1988 NASCAR Winston Cup Series (Johnsonverse)

Category:Johnsonverse
The 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 40th season of professional stock car racing in the United States, the 17th modern-era Cup series, and the first under Johnson Industries. The season began on February 7 at Daytona International Speedway and ended on November 20 at the Ontario Motor Speedway. Bill Elliott of Melling Racing won the championship.
The 1988 season was notable for hosting the first of two tire wars between Goodyear and Hoosier and the introduction of Denver International Speedway, as well as seeing the return of Chrysler and Ontario Motor Speedway to the series; Chrysler's return to NASCAR coincided with Mopar's entry into the USAC Gold Crown Series the same year.
This was the first year that every Winston Cup race had flag-to-flag coverage, with all of them being televised live and WBC Sports and ESPN as the season's exclusive broadcasters; previous seasons saw each racetrack negotiate their own TV coverage, creating a patchwork of broadcast companies covering races throughout the season.
==1988 NASCAR Winston Cup Series drivers and manufacturers==
=== Manufacturers ===
Company 	Marquee 	Model 	Status
General Motors 	Chevrolet 	Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe	Full factory support
General Motors 	Buick 	Regal 	RETURNING, full factory support
General Motors 	Buick 	LeSabre 	No factory support
General Motors 	Pontiac 	Grand Prix 	NEW BODY, full factory support
General Motors 	Pontiac 	Grand Prix 2+2 	FINAL YEAR, no factory support
General Motors 	Oldsmobile 	Cutlass Supreme 	NEW BODY, full factory support
General Motors 	Oldsmobile 	Delta 88 	FINAL YEAR, no factory support
Ford Motor Company 	Ford 	Thunderbird 	Full factory support
Chrysler Corporation (RETURNING)	Chrysler (RETURNING)	LeBaron 	NEW, full factory support
Make 	Team 	No.	Driver 	Crew Chief 	Model 	Primary Sponsor
Buick 	Curb Racing 	98 	Brad Noffsinger 	 	1988 Regal 	Sunoco
Buick 	King Racing 	26 	Ricky Rudd 	Larry MacReynolds	1988 Regal 	Quaker State
Buick 	Shepherd Racing 	57 	Morgan Shepherd 	 	1988 Regal 	Winner's Circle
Buick 	Stavola Brothers Racing 	8 	Bobby Hillin Jr. 	 	1988 Regal 	Miller High Life
Buick 	Stavola Brothers Racing 	12 	Bobby Allison 	Jimmy Fennig 	1988 Regal 	Miller High Life
Buick 	Winkle Motorsports 	97 	Rodney Combs 	 	1988 Regal 	AC
Chevrolet 	Hendrick Motorsports 	5 	Geoffrey Bodine 	Waddell Wilson 	1988 Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe	Levi Garrett
Chevrolet 	Hendrick Motorsports 	17 	Darrell Waltrip 	Jeff Hammond 	1988 Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe	Tide
Chevrolet 	Hendrick Motorsports 	25 	Tim Richmond 	Harry Hyde 	1988 Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe	Folgers
Chevrolet 	Hendrick Motorsports 	35 	Benny Parsons 	Ray Evernham 	1988 Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe	Folgers
Chevrolet 	Junior Johnson & Associates 	11 	Terry Labonte 	Tim Brewer 	1988 Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe	Budweiser
Chevrolet 	Mach 1 Racing 	33 	Harry Gant 	Travis Carter 	1988 Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe	Skoal
Chevrolet 	Marcis Auto Racing 	71 	Dave Marcis 	 	1988 Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe	Lifebuoy
Chevrolet 	Richard Childress Racing 	3 	Dale Earnhardt 	Kirk Shelmerdine 	1988 Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe	GM Goodwrench
Chevrolet 	Whitcomb Racing 	10 	Ken Bouchard (R) 	 	1987 Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe	Whitcomb Racing
Chrysler 	Bahari Racing 	30 	Michael Waltrip 	Mike Beam 	1988 LeBaron 	Pennzoil
Chrysler 	Donlavey Racing 	90 	Ken Schrader 	Doug Richert 	1988 LeBaron 	Bull's Eye BBQ
Chrysler 	Hagan Motorsports 	44 	Sterling Marlin 	 	1988 LeBaron 	Piedmont
Chrysler 	Jackson Brothers Motorsports	55 	Phil Parsons 	Andy Petree 	1988 LeBaron 	Crown Skoal
Chrysler 	Means Racing 	52 	Jimmy Means 	 	1988 LeBaron 	Eureka Vacuum Cleaners
Chrysler 	Petty Enterprises 	43 	Richard Petty 	Dale Inman 	1988 LeBaron 	STP
Chrysler 	Speed Racing 	83 	Lake Speed 	Darrell Bryant 	1988 LeBaron 	Wynn's/Kmart
Ford 	AK Racing 	7 	Alan Kulwicki 	Paul Andrews 	1988 Thunderbird 	Zerex
Ford 	Bud Moore Engineering 	15 	Brett Bodine 	Bud Moore 	1988 Thunderbird 	Crisco
Ford 	Melling Racing 	9 	Bill Elliott 	Ernie Elliott 	1988 Thunderbird 	Coors
Ford 	Ranier-Lundy Racing 	28 	Davey Allison 	Robert Yates 	1988 Thunderbird 	Havoline
Ford 	Roush Racing 	6 	Mark Martin 	Robin Pemberton 	1988 Thunderbird 	Stroh's Light
Ford 	Testa Racing 	68 	Derrike Cope 	Dave Fuge 	1987 Thunderbird 	Purolator Filters
Ford 	Wood Brothers Racing 	21 	Kyle Petty 	Leonard Wood 	1988 Thunderbird 	Citgo
Oldsmobile	Cale Yarborough Motorsports 	29 	Cale Yarborough (10)	Elmo Langley 	1988 Cutlass Supreme 	Hardee's
Oldsmobile	Cale Yarborough Motorsports 	29 	Dale Jarrett (19) 	Elmo Langley 	1988 Cutlass Supreme 	Hardee's
Oldsmobile	Bob Clark Motorsports 	31 	Brad Teague 	 	1987 Cutlass Supreme 	Slender Your Figure Salons
Oldsmobile	Morgan-McClure Motorsports 	4 	Rick Wilson 	Tony Glover 	1988 Cutlass Supreme 	Kodak Film
Pontiac 	Baker-Schiff Racing 	88 	Buddy Baker 	Joey Knuckles 	1988 Grand Prix 	Red Baron Frozen Pizza
Pontiac 	Blue Max Racing 	28 	Rusty Wallace 	Barry Dodson 	1988 Grand Prix 	Kodiak
Pontiac 	RahMoc Enterprises 	75 	Neil Bonnett 	Bob Rahilly 	1988 Grand Prix 	Valvoline
Pontiac 	U.S. Racing 	2 	Ernie Irvan (R) 	Bob Johnson 	1988 Grand Prix 	Kroger
==Schedule==
No.	Race Title 	Track 	Date 	TV
 	Busch Clash 	Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach 	February 7 	WBC
 	Twin 125 Qualifiers 	Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach 	February 11 	WBC
1 	Daytona 500 	Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach 	February 14 	WBC
2 	Pontiac Excitement 400 	Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway, Richmond 	February 21 	WBC
 	Goodyear NASCAR 500 	Calder Park Thunderdome, Melbourne 	February 28 	ESPN
3 	Goodwrench 500 	North Carolina Motor Speedway, Rockingham 	March 6 	ESPN
4 	Motorcraft Quality Parts 500	Atlanta International Speedway, Hampton 	March 20 	WBC
5 	TranSouth 500 	Darlington Raceway, Darlington 	March 27 	ESPN
6 	Valleydale Meats 500 	Bristol International Raceway, Bristol 	April 10 	ESPN
7 	First Union 400 	North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro 	April 17 	ESPN
8 	Pannill Sweatshirts 500 	Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway 	April 24 	WBC
9 	Winston 500 	Alabama International Motor Speedway, Talladega	May 1 	ESPN
 	Winston Open 	Charlotte Motor Speedway, Charlotte 	May 22 	WBC
 	The Winston 	Charlotte Motor Speedway, Charlotte 	May 22 	WBC
10 	Coca-Cola 600 	Charlotte Motor Speedway, Charlotte 	May 29 	WBC
11 	Budweiser 500 	Dover Downs International Speedway, Dover 	June 5 	ESPN
12 	Budweiser 400 	Riverside International Raceway, Riverside 	June 12 	ESPN
13 	Miller High Life 500 	Pocono International Raceway, Long Pond 	June 19 	WBC
14 	Miller High Life 400 	Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn 	June 26 	WBC
15 	Pepsi Firecracker 400 	Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach 	July 2 	WBC
16 	Diet Coke 500 	Denver International Speedway, Denver 	July 10 	WBC
17 	AC Spark Plug 500 	Pocono International Raceway, Long Pond 	July 24 	WBC
18 	Talladega DieHard 500 	Alabama International Motor Speedway, Talladega	July 31 	WBC
19 	Budweiser at the Glen 	Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen 	August 14 	ESPN
20 	Champion Spark Plug 400 	Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn 	August 21 	ESPN
21 	Busch 500 	Bristol International Raceway, Bristol 	August 27 	ESPN
22 	Southern 500 	Darlington Raceway, Darlington 	September 4 	ESPN
23 	Miller Hight Life 500 	Richmond International Raceway, Richmond 	September 11	WBC
24 	Delaware 500 	Dover Downs International Speedway, Dover 	September 18	ESPN
25 	Goody's 500 	Martinsville Raceway, Ridgeway 	September 25	ESPN
26 	Oakwood Homes 500 	Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord 	October 9 	WBC
27 	Holly Farms 400 	North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro 	October 16 	ESPN
28 	AC Delco 500 	North Carolina Motor Speedway, Rockingham 	October 23 	ESPN
29 	Checker 500 	Phoenix International Speedway, Avondale 	November 6 	ESPN
30 	Atlanta Journal 500 	Atlanta International Speedway, Hampton 	November 13 	ESPN
31 	Los Angeles Times 500 	Ontario Motor Speedway, Ontario 	November 20 	WBC
== Season summary ==
=== Busch Clash ===
The Busch Clash, an invitational event for all Busch Pole winners the previous season, was held February 7 at Daytona International Speedway. Geoff Bodine drew for the pole.
Top ten results
# 3 - Dale Earnhardt
# 28 - Davey Allison
# 12 - Bobby Allison
# 5 - Geoff Bodine
# 9 - Bill Elliott
# 27 - Rusty Wallace
# 25 - Tim Richmond
# 97 - Morgan Shepherd
# 11 - Terry Labonte
# 33 - Harry Gant
=== Gatorade 125s ===
The Gatorade 125s, a pair of qualifying races for the Daytona 500, were held February 11 at Daytona International Speedway. Ken Schrader and Davey Allison won the poles for the races.
Race one: top ten results
# 12 - Bobby Allison
# 27 - Rusty Wallace
# 25 - Tim Richmond
# 50 - Greg Sacks
# 8 - Bobby Hillin Jr.
# 97 - Morgan Shepherd
# 4 - Rick Wilson
# 5 - Geoff Bodine
# 14 - A. J. Foyt
# 55 - Phil Parsons
Race two: top ten results
# 17 - Darrell Waltrip
# 3 - Dale Earnhardt
# 28 - Davey Allison
# 11 - Terry Labonte
# 83 - Lake Speed
# 44 - Sterling Marlin
# 75 - Neil Bonnett
# 7 - Alan Kulwicki
# 88 - Buddy Baker
# 33 - Harry Gant
=== Daytona 500 ===
The Daytona 500, was held February 14, 1988, at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Ken Schrader won the pole.
Top ten results
# 12 - Bobby Allison
# 28 - Davey Allison
# 55 - Phil Parsons
# 75 - Neil Bonnett
# 11 - Terry Labonte
# 90 - Ken Schrader
# 27 - Rusty Wallace
# 44 - Sterling Marlin
# 88 - Buddy Baker
# 3 - Dale Earnhardt
Failed to qualify: 34 - Donnie Allison, 07 - Larry Moyer, 82 - Mark Stahl, 18 - Sarel van der Merwe, 85 - Bobby Gerhart, 2 - Ernie Irvan (R), 30 - Michael Waltrip*, 67 - Buddy Arrington, 10-Ken Bouchard (R), 24 - Bobby Coyle, 01 - Mickey Gibbs (R), 77 - Ken Ragan, 63 - Jocko Maggiacomo, 03 - David Pletcher, 54 - Ronnie Sanders, 80 - Jimmy Horton, 0 - Delma Cowart, 59 - Mark Gibson, 70 - J.D. McDuffie, 48 - Tony Spanos, 74 - John Linville, 02 - Joe Booher, 64 - Mike Potter, 39 - Blackie Wangerin, 56 - Joey Sonntag, 57 - Bobby Wawak, 49 - Mike Porter
=== Pontiac Excitement 400 ===
The Pontiac Excitement 400 was held February 21 at Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway. The No. 97 of Morgan Shepherd won the pole.
Top ten results
# 75 - Neil Bonnett
# 26 - Ricky Rudd
# 43 - Richard Petty
# 17 - Darrell Waltrip
# 44 - Sterling Marlin
# 83 - Lake Speed
# 27 - Rusty Wallace
# 8 - Bobby Hillin Jr.
# 11 - Terry Labonte
# 3 - Dale Earnhardt
Failed to qualify: 2 - Ernie Irvan, 4 - Rick Wilson, 67 - Buddy Arrington
* This was the last race on the half-mile Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway. After the race, workers immediately began to convert the track into a more modern-looking, 3/4-mile oval.
* A scoring error failed to show that Neil Bonnett was one lap down after making a green flag pit stop. A post-race protest filed by Ricky Rudd's car owner Kenny Bernstein did not resolve the NASCAR scoring error and Bonnett's win stood even though a review of the race tape showed that Rudd should have won.
=== Goodyear NASCAR 500 ===
The Goodyear NASCAR 500 was a non-points exhibition race held on February 28 at the Calder Park Thunderdome in Melbourne, Australia - the first NASCAR-style high-banked paved oval built outside of North America. It was also the first NASCAR sanctioned race outside of North America. Neil Bonnett won the pole.
Top ten results
# 75 - Neil Bonnett
# 12 - Bobby Allison
# 71 - Dave Marcis
# 18 - Glen Steurer
# 83 - Sumner McKnight
# 98 - Hershel McGriff
# 15 - Terry Petris
# 19 - Chad Little
# 82 - Jim Danielson
# 21 - Kyle Petty
* The race had 32 starters - 24 Americans, 7 Australians and 1 New Zealander. Of the locals only Allan Grice had previously driven a NASCAR race having competed in the 1987 Coca-Cola 600. The 'visiting' American drivers were a mix of those from the Winston Cup and Winston West Series.
* The Thunderdome, a 1.119 mi (1.801 km) track with 24° banking in the turns, was actually modelled on a scaled down version of the Charlotte Motor Speedway and was opened in 1987.
* As the race was run in Australia where the metric system is used, the '500' was actually 500 kilometers (310 miles), or around the same distance as a Busch Series race.
* Bonnett's pole speed was 139.734 mp/h. The race's average speed over the 280 laps was 101.67 mp/h. 52 laps were run under caution.
=== Goodwrench 500 ===
The Goodwrench 500 was held March 6 at North Carolina Motor Speedway. Bill Elliott won the pole.
Top ten results
# 75 - Neil Bonnett*
# 83 - Lake Speed
# 44 - Sterling Marlin
# 7 - Alan Kulwicki
# 3 - Dale Earnhardt
# 9 - Bill Elliott
# 43 - Richard Petty
# 10 - Ken Bouchard
# 28 - Davey Allison
# 25 - Tim Richmond
=== Motorcraft Quality Parts 500 ===
The Motorcraft Quality Parts 500 was held March 20 at Atlanta International Raceway. The No. 5 of Geoff Bodine won the pole.
Top ten results
# 3 - Dale Earnhardt
# 27 - Rusty Wallace
# 17 - Darrell Waltrip
# 11 - Terry Labonte
# 21 - Kyle Petty
# 8 - Bobby Hillin Jr.
# 88 - Buddy Baker
# 25 - Tim Richmond
# 15 - Brett Bodine
# 4 - Rick Wilson
* This race marked Dale Earnhardt's first victory since switching sponsors to GM Goodwrench.
=== TranSouth 500 ===
The TranSouth 500 was held March 27 at Darlington Raceway. The No. 25 of Ken Schrader won the pole.
Top ten results
# 83 - Lake Speed*
# 7 - Alan Kulwicki
# 28 - Davey Allison
# 9 - Bill Elliott
# 44 - Sterling Marlin
# 6 - Mark Martin
# 5 - Geoff Bodine
# 55 - Phil Parsons
# 12 - Bobby Allison
# 88 - Buddy Baker
* This was Lake Speed's only victory in the Winston Cup Series.
* This was Chrysler's first NASCAR win since the 1977 Los Angeles Times 500
=== Valleydale Meats 500 ===
The Valleydale Meats 500 was held April 10 at Bristol International Raceway. The No. 4 of Rick Wilson won the pole.
Top ten results
# 9 - Bill Elliott*
# 6 - Mark Martin
# 5 - Geoff Bodine
# 27 - Rusty Wallace
# 12 - Bobby Allison
# 43 - Richard Petty
# 21 - Kyle Petty
# 44 - Sterling Marlin
# 71 - Dave Marcis
# 25 - Ken Schrader
=== First Union 400 ===
The First Union 400 was held April 17 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Terry Labonte won the pole.
Top ten results
# 11 - Terry Labonte
# 26 - Ricky Rudd
# 3 - Dale Earnhardt
# 27 - Rusty Wallace
# 21 - Kyle Petty
# 43 - Richard Petty
# 55 - Phil Parsons
# 28 - Davey Allison
# 5 - Geoff Bodine
# 9 - Bill Elliott
Failed to qualify: 00 - Gary Brooks, 04 - Bill Meacham, 09 - Doug French, 20 - Alan Russell, 31 - Brad Teague, 46 - Glenn Moffat, 67 - Rick Jeffrey, 70 - Jeff McDuffie, 78 - Jay Sommers, 98 - Brad Noffsinger
* Labonte passed Dale Earnhardt with 10 laps to go when Earnhardt suffered a slow leak of air from his right rear tire.
=== Pannill Sweatshirts 500 ===
The Pannill Sweatshirts 500 was held April 24 at Martinsville Speedway. The No. 26 of Ricky Rudd won the pole.
Top ten results
# 3 - Dale Earnhardt
# 44 - Sterling Marlin
# 8 - Bobby Hillin Jr.
# 11 - Terry Labonte
# 17 - Darrell Waltrip
# 28 - Davey Allison
# 88 - Buddy Baker
# 12 - Bobby Allison
# 55 - Phil Parsons
# 25 - Ken Schrader
Failed to qualify: 2 - Ernie Irvan, 52 - Jimmy Means
=== Winston 500 ===
The Winston 500 was held May 1 at Alabama International Motor Speedway. The No. 28 of Davey Allison won the pole.
Top ten results
# 55 - Phil Parsons*
# 12 - Bobby Allison
# 5 - Geoff Bodine
# 11 - Terry Labonte
# 25 - Ken Schrader
# 44 - Sterling Marlin
# 9 - Bill Elliott
# 21 - Kyle Petty
# 3 - Dale Earnhardt
# 27 - Rusty Wallace
Failed to qualify: 10 - Ken Bouchard
* During the race, A. J. Foyt had a series of incidents and penalties. He intentionally wrecked Alan Kulwicki, spun out on pit road out of anger, and drove through several pit stalls doing pass-through penalties, nearly hurting many pit crew members. For his actions, Foyt was issued a six month ban from NASCAR (which was later reduced to two months following an appeal).
* This was Phil Parsons' only win in the Winston Cup Series.
=== The Winston ===
The Winston, an annual invitational race for previous winners in Winston Cup along with the winner of the same day Winston Open, was held May 22 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Terry Labonte won the race.
Top ten results
# 11-Terry Labonte
# 44-Sterling Marlin (Winston Open Winner)
# 28-Davey Allison
# 9-Bill Elliott
# 12-Bobby Allison
# 21-Kyle Petty
# 3-Dale Earnhardt
# 47-Morgan Shepherd
# 17-Darrell Waltrip
# 75-Neil Bonnett
* Tim Richmond was eligible to run The Winston, but he chose not to participate due to an ongoing legal dispute with NASCAR after he was suspended for testing positive for banned substances earlier during the season.
* Richard Petty was eligible to run the race as a past winner, but was eliminated when Phil Parsons won the Winston 500.
* Last overall Top 5 finish for Bobby Allison.
=== Coca-Cola 600 ===
The Coca-Cola 600 was held May 29 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Davey Allison won the pole.
Top ten results
# 17 - Darrell Waltrip
# 27 - Rusty Wallace
# 7 - Alan Kulwicki
# 15 - Brett Bodine
# 28 - Davey Allison
# 25 - Tim Richmond
# 26 - Ricky Rudd*
# 55 - Phil Parsons
# 11 - Terry Labonte
# 50 - Greg Sacks
* Prior to the race, Goodyear withdrew their tires after practice when it was discovered that their compound was too soft for the track; as a result, all drivers except Dave Marcis switched to Hoosiers over safety concerns. Goodyear offered Daytona-spec tires for those who wanted them.
* Ricky Rudd was relieved during the race by Mike Alexander (Rudd had suffered injuries from a crash at The Winston).
* In addition to Ricky Rudd having to be relieved from his injuries at the Winston a week earlier, other drivers injured during the race included Harry Gant, who suffered a broken leg during a crash; Buddy Baker, who suffered a hard crash on lap 243 that resulted in a blood clot in his brain; Neil Bonnett, who suffered cracked ribs in a crash and Rick Wilson, who led 107 laps before crashing due to tire failure, with Wilson suffering a broken shoulder blade as a result. The injuries weren't limited to drivers, as Bud Moore Engineering owner Bud Moore suffered a broken leg when his driver, Brett Bodine, ran over him during a pit stop.
* Dale Earnhardt was issued a five lap penalty after spinning out Geoff Bodine early in the race. He would finish 13th, 6 laps down.
* This race made sure no driver would win 3 out of 4 Crown Jewel races meaning no driver would win the Winston Million in 1988. However the $100,000 bonus to a driver winning 2 out of 4 Crown Jewel races was still alive for the Southern 500 later in the season.
=== Budweiser 500 ===
The Budweiser 500 was held June 5 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Alan Kulwicki won the pole.
Top ten results
# 9 - Bill Elliott
# 33 - Morgan Shepherd*
# 27 - Rusty Wallace
# 83 - Lake Speed
# 28 - Davey Allison
# 7 - Alan Kulwicki
# 4 - Rick Wilson
# 5 - Geoff Bodine
# 6 - Mark Martin
# 12 - Bobby Allison
* Morgan Shepherd was subbing for Harry Gant, who had been injured (broken leg) during the Coca-Cola 600 race the previous weekend.
=== Budweiser 400 ===
The Budweiser 400 was held June 12 at Riverside International Raceway. Ricky Rudd won the pole.
Top ten results
# 27 - Rusty Wallace
# 11 - Terry Labonte
# 26 - Ricky Rudd
# 3 - Dale Earnhardt
# 55 - Phil Parsons
# 43 - Richard Petty
# 6 - Mark Martin
# 29 - Dale Jarrett
# 44 - Sterling Marlin
# 75 - Neil Bonnett
Failed to qualify: 10 - Ken Bouchard
=== Miller High Life 500 ===
The Miller High Life 500 was held June 19 at Pocono International Raceway. The No. 7 of Alan Kulwicki won the pole.
Top ten results
# 5 - Geoff Bodine
# 30 - Michael Waltrip
# 27 - Rusty Wallace
# 6 - Mark Martin
# 28 - Davey Allison
# 17 - Darrell Waltrip
# 88 - Buddy Baker
# 55 - Phil Parsons
# 25 - Tim Richmond
# 9 - Bill Elliott
=== Miller High Life 400 (Michigan) ===
The Miller High Life 400 was held June 26 at Michigan International Speedway. Bill Elliott won the pole.
Top ten results
# 27 - Rusty Wallace
# 9 - Bill Elliott
# 11 - Terry Labonte
# 3 - Dale Earnhardt
# 5 - Geoff Bodine
# 25 - Tim Richmond
# 55 - Phil Parsons
# 17 - Darrell Waltrip
# 29 - Cale Yarborough
# 12 - Bobby Allison
=== Pepsi Firecracker 400 ===
The Pepsi Firecracker 400 was held July 2 at Daytona International Speedway. Darrell Waltrip won the pole.
Top ten results
# 9 - Bill Elliott
# 4 - Rick Wilson
# 55 - Phil Parsons
# 3 - Dale Earnhardt
# 17 - Darrell Waltrip
# 88 - Buddy Baker
# 33 - Morgan Shepherd
# 25 - Tim Richmond
# 83 - Lake Speed
# 50 - Greg Sacks
* This was the first Pepsi Firecracker 400 run with restrictor plates since 1973, and was notable for a very close finish. Bill Elliott charged from 38th starting position, and nearly fell a lap down at one point. On the final lap, Elliott battled with Rick Wilson out of the final turn, with Elliott taking the win by 18 inches. The second place would be Wilson's best career finish.
* This race marked the final start at Daytona for Cale Yarborough. He was involved in a crash on the second lap, dropped out and finished 41st.
=== Diet Coke 500 ===
The inaugural Diet Coke 500 was held July 10 at Denver International Speedway. The #3 of Dale Earnhardt started on the pole.
Top ten results
# 43 - Richard Petty*
# 9 - Bill Elliott
# 30 - Michael Waltrip
# 25 - Tim Richmond
# 3 - Dale Earnhardt
# 6 - Mark Martin
# 28 - Davey Allison
# 55 - Phil Parsons
# 83 - Lake Speed
# 33 - Harry Gant
* This was Richard Petty's 201st career win, and first win since the 1984 Firecracker 400.
* Several drivers, upon arriving at the track before first practice, noted a strong smell of fresh asphalt. This led to fears that the track surface was not fully set yet, but the weekend proceeded without any issues.
=== AC Spark Plug 500 ===
The AC Spark Plug 500 was held July 24 at Pocono International Raceway. Morgan Shepherd won the pole.
Top ten results
# 9 - Bill Elliott
# 25 - Tim Richmond
# 28 - Davey Allison
# 5 - Geoff Bodine
# 17 - Darrell Waltrip
# 75 - Morgan Shepherd*
# 6 - Mark Martin
# 7 - Alan Kulwicki
# 11 - Terry Labonte
# 33 - Harry Gant*
* Morgan Shepherd drove the No. 75 in place of Neil Bonnett for this race and Talladega.
* This was Harry Gant's first race back from injury.
* Goodyear was disallowed from using their tires in this race after a pre-race inspection found that the tires had too wide of a tread. This marked the first time since the 1956 Southern 500 that Goodyear did not supply tires for a NASCAR race.
=== Talladega DieHard 500 ===
The Talladega DieHard 500 was held July 31 at Talladega Superspeedway. The No. 17 of Darrell Waltrip won the pole.
Top ten results
# 90 - Ken Schrader*
# 5 - Geoff Bodine
# 3 - Dale Earnhardt
# 4 - Rick Wilson
# 27 - Rusty Wallace
# 44 - Sterling Marlin
# 6 - Mark Martin
# 9 - Bill Elliott
# 29 - Cale Yarborough
# 88 - Buddy Baker*
* This was Ken Schrader's first career Winston Cup Series win, as well as Junie Donlavey's first win since the 1981 Mason-Dixon 500.
* This was Buddy Baker's final top ten finish in the Cup Series and his final start of 1988 as the aforementioned blood clot ended his season.
=== Budweiser at The Glen ===
The Budweiser at The Glen was held August 14 at Watkins Glen International. Geoff Bodine won the pole.
Top ten results
# 26 - Ricky Rudd
# 27 - Rusty Wallace
# 9 - Bill Elliott
# 55 - Phil Parsons
# 12 - Bobby Allison
# 3 - Dale Earnhardt
# 88 - Morgan Shepherd*
# 44 - Sterling Marlin
# 31 - Joe Ruttman*
# 25 - Ken Schrader
* Morgan Shepherd was subbing for Buddy Baker, who had suffered a blood clot in his brain in a crash in the Coca-Cola 600 earlier in the season.
* This was the best finish in the Winston Cup Series for Bob Clark's No. 31 Slender You Figure Salons team.
* Much like Goodyear at Pocono, Hoosier was disallowed after the tread on their tires was discovered to be too wide.
* Final race for Jocko Maggiacomo; who finished 35th. Maggiacomo would attempt to qualify for the fall Charlotte and Rockingham races; failing to make the field in either track.
=== Champion Spark Plug 400 ===
The Champion Spark Plug 400 was held August 21 at Michigan International Speedway. Bill Elliott won the pole.
Top ten results
# 28 - Davey Allison
# 27 - Rusty Wallace
# 9 - Bill Elliott
# 88 - Morgan Shepherd
# 83 - Lake Speed
# 15 - Brett Bodine
# 30 - Michael Waltrip
# 21 - Kyle Petty
# 4 - Rick Wilson
# 5 - Geoff Bodine
* This was the final career start for Donnie Allison. He would finish 35th after only completing 114 of the 200 laps due to an engine failure.
=== Busch 500 ===
The Busch 500 was held August 27 at Bristol International Raceway. Alan Kulwicki won the pole.
Top ten results
# 3 - Dale Earnhardt
# 9 - Bill Elliott
# 5 - Geoff Bodine
# 28 - Davey Allison
# 7 - Alan Kulwicki
# 33 - Harry Gant
# 17 - Darrell Waltrip
# 43 - Richard Petty
# 27 - Rusty Wallace*
# 8 - Bobby Hillin Jr.
Failed to qualify: 10 - Ken Bouchard, 35 - Benny Parsons
* During practice on Friday, Rusty Wallace wrecked and barrel-rolled down the frontstretch, knocking him unconscious. ESPN pit reporter Dr. Jerry Punch happened to be the first person on the scene and actually revived Wallace. Wallace would recover, and started the race Saturday night, but eventually turned the car over to relief driver Larry Pearson.
* Rick Mast made his Cup Series debut driving car 88 in place of the injured Buddy Baker. He would finish 28th completing 207 of 500 laps due to crashing the car.
=== Southern 500 ===
The Southern 500 was held September 4 at Darlington Raceway. Bill Elliott won the pole.
Top ten results
# 9 - Bill Elliott
# 27 - Rusty Wallace
# 3 - Dale Earnhardt
# 17 - Darrell Waltrip
# 44 - Sterling Marlin
# 55 - Phil Parsons
# 5 - Geoff Bodine
# 11 - Terry Labonte
# 28 - Davey Allison
# 26 - Ricky Rudd
* Since the season's final Crown Jewel race was not won by any of the other three drivers that won the three previous Crown Jewel races earlier in the season, no one was eligible to win the $100,000 bonus from Winston.
=== Miller High Life 400 (Richmond) ===
The Miller High Life 400 was held September 11 at Richmond International Raceway (formerly known as Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway). Davey Allison won the pole. This race was the first one for the Cup Series on the new 3/4-mile Richmond International Raceway.
Top ten results
# 28 - Davey Allison*
# 3 - Dale Earnhardt
# 11 - Terry Labonte
# 6 - Mark Martin
# 7 - Alan Kulwicki
# 21 - Kyle Petty
# 9 - Bill Elliott
# 17 - Darrell Waltrip
# 75 - Neil Bonnett
# 71 - Dave Marcis
Failed to qualify: 68 - Derrike Cope, 20 - Rayvon Clark, 37 - Randy Morrison, 40 - Ben Hess, 54 - Lennie Pond, 67 - Ron Esau, 70 - J. D. McDuffie, 78 - Jay Sommers, 98 - Brad Noffsinger
* Not only was this Allison's first short track victory in the Cup Series, it was also the first time he won a Cup race from the pole. 
=== Delaware 500 ===
The Delaware 500 was held September 18 at Dover International Speedway. The No. 6 of Mark Martin won the pole. It was Roush Racing's 1st pole.
Top ten results
# 9 - Bill Elliott
# 3 - Dale Earnhardt
# 27 - Rusty Wallace
# 28 - Davey Allison
# 5 - Geoff Bodine
# 21 - Kyle Petty
# 12 - Bobby Allison
# 75 - Neil Bonnett
# 83 - Lake Speed
# 26 - Ricky Rudd
* Ken Bouchard (who would go on the win this season's rookie of the year) led the only 4 laps in his Cup career eventually finishing 25th completing 409 of 500 laps due to crashing the car.
=== Goody's 500 ===
The Goody's 500 was held September 25 at Martinsville Speedway. Rusty Wallace won the pole.
Top ten results
# 17 - Darrell Waltrip
# 7 - Alan Kulwicki
# 27 - Rusty Wallace
# 90 - Ken Schrader
# 5 - Geoff Bodine
# 9 - Bill Elliott
# 11 - Terry Labonte
# 3 - Dale Earnhardt
# 6 - Mark Martin
# 15 - Brett Bodine
Failed to qualify: 20 - Dave Mader III, 31 - Lee Faulk, 70 - J. D. McDuffie, 97 - Rodney Combs, 98 - Brad Noffsinger
=== Oakwood Homes 500 ===
The Oakwood Homes 500 was held October 9 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The No. 7 of Alan Kulwicki won the pole.
Top ten results
# 30 - Michael Waltrip*
# 17 - Darrell Waltrip
# 15 - Brett Bodine
# 9 - Bill Elliott
# 44 - Sterling Marlin
# 8 - Bobby Hillin Jr.
# 25 - Ken Schrader
# 26 - Ricky Rudd
# 6 - Mark Martin
# 11 - Terry Labonte
Failed to qualify: ?? - Gary Brooks, ?? - Slick Johnson, ?? - Johnny Rutherford, ?? - Ronnie Silver, 2 - Ernie Irvan, 19 - Chad Little, 22 - Rodney Combs, 24 - John McFadden, 32 - Philip Duffie, 34 - Connie Saylor, 36 - H. B. Bailey, 40 - Ben Hess, 50 - Charlie Glotzbach, 59 - Mark Gibson, 63 - Jocko Maggiacomo, 64 - Mike Potter, 70 - J. D. McDuffie, 74 - Randy LaJoie, 87 - Randy Baker, 93 - Troy Beebe, 98 - Brad Noffsinger
* First career win for Michael Waltrip.
* Benny Parsons led the final laps of his career (13) en route to a 12th place finish, 2 laps down to the winner.
=== Holly Farms 400 ===
The Holly Farms 400 was held October 16 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. The event was originally scheduled for October 2, but two consecutive days of rain caused it to be rescheduled for October 16. Bill Elliott won the pole.
Top ten results
# 27 - Rusty Wallace
# 55 - Phil Parsons
# 5 - Geoff Bodine
# 11 - Terry Labonte
# 9 - Bill Elliott
# 3 - Dale Earnhardt
# 26 - Ricky Rudd
# 25 - Ken Schrader
# 12 - Bobby Allison
# 88 - Greg Sacks*
Failed to qualify: 68 - Derrike Cope
* Greg Sacks subbed for the still recovering Buddy Baker.
=== AC Delco 500 ===
The AC Delco 500 was held October 23 at North Carolina Motor Speedway. Bill Elliott won the pole.
Top ten results
# 27 - Rusty Wallace
# 26 - Ricky Rudd
# 11 - Terry Labonte
# 9 - Bill Elliott
# 3 - Dale Earnhardt
# 12 - Bobby Allison
# 33 - Harry Gant
# 55 - Phil Parsons
# 21 - Kyle Petty
# 75 - Neil Bonnett
* This race was the third consecutive win for Rusty Wallace.
=== Checker 500 ===
The inaugural Checker 500 was held November 6 at Phoenix International Raceway. Geoff Bodine won the pole.
Top ten results
# 7 - Alan Kulwicki*
# 11 - Terry Labonte
# 28 - Davey Allison
# 9 - Bill Elliott
# 27 - Rusty Wallace
# 5 - Geoff Bodine
# 8 - Bobby Hillin Jr.
# 35 - Benny Parsons
# 55 - Phil Parsons
# 44 - Sterling Marlin
* This was Alan Kulwicki's first career Winston Cup Series win. After taking the checkered flag, Kulwicki turned the car clockwise around and completed what he eventually referred to as a "Polish victory lap." Kulwicki, himself a Polish American, wanted to be able to wave to the fans directly from his driver's side window.
* In the final race he completed (the final race he ran, the Atlanta Journal 500, would see him crash out on lap 140), Benny Parsons finished 8th; one spot ahead of younger brother Phil.
* Dale Earnhardt, 3rd in the points coming into this race, still had a mathematical chance to win a third consecutive Winston Cup championship (though it required a large points gain and trouble to befall Bill Elliott and Rusty Wallace). However, Earnhardt was involved in a crash early with Joe Ruttman and lost a lap. Earnhardt would salvage an 11th place finish but the crash and both Elliott and Wallace finishing in the Top 5 ended Earnhardt's hopes of a Winston Cup three-peat.
* Ricky Rudd had a dominating run until his Quaker State-sponsored #26 Buick began overheating late in the race and ultimately the engine blew before Rudd could pit to allow his crew to top off the radiator.
=== Atlanta Journal 500 ===
The Atlanta Journal 500 was held November 20 at Atlanta International Raceway. Rusty Wallace won the pole.
Top ten results
# 27 - Rusty Wallace
# 28 - Davey Allison
# 12 - Bobby Allison
# 26 - Ricky Rudd
# 17 - Darrell Waltrip
# 25 - Tim Richmond
# 30 - Michael Waltrip -1 Lap
# 11 - Terry Labonte -1 Lap
# 8 - Bobby Hillin Jr. -1 Lap
# 29 - Cale Yarborough -1 Lap*
Failed to qualify: ?? - Don Hume, ?? - Bill Meacham, ?? - Alan Russell, ?? - Joe Ruttman, ?? - David Sosebee, 10 - Ken Bouchard, 20 - Dave Mader III, 38 - Mike Laws, 50 - Bobby Coyle, 78 - Jay Sommers, 93 - Charlie Baker
* In addition to winning from the pole, Wallace also led the most laps in the race. But Bill Elliott, needing only to finish 18th or better to secure the Winston Cup championship, won the title with an 11th place finish.
* Benny Parsons, in his 525th and final NASCAR start, crashed out on lap 140, finishing 34th.
* This was the final career start in the Winston Cup Series for Cale Yarborough and his final top ten finish.
* Out of 42 starters, only 20 finished.
* Out of the 22 cars that fell out of the race, 16 of them were engine related.
=== Los Angeles Times 500 ===
The Los Angeles Times 500 was held November 20 at Ontario Motor Speedway. Bill Elliott won the pole.
Top ten results
# 12 - Bobby Allison
# 43 - Richard Petty
# 3 - Dale Earnhardt
# 9 - Bill Elliott
# 28 - Davey Allison
# 25 - Tim Richmond
# 55 - Phil Parsons
# 75 - Neil Bonnett
# 27 - Rusty Wallace
# 52 - Jimmy Means*
* This was the first race held at Ontario Motor Speedway since 1980. Johnson Industries had bought the track after an intense bidding war with Chevron Land Company, holding smaller events throughout much of the 1980s. It had held an ARCA race in 1987 before returning to the Winston Cup Series schedule.
* First top-ten finish for Jimmy Means since the 1987 Wrangler Jeans Indigo 400 at Richmond.
== Results ==
No.	Race 	Pole Position 	Winner 	Make/Model
 	Busch Clash 	Geoff Bodine 	Dale Earnhardt 	1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe
 	Twin 125 Race 1 	Ken Schrader 	Bobby Allison 	1988 Buick Regal
 	Twin 125 Race 2 	Davey Allison 	Darrell Waltrip	1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe
1 	Daytona 500 	Ken Schrader 	Bobby Allison 	1988 Buick Regal
2 	Pontiac Excitement 400 	Morgan Shepherd	Neil Bonnett 	1988 Pontiac Grand Prix
 	Goodyear NASCAR 500 	Neil Bonnett 	Neil Bonnett 	1988 Pontiac Grand Prix
3 	Goodwrench 500 	Bill Elliott 	Neil Bonnett 	1988 Pontiac Grand Prix
4 	Motorcraft Quality Parts 500	Geoff Bodine 	Dale Earnhardt 	1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe
5 	TranSouth 500 	Ken Schrader 	Lake Speed 	1988 Chrysler LeBaron
6 	Valleydale Meats 500 	Rusty Wallace 	Bill Elliott 	1988 Ford Thunderbird
7 	First Union 400 	Terry Labonte 	Terry Labonte 	1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe
8 	Pannill Sweatshirts 500 	Ricky Rudd 	Dale Earnhardt 	1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe
9 	Winston 500 	Davey Allison 	Phil Parsons 	1988 Chrysler LeBaron
 	Winston Open 	??? 	Sterling Marlin	1988 Chrysler LeBaron
10 	The Winston 	??? 	Terry Labonte 	1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe
11 	Coca-Cola 600 	Davey Allison 	Darrell Waltrip	1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe
12 	Budweiser 500 	Alan Kulwicki 	Bill Elliott 	1988 Ford Thunderbird
13 	Budweiser 400 	Ricky Rudd 	Rusty Wallace 	1988 Pontiac Grand Prix
14 	Miller High Life 500 	Alan Kulwicki 	Geoff Bodine 	1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe
15 	Miller High Life 400 	Bill Elliott 	Rusty Wallace 	1988 Pontiac Grand Prix
16 	Pepsi Firecracker 400 	Darrell Waltrip	Rick Wilson 	1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
17 	Diet Coke 500 	Dale Earnhardt 	Richard Petty 	1988 Chrysler LeBaron
18 	AC Spark Plug 500 	Morgan Shepherd	Bill Elliott 	1988 Ford Thunderbird
19 	Talladega DieHard 500 	Darrell Waltrip	Ken Schrader 	1988 Chrysler LeBaron
20 	Budweiser at The Glen 	Geoff Bodine 	Ricky Rudd 	1988 Buick Regal
21 	Champion Spark Plug 400 	Bill Elliott 	Davey Allison 	1988 Ford Thunderbird
22 	Busch 500 	Alan Kulwicki 	Dale Earnhardt 	1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe
23 	Southern 500 	Bill Elliott 	Bill Elliott 	1988 Ford Thunderbird
24 	Miller High Life 400 	Davey Allison 	Davey Allison 	1988 Ford Thunderbird
25 	Delaware 500 	Mark Martin 	Richard Petty 	1988 Chrysler LeBaron
26 	Goody's 500 	Rusty Wallace 	Darrell Waltrip	1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe
27 	Oakwood Homes 500 	Alan Kulwicki 	Michael Waltrip	1988 Chrysler LeBaron
28 	Holly Farms 400 	Bill Elliott 	Rusty Wallace 	1988 Pontiac Grand Prix
29 	AC Delco 500 	Bill Elliott 	Rusty Wallace 	1988 Pontiac Grand Prix
30 	Checker 500 	Geoff Bodine 	Alan Kulwicki 	1988 Ford Thunderbird
31 	Atlanta Journal 500 	Rusty Wallace 	Rusty Wallace 	1988 Pontiac Grand Prix
32 	Los Angeles Times 500 	Bill Elliott 	Bobby Allison 	1988 Buick Regal