richmond 400 | Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway, Richmond | March 11 |
| 5 | Atlanta 500 | Atlanta International Raceway, Hampton | March 18 |
| 6 | Northwestern Bank 400 | North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro | March 25 |
| 7 | Southeastern 500 | Bristol International Raceway, Bristol | April 1 |
| 8 | CRC Chemicals Rebel 500 | Darlington Raceway, Darlington | April 8 |
| 9 | Virginia 500 | Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway | April 22 |
| 10 | Winston 500 | Alabama International Motor Speedway, Talladega | May 6 |
| 11 | Sun-Drop Music City USA 420 | Nashville Speedway, Nashville | May 12 |
| 12 | Mason-Dixon 500 | Dover Downs International Speedway, Dover | May 20 |
| 13 | World 600 | Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord | May 27 |
| 14 | Texas 400 | Texas World Speedway, College Station | June 3 |
| 15 | NAPA Riverside 400 | Riverside International Raceway, Riverside | June 10 |
| 16 | Gabriel 400 | Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn | June 17 |
| 17 | Firecracker 400 | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach | July 4 |
| 18 | Busch Nashville 420 | Nashville Speedway, Nashville | July 14 |
| 19 | Coca-Cola 500 | Pocono International Raceway, Long Pond | July 30 |
| 20 | Talladega 500 | Alabama International Motor Speedway, Talladega | August 5 |
| 21 | Champion Spark Plug 400 | Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn | August 19 |
| 22 | Volunteer 500 | Bristol International Raceway, Bristol | August 25 |
| 23 | Southern 500 | Darlington Raceway, Darlington | September 3 |
| 24 | Capital City 400 | Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway, Richmond | September 9 |
| 25 | CRC Chemicals 500 | Dover Downs International Speedway, Dover | September 16 |
| 26 | Old Dominion 500 | Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway | September 23 |
| 27 | NAPA National 500 | Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord | October 7 |
| 28 | Holly Farms 400 | North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro | October 14 |
| 29 | American 500 | North Carolina Motor Speedway, Rockingham | October 21 |
| 30 | Dixie 500 | Atlanta International Raceway, Hampton | November 4 |
| 31 | Los Angeles Times 500 | Ontario Motor Speedway, Ontario | November 18 |

## Races
### Winston Western 500

The 1979 Winston Western 500 was run on January 14 at Riverside International Raceway at Riverside, California. David Pearson won the pole.
Top Ten Results :
| Fin | Car # | Driver | Status |
| 1 | 88 | Darrell Waltrip | 2:53:30 |
| 2 | 21 | David Pearson | Running |
| 3 | 11 | Cale Yarborough | Running |
| 4 | 73 | Bill Schmitt | -1 lap |
| 5 | 1 | Donnie Allison | -1 lap |
| 6 | 72 | Joe Millikan | -1 lap |
| 7 | 28 | Buddy Baker | -1 lap |
| 8 | 51 | Jim Thirkettle | -2 laps |
| 9 | 74 | Tim Williamson | -3 laps |
| 10 | 12 | Harry Gant | -3 laps |
* This would be the final pole that Pearson would win with The Wood Brothers.
* This would also be the final top 5 finish Pearson would achieve with The Wood Brothers.

### Busch Clash

The inaugural Busch Clash, a non-points race for all of the pole winners from the previous season, was run on February 11 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Benny Parsons started on the pole via a random draw.
Full Results :
| Fin | Car # | Driver | Laps | Status |
| 1 | 28 | Buddy Baker | 20 | 0:15:26 |
| 2 | 88 | Darrell Waltrip | 20 | Running |
| 3 | 11 | Cale Yarborough | 20 | Running |
| 4 | 27 | Benny Parsons | 20 | Running |
| 5 | 15 | Bobby Allison | 20 | Running |
| 6 | 21 | David Pearson | 20 | Running |
| 7 | 54 | Lennie Pond | 20 | Running |
| 8 | 5 | Neil Bonnett | 20 | Running |
| 9 | 70 | J. D. McDuffie | 17 | Engine |

### 125 Mile Qualifying Races

The two Daytona 500 125-mile qualifying races were run on February 15 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Buddy Baker and Donnie Allison started on the pole for races one and two, respectively.
| Race One Top Ten Results | Race One Top Ten Results | Race One Top Ten Results | Race One Top Ten Results | Race Two Top Ten Results | Race Two Top Ten Results | Race Two Top Ten Results | Race Two Top Ten Results |
| Fin | Car # | Driver | Status | Fin | Car # | Driver | Status |
| 1 | 28 | Buddy Baker | 0:44:45 | 1 | 88 | Darrell Waltrip | 0:49:01 |
| 2 | 11 | Cale Yarborough | Running | 2 | 51 | A. J. Foyt | Running |
| 3 | 27 | Benny Parsons | Running | 3 | 05 | Dick Brooks | Running |
| 4 | 15 | Bobby Allison | Running | 4 | 2 | Dale Earnhardt | Running |
| 5 | 21 | David Pearson | Running | 5 | 02 | Dave Marcis | Running |
| 6 | 90 | Ricky Rudd | Running | 6 | 12 | Harry Gant | Running |
| 7 | 43 | Richard Petty | Running | 7 | 47 | Geoff Bodine | Running |
| 8 | 67 | Buddy Arrington | Running | 8 | 17 | Roger Hamby | Running |
| 9 | 50 | Bruce Hill | Running | 9 | 5 | Neil Bonnett | Running |
| 10 | 44 | Terry Labonte | Running | 10 | 00 | John Utsman | Running |
Cale Yarborough was pessimistic about rivals' chances against Baker, saying "Baker is just pure horsepower."

### Daytona 500

The 21st annual Daytona 500 was run on February 18 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Buddy Baker won the pole.
Top Ten Results :
| Fin | Car # | Driver | Status |
| 1 | 43 | Richard Petty | 3:28:22 |
| 2 | 88 | Darrell Waltrip | Running |
| 3 | 51 | A. J. Foyt | Running |
| 4 | 1 | Donnie Allison | -1 lap (Crash) |
| 5 | 11 | Cale Yarborough | -1 lap (Crash) |
| 6 | 30 | Tighe Scott | -1 lap |
| 7 | 68 | Chuck Bown | -1 lap |
| 8 | 2 | Dale Earnhardt | -1 lap |
| 9 | 14 | Coo Coo Marlin | -2 laps |
| 10 | 79 | Frank Warren | -3 laps |
* The race, the first televised nationally in its entirety, ended in spectacular fashion, as race leaders Donnie Allison and Cale Yarborough crashed on the last lap in turn three, allowing Richard Petty to take the lead and win his sixth Daytona 500. During the cool-down lap, Allison and Yarborough got into a heated argument which later escalated into a fist-fight, which was later joined by Bobby Allison, who stepped in to try to defend his brother. TV ratings were bolstered that day due to much of the U.S. Northeast being snowed in by a major blizzard.
* Petty would use the win as a springboard to his seventh and final championship, but it was going to be anything but easy.

### Carolina 500

The 1979 Carolina 500 was run on March 4 at North Carolina Motor Speedway in Rockingham, North Carolina. Bobby Allison won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 15–Bobby Allison
* 72–Joe Millikan
* 05–Dick Brooks
* 30–Tighe Scott
* 3–Richard Childress
* 40–D. K. Ulrich
* 48–James Hylton
* 37–Dave Watson
* 79–Frank Warren
* 27–Benny Parsons
* The story of the race was Cale Yarborough and Donnie Allison, who crashed out of the lead on lap 10 in a wreck that swept up five other cars.
* Richard Petty who was involved in the lap 10 crash, had a crew member, one Maurice Petty involved in a post crash scuffle with NASCAR officials. Maurice was suspended by NASCAR for the next two Cup Series races.
* Bobby Allison's victory would make him the last Ford driver to win this particular race until Bill Elliott in 1992.

### Richmond 400

The 1979 Richmond 400 was scheduled for February 25 at Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway in Richmond, Virginia but it was postponed due to heavy snow. It was finally run on March 11 even though the track had a snow shower before race time which delayed the start by fifteen minutes. Bobby Allison won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 11–Cale Yarborough
* 15–Bobby Allison
* 88–Darrell Waltrip
* 27–Benny Parsons
* 43–Richard Petty
* 72–Joe Millikan
* 70–J. D. McDuffie
* 44–Terry Labonte
* 1 –Donnie Allison
* 40–D. K. Ulrich

### Atlanta 500

The 1979 Atlanta 500 was run on March 18 at Atlanta International Raceway in Hampton, Georgia. Buddy Baker won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 28–Buddy Baker
* 15–Bobby Allison
* 88–Darrell Waltrip
* 11–Cale Yarborough
* 27–Benny Parsons
* 02–Dave Marcis
* 1–Donnie Allison
* 72–Joe Millikan
* 90–Ricky Rudd
* 05–Dick Brooks
* After a late race yellow, Baker got tires and stormed away from Bobby Allison (who led the most laps) for his first win since May 1976.
* The race was marred by the death of pit crew member Dennis Wade, who was struck and killed on pit road by Dave Watson.

### Northwestern Bank 400

The 1979 Northwestern Bank 400 was run on March 25 at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Benny Parsons won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 15–Bobby Allison
* 43–Richard Petty
* 27–Benny Parsons
* 2–Dale Earnhardt
* 88–Darrell Waltrip
* 70–J. D. McDuffie
* 3–Richard Childress
* 28–Buddy Baker
* 11–Cale Yarborough
* 72–Joe Millikan
* When Bobby Allison crossed the line to win the race, his right front tire blew. His car was too damaged from running on the wheel rim to make the trip to victory lane, so Allison had to walk to victory lane.
* This was Fords first victory in the Cup Series spring race since 1968. This was Fords first victory at the track since the 1969 Cup Series fall race.

### Southeastern 500

The 1979 Southeastern 500 was run on April 1 at Bristol International Raceway in Bristol, Tennessee. Buddy Baker won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 2–Dale Earnhardt
* 15–Bobby Allison
* 88–Darrell Waltrip
* 43–Richard Petty
* 27–Benny Parsons
* 1–Donnie Allison
* 44–Terry Labonte
* 72–Joe Millikan
* 48–James Hylton
* 90–Ricky Rudd
* This was Dale Earnhardt's first Winston Cup career victory.

### CRC Chemicals Rebel 500

The 1979 CRC Chemicals Rebel 500 was run on April 8 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina. Donnie Allison won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 88–Darrell Waltrip
* 43–Richard Petty
* 1–Donnie Allison
* 27–Benny Parsons
* 28–Buddy Baker
* 11–Cale Yarborough
* 9–Bill Elliott
* 90–Ricky Rudd
* 05–Dick Brooks
* 72–Joe Millikan
* Waltrip won this race following a fierce duel with Richard Petty; they exchanged the lead eight times in the final five laps and three times on the last lap alone.
* This was also David Pearson's last race with the Wood Brothers, for whom he had driven the #21 Mercury since 1972. Following a tire-change pit stop, Pearson reached the pit road exit, when two tires came off his car (the lug nuts had not been tightened when he left the pits). Within a week, Pearson was fired from the team and replaced by Neil Bonnett.

### Virginia 500

The 1979 Virginia 500 was run on April 22 at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia. Darrell Waltrip won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 43–Richard Petty
* 28–Buddy Baker
* 88–Darrell Waltrip
* 15–Bobby Allison
* 72–Joe Millikan
* 47–Harry Gant
* 48–James Hylton
* 2–Dale Earnhardt
* 44–Terry Labonte
* 70–J. D. McDuffie
* This was Petty's first win on a short track since 1975 and his first win in a Chevrolet.
* Neil Bonnett, in his first start driving for Wood Brothers Racing after longtime driver David Pearson was fired, finished 25th after blowing an engine on lap 207.

### Winston 500

The 1979 Winston 500 was run on May 6 at Alabama International Motor Speedway in Talladega, Alabama. Darrell Waltrip won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 15–Bobby Allison
* 88–Darrell Waltrip
* 67–Buddy Arrington
* 43–Richard Petty
* 72–Joe Millikan
* 9–Bill Elliott
* 64–Tommy Gale
* 79–Frank Warren
* 44–Terry Labonte
* 14–Coo Coo Marlin
* A 17-car crash erupted on the fourth lap when race-leader Baker blew a tire; Cale Yarborough came to a stop and got out of his car, then was hit by Dave Marcis' car, momentarily losing feeling in his legs; he recovered later that day.
* This was Fords first win at Talladega since the 1976 Winston 500.

### Sun-Drop Music City USA 420

The 1979 Sun-Drop Music City USA 420 was run on May 12 at Nashville Speedway in Nashville, Tennessee. Joe Millikan won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 11–Cale Yarborough
* 43–Richard Petty
* 15–Bobby Allison
* 2–Dale Earnhardt
* 70–J. D. McDuffie
* 3–Richard Childress
* 27–Benny Parsons
* 28–Buddy Baker
* 44–Terry Labonte
* 90–Ricky Rudd
* The finish was marred by controversy. Richard Petty and Bobby Allison asserted that Cale Yarborough was a lap down at the finish. Petty said, "He lost one lap when he spun (with J. D. McDuffie), then he lost another when he spent 22 seconds in the pits." Allison agreed, saying, "Richard won this race and I finished second. I don't know how they had Cale winning."

### Mason-Dixon 500

The 1979 Mason-Dixon 500 was run on May 20 at Dover Downs International Speedway in Dover, Delaware. Darrell Waltrip won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 21–Neil Bonnett
* 11–Cale Yarborough
* 28–Buddy Baker
* 15–Bobby Allison
* 2–Dale Earnhardt
* 44–Terry Labonte
* 27–Benny Parsons
* 72–Joe Millikan
* 12–Lennie Pond
* 67–Buddy Arrington
* Neil Bonnett was supposed to attempt to qualify for the 1979 Indianapolis 500 the previous day (Saturday) but qualifying for the Cup race was postponed to Saturday following heavy rain which forced him to withdraw from qualifying at Indy. He was rewarded by winning his first race with The Wood Brothers.
* This would be Mercury's final victory at Dover.

### World 600

The 1979 World 600 was run on May 27 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. Neil Bonnett won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 88–Darrell Waltrip
* 43–Richard Petty
* 2–Dale Earnhardt
* 11–Cale Yarborough
* 27–Benny Parsons
* 90–Ricky Rudd
* 44–Terry Labonte
* 7–Al Holbert
* 12–Lennie Pond
* 3–Richard Childress
* The race saw 59 lead changes, a still-standing track record.

### Texas 400

The 1979 Texas 400 was run on June 3 at Texas World Speedway in College Station, Texas. Buddy Baker won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 88–Darrell Waltrip
* 15–Donnie Allison
* 28–Buddy Baker
* 11–Cale Yarborough
* 44–Terry Labonte
* 43–Richard Petty
* 3–Richard Childress
* 72–Joe Millikan
* 67–Buddy Arrington
* 48–James Hylton
* This was NASCAR's first visit to the track in College Station, Texas since 1973; the track had closed in 1974 but reopened with USAC Gold Crown racing in 1976.

### NAPA Riverside 400

The 1979 NAPA Riverside 400 was run on June 10 at Riverside International Raceway in Riverside, California. Dale Earnhardt won his first Cup Series pole of his Hall of Fame career.
* 15–Bobby Allison
* 88–Darrell Waltrip
* 43–Richard Petty
* 11–Cale Yarborough
* 27–Benny Parsons
* 3–Richard Childress
* 70–J. D. McDuffie
* 93–Norm Palmer
* 67–Buddy Arrington
* 72–Joe Millikan
* This was the first victory for the Ford nameplate at Riverside since the 1970 Motor Trend 500.
* This was also Fords penultimate victory at Riverside.

### Gabriel 400

The 1979 Gabriel 400 was run on June 17 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan. Neil Bonnett won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 28–Buddy Baker
* 1–Donnie Allison
* 11–Cale Yarborough
* 21–Neil Bonnett
* 43–Richard Petty
* 2–Dale Earnhardt
* 15–Bobby Allison
* 90–Ricky Rudd
* 30–Tighe Scott
* 05–Dick Brooks
* The lead changed 47 times among 11 drivers. Dale Earnhardt was criticized by Darrell Waltrip and Richard Petty when he nearly spun out trying to pass Neil Bonnett late in the race in front of both "He nearly took us all out in the third turn" Waltrip said after the race.

### Firecracker 400

The 1979 Firecracker 400 was run on July 4 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Buddy Baker won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 21–Neil Bonnett
* 27–Benny Parsons
* 2–Dale Earnhardt
* 88–Darrell Waltrip
* 43–Richard Petty
* 68–Chuck Bown
* 47–Harry Gant
* 72–Joe Millikan
* 05–Dick Brooks
* 51–A. J. Foyt
* This was Mercury's penultimate victory at Daytona.
* Kyle Petty crashed in qualifying attempting to make his first Winston Cup start. That would come a few races later at Talladega

### Busch Nashville 420

The 1979 Busch Nashville 420 was run on July 14 at Nashville Speedway in Nashville, Tennessee. Darrell Waltrip won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 88–Darrell Waltrip
* 11–Cale Yarborough
* 2–Dale Earnhardt
* 27–Benny Parsons
* 43–Richard Petty
* 48–James Hylton
* 3–Richard Childress
* 70–J. D. McDuffie
* 25–Ronnie Thomas
* 52–Jimmy Means

### Coca-Cola 500

The 1979 Coca-Cola 500 was initially scheduled for July 29 but day-long rains forced postponement and it was run on July 30 at Pocono International Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. Harry Gant won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 11–Cale Yarborough
* 43–Richard Petty
* 28–Buddy Baker
* 27–Benny Parsons
* 90–Ricky Rudd
* 72–Joe Millikan
* 22–Darrell Waltrip
* 21–Neil Bonnett
* 15–Bobby Allison
* 30–Tighe Scott
* The lead changed a still-standing track record 55 times.
* Dale Earnhardt suffered broken collar bones in a bad crash in Turn Two.
* Darrell Waltrip lost five spots when he pitted under yellow with four to go for tires but the race never restarted. It cost him 19 points, a margin he would regret at the end of the season.

### Talladega 500

The 1979 Talladega 500 was run on August 5 at Alabama International Motor Speedway in Talladega, Alabama. Neil Bonnett won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 88–Darrell Waltrip
* 2–David Pearson
* 90–Ricky Rudd
* 43–Richard Petty
* 77–Jody Ridley
* 30–Tighe Scott
* 47–Harry Gant
* 67–Buddy Arrington
* 42–Kyle Petty
* 3–Richard Childress
* This was David Pearson's first race after leaving the Wood Brothers following the spring Darlington race. Pearson was hired to drive the #2 temporarily after Dale Earnhardt's injury.
* Kyle Petty’s first career Cup start.

### Champion Spark Plug 400

The 1979 Champion Spark Plug 400 was run on August 19 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan. David Pearson won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 43–Richard Petty
* 28–Buddy Baker
* 27–Benny Parsons
* 2–David Pearson
* 08–John Anderson
* 72–Joe Millikan
* 90–Ricky Rudd
* 30–Tighe Scott
* 70–J. D. McDuffie
* 3–Richard Childress
* Blackie Wangerin flipped out of the track on lap 2 resulting in a lengthy red flag to rebuild the turn 3 and 4 guardrails.

### Volunteer 500

The 1979 Volunteer 500 was run on August 25 at Bristol International Raceway in Bristol, Tennessee. Richard Petty won his final pole as a driver and last for his racecar until 1996.
Top Ten Results
* 88–Darrell Waltrip
* 43–Richard Petty
* 15–Bobby Allison
* 27–Benny Parsons
* 11–Cale Yarborough
* 72–Joe Millikan
* 2–David Pearson
* 44–Terry Labonte
* 90–Ricky Rudd
* 17–Bill Elliott

### Southern 500

The 1979 Southern 500 was run on September 3 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina. Bobby Allison won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 2–David Pearson
* 17–Bill Elliott
* 44–Terry Labonte
* 28–Buddy Baker
* 27–Benny Parsons
* 71–Dave Marcis
* 05–Dick Brooks
* 90–Ricky Rudd
* 43–Richard Petty
* 15–Bobby Allison
* David Pearson won the race for Rod Osterlund. This was Pearson's last race for Osterlund because Dale Earnhardt was back for the Capital City 400 due to a crash at Pocono with rib injuries.
* This is the last race not featuring the Earnhardt name on the grid until the 2012 Charlotte fall race.
* Darrell Waltrip had over a lap lead when he had an accident. Darrell Waltrip had to make a pit stop which put David Pearson on the lead lap as well. Waltrip was passed by David Pearson and then involved in a second accident. David Pearson would win by 2 laps over second place.
* First career top 5 for Bill Elliott.

### Capital City 400

The 1979 Capital City 400 was run on September 9 at Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway in Richmond, Virginia. Dale Earnhardt won the pole in his return race after being forced to sit out the previous four races due to injury.
Top Ten Results
* 15–Bobby Allison
* 88–Darrell Waltrip
* 90–Ricky Rudd
* 2–Dale Earnhardt
* 11–Cale Yarborough
* 43–Richard Petty
* 71–Dave Marcis
* 27–Benny Parsons
* 47–Harry Gant
* 72–Joe Millikan

### CRC Chemicals 500

The 1979 CRC Chemicals 500 was run on September 16 at Dover Downs International Speedway in Dover, Delaware. Dale Earnhardt won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 43–Richard Petty
* 1–Donnie Allison
* 11–Cale Yarborough
* 28–Buddy Baker
* 72–Joe Millikan
* 15–Bobby Allison
* 71–Dave Marcis
* 90–Ricky Rudd
* 2–Dale Earnhardt
* 30–Tighe Scott

### Old Dominion 500

The 1979 Old Dominion 500 was run on September 23 at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia. Darrell Waltrip won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 28–Buddy Baker
* 43–Richard Petty
* 72–Joe Millikan
* 15–Bobby Allison
* 71–Dave Marcis
* 90–Ricky Rudd
* 67–Buddy Arrington
* 11–Cale Yarborough
* 44–Terry Labonte
* 40–D. K. Ulrich
* Waltrip blew his engine after leading 188 laps; the DiGard team changed engines in a record 11 minutes. NASCAR outlawed mid-race engine changes after the 1979 season citing costs.

### NAPA National 500

The 1979 NAPA National 500 was run on October 7 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. Neil Bonnett won the pole; it was the thirteenth straight Charlotte pole for the Wood Brothers.
Top Ten Results
* 11–Cale Yarborough
* 15–Bobby Allison
* 88–Darrell Waltrip
* 43–Richard Petty
* 1–Donnie Allison
* 27–Benny Parsons
* 9–Bill Elliott
* 05–Dick Brooks
* 40–D. K. Ulrich
* 2–Dale Earnhardt

### Holly Farms 400

The 1979 Holly Farms 400 was run on October 14 at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Dale Earnhardt won the pole. The race had been postponed two weeks due to rain.
Top Ten Results
* 27–Benny Parsons
* 15–Bobby Allison
* 43–Richard Petty
* 2–Dale Earnhardt
* 90–Ricky Rudd
* 44–Terry Labonte
* 25–Ronnie Thomas
* 40–D. K. Ulrich
* 67–Buddy Arrington
* 3–Richard Childress
* The story of the race was between Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip. On lap 309 Waltrip sideswiped past Allison in turn 3; coming onto the frontstretch Allison hooked Waltrip head-on into the wall. Benny Parsons took the lead at that point. Waltrip got repairs and under yellow began crowding Allison to the wall. NASCAR black-flagged Waltrip, but after pitting he went after Allison again. NASCAR competition director Bill Gazaway went onto the track and personally waved another black flag to Waltrip, making sure Waltrip stayed out of the way of the leaders. The wreck narrowed Waltrip's point lead over Richard Petty to just 17 points.

### American 500

The 1979 American 500 was run on October 21 at North Carolina Motor Speedway in Rockingham, North Carolina. Buddy Baker won the pole.
Top Ten Results
* 43–Richard Petty
* 27–Benny Parsons
* 11–Cale Yarborough
* 1–Donnie Allison
* 2–Dale Earnhardt
* 88–Darrell Waltrip
* 3–Richard Childress
* 25–Ronnie Thomas
* 71–Dave Marcis
* 51–Slick Johnson
* With the win and Waltrip finishing 6th, Petty finished erasing a 229-point gap to Waltrip and led the points standings by 8 points with two races remaining in the season.

### Dixie 500

The 1979 Dixie 500 was run on November 4 at Atlanta International Raceway in Hampton, Georgia. Buddy Baker won the pole, his seventh of the season and locked up the season long pole award.
Top Ten Results
* 21–Neil Bonnett
* 2–Dale Earnhardt
* 11–Cale Yarborough
* 15–Bobby Allison
* 88–Darrell Waltrip
* 43–Richard Petty
* 44–Terry Labonte
* 90–Ricky Rudd
* 72–Joe Millikan
* 77–Jody Ridley
* By virtue of finishing ahead of Petty and getting 5 bonus points for leading a lap when Petty did not lead any laps during the race, Waltrip re-took the points lead by two points over Petty going into the season finale at Ontario; it was the second straight race where the point lead changed hands.

### Los Angeles Times 500

The 1979 Los Angeles Times 500 was run on November 18 at Ontario Motor Speedway in Ontario, California. Cale Yarborough won the pole and became the last driver to qualify for the 1980 Busch Clash.
Top Ten Results
* 27–Benny Parsons
* 15–Bobby Allison
* 11–Cale Yarborough
* 28–Buddy Baker
* 43–Richard Petty
* 21–Neil Bonnett
* 05–Dick Brooks
* 88–Darrell Waltrip
* 2–Dale Earnhardt
* 90–Ricky Rudd
* Waltrip finished a lap down when he spun with John Rezek and pitted before the leaders did. Richard Petty won the championship by 11 points, then the smallest margin of victory in NASCAR history and the first time in the sanctioning body's history the point lead changed hands in the final race.
* This would be the last time until 1992 where an owner/driver would win the championship (Alan Kulwicki).

## Full Drivers’ Championship

(key) Bold – Pole position awarded by time. Italics – Pole position set by owner's points. * – Most laps led.
| Pos. | Driver | RSD | DAY | CAR | RCH | ATL | NWS | BRI | DAR | MAR | TAL | NSV | DOV | CLT | TWS | RSD | MCH | DAY | NSV | POC | TAL | MCH | BRI | DAR | RCH | DOV | MAR | CLT | NWS | CAR | ATL | ONT | Pts |
| 1 | Richard Petty | 32 | 1 | 32 | 5 | 11 | 2* | 4 | 2 | 1* | 4 | 2* | 30 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 4830 |
| 2 | Darrell Waltrip | 1* | 2 | 17 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 1* | 3 | 2 | 21 | 18 | 1* | 1* | 2 | 13 | 4 | 1* | 7 | 1* | 19 | 1 | 11* | 2 | 29 | 11 | 3 | 13 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 4819 |
| 3 | Bobby Allison | 19 | 11 | 1* | 2* | 2* | 1 | 2 | 26 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 22 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 30 | 16 | 9 | 28 | 23 | 3 | 10 | 1* | 6 | 4 | 2 | 2* | 19 | 4 | 2 | 4633 |
| 4 | Cale Yarborough | 3 | 5 | 18 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 24 | 6 | 11 | 33 | 1 | 2* | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 20 | 2 | 1 | 24 | 17 | 5 | 19 | 5 | 3* | 8 | 1 | 20 | 3 | 3* | 3* | 4604 |
| 5 | Benny Parsons | 26 | 18 | 10 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 19 | 35 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 25 | 5 | 31 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 21 | 3 | 4* | 5 | 8 | 22 | 27 | 6 | 1 | 2* | 31 | 1 | 4256 |
| 6 | Joe Millikan (R) | 6 | 36 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 23 | 8 | 27 | 8 | 10 | 30 | 8 | 21 | 6 | 25 | 6 | 6 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 29 | 15 | 18 | 9 | 12 | 4014 |
| 7 | Dale Earnhardt (R) | 21 | 8 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 4 | 1* | 23 | 8 | 36 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 12 | 13 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 29 | | | | | 4 | 9 | 29 | 10 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 9 | 3749 |
| 8 | Richard Childress | 15 | 17 | 5 | 26 | 20 | 7 | 11 | 16 | 14 | 24 | 6 | 29 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 23 | 37 | 7 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 29 | 15 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 7 | 15 | 16 | 3735 |
| 9 | Ricky Rudd | | 31 | 34 | 11 | 9 | 14 | 10 | 8 | 12 | 27 | 10 | 14 | 6 | 28 | | 8 | 13 | | 5 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 3 | 8 | 6 | 11 | 5 | 20 | 8 | 10 | 3642 |
| 10 | Terry Labonte (R) | 35 | 16 | 15 | 8 | 25 | 15 | 7 | 29 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 18 | 25 | 29 | 25 | 23 | 33 | 26 | 8 | 3 | 17 | 25 | 9 | 15 | 6 | 27 | 7 | 13 | 3615 |
| 11 | Buddy Arrington | 18 | 12 | 19 | 15 | 29 | 25 | 13 | 25 | 22 | 3 | 26 | 10 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 22 | 8 | 20 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 32 | 7 | 12 | 9 | 17 | 17 | 19 | 3589 |
| 12 | D. K. Ulrich | 14 | 13 | 6 | 10 | 14 | 18 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 21 | 16 | 12 | 18 | 15 | 33 | 21 | 18 | 23 | 11 | 27 | 28 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 28 | 25 | 33 | 3508 |
| 13 | J. D. McDuffie | 17 | 25 | 25 | 7 | 17 | 6 | 26 | 19 | 10 | 31 | 5 | 13 | 13 | 14 | 7 | 14 | 21 | 8 | 13 | 18 | 9 | 26 | 18 | 14 | 27 | 21 | 22 | 28 | 25 | 12 | 31 | 3473 |
| 14 | James Hylton | 11 | DNQ | 7 | 12 | 13 | 16 | 9 | 15 | 7 | 15 | 22 | 17 | 33 | 10 | 14 | 20 | 19 | 6 | 33 | 20 | 12 | 13 | 38 | 21 | 14 | 23 | 23 | 11 | 11 | 16 | 26 | 3405 |
| 15 | Buddy Baker | 7 | 40 | 31 | 29 | 1 | 8 | 25 | 5 | 2 | 32 | 8 | 3 | 36 | 3 | | 1* | 34 | | 3 | 39 | 2* | | 4 | | 4 | 1* | 25 | | 33 | 39 | 4 | 3249 |
| 16 | Frank Warren | 27 | 10 | 9 | 21 | 22 | 17 | 20 | 17 | 18 | 8 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 40 | 14 | 19 | 23 | 16 | 17 | 22 | 26 | 18 | 16 | 19 | 26 | 24 | 21 | 25 | 3199 |
| 17 | Ronnie Thomas | 12 | 34 | 29 | 17 | 34 | 28 | 23 | 24 | 20 | 25 | 17 | 16 | 14 | 26 | 23 | 27 | | 9 | 14 | 22 | 24 | 27 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 20 | 38 | 7 | 8 | 28 | 27 | 2912 |
| 18 | Tommy Gale | | DNQ | 13 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 34 | 16 | 7 | 13 | 19 | 20 | 20 | | 33 | 27 | 28 | 17 | 36 | 14 | 15 | 21 | 24 | 15 | 22 | 21 | 27 | 12 | 22 | 34 | 2795 |
| 19 | Cecil Gordon | 25 | DNQ | 11 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 15 | 31 | 17 | 11 | | 23 | 17 | 21 | 11 | | 35 | 11 | 18 | 40 | 18 | 22 | 26 | 18 | 20 | 24 | 32 | 18 | 13 | 38 | 24 | 2737 |
| 20 | Dave Marcis | 24 | 24 | 16 | 16 | 6 | 12 | 17 | 27 | 26 | 14 | | | 26 | | | 26 | 17 | | | 31 | 30 | 18 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 37 | 21 | 9 | 23 | 17 | 2736 |
| 21 | Harry Gant (R) | 10 | 33 | 26 | | | | 21 | | 6 | 39 | 28 | 25 | 23 | | | 17 | 7 | 22 | 15 | 7 | 25 | 16 | 12 | 9 | 28 | 12 | 20 | 14 | 21 | 11 | 20 | 2664 |
| 22 | Dick Brooks | 33 | 27 | 3 | 28 | 10 | 13 | 22 | 9 | 21 | 37 | 27 | QL | 39 | | | 10 | 9 | 19 | 20 | 11 | 29 | 20 | 7 | | 26 | 15 | 8 | 25 | 15 | 40 | 7 | 2622 |
| 23 | Jimmy Means | | DNQ | 24 | 27 | 33 | 30 | 28 | 30 | 28 | 12 | 11 | 31 | | 23 | 31 | 16 | 22 | 10 | 16 | 13 | 22 | 19 | 16 | 20 | 16 | 17 | 40 | 24 | 31 | 19 | | 2575 |
| 24 | Donnie Allison | 5 | 4* | 30 | 9 | 7 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 27 | 23 | | | 37 | | | 2 | 12 | | | 30 | | | 31 | | 2 | | 5 | | 4 | 35 | 11 | 2508 |
| 25 | Baxter Price | | | 14 | 23 | 19 | 23 | 19 | 20 | 24 | 26 | 19 | 15 | | 27 | 17 | | | 18 | 31 | 26 | 21 | 24 | 23 | 19 | 31 | 14 | 24 | 17 | 22 | | | 2364 |
| 26 | Neil Bonnett | 34 | 32 | 33 | | | | | 13 | 25 | 17* | | 1 | 25 | | 28 | 4 | 1* | | 8 | 34 | 33 | | 32 | | 21 | 18 | 31 | | 29 | 1 | 6 | 2223 |
| 27 | Tighe Scott | | 6 | 4 | | 37 | | | | 13 | 34 | | 24 | 16 | | | 9 | 14 | | 10 | 6 | 8 | | 35 | | 10 | | 13 | | 37 | 29 | | 1879 |
| 28 | Bill Elliott | | DNQ | | | 36 | | | 7 | | 6 | | | 38 | | | 12 | 11 | | | 12 | 11 | 10 | 2 | 11 | | | 7 | | 23 | | | 1548 |
| 29 | Lennie Pond | | 30 | | 14 | | | | 11 | 29 | 38 | | 9 | 9 | 31 | | 11 | 28 | | 34 | | 31 | | 25 | 25 | 23 | | | | | | | 1415 |
| 30 | Dick May | | DNQ | 20 | | 24 | 21 | 27 | 33 | 30 | 20 | | 11 | | 30 | | | | 29 | 28 | 41 | | 21 | 34 | | 34 | 25 | 17 | | 26 | 41 | | 1390 |
| 31 | Roger Hamby | | DNQ | 21 | 30 | 26 | 19 | 14 | 32 | | DNQ | | | | | | 29 | 26 | 13 | 38 | | | | | | 17 | 19 | | 12 | | | | 1231 |
| 32 | David Pearson | 2 | 37 | 23 | | 18 | | | 22 | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 | 4 | 7 | 1 | | | | | | | | | 1203 |
| 33 | Coo Coo Marlin | | 9 | | | 38 | | | | | 10 | | | 30 | | | | 25 | | | 29 | | | 36 | | | | | | | | | 613 |
| 34 | Bruce Hill | | 19 | | | 15 | | | | | DNQ | | | 24 | 13 | | | 41 | | | 16 | | | | | | | | | | | 15 | 594 |
| 35 | Blackie Wangerin | | 20 | | | 30 | | | | | 28 | | | 15 | | | | 24 | | | 37 | 36 | | | | | | | | | | | 571 |
| 36 | Grant Adcox | | 23 | | | 28 | | | | | | | | 11 | | | | 33 | | | 19 | | | | | | | | | | 27 | | 560 |
| 37 | Kyle Petty | | | | | | | | | | | | | Wth | | | | Wth | | | 9 | 13 | | | | | | 18 | | | 32 | 14 | 559 |
| 38 | Chuck Bown | | 7 | | | 16 | | | | 23 | DNQ | | | 40 | | | | 6 | | | | | | 17 | | | | 33 | | | | | 523 |
| 39 | John Anderson | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 5 | | | | 11 | | 16 | | | 24 | | 496 |
| 40 | Ralph Jones | | 15 | | | 31 | | 30 | | | DNQ | | | | | | | | 24 | | | | | 37 | | | | | | | 30 | | 477 |
| 41 | Earle Canavan | | Wth | | | | | | 35 | | | | | | 18 | | | | | 27 | | 34 | | 39 | 22 | 33 | | | | | | | 456 |
| 42 | Nelson Oswald | | Wth | 28 | | | 26 | | | | | 25 | 22 | | | | | | 27 | 25 | | | | | | | | | | | | | 431 |
| 43 | Slick Johnson | | | 27 | | | 24 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10 | 13 | | 431 |
| 44 | Dave Watson | | 26 | 8 | 18 | 32 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 413 |
| 45 | Al Holbert | 20 | | | | | | | 21 | | | | | 8 | | | | 32 | | 37 | 38 | | | | | | | | | | | | 402 |
| 46 | Bobby Wawak | | 21 | | | | | 29 | 28 | | | 14 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 376 |
| 47 | Jody Ridley | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 5 | | | | | | | 26 | | | 10 | | 374 |
| 48 | Bill Hollar | | Wth | 35 | 24 | | 29 | | | | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 30 | 30 | | | | | | 371 |
| 49 | Rick Newsom | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 23 | | 26 | 15 | | | | | 35 | | | | | | | 355 |
| 50 | Bill Schmitt | 4 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 30 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 18 | 342 |
| 51 | Ed Negre | | Wth | | | | | | 18 | | 13 | | | | | | | | | | | | | 20 | | | | | | | | | 336 |
| 52 | John Kennedy | | Wth | | | 39 | | | | | | | | | | | 18 | | | | | 15 | 30 | | | | | | 23 | | | | 322 |
| 53 | Tim Williamson | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 26 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 22 | 320 |
| 54 | Richard White | 29 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 30 | 264 |
| 55 | Jimmy Insolo | 16 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 25 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 36 | 258 |
| 56 | H. B. Bailey | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | | | | | | 35 | | 27 | | | | | | | 20 | | 255 |
| 57 | Elmo Langley | | | | | | | | | | | | 28 | | | 35 | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | | | | | | 246 |
| 58 | Jim Robinson | 30 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 21 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 32 | 240 |
| 59 | Henry Jones | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 26 | | | | 29 | | | | | | 29 | | | | 237 |
| 60 | Steve Spencer | | | | | | | | | | | 12 | | | | | | | 20 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 230 |
| 61 | Travis Tiller | | Wth | | | | | | 36 | | 40 | | | 35 | | | | 36 | | | | | | | | | | | | 34 | | | 229 |
| 62 | Jim Vandiver | | 41 | | | | | | | | | | | 19 | | | | | | | | | | 28 | | | | 34 | | | | | 225 |
| 63 | Bill Elswick | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | | | 19 | 14 | | | 221 |
| 64 | Jack Ingram | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 35 | | 25 | 30 | | | | 36 | | | | | 219 |
| 65 | Jimmy Finger | | | | | | | | | | 19 | | | | 34 | | | 39 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 213 |
| 66 | Wayne Watercutter | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 12 | 32 | | | | | | | | | | | 26 | | 212 |
| 67 | Bob Burcham | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 24 | | | | 14 | | | | | | | | | | | | 212 |
| 68 | Mike Potter | | | | | | | 16 | | | | | | | 22 | | | | | | | | 23 | | | | | | | 35 | | | 209 |
| 69 | John Rezek | | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | 11 | | | | | | | | | | | | | 28 | | | 36 | 35 | 209 |
| 70 | Marty Robbins | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 35 | | | | 32 | 27 | | | | | | | | | | | 207 |
| 71 | Steve Peles | | | | | | | | | | | | 20 | | | | | | | 21 | | | | | | | | | | | | | 203 |
| 72 | Bill Dennis | | 14 | | | | | | | | | | | 28 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 200 |
| 73 | Buck Simmons | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 14 | 29 | 197 |
| 74 | Dave Dion | | | | 19 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 26 | | | | | | 191 |
| 75 | Mike Kempton | | Wth | | | | | | | | | 18 | | | 29 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 185 |
| 76 | Vince Giaformaggio | 13 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 37 | 176 |
| 77 | Connie Saylor | | DNQ | | | | | | | | 18 | | | 34 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 170 |
| 78 | Paul Fess | | 22 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 32 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 164 |
| 79 | Sandy Satullo II | | Wth | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 19 | 38 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 155 |
| 80 | David Sosebee | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 28 | | | | | | | | | | | 27 | | | 33 | | 146 |
| 81 | Norm Palmer | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 8 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | 142 |
| 82 | Jim Thirkettle | 8 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 142 |
| 83 | Geoff Bodine | | 29 | 22 | | 35 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 139 |
| 84 | Louis Gatto | | | | | | | | | | | | 27 | | | | | | | 36 | | | | | | | | | | | | | 137 |
| 85 | Steve Pfeifer | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 32 | | | | | | | | | | | | 30 | | | 34 | | 134 |
| 86 | Sterling Marlin | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 15 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 123 |
| 87 | Butch Hartman | | | | | | | | 14 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 121 |
| 88 | Al Elmore | | | | | | | | | | | 15 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 118 |
| 89 | Ed Hale | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 15 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 118 |
| 90 | Gary Balough | | 35 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | 35 | | | | | | | | | | | | | 116 |
| 91 | Keith Davis | | | | | 40 | | | | | 30 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 116 |
| 92 | Skip Manning | | 38 | | | | | | | | | | | 32 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 116 |
| 93 | Kevin Housby | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 115 |
| 94 | Ernie Shaw | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | | | 115 |
| 95 | Billy Hagan | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 17 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 112 |
| 96 | Steve Moore | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | 17 | | | | | | | | | | | | 112 |
| 97 | Nestor Peles | | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 19 | | | | | | | 106 |
| 98 | Dick Whalen | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 19 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | 106 |
| 99 | John Borneman | QL | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 20 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 103 |
| 100 | Joe Fields | | | | 20 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 103 |
| 101 | Roy Smith | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 21 | 100 |
| 102 | Don Graham | 22 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 97 |
| 103 | Larry Isley | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 22 | | | | 97 |
| 104 | Jerry Jolly | | DNQ | | | | | | | | 22 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 97 |
| 105 | Hal Callentine | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 12 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 23 | 94 |
| 106 | Harry Goularte | 23 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 94 |
| 107 | Jim Hurlbert | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 24 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 91 |
| 108 | Jocko Maggiacomo | | Wth | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 24 | | | | | | | | | | | | | 91 |
| 109 | Robert Tartaglia | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 24 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 91 |
| 110 | Joey Arrington | | | | | | | | | | | | 26 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 85 |
| 111 | Rick McCray | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 27 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 82 |
| 112 | Butch Lindley | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 28 | | | | | | 79 |
| 113 | Don Puskarich | 28 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 79 |
| 114 | John Utsman | | 28 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 79 |
| 115 | Dick Kranzler | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 29 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | 76 |
| 116 | Wayne Broome | | | | | | | | | | 29 | | | | | | | | | 30 | | | | | | | | | | | | | 73 |
| 117 | Bobby Fisher | | QL | | | | | | | | | | | 31 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 70 |
| 118 | Don Noel | 31 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 70 |
| 119 | Glenn Jarrett | | | | | | | | | | | | | 29 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 32 | | | 67 |
| 120 | Bill Meazill | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 32 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 67 |
| 121 | Billy Smith | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 33 | | | | | | | | | 64 |
| 122 | Bobby Brack | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 35 | | | | | 63 |
| 123 | Chris Monoleos | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 34 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 61 |
| 124 | Jeff Halverson | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 36 | | | | | | | 55 |
| 125 | Bill Seifert | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 36 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 55 |
| 126 | Bub Strickler | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 36 | | | 55 |
| 127 | Richard Brickhouse | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 39 | | | | | 46 |
| 128 | Steve Gray | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 39 | | | | | | | | | | | | | 46 |
| 129 | Butch Mock | | 39 | | | | | | | | | | Wth | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 46 |
| 130 | Ron Hutcherson | | | | | | | | | | | | | 41 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 40 |
| 131 | Randy Ogden | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 30 | 37 | 28 | |
| 132 | A. J. Foyt | | 3 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 133 | Freddy Smith | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | 18 | | |
| 134 | Claude Ballot-Léna | | DNQ | | | 27 | | | | | | | | | | | | 31 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 135 | Darrell Basham | | | | | | | | | | | 24 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 136 | Earl Brooks | | | | | | 27 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 137 | Melvin Revis | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 28 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 138 | Jimmy Hindman | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 30 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 139 | Al Rudd Jr. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 32 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 140 | John Haver | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 33 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 141 | Bill Green | | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 34 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 142 | Ferrel Harris | | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 40 | | | | | | | | | |
| 143 | Gary Matthews | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 144 | John Krebs | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | |
| 145 | Bobby Ligarski | | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 146 | Woody Fisher | | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 147 | Morgan Shepherd | | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 148 | Ron McGee | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 149 | Glen Ward | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 150 | Jan Opperman | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | | Wth | | | | | | | | | |
| 151 | Don Satterfield | | Wth | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | | | | | | | | |
| 152 | Richard Ulricht | | Wth | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | | | | | | | | |
| 153 | Junior Miller | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | | | | | | |
| 154 | Ricky Knotts | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | | | | | |
| 155 | Lake Speed | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | DNQ | |
| 156 | Hershel McGriff | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | DNQ | |
| 157 | Freddy Fryar | | Wth | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 158 | Gary Myers | | Wth | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 159 | Joe Frasson | | Wth | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 160 | Joe Mihalic | | Wth | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 161 | Bruce Jacobi | | Wth | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 162 | Joe Ruttman | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | QL | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Pos. | Driver | RSD | DAY | CAR | RCH | ATL | NWS | BRI | DAR | MAR | TAL | NSV | DOV | CLT | TWS | RSD | MCH | DAY | NSV | POC | TAL | MCH | BRI | DAR | RCH | DOV | MAR | CLT | NWS | CAR | ATL | ONT | Pts |