1987 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

39th season of NASCAR stock-car racingTemplate:SHORTDESC:39th season of NASCAR stock-car racing

The **1987 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Season** was the 39th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 16th modern-era cup series. The season began on February 8 and ended on November 22. Dale Earnhardt of Richard Childress Racing won the championship for the third time.

## Team Changes

After a championship together in 1985, Darrell Waltrip decided to move from the No. 11 Junior Johnson Chevrolet to the new No. 17 Chevrolet, a third full-time Hendrick Motorsports team.

A famous quote stemmed from this move, which crew chief Jeff Hammond describes in his book *Real Men Work In the Pits* went like this:

"I finally got me a thoroughbred." – Darrell Waltrip, referring to his new ride.

"I don't know about any thoroughbred. I do know we had a jackass around here who recently left." – Junior Johnson

The rest of "silly season" looked like this among full-time teams: Terry Labonte left the No. 44 Piedmont Oldsmobile owned by Billy Hagan to replace Waltrip in the No. 11. Johnson decided to disband the No. 12 Budweiser team and let go driver Neil Bonnett, who moved to the No. 75 Pontiac. Morgan Shepherd vacated the No. 75 in favor of the No. 26 Buick owned by Kenny Bernstein, driven by Joe Ruttman in 1986. Phil Parsons would replace older brother Benny in the No. 55 Oldsmobile owned by Leo and Richard Jackson. Lake Speed started out 1986 in the No. 75 RahMoc ride but was let go early in the season. Speed would form his own team for 1987 in the No. 83 Oldsmobile.

A few car number changes took place as well. Kyle Petty would continue to drive the Wood Brothers Ford, switching from No. 7 to No. 21. Alan Kulwicki took the No. 7 for his independent team. Cale Yarborough exited the No. 28 Ford team and drove his self-owned No. 29 Oldsmobile. Davey Allison would compete for Rookie Of The Year in the Harry Ranier No. 28 Ford.. Michael Waltrip would continue driving for Chuck Rider but switched from the No. 23 Chevrolet to the No. 30 Chevrolet.

Drivers remaining with the same teams from 1986 would be: No. 3 Dale Earnhardt (owner: Richard Childress), No. 4 Rick Wilson (Larry McClure) No. 5 Geoff Bodine (Rick Hendrick), No. 8 Bobby Hillin, Jr. (Stavola Brothers), No. 9 Bill Elliott ( Harry Melling), No. 15 Ricky Rudd (Bud Moore), No. 18 Tommy Ellis (Eric Freelander), No. 22 Bobby Allison (Stavola Brothers), No. 27 Rusty Wallace (Raymond Beadle), No. 33 Harry Gant (Hal Needham), No. 43 Richard Petty ( Petty Enterprises), No. 52 Jimmy Means, No. 70 J.D. McDuffie (Tom Winkle), No. 71 Dave Marcis, No. 88 Buddy Baker (Baker/Danny Schiff), No. 90 Ken Schrader (Junie Donlavey) and the part-time/independent efforts of No. 14 A. J. Foyt, No. 67 Buddy Arrington, No. 77 Ken Ragan (Marvin Ragan), No. 81 Chet Fillip (Corey Fillip) and No. 89 Jim Sauter (Mueller Brothers).

Top drivers out of a ride included Benny Parsons and Joe Ruttman.

Those who officially threw their hat in the ring for NASCAR Rookie of the Year in 1987 would be: Davey Allison, Steve Christman (No. 62 AC Delco, Tom Winkle), Rodney Combs (No. 10 DiGard) and Derrike Cope (No. 19 Stoke Racing).

Ron Bouchard, Trevor Boys, Eddie Bierschwale and a host of others would battle for the remaining open spots.

## Preseason

* **January 8, 1987** – Tim Richmond announced that he would miss the first part of 1987 due to "double pneumonia." Benny Parsons was hired to replace Richmond in the No. 35 Folgers Chevrolet for car owner Rick Hendrick.
* **February 4, 1987** – Bruce Jacobi died at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, IN. Jacobi was injured in the first Twin 125-mile qualifying race on February 17, 1983, and had been in a coma since then.

## Busch Clash

The Busch Clash, an annual invitational event for all Busch Pole winners the previous season, was held February 8 at Daytona International Speedway. Bill Elliott drew for the pole. Alan Kulwicki was the wild card.

**Results**

1. 9-Bill Elliott
2. 5-Geoff Bodine
3. 17-Darrell Waltrip
4. 3-Dale Earnhardt
5. 7-Alan Kulwicki
6. 29-Cale Yarborough
7. 35-Benny Parsons
8. 33-Harry Gant
9. 11-Terry Labonte
10. 15-Ricky Rudd

## 7-Eleven Twin 125's

The 7-Eleven Twin 125's, a pair of qualifying races for the Daytona 500, were held February 12 at Daytona International Speedway. Bill Elliott and Davey Allison won the poles for both races, respectively, as a result of their speeds in qualifying on February 9.

**Race One: Top Ten Results**

1. 90-Ken Schrader
2. 9-Bill Elliott
3. 17-Darrell Waltrip
4. 88-Buddy Baker
5. 4-Rick Wilson
6. 43-Richard Petty
7. 3-Dale Earnhardt
8. 75-Neil Bonnett
9. 1-Ron Bouchard
10. 55-Phil Parsons

Notes:

* Jocko Maggiacomo DNS.
* This race featured two flips, Phil Barkdoll and Tommy Ellis. A. J. Foyt was involved in the Ellis wreck and suffered a shoulder injury.

**Race Two: Top Ten Results**

1. 35-Benny Parsons
2. 22-Bobby Allison
3. 5-Geoff Bodine
4. 44-Sterling Marlin
5. 33-Harry Gant
6. 28-Davey Allison
7. 11-Terry Labonte
8. 71-Dave Marcis
9. 30-Michael Waltrip
10. 21-Kyle Petty

## Goodwrench 500

The Goodwrench 500 was held March 1 at North Carolina Motor Speedway. Davey Allison won his first career pole.

**Top Ten Results**

1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
2. 15-Ricky Rudd
3. 75-Neil Bonnett
4. 9-Bill Elliott
5. 26-Morgan Shepherd -1
6. 27-Rusty Wallace -1
7. 17-Darrell Waltrip -2
8. 11-Terry Labonte -2
9. 28-Davey Allison -2
10. 90-Ken Schrader -3

## Miller High Life 400

The Miller High Life 400 was held March 8 at Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway. Alan Kulwicki won his first career pole.

**Top Ten Results**

1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
2. 5-Geoff Bodine
3. 27-Rusty Wallace
4. 9-Bill Elliott
5. 11-Terry Labonte
6. 7-Alan Kulwicki
7. 21-Kyle Petty -1
8. 71-Dave Marcis -1
9. 22-Bobby Allison -1
10. 35-Benny Parsons -2

Failed to qualify:
34-Ron Sheppard, 83-Lake Speed, 02-Bob Hollar

## Motorcraft Quality Parts 500

The Motorcraft Quality Parts 500 was held March 15 at Atlanta International Raceway. Dale Earnhardt won the pole.

**Top Ten Results**

1. 15-Ricky Rudd
2. 35-Benny Parsons
3. 27-Rusty Wallace
4. 11-Terry Labonte
5. 28-Davey Allison -1
6. 17-Darrell Waltrip -1
7. 75-Neil Bonnett -1
8. 29-Cale Yarborough -1
9. 42-Kyle Petty -1
10. 26-Morgan Shepherd -2

Failed to Qualify:

67-Eddie Bierschwale, 68-Jerry Holden, 74-Bobby Wawak

## TranSouth 500

The TranSouth 500 was held March 29 at Darlington Raceway. Bill Elliott was leading at the white flag but ran out of gas in Turn 3. This allowed Dale Earnhardt to overtake Elliott and cruise to victory. Ken Schrader won the pole.

**Top Ten Results**

1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
2. 9-Bill Elliott
3. 43-Richard Petty
4. 44-Sterling Marlin
5. 90-Ken Schrader
6. 75-Neil Bonnett
7. 33-Harry Gant -1
8. 1-Ron Bouchard -1
9. 55-Phil Parsons -1
10. 17-Darrell Waltrip -1

## First Union 400

The First Union 400 was held April 5 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Bill Elliott won the pole.

**Top Ten Results**

1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
2. 21-Kyle Petty
3. 75-Neil Bonnett
4. 7-Alan Kulwicki
5. 15-Ricky Rudd -1
6. 43-Richard Petty -1
7. 55-Phil Parsons -1
8. 11-Terry Labonte\* -2
9. 27-Rusty Wallace -2
10. 9-Bill Elliott -2

* Brett Bodine got in the No. 11 Budweiser Chevrolet to relieve Terry Labonte, who had been injured the previous week at Darlington.
* This was the final race of DiGard Motorsports. The team's assets were sold to businessman Bob Whitcomb in 1988.
* this was Dale Jarret’s first start of the year as he replaced Tommy Ellis at Freelander Motorsports

## Valleydale Meats 500

The Valleydale Meats 500 was held April 12 at Bristol International Raceway. Harry Gant won the pole.

**Top Ten Results**

1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
2. 43-Richard Petty
3. 15-Ricky Rudd
4. 9-Bill Elliott
5. 7-Alan Kulwicki
6. 33-Harry Gant
7. 21-Kyle Petty
8. 26-Morgan Shepherd -1
9. 11-Terry Labonte\* -1
10. 18-Dale Jarrett -3

## Sovran Bank 500

The Sovran Bank 500 was held April 26 at Martinsville Speedway. The No. 26 of Morgan Shepherd won the pole.

**Top Ten Results**

1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
2. 27-Rusty Wallace
3. 5-Geoff Bodine
4. 55-Phil Parsons
5. 11-Terry Labonte -2
6. 9-Bill Elliott -2
7. 90-Ken Schrader -2
8. 22-Bobby Allison -3
9. 75-Neil Bonnett -4
10. 30-Michael Waltrip -5

## Winston 500

* **Main article:** *1987 Winston 500*

The Winston 500 was held May 3 at Alabama International Motor Speedway. Bill Elliott won the pole at a record speed of 212.809 mph (44.998 seconds), a record that still stands today and will likely never be broken. But the race was also remembered for a near-tragedy early when Bobby Allison flew into the fence and nearly landed in the frontstretch grandstands. Though Allison was not injured, a female fan lost an eye as a result of being struck by debris. Eventually this crash would lead to the introduction of restrictor plates in 1988 and the practice would continue until the 2019 Daytona 500.

**Top Ten Results**

1. 28-Davey Allison\*
2. 11-Terry Labonte
3. 21-Kyle Petty
4. 3-Dale Earnhardt
5. 8-Bobby Hillin, Jr.
6. 27-Rusty Wallace
7. 75-Neil Bonnett
8. 90-Ken Schrader
9. 83-Lake Speed -1
10. 26-Morgan Shepherd -1

* This was the last Winston Cup race at Daytona or Talladega to be run unrestricted with normal engine configurations until the 2019 Daytona 500.
* This was Davey Allison's first career Winston Cup victory, in only his 13th career start.
* The race was shortened to 178 laps due to darkness. This was as a result of the red flag that lasted about 2 and a half hours to repair the catch fence after Bobby Allison's crash.

## The Winston

*Main article*: ***1987 The Winston***
The Winston, an annual invitational race for previous winners in Winston Cup, was held May 17 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Dale Earnhardt won the race. At one point, Bill Elliott's car nicked the rear of Earnhardt's, sending the latter into the infield grass. But no sooner did Earnhardt drive through the grass than he drove onto the track once more. That incident came to be known as "The Pass in the Grass." With eight laps to go, contact with Earnhardt cut down Elliott's tire. An angry Elliott retaliated by wrecking Earnhardt after the race was over.

This race would be the breakthrough edition NASCAR envisioned, with the adoption of the non-winners "last chance" race and the 19 most recent NASCAR race winners in the feature of 75, 50, and 10 laps.

**Top Ten Results**

1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
2. 11-Terry Labonte
3. 25-Tim Richmond
4. 5-Geoff Bodine
5. 27-Rusty Wallace
6. 21-Kyle Petty
7. 26-Morgan Shepherd
8. 22-Bobby Allison
9. 17-Darrell Waltrip
10. 55-Benny Parsons

## Coca-Cola 600

* **Main article:** *1987 Coca-Cola 600*

The Coca-Cola 600 was held May 24 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The No. 9 of Bill Elliott won the pole.

**Top Ten Results**

1. 21-Kyle Petty
2. 26-Morgan Shepherd -1
3. 83-Lake Speed -1
4. 43-Richard Petty -2
5. 17-Darrell Waltrip -2
6. 11-Terry Labonte -2
7. 88-Buddy Baker -2
8. 55-Phil Parsons \*2
9. 89-Jim Sauter -4
10. 27-Rusty Wallace -4

* This race was notable for the sheer amount of attrition. Out of the 42 cars that started the 600 mile event, only 17 of them finished the race.
* Kyle Petty won this race by over 1 lap over 2nd place (Morgan Shepherd).
* 21 years before Marcos Ambrose made his debut in the series, Allan Grice became the first Australian driver to qualify for a Winston Cup race. In his first ever run on an oval track, Grice qualified his Oldsmobile Cutlass in 35th position.
* This would be Kyle Petty’s last win with the Wood Brothers. Petty left the team following a dismal 1988 season to drive for Felix Sabates.

## Budweiser 500

The Budweiser 500 was held May 31 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Bill Elliott won the pole.

**Top Ten Results**

1. 28-Davey Allison
2. 9-Bill Elliott
3. 11-Terry Labonte -1
4. 3-Dale Earnhardt -2
5. 35-Benny Parsons -2
6. 90-Ken Schrader -2
7. 17-Darrell Waltrip -4
8. 71-Dave Marcis -4
9. 75-Neil Bonnett -6
10. 44-Sterling Marlin -6

## Miller High Life 500

The Miller High Life 500 was held June 14 at Pocono Raceway. The No. 11 of Terry Labonte won the pole.

**Top Ten Results**

1. 25-Tim Richmond\*
2. 9-Bill Elliott
3. 21-Kyle Petty
4. 29-Cale Yarborough
5. 3-Dale Earnhardt
6. 22-Bobby Allison
7. 15-Ricky Rudd
8. 75-Neil Bonnett
9. 5-Geoff Bodine
10. 88-Buddy Baker

* This was Tim Richmond's first start of 1987. Late in the 1986 season, Richmond came down with what was thought of as "double pneumonia." This caused him to miss most of the season.

## Budweiser 400

The Budweiser 400 was held June 21 at Riverside International Raceway. Terry Labonte won the pole.

**Top Ten Results**

1. 25 - Tim Richmond
2. 15 - Ricky Rudd
3. 75 - Neil Bonnett
4. 11 - Terry Labonte
5. 9 - Bill Elliott
6. 43 - Richard Petty
7. 3 - Dale Earnhardt
8. 22 - Bobby Allison
9. 44 - Sterling Marlin
10. 90 - Ken Schrader

* This was Tim Richmond's final career victory.

## Miller American 400

The Miller American 400 was held June 28 at Michigan International Speedway. Rusty Wallace won the pole.

**Top Ten Results**

1. 3 - Dale Earnhardt
2. 28 - Davey Allison
3. 21 - Kyle Petty
4. 25 - Tim Richmond
5. 27 - Rusty Wallace
6. 8 - Bobby Hillin, Jr.
7. 17 - Darrell Waltrip -1
8. 90 - Ken Schrader -1
9. 35 - Benny Parsons -1
10. 83 - Lake Speed -1

## Pepsi Firecracker 400

The Pepsi Firecracker 400 was held July 4 at Daytona International Speedway. The No. 28 of Davey Allison won the pole.

**Top Ten Results**

1. 22-Bobby Allison
2. 88-Buddy Baker
3. 71-Dave Marcis
4. 17-Darrell Waltrip
5. 26-Morgan Shepherd
6. 3-Dale Earnhardt
7. 90-Ken Schrader\*
8. 27-Rusty Wallace
9. 33-Harry Gant
10. 11-Terry Labonte

Failed to Qualify:

0-Delma Cowart, 6-Connie Saylor, 39-Blackie Wangerin, 48-Tony Spanos, 62-Steve Christman, 70-J. D. McDuffie, 73-Phil Barkdoll, 74-Bobby Wawak

* In this race, smaller carburetors (the size used in the Busch Series) were mandated by NASCAR at Daytona and Talladega in an attempt to slow the cars. The pole speed was just over 198 mph as compared to over 210 mph in February.
* NASCAR officials experienced scoring difficulties late in the race, and at one point, were scoring leader Bobby Allison as one lap down. Final results properly restored the missing lap to Allison's total, and he was credited with the victory.
* On the final lap, Ken Schrader got loose coming out of turn four, spun, and barrel-rolled in the tri-oval just shy of the start/finish line. He collected Harry Gant, slid across the finish line, and still finished in 7th place.
* In the movie Days of Thunder, Schrader’s flip can be seen on the TV set at the beginning of the scene where Cole Trickle and Harry Hogge are riding in a trailer.

## Summer 500

The Summer 500 was held July 19 at Pocono Raceway. Tim Richmond won the pole.

**Top Ten Results**

1. Dale Earnhardt
2. Alan Kulwicki
3. Buddy Baker
4. Benny Parsons
5. Davey Allison
6. Terry Labonte
7. Neil Bonnett
8. Richard Petty -1
9. Dave Marcis -1
10. Ken Schrader -1

## Talladega 500

The Talladega 500 was held July 26 at Alabama International Motor Speedway. Bill Elliott won the pole at 203.827 mph (328.028 km/h) with the smaller Busch series carburetors.

**Top Ten Results**

1. Bill Elliott
2. Davey Allison
3. Dale Earnhardt
4. Darrell Waltrip
5. Cale Yarborough
6. Terry Labonte
7. Lake Speed
8. Rusty Wallace
9. Kyle Petty
10. Buddy Baker

## The Budweiser At The Glen

The Budweiser At The Glen was held August 10 at Watkins Glen International. Terry Labonte won the pole. The race started a day late due to rain.

**Top Ten Results**

1. Rusty Wallace
2. Terry Labonte
3. Dave Marcis
4. Ricky Rudd
5. Benny Parsons
6. Alan Kulwicki
7. Phil Parsons
8. Dale Earnhardt
9. Bobby Allison
10. Tim Richmond

* Wallace had a commanding lead in the final laps of the race, but prior to the white flag, he started running out of fuel. Rusty made a quick pit stop for gas, but kept his lead and held on for the win.

## Champion Spark Plug 400

The Champion Spark Plug 400 was held August 16 at Michigan International Speedway. Davey Allison won the pole.

**Top Ten Results**

1. Bill Elliott
2. Dale Earnhardt
3. Morgan Shepherd
4. Rusty Wallace
5. Davey Allison
6. Alan Kulwicki
7. Bobby Allison
8. Buddy Baker
9. Neil Bonnett
10. Geoff Bodine

* This was Tim Richmond's final race, he was running 8th at the time his engine blew so he finished 29th.
* Members of the print media covering the race were witnesses to the Northwest Airlines Flight 255 plane crash later in the day. Tom Higgins of *The Charlotte Observer* was involved in coverage of the plane crash, as he had just checked into the nearby hotel awaiting a Monday morning flight to Charlotte following the race.

## Busch 500

The Busch 500 was held August 22 at Bristol International Raceway. Terry Labonte won the pole.

**Top Ten Results**

1. 3 - Dale Earnhardt
2. 27 - Rusty Wallace
3. 15 - Ricky Rudd
4. 11 - Terry Labonte
5. 43 = Richard Petty
6. 5 - Geoff Bodine -3
7. 4 - Rick Wilson -4
8. 33 = Harry Gant -5
9. 9 - Bill Elliott -6
10. 75 - Neil Bonnett -6

Failed to qualify: Tony Spanos (No. 48), Troy Beebe (No. 6), Mike Potter (No. 81), J. D. McDuffie (No. 70)

## Southern 500

* **Main article:** *1987 Southern 500*

The Southern 500 was held September 6 at Darlington Raceway. Davey Allison won the pole.

**Top Ten Results**

1. Dale Earnhardt
2. Rusty Wallace
3. Richard Petty
4. Sterling Marlin
5. Terry Labonte
6. Bobby Hillin, Jr.
7. Ricky Rudd
8. Bill Elliott
9. Morgan Shepherd
10. Darrell Waltrip

## Wrangler Jeans Indigo 400

The Wrangler Jeans Indigo 400 was held September 13 at Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway. Alan Kulwicki won the pole.

**Top Ten Results**

1. Dale Earnhardt
2. Darrell Waltrip
3. Ricky Rudd
4. Bill Elliott
5. Richard Petty -1
6. Geoff Bodine -2
7. Dave Marcis -2
8. Terry Labonte -2
9. Jimmy Means -3
10. Neil Bonnett -3

## Delaware 500

The Delaware 500 was held September 20 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Alan Kulwicki won the pole.

**Top Ten Results**

1. Ricky Rudd
2. Davey Allison
3. Neil Bonnett
4. Bill Elliott
5. Sterling Marlin
6. Geoff Bodine -2
7. Bobby Allison -2
8. Buddy Baker -2
9. Richard Petty -4
10. Darrell Waltrip -5

## Goody's 500

* **Main article:** *1987 Goody's 500*

The Goody's 500 was held September 27 at Martinsville Speedway. Geoff Bodine won the pole. A late race caution set up an intense 3-lap sprint among Dale Earnhardt, Terry Labonte and Darrell Waltrip. On the final lap, going into turn 3, Labonte hooked Earnhardt's left rear quarter-panel, sending Earnhardt sideways and Labonte spinning towards the outside wall in turn 4. The contact enabled Waltrip to sneak underneath and grab the win.

**Top Ten Results**

1. Darrell Waltrip
2. Dale Earnhardt
3. Terry Labonte
4. Neil Bonnett -2
5. Morgan Shepherd -3
6. Alan Kulwicki -3
7. Sterling Marlin -4
8. Bobby Allison -5
9. Kyle Petty -8
10. Dale Jarrett -8

* Waltrip became a father just ten days prior to the race with the birth of his oldest daughter Jessica

## Holly Farms 400

* **Main article:** *1987 Holly Farms 400*

The Holly Farms 400 was held October 4 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Bill Elliott won the pole.

**Top Ten Results**

1. Terry Labonte
2. Dale Earnhardt
3. Bill Elliott -1
4. Morgan Shepherd -2
5. Geoff Bodine -2
6. Kyle Petty -2
7. Alan Kulwicki -2
8. Bobby Hillin, Jr. -3
9. Richard Petty -3
10. Rusty Wallace -3

## Oakwood Homes 500

The Oakwood Homes 500 was held October 11 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Bobby Allison won the pole.

**Top Ten Results**

1. Bill Elliott
2. Bobby Allison
3. Sterling Marlin
4. Terry Labonte -1
5. Richard Petty -1
6. Larry Pearson -1
7. Lake Speed -2
8. Ernie Irvan -2
9. Darrell Waltrip -3
10. Kyle Petty -4

A big, chain reaction crash at lap 125 took out Geoff Bodine, Brett Bodine, Alan Kulwicki, and Bobby Hllin Jr among others.

## AC Delco 500

The AC Delco 500 was held October 25 at North Carolina Motor Speedway. Davey Allison won the pole.

**Top Ten Results**

1. Bill Elliott
2. Dale Earnhardt
3. Darrell Waltrip
4. Terry Labonte
5. Morgan Shepherd
6. Kyle Petty
7. Buddy Baker
8. Geoff Bodine -2
9. Phil Parsons -2
10. Joe Ruttman -2

* Dale Earnhardt clinched his 3rd NASCAR Winston Cup Championship with two races to go. In the Bob Latford Winston Cup points system, a driver can clinch the championship with two races to go if he has a 370+ point lead over 2nd, and Earnhardt did just that by having a 515 point lead over Bill Elliott at the end of the race. Earnhardt would become the third driver in NASCAR history to clinch the Winston Cup Championship with two or more races to go, joining Richard Petty and Cale Yarborough, but as of 2018, Earnhardt is the only driver in NASCAR history to clinch the title twice with two races to go. He would accomplish it again in 1994 when he clinched his seventh and final championship with two races to go by 448 points over Rusty Wallace. In 1978, Yarborough clinched his third consecutive Winston Cup Championship with two races to go by 396 points over Bobby Allison, but in 1975 however, Petty clinched his sixth championship with four races to go because his point lead was 740+ over second. His margin was 827 points over James Hylton. Petty's championship win with four races to go is the earliest for a driver to clinch a championship in NASCAR history. Also as of 2018, this feat can never happen again due to several changes in the points system after 2003.

## Winston Western 500

* **Main article:** *1987 Winston Western 500*

The Winston Western 500 was held November 8 at Riverside International Raceway. Geoff Bodine won the pole.

**Top Ten Results**

1. Rusty Wallace
2. Benny Parsons
3. Kyle Petty
4. Richard Petty
5. Bobby Allison
6. Darrell Waltrip
7. Joe Ruttman
8. Terry Labonte
9. Dave Marcis
10. Geoff Bodine

Failed to qualify: Trevor Boys (No. 12), John Krebs (No. 66), Brad Noffsinger (No. 98), St. James Davis, Jack Sellers

* This was the last ever fall race at Riverside.

## Atlanta Journal 500

The Atlanta Journal 500 was held November 22 at Atlanta International Raceway marking the 1st time that Atlanta was the season finale (It was the season finale from 1987 to 2000). Bill Elliott won the pole.

**Top Ten Results**

1. Bill Elliott
2. Dale Earnhardt
3. Ricky Rudd
4. Bobby Allison
5. Davey Allison -1
6. Alan Kulwicki -1
7. Benny Parsons -1
8. Phil Parsons -1
9. Sterling Marlin -1
10. Buddy Baker -1

* Dale Earnhardt officially won his third Winston Cup Championship by 489 points over Bill Elliott, the second largest point margin in Bob Latford's Winston Cup points system history. As of 2018, Richard Petty holds the record for the largest point margin, dating back to 1975, when he won his sixth championship by 722 points over Dave Marcis.

## Final Points Standings

See also: List of NASCAR points scoring systems
1. Dale Earnhardt – 4696
2. Bill Elliott – 4207
3. Terry Labonte – 4007
4. Darrell Waltrip – 3911
5. Rusty Wallace – 3818
6. Ricky Rudd – 3742
7. Kyle Petty – 3737
8. Richard Petty – 3708
9. Bobby Allison – 3525
10. Ken Schrader – 3405
11. Sterling Marlin – 3381
12. Neil Bonnett – 3352
13. Geoff Bodine – 3328
14. Phil Parsons – 3327
15. Alan Kulwicki – 3238
16. Benny Parsons – 3215
17. Morgan Shepherd – 3099
18. Dave Marcis – 3080
19. Bobby Hillin, Jr – 3027
20. Michael Waltrip – 2840
21. Davey Allison – 2739
22. Harry Gant – 2725
23. Jimmy Means – 2483
24. Buddy Baker – 2373
25. Buddy Arrington – 2003
26. Dale Jarrett – 1840
27. Steve Christman – 1727
28. Rick Wilson – 1723
29. Cale Yarborough – 1450
30. J. D. McDuffie – 1361
31. Lake Speed – 1345
32. Brett Bodine – 1271
33. Greg Sacks – 1200
34. Eddie Bierschwale – 1162
35. Rodney Combs – 1098
36. Tim Richmond – 1063
37. Derrike Cope – 797
38. Mark Stahl – 687
39. Bobby Wawak – 638
40. D.K. Ulrich – 625
41. Ken Ragan – 549
42. Connie Saylor – 486
43. Jerry Cranmer – 482
44. Chet Fillip – 480
45. Trevor Boys – 460
46. Mike Potter – 456
47. Slick Johnson – 444
48. Ron Bouchard – 440
49. H. B. Bailey – 428
50. A. J. Foyt – 409

## Rookie of the Year

Davey Allison won the Rookie of the Year award in 1987, winning two races for Harry Ranier after making an aborted attempt at the award the previous season. He was followed by Dale Jarrett, who had two top-ten finishes, and Steve Christman, who did not race in NASCAR again following the season. The other contenders were Rodney Combs, Derrike Cope, and Jerry Cranmer, all running incomplete schedules.

## External links

* Winston Cup Standings and Statistics for 1987