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1985 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

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Drivers Bobby Allison (upper left), Bobby Hillin Jr. (upper right), Cale Yarborough (lower left), Terry Labonte (2nd from lower left), and Bill Elliott (lower right) in at Pocono in 1985
NASCAR at Dover in 1985

The 1985 NASCAR Winston Cup Series 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 would be the last season without Dale Jarrett until 2009 and Mark Martin until 2014.

Teams and drivers

Complete schedule

There were 23 full-time teams in 1985.

Manufacturer Team No. Race Driver Crew Chief
Buick Race Hill Farm Team 47 Ron Bouchard Jake Elder
Stavola Brothers Racing 8 Bobby Hillin Jr.
Chevrolet Hamby Motorsports 17 Ken Ragan 6
Phil Parsons 14
Bosco Lowe 1
Lennie Pond 7
Hendrick Motorsports 5 Geoff Bodine Harry Hyde
Junior Johnson & Associates 11 Darrell Waltrip Jeff Hammond
12 Neil Bonnett Doug Richert
Mach 1 Racing 33 Harry Gant Travis Carter
Marcis Auto Racing 71 Dave Marcis
Richard Childress Racing 3 Dale Earnhardt Kirk Shelmerdine
Ford Bud Moore Engineering 15 Ricky Rudd Bud Moore
Donlavey Racing 90 Ken Schrader (R)
Langley Racing 64 Clark Dwyer
Melling Racing 9 Bill Elliott Ernie Elliott
Wood Brothers Racing 7 Kyle Petty Leonard Wood
Oldsmobile Baker-Schiff Racing 88 Buddy Baker
Hagan Racing 44 Terry Labonte Dale Inman
Pontiac Blue Max Racing 27 Tim Richmond Barry Dodson
Cliff Stewart Racing 2 Rusty Wallace Darrell Bryant
Curb Racing 43 Richard Petty Mike Beam
Means Racing 52 Jimmy Means
RahMoc Enterprises 75 Lake Speed Bob Rahilly
Buick 8
Chevrolet 1
Ford 4[1] 		Bobby Allison Motorsports 22 Bobby Allison Reds Kagle[2]
Chrysler 5
Dodge 1
Ford 22 		Arrington Racing 67 Morgan Shepherd 1
Phil Good 1
Buddy Arrington 26 Joey Arrington 26

Limited schedule

Manufacturer Team No. Race Driver Crew Chief Round(s)
Buick Bahre Racing 23 Dick May 1
Booher Farms 65 Joe Booher 1
Ulrich Racing D. K. Ulrich 1
Buck Baker Racing 87 Randy Baker 3
Stolarcyk Racing Mike Stolarcyk 1
Cooper Racing 80 Edward Cooper 1
DiGard Motorsports 22 Bobby Allison Robin Pemberton 15[3]
77 Greg Sacks 13
Edwards Racing 32 Jonathan Lee Edwards 1
40 1
41 1
Elliott Racing 72 Brent Elliott Kermit Elliott 4
Kieper Racing 98 Jim Bown 1
Newsom Racing 20 Rick Newsom 4
Osborne Racing 16 Bill Osborne 2
Petris Racing 63 Dale Perry 1
U.S. Racing 6 Jim Southard 4
Chevrolet 5
Buick 6[4] 		Wawak Racing 74 Bobby Wawak 8
Chevrolet Adcox Racing 29 Grant Adcox 2
Anderson Racing 08 Craig Spetman 2
Bahre Racing 23 Morgan Shepherd 1
Jim Hull 1
Eldon Dotson 1
Ball Racing 99 Connie Saylor 6
Blair Aiken 2
Beahr Racing 35 Bud Hickey 1
Benfield Racing 98 Trevor Boys 6
Stoke Racing Ron Esau 1
Kieper Racing Jim Bown 1
Billy Matthews Racing 09 Dick Trickle 2
Bob Johnson Racing 07 Randy LaJoie 2
Bobby Hawkins Racing 16 Butch Lindley 1
Morgan Shepherd 4
Boys Racing 24 Trevor Boys 1
Davis Racing 06 Joe Thurman 1
Freelander Motorsports 18 Tommy Ellis 14
Glen Steurer 2
Hendrick Motorsports 1 Dick Brooks 1
Ellington Racing Charles Poalillo Runt Pittman 1
Davey Allison 3
Pancho Carter 1
Helen Rae Motorsports 00 Jody Ridley 1
Ed Sanger 1
Phil Barkdoll 2
Morgan Shepherd 7
Sterling Marlin 1
Heveron Racing 10 Doug Heveron 1
DiGard Motorsports Greg Sacks 1
Gerhart Racing 25 Bobby Gerhart 5
Henley Gray Racing 31 Slick Johnson 1
Steve Gray 1
54 Bobby Wawak 1
Goff Racing 79 Dick Skillen 2
H. L. Waters Racing 0 Delma Cowart 6
Hylton Racing 48 Lennie Pond 4
Don Hume (R) 1
49 6
James Hylton 1
Greg Sacks 3
Trevor Boys 13
Lennie Pond 1
Ron Esau 1
Jackson Brothers Motorsports 55 Benny Parsons Cliff Champion 13
66 Phil Parsons 13
Lain Motorsports 37 Satch Worley 1
McCray Racing 45 Rick McCray 2
Morris Racing Rick Baldwin 1
McDuffie Racing 70 J. D. McDuffie 7
Morgan-McClure Motorsports 4 Joe Ruttman Tony Glover 16
Newsom Racing 20 Rick Newsom 5
Paul Racing 53 Donny Paul 2
Scott Racing Bill Scott 3
Jeff Hooker 1
Ragan Racing 77 Davey Allison Marvin Ragan 2
Sacks & Sons 51 Greg Sacks 4
Cecil Gordon 1
Sadler Brothers Racing 95 Sterling Marlin 7
Mike Alexander 4
Schmitt Motorsports 73 Bill Schmitt 2
Steve Moore 1
Shepherd Racing 38 Morgan Shepherd 1
Sims Brothers Racing 84 Mike Alexander 7
Sonntag Racing 65 Joey Sonntag 1
Booher Farms Joe Booher 1
Stoner Racing 96 Eldon Dotson 1
Terry Motorsports 32 Ruben Garcia 2
Tommy Houston 1
U.S. Racing 6 Eddie Bierschwale (R) 27
Thomas Racing 41 Glenn Jarrett 1
Ronnie Thomas 8
Williams Racing 63 Chuck Walton 1
Wawak Racing 74 Bobby Wawak 6
Rick Wilson 1
Chrysler Good Racing 76 Phil Good 3
Rick Baldwin Racing 04 Rick Baldwin 1
MRE Racing 93 Maurice Randall 5
Palmer Racing Norm Palmer 1
St. James Racing 02 St. James Davis 1
Dodge Good Racing 76 Phil Good 1
Ford Beahr Racing 35 Dick May 1
Morgan Shepherd 1
Bowman Racing 96 Jerry Bowman 5
DiGard Motorsports 10 Ken Ragan 1
Jefferson Racing 07 Derrike Cope 2
McDuffie Racing 70 J. D. McDuffie 3
McKnight Racing 83 Sumner McKnight 1
Mitchell Racing 31 Chet Fillip 1
Pearson Racing 21 David Pearson Leonard Wood 12
Rick Wilson 1
Petty Enterprises 1 Dick Brooks 3
Morgan Shepherd 1
Ranier-Lundy Racing 28 Cale Yarborough Waddell Wilson 16
Spohn Racing 05 Dean Roper 1
Slick Johnson 5
51 Doug Heveron 1
Slick Johnson 1
Stahl Racing 82 Mark Stahl 3
Terry Motorsports 32 Alan Kulwicki 2
38 3
Walker Enterprises 68 Mike Potter 7
Jimmy Walker 1
Ed Baugess 1
Wangerin Racing 39 Blackie Wangerin 2
Oldsmobile A. J. Foyt Enterprises 14 A. J. Foyt 7
Earle Canavan Racing 01 Earle Canavan 1
KC Racing 91 John Krebs 1
Midgley Racing 29 Scott Autrey Dick Midgley 1
Williams Racing 78 Jim Robinson 2
Pontiac Bahre Racing 23 Michael Waltrip 5
Blue Max Racing 72 Sammy Swindell 1
Curb Racing 42 Tom Sneva 2
DiGard Motorsports 10 Dick Trickle 1
Francis Racing 03 Glenn Francis 1
H. B. Bailey Racing 36 H. B. Bailey 2
Leonard Racing 85 Tommie Crozier 4
McDuffie Racing 0 Jeff McDuffie 1
70 J. D. McDuffie 18
Mueller Brothers Racing 89 Jim Sauter 3
Park Racing 19 Bob Park 3
Riley Racing 60 Bob Riley 1
Sosres Racing 94 John Soares Jr. 2
Smith Motorsports 04 Hershel McGriff 2

Schedule

No. Race Title Track Date
NC Busch Clash Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach February 10
7-Eleven Twin 125's February 14
Daytona 500 Consolation Race February 15
1 Daytona 500 February 17
2 Miller High Life 400 Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway, Richmond February 24
3 Carolina 500 North Carolina Motor Speedway, Rockingham March 3
4 Coca-Cola 500 Atlanta International Raceway, Hampton March 17
5 Valleydale 500 Bristol International Raceway, Bristol April 6
6 TranSouth 500 Darlington Raceway, Darlington April 14
7 Northwestern Bank 400 North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro April 21
8 Sovran Bank 500 Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway April 28
9 Winston 500 Alabama International Motor Speedway, Talladega May 5
10 Budweiser 500 Dover Downs International Speedway, Dover May 19
NC The Winston Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord May 25
11 Coca-Cola World 600 May 26
12 Budweiser 400 Riverside International Raceway, Riverside June 2
13 Van Scoy Diamond Mine 500 Pocono International Raceway, Long Pond June 9
14 Michigan 400 Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn June 16
15 Pepsi Firecracker 400 Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach July 4
16 Summer 500 Pocono International Raceway, Long Pond July 21
17 Talladega 500 Alabama International Motor Speedway, Talladega July 28
18 Champion Spark Plug 400 Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn August 11
19 Busch 500 Bristol International Raceway, Bristol August 24
20 Southern 500 Darlington Raceway, Darlington September 1
21 Wrangler Sanfor-Set 400 Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway, Richmond September 8
22 Delaware 500 Dover Downs International Speedway, Dover September 15
23 Goody's 500 Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway September 22
24 Holly Farms 400 North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro September 29
25 Miller High Life 500 Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord October 6
26 Nationwise 500 North Carolina Motor Speedway, Rockingham October 20
27 Atlanta Journal 500 Atlanta International Raceway, Hampton November 3
28 Winston Western 500 Riverside International Raceway, Riverside November 17

Bold indicates the race was part of the Winston Million.

Races

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 – Geoff 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 won the pole for race 1 with a lap average speed of 205.114 mph (330.099 km/h). Cale Yarborough won the pole for races 2 with a lap average speed of 203.814 mph (328.007 km/h).

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 – Geoff 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 Consolation Race

For the final time to date, all 9 drivers that failed to qualify for the Daytona 500 were allowed to race in a 30 lap (75 mi (121 km)) race. Rick Newsom was on the pole.

Full Results

Finish Grid Car
no. 		Driver Car Make Laps Status Laps
Led 		Money
1 5 07 Randy LaJoie Chevrolet Monte Carlo 30 0:23:46 36 $3,500
2 7 41 Glenn Jarrett Chevrolet Monte Carlo 30 -3 seconds 0 $500
3 6 37 Satch Worley Chevrolet Monte Carlo 30 Flagged 2 $100
4 1 20 Rick Newsom Chevrolet Monte Carlo 30 Flagged 3
5 2 05 Dean Roper Ford Thunderbird 29 -1 lap 0
6 3 06 Joe Thurman Chevrolet Monte Carlo 29 -1 lap 0
7 9 65 Joey Sonntag Chevrolet Monte Carlo 28 -2 laps 0
8 4 82 Mark Stahl Ford Thunderbird 11 Engine 0
9 8 19 Bob Park Pontiac Grand Prix 2 Engine 0
Source:[5]

Average speed: 189.341 mi (304.715 km)
Caution flags: none

Lead changes: 2
From
lap 		To
lap 		Total
laps 		Driver
1 3 3 Rick Newsom
4 5 2 Satch Worley
6 30 25 Randy LaJoie

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), he also won his qualifying race.

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 - Geoff 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 – Geoff 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 – Geoff 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 (R)

This race was scheduled to run on Sunday, March 31, 1985, but was moved to Saturday, 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 – Geoff 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 – Geoff 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 – Geoff 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 (R)

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.

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
  • Bill 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.[6]
  • This was the first NASCAR Winston Cup start for Michael Waltrip. He would finish in 28th due to transmission failure
  • Final start for 10th-place finisher Dick Brooks.

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 (R)

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 – Geoff 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.

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
See also: DiGard Motorsports § 1985 Firecracker 400
  • 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 – Geoff 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*

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.

Top Ten Results

  1. 9 – Bill Elliott
  2. 28 – Cale Yarborough
  3. 5 – Geoff 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
  • Bill Elliott won the Winston Million with the race victory.
  • With this victory Elliott had a 206-point lead in the standings with 8 races left in the season.
  • Elliott also completes the Darlington sweep for his 3rd of 4 track sweeps of 1985.

Wrangler Sanfor-Set 400

The Wrangler Sanfor-Set 400 was run on September 8 at Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway in Richmond, Virginia. Geoff 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 – Geoff 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, Elliott now only led by 86 points.

Goody's 500

The Goody's 500 was run on September 22 at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia. Geoff 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, Elliott now only led by 23 points.

Holly Farms 400

The Holly Farms 400 was run on September 29 at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Geoff 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 and 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 – Geoff 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 a freshly repaved[7] 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 – Geoff Bodine
  6. 27 – Tim Richmond
  7. 15 – Ricky Rudd
  8. 3 – Dale Earnhardt
  9. 2 – Rusty Wallace
  10. 77 – Greg Sacks
  • Elliott finishing three spots down in 4th lost ground to Waltrip by 15 points due to Waltrip winning. Waltrip now led by 35 points, 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, Waltrip lost 15 points on his lead. Elliott now had a 20-point deficit going into the season finale at Riverside where he picked up his first Cup victory in 1983, while Waltrip had five wins at the road course. If Elliott won at Riverside then all Waltrip would have to do to win the title would be to finish no lower than seventh if he did not lead a lap. If DW led a lap then he could finish no lower than eighth to win the title. If he led the most laps then he could finish no lower than ninth.
  • Morgan Shepherd scored his only top five finish of 1985 driving for David Pearson's team.[8]
  • Sprint car ace Sammy Swindell starts his first of two career Cup races. He finished 30th after a crash, he completed 242 of 328 laps.[9]

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 – Geoff 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 clinched the title once he completed 99 laps of the race, he then finished in 7th, gaining 81 points on Elliott. Darrell Waltrip won 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.
  • This was the final race for Richard Petty driving for Mike Curb. Richard would take his number 43 with STP sponsorship home to Petty Enterprises for 1986.
  • This was the final race for Rusty Wallace driving for Cliff Stewart Racing. Rusty's season of misery concluded with a 36th-place finish due to engine failure completing 70 of 119 laps. This was Rusty's 12th DNF of the season, 10 of them were due to engine failures.

Full Drivers' Championship

Further information: List of NASCAR points scoring systems

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

Pos Driver DAY RCH CAR ATL BRI DAR NWS MAR TAL DOV CLT RSD POC MCH DAY POC TAL MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT CAR ATL RSD Pts
1 Darrell Waltrip 3 3* 18 16 23 2 2 23 24 5 1 8 3 2* 3 3 9 2* 4 17 1 2 2 14 4 1 3 7 4292
2 Bill Elliott 1* 22 29 1* 11 1* 6 13 1 1* 18 6 1 1 2* 1 4* 1* 5 1 12 20 17 30 2 4 1* 31 4191
3 Harry Gant 26 5 2 24 20 14 10 1* 38 2 2 2 2 16 24 5 7 3 6 21 6 1* 3 1* 24* 3 8 4 4033
4 Neil Bonnett 10 23 1 3 19 6 1* 5 26 8 15 27 5 8 12 2* 2 11 3 4 9 5 9 10 42 15 12 3 3902
5 Geoff Bodine 7 2 12 2 18 7 5 3 11 11 16 22 4* 11 14 4 23 23 25 3 7 25 24 2 3 5 11 6 3862
6 Ricky Rudd 5 25 32 4 2 25 4 2 5 4 13 4 7 7 7 14 18 31 9 6 5 3 4 5 15 7 31 1 3857
7 Terry Labonte 25 6 3* 6 3 4 7 6 7 16 5 1* 28 22 8 26 39 9 29 7 2 24 27 3 33 12 6 2* 3683
8 Dale Earnhardt 32 1 10 9 1* 24 8 25 21 25 4* 40 39 5 9 39 24 22 1* 19* 4 7 1 4 20 8 4 5 3561
9 Kyle Petty 37 7 5 11 6 12 12 11 2 3 14 5 14 12 5 7 25 4 16 10 8 15 5 28 22 31 29 27 3528
10 Lake Speed 2 10 4 40 7 9 9 8 10 24 6 25 12 14 34 11 8 16 10 16 11 10 11 12 12 29 7 9 3507
11 Tim Richmond 35 9 11 30 30 3 11 21 16 6 9 9 10 4 28 30 13 40 2 11 14 6 7* 7 6 6 17 37 3413
12 Bobby Allison 33 16 31 5 13 10 3 4 4 13 3 3 9 6 18 12 27 36 22 30 28 4 10 31 14 38 26 17 3312
13 Ron Bouchard 38 4 33 7 17 16 13 28 28 20 29 32 29 13 4 9 3 38 7 5 18 8 6 6 26 2 16 10 3267
14 Richard Petty 34 26 8 13 8 33 21 7 27 7 26 7 33 30 29 27 6 37 8 12 3 9 22 8 10 33 10 8 3140
15 Bobby Hillin Jr. 9 11 24 12 9 20 19 18 9 12 12 17 18 28 15 29 38 26 24 13 21 23 8 17 9 25 19 13 3091
16 Ken Schrader (R) 11 14 40 17 10 13 14 16 20 10 38 10 15 34 21 15 11 20 19 14 15 16 26 15 25 19 15 23 3024
17 Buddy Baker 4 29 25 39 4 27 30 12 6 22 37 35 8 15 6 10 14 14 11 15 16 35 31 29 8 11 13 35 2986
18 Dave Marcis 24 8 26 37 24 31 16 26 8 9 11 12 27 9 23 38 26 12 23 23 17 19 23 9 34 14 28 18 2871
19 Rusty Wallace 8 27 9 27 5 5 22 10 37 18 8 24 13 26 41 33 17 7 12 38 13 31 25 25 30 9 21 36 2867
20 Buddy Arrington 16 18 25 17 20 15 14 23 22 31 19 23 16 18 16 10 15 18 22 11 21 23 17 16 20 22 2780
21 Phil Parsons 29 15 19 41 28 8 15 9 34 29 33 33 11 19 27 8 31 6 21 39 27 12 20 13 27 13 14 33 2740
22 Clark Dwyer 18 18 37 20 14 26 18 17 23 28 23 16 20 25 25 16 20 34 18 26 24 30 19 18 16 24 40 28 2641
23 Jimmy Means 14 21 30 28 12 15 17 14 12 30 32 37 22 35 32 23 42 15 27 27 23 13 13 21 38 18 41 20 2548
24 Eddie Bierschwale (R) DNQ 23 15 15 19 29 20 19 32 19 18 34 29 31 17 34 21 20 32 29 27 18 19 21 17 24 32 2396
25 Greg Sacks 6 13 10 Wth 35 36 16 1 34 15 33 28 35 20 29 14 16 11 10 9 21 1944
26 Cale Yarborough 36 7 22 30 3* 40 24 3 36 31 1 32 2 1 28* 2 1861
27 J. D. McDuffie DNQ 20 28 23 27 39 24 24 15 31 39 42 25 31 20 40 28 29 DNQ DNQ 26 28 15 DNQ 26 27 25 1853
28 Trevor Boys 27 24 39 29 39 41 24 26 20 32 30 17 31 34 12 22 23 20 37 40 1461
29 Benny Parsons 31 8 32 29 42 6 10 11 6 36 5 8 41 33 1427
30 Joe Ruttman 17 6 26 29 11 30 7 35 35 33 13 9 33 5 40 32 1410
31 Morgan Shepherd 15 38 18 27 13 25 39 35 37 30 22 29 27 7 39 5 1406
32 Bobby Wawak 13 27 DNQ 34 32 DNQ 23 27 37 25 21 27 DNQ DNQ 17 16 20 34 DNQ 1226
33 Lennie Pond 19 13 14 31 30 17 18 19 13 19 25 39 1107
34 Tommy Ellis 20 21 17 36 30 30 33 10 26 30 11 40 30 36 1100
35 Mike Alexander 12 34 23 29 31 24 13 13 26 26 18 1046
36 David Pearson 28 29 28 36 27 17 10 35 35 39 40 37 879
37 Sterling Marlin 16 25 22 25 34 33 12 29 645
38 Don Hume (R) 19 16 21 23 19 33 37 637
39 Ronnie Thomas 12 34 21 30 DNQ 40 DNQ 19 14 631
40 Alan Kulwicki 19 21 13 27 22 509
41 Rick Newsom DNQ 28 36 DNQ DNQ 21 38 21 DNQ 32 450
42 Mike Potter 17 26 DNQ DNQ 21 DNQ 31 28 22 443
43 Jerry Bowman 19 37 22 14 35 434
44 Bobby Gerhart 27 31 24 25 24 422
45 A. J. Foyt 30 36 30 5 25 32 38 410
46 Phil Good 17 QL 17 30 18 DNQ 406
47 Ken Ragan 21 33 37 QL 17 20 DNQ 28 34 356
48 Slick Johnson 20 15 21 36 DNQ 17 29 QL 343
49 Connie Saylor 35 22 DNQ 40 41 DNQ 35 296
50 Jim Sauter 23 31 20 DNQ 267
51 Glen Steurer 11 11 260
52 Jim Robinson 13 DNQ 12 251
53 Dick Brooks 22 20 38 10 249
54 Tommie Crozier DNQ 15 33 DNQ 37 DNQ 234
55 Derrike Cope 15 19 224
56 Ruben Garcia 23 14 215
57 Michael Waltrip 28 18 24 31 39 207
58 Dick Trickle 36 8 36 197
59 Jim Bown 28 16 194
60 Bill Osborne 21 24 191
61 Bill Schmitt 34 15 179
62 John Soares Jr. 19 30 179
63 Brent Elliott 28 22 28 DNQ 176
64 Rick Baldwin DNQ 28 23 173
65 Joe Booher 28 24 170
66 Hershel McGriff 29 26 161
67 Maurice Randall 35 DNQ DNQ 37 39 DNQ DNQ 156
68 Phil Barkdoll 35 22 155
69 Jonathan Lee Edwards 21 DNQ DNQ DNQ 36 155
70 Davey Allison DNQ DNQ 10 19 42 143
71 Grant Adcox 22 40 140
72 Blair Aiken 38 29 125
73 Summer McKnight 14 121
74 H. B. Bailey 35 DNQ 34 119
75 Rick Wilson 29 18 109
76 Dick Skillen DNQ 18 DNQ DNQ DNQ 109
77 Glenn Francis 20 103
78 Mark Stahl DNQ DNQ 21 100
79 Eldon Dotson 38 DNQ 38 DNQ 95
80 Delma Cowart 40 DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ 37 98
81 Chet Fillip 25 88
82 John Krebs 26 85
83 Ed Sanger 26 85
84 Jimmy Walker DNQ 27 82
85 Dale Perry 30 73
86 Sammy Swindell 30 73
87 Jim Hull 32 67
88 Mike Stolarcyk 32 67
89 Scott Autrey 34 61
90 Donny Paul DNQ 35 58
91 Earle Canavan 36 55
92 Edward Cooper 36 55
93 Tommy Houston 36 55
94 Craig Spetman DNQ DNQ 37 52
95 Bud Hickey 38 49
96 Chuck Walton 38 49
97 Doug Heveron 39 19 DNQ 46
98 Norm Palmer 39 46
99 Rick McCray 41 39 46
100 Ron Esau DNQ 41 40
101 Dick May 22 25
102 Randy LaJoie DNQ 14
103 Bob Riley 14
104 Bosco Lowe 17 DNQ
105 Butch Lindley 19
106 Randy Baker DNQ DNQ 21
107 Pancho Carter 22
108 Jim Southard 22 DNQ DNQ DNQ
109 Jeff McDuffie 23
110 Steve Gray 26 DNQ
111 James Hylton 26
112 Cecil Gordon 30
113 Bill Scott DNQ 32 DNQ
114 Tom Sneva DNQ 32
115 D. K. Ulrich 32
116 Charles Poalillo 36
117 Jeff Hooker 40
118 Jody Ridley DNQ
119 Dean Roper DNQ
120 Joe Thurman DNQ
121 Satch Worley DNQ
122 Glenn Jarrett DNQ
123 Bob Park DNQ DNQ DNQ
124 Joey Sonntag DNQ DNQ
125 Jim Hall DNQ
126 Ed Baugess DNQ DNQ
127 Blackie Wangerin DNQ DNQ
128 George Wiltshire DNQ DNQ DNQ
129 John Haver DNQ DNQ
130 St. James Davis DNQ
131 Pat Mintey DNQ
132 Jerry Holden DNQ DNQ DNQ
133 Ferrel Harris DNQ
134 Mike Tilley DNQ
135 Bryan Baker DNQ
136 Elton Sawyer DNQ
137 Glenn Sears DNQ
138 Kirk Bryant DNQ
139 Jon Fontana DNQ
140 Johnny Coy Jr. DNQ
141 Gary Fedewa DNQ
142 Gary Sowell DNQ
143 Buddie Boys DNQ DNQ
Pos Driver DAY RCH CAR ATL BRI DAR NWS MAR TAL DOV CLT RSD POC MCH DAY POC TAL MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT CAR ATL RSD Pts

Rookie of the year

Ken Schrader won the 1985 NASCAR Winston Cup Series rookie of the year. He beat out both Eddie Bierschwale (who failed to qualify for the Daytona 500 and skipped the next race) and Don Hume (who only competed in 7 races) for the honors.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Driver Season Stats".
  2. ^ "Driver Season Stats".
  3. ^ "Driver Season Stats".
  4. ^ "Driver Season Stats".
  5. ^ "Race Results".
  6. ^ Jeff Hammond. "Darrell Waltrip's sweep in the 1985 Winston All-Star Race and Coca-Cola 600 despite controversy in Charlotte built a NASCAR champion". FOX Sports. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  7. ^ "User Comments - the 1985 Nationwise 500".
  8. ^ "Race Results".
  9. ^ "Race Results".
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