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1989 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

41st season of NASCAR stock-car racing

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The 1989 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 41st season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 18th modern-era Cup season. It began February 12 and ended November 19. Rusty WallaceofBlue Max Racing won the championship. This was the first year that every Winston Cup race had flag to flag coverage, with almost all of them being televised live.

The 1989 season marked the end of the first of two tire wars between Goodyear and Hoosier, with Hoosier leaving NASCAR shortly after Goodyear debuted their new radial tires.^[1]

Also, 1989 was the first season without Bobby Allison, Benny Parsons, and Cale Yarborough.

The Busch Clash, an annual invitational event for all winners of the Busch Pole award from the previous season, was held February 12 at Daytona International Speedway. Ken Schrader drew for the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 25-Ken Schrader
2. 28-Davey Allison
3. 11-Terry Labonte
4. 5-Geoff Bodine
5. 4-Rick Wilson
6. 27-Rusty Wallace
7. 6-Mark Martin
8. 17-Darrell Waltrip
9. 75-Morgan Shepherd
10. 66-Rick Mast

The Gatorade 125s, a pair of qualifying races for the Daytona 500, were held February 16 at Daytona International Speedway. Ken Schrader and Darrell Waltrip won the poles for each event, respectively.

Race One Top Ten Results

1. 25-Ken Schrader
2. 75-Morgan Shepherd
3. 6-Mark Martin
4. 55-Phil Parsons
5. 7-Alan Kulwicki
6. 66-Rick Mast
7. 9-Jody Ridley
8. 10-Ken Bouchard -1
9. 45-Joe Ruttman -1
10. 71-Dave Marcis -1

Race Two Top Ten Results

1. 11-Terry Labonte
2. 94-Sterling Marlin
3. 3-Dale Earnhardt
4. 5-Geoff Bodine
5. 33-Harry Gant
6. 16-Larry Pearson
7. 28-Davey Allison
8. 17-Darrell Waltrip -1
9. 15-Brett Bodine -1
10. 29-Dale Jarrett -1

• Jody Ridley substituted for Bill Elliott, who injured his wrist in a practice crash.

The Daytona 500 was held February 19th. Ken Schrader won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 17-Darrell Waltrip
2. 25-Ken Schrader
3. 3-Dale Earnhardt
4. 5-Geoff Bodine
5. 55-Phil Parsons
6. 66-Rick Mast*
7. 7-Alan Kulwicki
8. 4-Rick Wilson
9. 11-Terry Labonte
10. 23-Eddie Bierschwale

• Darrell Waltrip stretched his fuel for 53 laps, and won the Daytona 500 for the first time in his career, after 17 tries.

The Goodwrench 500 was held March 5 at North Carolina Motor Speedway. Rusty Wallace won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 27-Rusty Wallace
2. 7-Alan Kulwicki
3. 3-Dale Earnhardt
4. 5-Geoff Bodine
5. 6-Mark Martin
6. 28-Davey Allison
7. 94-Sterling Marlin
8. 83-Lake Speed
9. 88-Greg Sacks
10. 31-Jim Sauter

• Rusty Wallace became the first driver to claim the Unocal 76 Challenge. After one rollover, and bonus money added at the season ending banquet, Wallace received an additional $22,800 for winning from the pole.

The Motorcraft Quality Parts 500 was held March 19 at Atlanta International Raceway. The No. 7 of Alan Kulwicki won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 17-Darrell Waltrip
2. 3-Dale Earnhardt
3. 84-Dick Trickle
4. 42-Kyle Petty
5. 94-Sterling Marlin
6. 4-Rick Wilson
7. 21-Neil Bonnett
8. 57-Hut Stricklin
9. 29-Dale Jarrett
10. 75-Morgan Shepherd

Failed to qualify: #36-H. B. Baily, #69-Lee Raymond, #70-J. D. McDuffie, Rodney Combs, Rick Jeffrey

• Richard Petty was a factor among the leaders, and led 9 laps. But during a pit stop, the gas can leaked fuel onto the exhaust pipe, and started a bad pit fire. Crew member Robert Callicutt suffered second degree burns over 40% of his body and was hospitalized. Petty was forced to drop out of the race. The incident led to new rules regarding crew member fire protection, and newly designed gas can nozzles to prevent leakage. In addition, all pit road reporters for ABC and ESPN would be required to wear fire protected suits for future races telecast by either network.

The Pontiac Excitement 400 was held March 26 at Richmond International Raceway. The No. 5 of Geoff Bodine won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 27-Rusty Wallace
2. 7-Alan Kulwicki
3. 3-Dale Earnhardt
4. 26-Ricky Rudd
5. 28-Davey Allison
6. 16-Larry Pearson
7. 17-Darrell Waltrip
8. 94-Sterling Marlin
9. 2-Ernie Irvan
10. 9-Bill Elliott

Failed to qualify: 43-Richard Petty

• This race was scheduled for the weekend after the Daytona 500 (February 26), but snow fell in Richmond and blanketed the Speedway. The race was postponed a month, and in subsequent seasons, the spring Richmond race was moved later and later into the season. It is one of the rare times a NASCAR race has been held on Easter Sunday, a weekend that has not had an originally scheduled NASCAR Cup race in the modern era.
• After qualifying for 513 consecutive races, Richard Petty failed to make the field for this race for the first time since the 1971 Georgia 500. He wrecked his primary car during practice, and could not get the backup car up to speed. His consecutive starts record would stand until the 1996 First Union 400 when Terry Labonte broke the record. Petty's failure to qualify would not be this isolated race however as he would fail to qualify for three additional races later in the season. This would eventually lead to the past champion's provisional being added for former Cup champions failing to qualify on speed or normal provisionals.

The TranSouth 500 was held April 2 at Darlington Raceway. Mark Martin won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 33-Harry Gant
2. 28-Davey Allison
3. 5-Geoff Bodine
4. 6-Mark Martin
5. 94-Sterling Marlin
6. 9-Bill Elliott
7. 7-Alan Kulwicki
8. 27-Rusty Wallace
9. 30-Michael Waltrip
10. 83-Lake Speed

• This was Harry Gant's first victory since the 1985 Holly Farms 400.

The Valleydale Meats 500 was held April 9 at Bristol International Raceway. Mark Martin won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 27-Rusty Wallace
2. 17-Darrell Waltrip
3. 5-Geoff Bodine
4. 28-Davey Allison
5. 84-Dick Trickle
6. 6-Mark Martin
7. 88-Greg Sacks
8. 26-Ricky Rudd
9. 9-Bill Elliott
10. 33-Harry Gant

Failed to qualify: #40-Ben Hess, #43-Richard Petty, #52-Jimmy Means, #70-J. D. McDuffie, #71-Dave Marcis, Steve Seligman

• This would be Greg Sacks' best finish of 1989.
• This was the final NASCAR start for team owner Buddy Arrington with Brad Teague as his final driver. Teague would finish 17th, 12 laps down to the winner.
• This race would set the all time caution record for the NASCAR Cup Series; this record would hold up for seventeen years before being beaten by the 2005 Coca-Cola 600.

The First Union 400 was held April 16 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Rusty Wallace won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
2. 7-Alan Kulwicki
3. 6-Mark Martin
4. 84-Dick Trickle
5. 11-Terry Labonte
6. 26-Ricky Rudd
7. 5-Geoff Bodine
8. 17-Darrell Waltrip
9. 27-Rusty Wallace
10. 2-Ernie Irvan

Failed to qualify: 8-Bobby Hillin Jr., 43-Richard Petty, 55-Phil Parsons*, 70-J. D. McDuffie, 04-Bill Meacham, Jerry O'Neil, Kevin Evans, Mark Walbridge

• The race was notable for Goodyear debuting their new radial tires and Dale Earnhardt winning the race with them.^[1]
• Phil Parsons' team purchased the No. 60 in this event in order to race. He finished 12th, 6 laps down.

The Pannill Sweatshirts 500 was held April 23 at Martinsville Speedway. The No. 5 of Geoff Bodine won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 17-Darrell Waltrip
2. 3-Dale Earnhardt
3. 84-Dick Trickle
4. 4-Rick Wilson
5. 11-Terry Labonte
6. 6-Mark Martin
7. 25-Ken Schrader
8. 94-Sterling Marlin
9. 71-Dave Marcis
10. 21-Neil Bonnett

• This would mark the final race as well as race victory for the older Chevrolet Monte Carlo body style. The new Chevrolet Lumina would debut the next week at Talladega Superspeedway.

The Winston 500 was held May 7 at Alabama International Motor Speedway. Mark Martin won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 28-Davey Allison
2. 11-Terry Labonte
3. 6-Mark Martin
4. 75-Morgan Shepherd
5. 17-Darrell Waltrip
6. 25-Ken Schrader
7. 33-Harry Gant
8. 3-Dale Earnhardt
9. 21-Neil Bonnett
10. 27-Rusty Wallace

• This was the first race for the new Chevrolet Lumina race car.
• This race marked the end of the first tire war, as Hoosier Racing Tire left NASCAR when they could not sell enough tires to be economically viable. Hoosier returned to the Winston Cup Series in 1994, but left for good after that season.^[2][3]
• This was Robert Yates Racing's first race victory.
• Derrike Cope brings his Purolator sponsorship to the Bob Whitcomb team as their new driver. He was involved in the race's final caution in The Big One crashing out of the race, finishing 30th.

The Winston, an annual all-star race for previous winners and champions along with the winner of the same day Winston Open, was held May 21 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The No. 11 of Terry Labonte won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 27-Rusty Wallace
2. 25-Ken Schrader
3. 3-Dale Earnhardt
4. 9-Bill Elliott
5. 7-Alan Kulwicki
6. 94-Sterling Marlin (Winston Open Winner)
7. 17-Darrell Waltrip
8. 26-Ricky Rudd
9. 5-Geoff Bodine
10. 88-Greg Sacks

• Rusty Wallace spun Darrell Waltrip out of the lead coming to the white flag to earn the victory. This sparked a fight between Wallace and Waltrip's crew members in the pits before Wallace got to victory lane.

The Coca-Cola 600 was held May 28 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The No. 7 of Alan Kulwicki won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 17-Darrell Waltrip
2. 94-Sterling Marlin
3. 25-Ken Schrader
4. 5-Geoff Bodine
5. 9-Bill Elliott
6. 6-Mark Martin
7. 21-Neil Bonnett
8. 15-Brett Bodine
9. 8-Bobby Hillin Jr.
10. 26-Ricky Rudd

• By winning the Daytona 500 earlier in the season, and now the Coca-Cola 600, Waltrip secured a $100,000 bonus for winning two of the Winston Million races, and put himself in position to win the Winston Million later in the season at Darlington.
• Kyle Petty drives the number 42 Peak Antifreeze Chevrolet Monte Carlo owned by Rick Hendrick in this race due to Kyle destroying the only car his regular owner Felix Sabates had during the previous weekend on lap 3 of The Winston. He would finish 17th, 8 laps down to the winner.^[4]
• Darrell Waltrip, who won the final race with the older Chevrolet Monte Carlo body style at Martinsville a month earlier, became the first driver to take the Lumina that replaced it to Victory Lane.

The Budweiser 500 was held June 4 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Mark Martin won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
2. 6-Mark Martin
3. 25-Ken Schrader
4. 11-Terry Labonte
5. 27-Rusty Wallace
6. 26-Ricky Rudd
7. 21-Neil Bonnett
8. 9-Bill Elliott
9. 17-Darrell Waltrip
10. 55-Phil Parsons

• This race marked the debut of Jimmy Spencer in the NASCAR Cup Series driving Buddy Baker's number 88. However it was short lived as he would finish 34th only completing 75 laps due to engine failure.^[5]

The inaugural Banquet Frozen Foods 300 was held June 11 at Sears Point Raceway. Rusty Wallace won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 26-Ricky Rudd
2. 27-Rusty Wallace
3. 9-Bill Elliott
4. 3-Dale Earnhardt
5. 83-Lake Speed
6. 88-Joe Ruttman
7. 75-Morgan Shepherd
8. 4-Rick Wilson
9. 28-Davey Allison
10. 30-Michael Waltrip

• Mark Martin actually rolled his car during the race due to an error by a new tire changer (only two of the five lug nuts were properly fastened on the car). Right after the car left the pits, the right rear came off, the car spun, hit the tire barrier and rolled onto its roof. However, he came back to finish the race in 31st, 5 laps down.
• This would be Buick's penultimate victory in the NASCAR Cup Series.

The Miller High Life 500 was held June 18 at Pocono International Raceway. The No. 27 of Rusty Wallace won the pole. This race was one of the few races telecast on Pay Per View.

Top Ten Results

1. 11-Terry Labonte
2. 33-Harry Gant
3. 3-Dale Earnhardt
4. 25-Ken Schrader
5. 75-Morgan Shepherd
6. 94-Sterling Marlin
7. 29-Dale Jarrett
8. 21-Neil Bonnett
9. 16-Larry Pearson
10. 15-Brett Bodine

• This was the first victory for Junior Johnson's team using a Ford since the 1969 American 500 at Rockingham.

The Miller High Life 400 was held June 25 at Michigan International Speedway. The No. 25 of Ken Schrader won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 9-Bill Elliott
2. 27-Rusty Wallace
3. 17-Darrell Waltrip
4. 26-Ricky Rudd
5. 15-Brett Bodine
6. 4-Rick Wilson
7. 83-Lake Speed
8. 94-Sterling Marlin
9. 10-Derrike Cope
10. 42-Kyle Petty

The Pepsi 400 was held July 1 at Daytona International Speedway. The No. 6 of Mark Martin won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 28-Davey Allison
2. 75-Morgan Shepherd
3. 55-Phil Parsons
4. 9-Bill Elliott
5. 7-Alan Kulwicki
6. 11-Terry Labonte
7. 94-Sterling Marlin
8. 84-Dick Trickle
9. 26-Ricky Rudd
10. 57-Hut Stricklin

• This was first time the Pepsi 400 was aired on ESPN. The race was shown flag-to-flag, but on same-day tape delay. Previously, the Pepsi/Firecracker 400 was aired as part of ABC's Wide World of Sports and only highlights of the race would air.
• This race featured a rollover crash involving the No. 83 of Lake Speed on lap 144.

The AC Spark Plug 500 was held on July 23 at Pocono International Raceway. Ken Schrader won the pole.

Top Ten Finishers

1. 9-Bill Elliott
2. 27-Rusty Wallace
3. 6-Mark Martin
4. 17-Darrell Waltrip
5. 28-Davey Allison
6. 33-Harry Gant
7. 25-Ken Schrader
8. 75-Morgan Shepherd
9. 3-Dale Earnhardt
10. 15-Brett Bodine

• This race was notable for two wrecks that tore open portions of the track's boilerplate walls. Jimmy Horton crashed in Turn Two and tore open a hole in the wall. Later a big wreck erupted in Turn One involving Greg Sacks in the Tom Winkle No. 48 and the No. 83 of Lake Speed. The two cars got together going into Turn One and smashed into the boilerplate wall head-on. The hit punched open the wall and sent Sacks flipping. The yellow remained out for the duration of time needed to repair the wall. Speed broke his shoulder in the crash and had to sit out for a couple weeks.
• Elliott cut a tire on the opening lap but rallied to take the lead from Wallace in the final ten laps. The win tied Elliott with Tim Richmond for most wins at Pocono. Richmond, battling illness, was the subject of a short retrospective piece on the ESPN telecast and former Richmond crew chiefs Barry Dodson and Harry Hyde were interviewed on-air about him.

The Talladega DieHard 500 was held July 30 at Alabama International Motor Speedway. Mark Martin won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 11-Terry Labonte
2. 17-Darrell Waltrip
3. 6-Mark Martin
4. 25-Ken Schrader
5. 4-Rick Wilson
6. 75-Morgan Shepherd
7. 42-Kyle Petty
8. 33-Harry Gant
9. 28-Davey Allison
10. 21-Neil Bonnett

• Joe Ruttman substituted for Lake Speed in the No. 83, and crashed spectacularly on lap 145. Ruttman hit the wall nearly head-on and almost got on his side as a result.
• This would be Labontes final win with the Junior Johnson team. Labonte would not win again in the Cup series until 1994.

The Budweiser at the Glen was held August 13 at Watkins Glen International. Morgan Shepherd won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 27-Rusty Wallace
2. 6-Mark Martin
3. 3-Dale Earnhardt
4. 28-Davey Allison
5. 8-Bobby Hillin Jr.
6. 75-Morgan Shepherd
7. 94-Sterling Marlin
8. 4-Rick Wilson
9. 44-Jim Sauter
10. 30-Michael Waltrip

• Eddie Bierschwale was the substitute driver in the No. 83 for Lake Speed, who was still recovering from his shoulder injury at Pocono. He finished 38th.
• This race is notable for a big wreck on lap 89 involving the No. 5 of Geoff Bodine. Bodine lost a tire at the end of the backstraight, spun around and went through the barrier and hitting a fence behind the barrier (more or less marking off the property line of Watkins Glen International's land). Bodine was uninjured.
• Also on this day, Tim Richmond who had a long battle with AIDS, died earlier in the day.

The Champion Spark Plug 400 was held August 20 at Michigan International Speedway. Geoff Bodine won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 27-Rusty Wallace
2. 75-Morgan Shepherd
3. 33-Harry Gant
4. 57-Hut Stricklin
5. 5-Geoff Bodine
6. 10-Derrike Cope
7. 28-Davey Allison
8. 26-Ricky Rudd
9. 6-Mark Martin
10. 7-Alan Kulwicki

The Busch 500 was held August 26 at Bristol International Raceway. Alan Kulwicki won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 17-Darrell Waltrip
2. 7-Alan Kulwicki
3. 26-Ricky Rudd
4. 33-Harry Gant
5. 11-Terry Labonte
6. 27-Rusty Wallace
7. 8-Bobby Hillin Jr.
8. 88-Jimmy Spencer
9. 21-Neil Bonnett
10. 29-Dale Jarrett

Failed to qualify: 43-Richard Petty

• This was the fourth race that Petty failed to qualify. In response to fan complaints about Petty missing several races, NASCAR introduced the past champion's provisional in 1991.^[6][7]
• Fortunately, this would be the last DNQ for Richard Petty before his retirement in 1992.

The Heinz Southern 500 was held September 3 at Darlington Raceway. The No. 7 of Alan Kulwicki won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
2. 6-Mark Martin
3. 26-Ricky Rudd
4. 27-Rusty Wallace
5. 25-Ken Schrader
6. 33-Harry Gant
7. 9-Bill Elliott
8. 8-Bobby Hillin Jr.
9. 75-Morgan Shepherd
10. 94-Sterling Marlin

• Darrell Waltrip had a chance to win the Winston Million at Darlington, but hit the wall early in the race and finished 22nd.
• Rodney Combs replaced Joe RuttmanasLake Speed's substitute driver in the No. 83 at Darlington. He finished 23rd.

The Miller High Life 400 was held September 10 at Richmond International Raceway. The No. 9 of Bill Elliott won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 27-Rusty Wallace
2. 3-Dale Earnhardt
3. 5-Geoff Bodine
4. 26-Ricky Rudd
5. 33-Harry Gant
6. 17-Darrell Waltrip
7. 21-Neil Bonnett
8. 84-Dick Trickle
9. 57-Hut Stricklin
10. 28-Davey Allison

• Lake Speed returned to the No. 83 at Richmond after sitting out 5 races due to injury.
• Lennie Pond retired after this race.

The Peak Performance 500 was held September 17 at Dover Downs International Speedway. The No. 28 of Davey Allison won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
2. 6-Mark Martin
3. 25-Ken Schrader
4. 9-Bill Elliott
5. 26-Ricky Rudd
6. 30-Michael Waltrip
7. 27-Rusty Wallace
8. 10-Derrike Cope
9. 15-Brett Bodine
10. 88-Jimmy Spencer

• The race was red-flagged briefly because of a crash involving Neil Bonnett. Bonnett, who broke his sternum in the incident, was forced to sit out the next three races. The reason for the delay was to clear the track to allow for an ambulance to transport Bonnett out of the speedway to a local hospital.

The Goody's 500 was held September 24 at Martinsville Speedway. Dale Earnhardt started on the pole, which was actually won by Jimmy Hensley (as a substitute driver) as Earnhardt and others could not reach the track in time due to Hurricane Hugo, which affected the area.

Top Ten Results

1. 17-Darrell Waltrip
2. 33-Harry Gant
3. 84-Dick Trickle
4. 27-Rusty Wallace
5. 29-Dale Jarrett
6. 2-Ernie Irvan
7. 15-Brett Bodine
8. 26-Ricky Rudd
9. 3-Dale Earnhardt
10. 25-Ken Schrader

• Tommy Ellis substituted for Neil Bonnett in the No. 21 in this race, and the next 2 events in Charlotte and North Wilkesboro.

The All Pro Auto Parts 500 was held October 8 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Bill Elliott won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 25-Ken Schrader
2. 33-Harry Gant
3. 6-Mark Martin
4. 9-Bill Elliott
5. 28-Davey Allison
6. 10-Derrike Cope
7. 94-Sterling Marlin
8. 27-Rusty Wallace -1
9. 8-Bobby Hillin Jr. -2
10. 75-Morgan Shepherd -2

Failed to qualify: 14-A. J. Foyt*

• Foyt was involved in a practice crash where he suffered a significant concussion which kept him from attempting to qualify.
• Dale Earnhardt lost the points lead in this race when the camshaft in his No. 3 Chevrolet broke in the 13th lap, and he dropped out.

The Holly Farms 400atNorth Wilkesboro Speedway was originally scheduled for October 1, but rain forced the race to be postponed to October 15. Dale Earnhardt won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 5-Geoff Bodine
2. 6-Mark Martin
3. 11-Terry Labonte
4. 33-Harry Gant
5. 75-Morgan Shepherd
6. 9-Bill Elliott
7. 27-Rusty Wallace
8. 2-Ernie Irvan
9. 26-Ricky Rudd
10. 3-Dale Earnhardt

• This race was notable for the race for the win between Earnhardt and Ricky Rudd. On the last lap, Earnhardt and Rudd touched in turn 1, spinning both cars out. This allowed Geoff Bodine to slip by and win the race, and allowed Rusty Wallace to gain points on Earnhardt for the championship hunt.
• This was Bodine's first win since the 1988 Miller High Life 500atPocono. Bodine led only the final lap of the race while Dale Earnhardt dominated, leading 343 of the 400 laps. This was also Geoff Bodine's final win in a Chevrolet and with Hendrick Motorsports. Geoff would leave the #5 Levi Garrett Chevrolet Lumina to go drive the #11 Budweiser Ford Thunderbird for the next 2 years (1990-1991) with Junior Johnson & Associates.
• A rare father-and-son crash knocked both Richard Petty and son Kyle out of the race, with Richard finishing 32nd (last); the 15th and final last-place finish for "the King". Kyle ended the afternoon in 31st place.

The AC Delco 500 was held October 22 at North Carolina Motor Speedway. Alan Kulwicki won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 6-Mark Martin*
2. 27-Rusty Wallace
3. 17-Darrell Waltrip
4. 25-Ken Schrader
5. 84-Dick Trickle
6. 21-Neil Bonnett*
7. 5-Geoff Bodine
8. 8-Bobby Hillin Jr.
9. 7-Alan Kulwicki
10. 42-Kyle Petty

• This was Martin's first career Winston Cup victory.
• This was Bonnett's first race back from his sternum injury that he suffered at Dover.

The Autoworks 500 was held November 5 at Phoenix International Raceway. Ken Schrader won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 9-Bill Elliott
2. 11-Terry Labonte
3. 6-Mark Martin
4. 17-Darrell Waltrip
5. 29-Dale Jarrett
6. 3-Dale Earnhardt
7. 84-Dick Trickle
8. 33-Harry Gant
9. 30-Michael Waltrip
10. 88-Jimmy Spencer

Failed to qualify: 18-Tommy Ellis, 41-Danny Lawson, 89-Bob Howard, 35-Keith van Houten, 07-Mark Walbridge, 44-Jack Sellers, 19-Robert Sprague, 24-Butch Gilliland, 22-St. James Davis, 80-Bob Walker, 08-Rick McCray, 99-John Krebs, 38-Duke Hoenshell, 04-Hershel McGriff, 50-Rick Scribner^[8]

• Two cars entered by Hendrick Motorsports (the No. 46 City Chevrolet driven by Greg Sacks and the No. 51 Exxon Chevrolet driven by Bobby Hamilton) were entered to get in-race footage for the 1990 film Days of Thunder. Hamilton actually led the race with 100 laps to go (in his first career start) before the engine blew. A third movie car (the No. 18 Hardee's Chevrolet driven by Tommy Ellis) failed to make the race.

The Atlanta Journal 500 was held November 19 at Atlanta Motor Speedway. The No. 7 of Alan Kulwicki won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
2. 5-Geoff Bodine
3. 94-Sterling Marlin
4. 25-Ken Schrader
5. 17-Darrell Waltrip
6. 42-Kyle Petty
7. 8-Bobby Hillin Jr.
8. 75-Morgan Shepherd
9. 21-Neil Bonnett
10. 83-Lake Speed

• Three drivers entered the race mathematically eligible for the Winston Cup championship. Rusty Wallace had a 78-point lead over Mark Martin, and a 79-point lead over third-place Dale Earnhardt. Wallace had to finish 18th or better to clinch the title, but went into the race proclaiming he was going to 'run as hard as he could.' The statement was seen as a thinly veiled criticism of Bill Elliott whom Wallace lost the championship to a year earlier, in a similar situation. In that year, Elliott elected to drive a very conservative race, easily clinching the title, much to the ire of the hard-charging Wallace. Dale Earnhardt qualified 3rd, Wallace qualified 4th, but Martin would start back in 20th.^[9]

• Despite his plan to race all-out, Wallace encountered problems that complicated his day. On the first round of pit stops, he pitted under green but lost a lap when the caution came out shortly thereafter. Later, he suffered a flat tire and fell all the way back to the 33rd position. Wallace slowly and steadily worked his way back up the standings. Dale Earnhardt, meanwhile, dominated the race leading 294 of the 328 laps en route to victory. Mark Martin, the other driver in the mix for the championship did not end up being a factor. He dropped out on lap 224 with a blown engine that resulted in a fire. In the closing laps, Wallace was three laps down in 15th place, just barely holding on to the hypothetical points lead. Wallace managed to finish the race in 15th, and won the Winston Cup championship by a mere 12 points over Earnhardt.^[10] It was Wallace's first and only Winston Cup championship, and the first championship in the modern era for Pontiac.

• On lap 203, Grant Adcox struck the wall and suffered a heart attack and severe head injuries. Adcox died shortly after the accident.
• Final career top 10 for Neil Bonnett.

(key) Bold – Pole position awarded by time. Italics – Pole position set by owner's points. * – Most laps led.