1985 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

37th season of NASCAR stock-car racingTemplate:SHORTDESC:37th season of NASCAR stock-car racing

The **1985 NASCAR Winston Cup Season** 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 is the last season without NASCAR legends Dale Jarrett until 2009, Mark Martin until 2014 and Michael Waltrip until 2018 respective.

## Schedule

**Bolding** indicates the race was part of the Winston Million

## Busch Clash

The Busch Clash was run on February 10 at Daytona International Speedway. Ricky Rudd drew for the pole.

**Top Ten Results**

1. 44 – Terry Labonte
2. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
3. 9 – Bill Elliott
4. 5 – Geoffrey Bodine
5. 33 – Harry Gant
6. 15 – Ricky Rudd
7. 88 – Buddy Baker
8. 2 – Rusty Wallace
9. 4 – Joe Ruttman
10. 28 – Cale Yarborough

## 7-Eleven Twin 125's

The 7-Eleven Twin 125's were run on February 14 at Daytona. Bill Elliott and Cale Yarborough won the pole for Races 1 and 2, respectively.

**Race One Top Ten Results**

1. 9 – Bill Elliott
2. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
3. 55 – Benny Parsons
4. 88 – Buddy Baker
5. 15 – Ricky Rudd
6. 1 – Dick Brooks
7. 51 – Greg Sacks
8. 47 – Ron Bouchard
9. 5 – Geoffrey Bodine
10. 12 – Neil Bonnett

**Race Two Top Ten Results**

1. 28 – Cale Yarborough
2. 21 – David Pearson
3. 7 – Kyle Petty
4. 43 – Richard Petty
5. 33 – Harry Gant
6. 66 – Phil Parsons
7. 75 – Lake Speed
8. 14 – A. J. Foyt
9. 3 – Dale Earnhardt
10. 95 – Sterling Marlin

## Daytona 500

*Main article*: ***1985 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)

**Top Ten Results**

1. 9 - Bill Elliott
2. 75 - Lake Speed
3. 11 - Darrell Waltrip -1 Lap
4. 88 - Buddy Baker -1 Lap
5. 15 - Ricky Rudd -1 Lap
6. 51 - Greg Sacks -1 Lap
7. 5 - Geoffrey Bodine -2 Laps
8. 2 - Rusty Wallace -3 Laps
9. 8 - Bobby Hillin Jr. -3 Laps
10. 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**

1. 3 – Dale Earnhardt
2. 5 – Geoffrey Bodine
3. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
4. 47 – Ron Bouchard
5. 33 – Harry Gant
6. 44 – Terry Labonte
7. 7 – Kyle Petty
8. 71 – Dave Marcis
9. 27 – Tim Richmond
10. 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**

1. 12 – Neil Bonnett
2. 33 – Harry Gant
3. 44 – Terry Labonte
4. 75 – Lake Speed
5. 7 – Kyle Petty
6. 4 – Joe Ruttman
7. 28 – Cale Yarborough
8. 43 – Richard Petty
9. 2 – Rusty Wallace
10. 3 – Dale Earnhardt

## Coca-Cola 500

The Coca-Cola 500 was run on March 17 at Atlanta International Raceway in Atlanta, Georgia. Neil Bonnett won the pole.

**Top Ten Results**

1. 9 – Bill Elliott
2. 5 – Geoffrey Bodine
3. 12 – Neil Bonnett
4. 15 – Ricky Rudd
5. 22 – Bobby Allison
6. 44 – Terry Labonte
7. 47 – Ron Bouchard
8. 55 – Benny Parsons
9. 3 – Dale Earnhardt
10. 51 – Greg Sacks

## Valleydale 500

The Valleydale 500 was run on April 6 at Bristol International Raceway in Bristol, Tennessee. Harry Gant won the pole.

**Top Ten Results**

1. 3 – Dale Earnhardt
2. 15 – Ricky Rudd
3. 44 – Terry Labonte
4. 88 – Buddy Baker
5. 2 – Rusty Wallace
6. 7 – Kyle Petty
7. 75 – Lake Speed
8. 43 – Richard Petty
9. 8 – Bobby Hillin, Jr.
10. 90 – Ken Schrader

This race was scheduled to run on March 31, 1985, but was moved to April 6 due to rain.

## 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**

1. 9 – Bill Elliott
2. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
3. 27 – Tim Richmond
4. 44 – Terry Labonte
5. 2 – Rusty Wallace
6. 12 – Neil Bonnett
7. 5 – Geoffrey Bodine
8. 66 – Phil Parsons
9. 75 – Lake Speed
10. 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**

1. 12 – Neil Bonnett
2. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
3. 22 – Bobby Allison
4. 15 – Ricky Rudd
5. 5 – Geoffrey Bodine
6. 9 – Bill Elliott
7. 44 – Terry Labonte
8. 3 – Dale Earnhardt
9. 75 – Lake Speed
10. 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**

1. 33 – Harry Gant
2. 15 – Ricky Rudd
3. 5 – Geoffrey Bodine
4. 22 – Bobby Allison
5. 12 – Neil Bonnett
6. 44 – Terry Labonte
7. 43 – Richard Petty
8. 75 – Lake Speed
9. 66 – Phil Parsons
10. 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**

1. 9 – Bill Elliott
2. 7 – Kyle Petty
3. 28 – Cale Yarborough
4. 22 – Bobby Allison
5. 15 – Ricky Rudd
6. 88 – Buddy Baker
7. 44 – Terry Labonte
8. 71 – Dave Marcis
9. 8 – Bobby Hillin, Jr.
10. 75 – Lake Speed

Bill Elliott made up two laps under green during this race. Elliott lost the laps from having to pit due to a broken oil fitting. With the victory, Elliott claimed the second leg of the Winston Million.

## 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**

1. 9 – Bill Elliott
2. 33 – Harry Gant
3. 7 – Kyle Petty
4. 15 – Ricky Rudd
5. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
6. 27 – Tim Richmond
7. 43 – Richard Petty
8. 75 – Neil Bonnett
9. 71 – Dave Marcis
10. 90 – Ken Schrader

## The Winston

*Main article*: ***1985 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**

1. 11 - Darrell Waltrip
2. 33 - Harry Gant
3. 44 - Terry Labonte
4. 28 - Cale Yarborough
5. 27 - Tim Richmond
6. 22 - Bobby Allison

## Coca-Cola World 600

The Coca-Cola World 600 was run on May 26 at Charlotte. Bill Elliott won the pole. 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 have another chance 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.

**Top Ten Results**

1. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
2. 33 – Harry Gant
3. 22 – Bobby Allison
4. 3 – Dale Earnhardt
5. 44 – Terry Labonte
6. 75 – Lake Speed
7. 4 – Joe Ruttman
8. 2 – Rusty Wallace
9. 27 – Tim Richmond
10. 1 – Dick Brooks

* This was the first NASCAR Winston cup start for Michael Waltrip.

## 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**

1. 44 – Terry Labonte
2. 33 – Harry Gant
3. 22 – Bobby Allison
4. 15 – Ricky Rudd
5. 7 – Kyle Petty
6. 9 – Bill Elliott
7. 43 – Richard Petty
8. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
9. 27 – Tim Richmond
10. 90 – Ken Schrader

## Van Scoy Diamond Mine 500

*Main article*: ***1985 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**

1. 9 – Bill Elliott
2. 33 – Harry Gant
3. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
4. 5 – Geoffrey Bodine
5. 12 – Neil Bonnett
6. 55 – Benny Parsons
7. 15 – Ricky Rudd
8. 88 – Buddy Baker
9. 22 – Bobby Allison
10. 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**

1. 9 – Bill Elliott
2. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
3. 28 – Cale Yarborough
4. 27 – Tim Richmond
5. 3 – Dale Earnhardt
6. 22 – Bobby Allison
7. 15 – Ricky Rudd
8. 12 – Neil Bonnett
9. 71 – Dave Marcis
10. 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.
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.

See also: DiGard Motorsports#1985 Firecracker 400
**Top Ten Results**

1. 10 – Greg Sacks
2. 9 – Bill Elliott
3. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
4. 47 – Ron Bouchard
5. 7 – Kyle Petty
6. 88 – Buddy Baker
7. 15 – Ricky Rudd
8. 44 – Terry Labonte
9. 3 – Dale Earnhardt
10. 21 – David Pearson

• This would be Sacks’ lone career win in Winston Cup competition.

## Summer 500

*Main article*: ***1985 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**

1. 9 – Bill Elliott
2. 12 – Neil Bonnett
3. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
4. 5 – Geoffrey Bodine
5. 33 – Harry Gant
6. 55 – Benny Parsons
7. 7 – Kyle Petty
8. 66 – Phil Parsons
9. 47 – Ron Bouchard
10. 88 – Buddy Baker

## 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**

1. 28 Cale Yarborough
2. 12 – Neil Bonnett
3. 47 – Ron Bouchard
4. 9 – Bill Elliott
5. 14 – A. J. Foyt
6. 43 – Richard Petty
7. 33 – Harry Gant
8. 75 – Lake Speed
9. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
10. 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**

1. 9 – Bill Elliott
2. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
3. 33 – Harry Gant
4. 7 – Kyle Petty
5. 55 – Benny Parsons
6. 66 – Phil Parsons
7. 2 – Rusty Wallace
8. 10 – Dick Trickle
9. 44 – Terry Labonte
10. 67 – Buddy Arrington

## 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**

1. 3 – Dale Earnhardt
2. 27 – Tim Richmond
3. 12 – Neil Bonnett
4. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
5. 9 – Bill Elliott
6. 33 – Harry Gant
7. 47 – Ron Bouchard
8. 43 – Richard Petty
9. 15 – Ricky Rudd
10. 75 – Lake Speed

## Southern 500

*Main article*: ***1985 Southern 500***
The Southern 500 was run on September 1 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina. Bill Elliott won the pole, and won the Winston Million with the race victory.

**Top Ten Results**

1. 9 – Bill Elliott
2. 28 – Cale Yarborough
3. 5 – Geoffrey Bodine
4. 12 – Neil Bonnett -1 Lap
5. 47 – Ron Bouchard -1 Lap
6. 15 – Ricky Rudd -1 Lap
7. 44 – Terry Labonte -2 Laps
8. 55 – Benny Parsons -2 Laps
9. 4 – Joe Ruttman -3 Laps
10. 7 – Kyle Petty -3 Laps

* With this victory Elliott had a 206 point lead in the standings at this stage of the season.

## Wrangler Sanfor-Set 400

The Wrangler Sanfor-Set 400 was run on September 8 at Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway in Richmond, Virginia. Geoffrey Bodine won the pole.

**Top Ten Results**

1. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
2. 44 – Terry Labonte
3. 43 – Richard Petty
4. 3 – Dale Earnhardt
5. 15 – Ricky Rudd
6. 33 – Harry Gant
7. 5 – Geoffrey Bodine
8. 7 – Kyle Petty
9. 12 – Neil Bonnett
10. 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**

1. 33 – Harry Gant
2. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
3. 15 – Ricky Rudd
4. 22 – Bobby Allison
5. 12 – Neil Bonnett
6. 27 – Tim Richmond
7. 3 – Dale Earnhardt
8. 47 – Ron Bouchard
9. 43 – Richard Petty
10. 75 – Lake Speed

* Elliott had a disastrous race finishing in 20th place 70 laps down. Waltrip gained 67 points to only be behind by 86 points.

## Goody's 500

The Goody's 500 was run on September 22 at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia. Geoffrey Bodine won the pole.

**Top Ten Results**

1. 3 – Dale Earnhardt
2. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
3. 33 – Harry Gant
4. 15 – Ricky Rudd
5. 7 – Kyle Petty
6. 47 – Ron Bouchard
7. 27 – Tim Richmond
8. 8 – Bobby Hillin, Jr.
9. 12 – Neil Bonnett
10. 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 to where he was only behind now by 23 points.

## Holly Farms 400

The Holly Farms 400 was run on September 29 at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Geoffrey Bodine won the pole.

**Top Ten Results**

1. 33 – Harry Gant
2. 5 – Geoff Bodine
3. 44 – Terry Labonte
4. 3 – Dale Earnhardt
5. 15 – Ricky Rudd
6. 47 – Ron Bouchard
7. 27 – Tim Richmond
8. 43 – Richard Petty
9. 71 – Dave Marcis
10. 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 overtook Elliott in the standings & now led by 30 points.

## 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**

1. 28 – Cale Yarborough
2. 9 – Bill Elliott
3. 5 – Geoffrey Bodine
4. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
5. 4 – Joe Ruttman
6. 27 – Tim Richmond
7. 16 – Morgan Shepherd
8. 88 – Buddy Baker
9. 8 – Bobby Hillin, Jr.
10. 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 North Carolina Motor Speedway in Rockingham, North Carolina. Terry Labonte won the pole.

**Top Ten Results**

1. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
2. 47 – Ron Bouchard
3. 33 – Harry Gant
4. 9 – Bill Elliott
5. 5 – Geoffrey Bodine
6. 27 – Tim Richmond
7. 15 – Ricky Rudd
8. 3 – Dale Earnhardt
9. 2 – Rusty Wallace
10. 77 – Greg Sacks

* Waltrips win coupled with Elliott finishing three spots down in 4th lost ground to Waltrip by 15 points. Waltrip now lead with 35 points in between him and Elliott, 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**

1. 9 – Bill Elliott
2. 28 – Cale Yarborough
3. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
4. 3 – Dale Earnhardt
5. 16 – Morgan Shepherd
6. 44 – Terry Labonte
7. 75 – Lake Speed
8. 33 – Harry Gant
9. 77 – Greg Sacks
10. 43 – Richard Petty

* 11th and final win of the season for Bill Elliott.
* With this win, and as of 2018, 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, Waltip lost 15 points on his lead. Elliott now had a 20 deficit going into the season finale at Riverside California where Elliott picked up his first Cup victory in 1983 but Waltrip had five wins at the road course. If Elliott won Riverside then all Waltrip would have to do to win the title would be to finish no lower then 7th if DW did not lead a lap. If DW led a lap then he could finish no lower then 8th to win the title. If DW led the most laps then he could finish no lower then 9th.

## Winston Western 500

*Main article*: ***1985 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**

1. 15 – Ricky Rudd
2. 44 – Terry Labonte
3. 75 – Neil Bonnett
4. 33 – Harry Gant
5. 3 – Dale Earnhardt
6. 5 – Geoffrey Bodine
7. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
8. 43 – Richard Petty
9. 75 – Lake Speed
10. 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 finished in 7th, gaining 81 points on Elliott. Darrell Waltrip clinched 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.

## Final point standings

See also: List of NASCAR points scoring systems
1. Darrell Waltrip 4292
2. Bill Elliott 4191
3. Harry Gant 4033
4. Neil Bonnett 3902
5. Geoffrey Bodine 3862
6. Ricky Rudd 3857
7. Terry Labonte 3683
8. Dale Earnhardt 3561
9. Kyle Petty 3528
10. Lake Speed 3507
11. Tim Richmond 3413
12. Bobby Allison 3312
13. Ron Bouchard 3267
14. Richard Petty 3140
15. Bobby Hillin, Jr. 3091
16. Ken Schrader 3024
17. Buddy Baker 2986
18. Dave Marcis 2871
19. Rusty Wallace 2867
20. Buddy Arrington 2780
21. Phil Parsons 2740
22. Clark Dwyer 2641
23. Jimmy Means 2548
24. Eddie Bierschwale 2396
25. Greg Sacks 1944
26. Cale Yarborough 1861
27. J. D. McDuffie 1853
28. Trevor Boys 1461
29. Benny Parsons 1427
30. Joe Ruttman 1410
31. Morgan Shepherd 1406
32. Bobby Wawak 1226
33. Lennie Pond 1107
34. Tommy Ellis 1100
35. Mike Alexander 1046
36. David Pearson 879
37. Sterling Marlin 645
38. Don Hume 637
39. Ronnie Thomas 631
40. Alan Kulwicki 509
41. Rick Newsom 450
42. Mike Potter 443
43. Jerry Bowman 434
44. Bobby Gerhart 422
45. A. J. Foyt 410
46. Phil Good 406
47. Ken Ragan 356
48. Slick Johnson 343
49. Connie Saylor 296
50. Jim Sauter 267

The above information is from Racing Reference

## References

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