1982 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

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Waltrip, the Winston Cup Series champion in 1981 & 1982

The 1982 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 34th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 11th modern-era Cup series. The season began on February 14 at the Daytona International Speedway and concluded on November 21 at Riverside International Raceway. Darrell Waltrip took his second straight championship driving for Junior Johnson by 72 points over Bobby Allison.

Teams and drivers[edit]

Team Make No. Driver Car Owner Crew Chief
Arrington Racing Dodge Mirada 67 Buddy Arrington Buddy Arrington
Benfield Racing Buick Regal 98 Morgan Shepherd Ron Benfield Buddy Parrott
Bud Moore Engineering Ford Thunderbird 15 Dale Earnhardt Bud Moore Bud Moore
Cliff Stewart Racing Pontiac Grand Prix 50 Geoff Bodine (R) Cliff Stewart
DiGard Motorsports Chevrolet Monte Carlo 14
Buick Regal 14
88 Bobby Allison Bill Gardner Gary Nelson
Donlavey Racing Ford Thunderbird 90 Jody Ridley Junie Donlavey
Hagan Racing Buick Regal 44 Terry Labonte Billy Hagan Jake Elder
Hamby Motorsports Buick Regal 20
Pontiac Grand Prix 9
17 Lowell Cowell 1 Roger Hamby
Lake Speed 29
Hylton Racing Pontiac Grand Prix 48 James Hylton James Hylton
Jim Stacy Racing Buick Regal 2 Tim Richmond (R) Jim Stacy Dale Inman
Johnny Hayes Racing Buick Regal 55 Benny Parsons Johnny Hayes
Junior Johnson & Associates Buick Regal 11 Darrell Waltrip Junior Johnson Jeff Hammond
Langley Racing Ford Thunderbird 64 Tommy Gale Elmo Langley
M. C. Anderson Racing Buick Regal 27 Cale Yarborough M. C. Anderson Tim Brewer
Mach 1 Racing Buick Regal 33 Harry Gant Hal Needham Travis Carter
Marcis Auto Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo 71 Dave Marcis Dave Marcis
Martin Racing Buick Regal 18
Pontiac Grand Prix 13
02 Mark Martin (R) Bud Reeder
McDuffie Racing Pontiac Grand Prix 70 J. D. McDuffie J. D. McDuffie
Means Racing Buick Regal 52 Jimmy Means Jimmy Means
Melling Racing Ford Thunderbird 9 Bill Elliott 21 Harry Melling Ernie Elliott
Petty Enterprises Pontiac Grand Prix 42 Kyle Petty 23 Richard Petty Mike Beam
43 Richard Petty Maurice Petty
Race Hill Farm Team Buick Regal 47 Ron Bouchard Jack Beebe David Ifft
RahMoc Enterprises Buick Regal 75 Joe Ruttman Bob Rahilly Bob Rahilly
Ranier-Lundy Racing Chevrolet Monte Carlo 28 Buddy Baker Harry Ranier Waddell Wilson
Richard Childress Racing Pontiac Grand Prix 3 Ricky Rudd Richard Childress Kirk Shelmerdine
Thomas Racing Pontiac Grand Prix 25 Ronnie Thomas Ronnie Thomas
Ulrich Racing Buick Regal 6 D. K. Ulrich D. K. Ulrich
Wawak Racing Buick Regal 94 Bobby Wawak Bobby Wawak
Wood Brothers Racing Ford Thunderbird 21 Neil Bonnett Glen Wood Leonard Wood

Schedule[edit]

No. Race Title Track Date
Busch Clash Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach February 7
UNO Twin 125 Qualifiers February 11
Daytona 500 Consolation Race February 12
1 Daytona 500 February 14
2 Richmond 400 Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway, Richmond February 21
3 Valleydale 500 Bristol International Raceway, Bristol March 14
4 Coca-Cola 500 Atlanta International Raceway, Hampton March 21
5 Carolina 500 North Carolina Motor Speedway, Rockingham March 28
6 CRC Chemicals Rebel 500 Darlington Raceway, Darlington April 4
7 Northwestern Bank 400 North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro April 18
8 Virginia National Bank 500 Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway April 25
9 Winston 500 Alabama International Motor Speedway, Talladega May 2
10 Cracker Barrel Country Store 420 Nashville Speedway, Nashville May 8
11 Mason-Dixon 500 Dover Downs International Speedway, Dover May 16
12 World 600 Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord May 30
13 Van Scoy Diamond Mine 500 Pocono International Raceway, Long Pond June 6
14 Budweiser 400 Riverside International Raceway, Riverside June 13
15 Gabriel 400 Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn June 20
16 Firecracker 400 Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach July 4
17 Busch Nashville 420 Nashville Speedway, Nashville July 10
18 Mountain Dew 500 Pocono International Raceway, Long Pond July 25
19 Talladega 500 Alabama International Motor Speedway, Talladega August 1
20 Champion Spark Plug 400 Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn August 22
21 Busch 500 Bristol International Raceway, Bristol August 28
22 Southern 500 Darlington Raceway, Darlington September 6
23 Wrangler Sanfor-Set 400 Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway, Richmond September 12
24 CRC Chemicals 500 Dover Downs International Speedway, Dover September 19
25 Holly Farms 400 North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro October 3
26 National 500 Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord October 10
27 Old Dominion 500 Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway October 17
28 Warner W. Hodgdon American 500 North Carolina Motor Speedway, Rockingham October 31
29 Atlanta Journal 500 Atlanta International Raceway, Hampton November 7
30 Winston Western 500 Riverside International Raceway, Riverside November 21

1982 Non-Points Results (Cup Series Speedweeks)[edit]

Busch Clash[edit]

The 1982 season unofficially kicked off on February 7 with the non-points fourth annual Busch Clash, open to all pole winners from the 1981 season in a 20 lap (50 mi (80 km)) dash. Terry Labonte drew pole position

Top Five

  1. 88-Bobby Allison
  2. 44-Terry Labonte
  3. 21-Neil Bonnett
  4. 11-Darrell Waltrip
  5. 27-Cale Yarborough

Time of Race: 15 minutes, 39 seconds
Caution Flags: None
Margin Of Victory: 1.5 car lengths[1]

  • Of the 13 drivers that started this race, 11 finished the race and all of those finishers were on the lead lap.
  • Bobby Allison became the fourth different winner of this annual race. He took home $50,000.

UNO Twin 125 Qualifiers[edit]

On February 11 the Uno Twin 125 Mile Qualifiers were held. Benny Parsons was on the pole for race 1 with a speed of 196.317 mph and Harry Gant was on the pole for race 2 with a speed of 195.609 mph.

Race 1 Top Five

  1. 27-Cale Yarborough
  2. 44-Terry Labonte
  3. 88-Bobby Allison
  4. 28-Benny Parsons
  5. 51-A. J. Foyt

Time of Race: 55 minutes, 26 seconds
Caution Flags: 5 for 17 Laps
Margin Of Victory: 2 car lengths[2]

Race 2 Top Five

  1. 1-Buddy Baker
  2. 11-Darrell Waltrip
  3. 2-Joe Ruttman
  4. 15-Dale Earnhardt
  5. 42-Kyle Petty

Time of Race: 51 minutes, 54 seconds
Caution Flags: 2 for 12 Laps
Margin Of Victory: Under Caution[3]

Daytona 500 Consolation Race[edit]

On February 12, NASCAR allowed all 14 cars that failed to qualify for the Daytona 500 to race in a consolation race at a 30 lap (75 mi (121 km)) distance. Slick Johnson was on the pole.

Top Five

  1. 29-Tim Richmond (R)
  2. 48-Slick Johnson
  3. 25-Ronnie Thomas
  4. 05-Bill Meazell
  5. 49-James Hylton

Time of Race: 31 minutes, 17 seconds
Caution Flags: 1 for 6 Laps
Margin Of Victory: 0.21 seconds[4]

1982 Season Results[edit]

Daytona 500[edit]

The 1982 season officially kicked off on February 14 with the Daytona 500 held at the Daytona International Speedway. Benny Parsons won the pole with a speed of 196.317 mph.

Top Ten

  1. 88-Bobby Allison
  2. 27-Cale Yarborough
  3. 2-Joe Ruttman
  4. 44-Terry Labonte
  5. 9-Bill Elliott
  6. 47-Ron Bouchard
  7. 33-Harry Gant
  8. 1-Buddy Baker
  9. 90-Jody Ridley
  10. 30-Roy Smith

Time of Race: 3 hours 14 minutes 49 seconds
Caution Flags: 5 for 34 Laps
Margin Of Victory: 22.87 seconds

  • Bobby Allison, who had won the Busch Clash on February 7, would dominate the race leading 147 of 200 laps and cruise to victory. Buick would take seven of the first eight finishing spots. There was controversy in Allison's victory as his bumper fell off early in the race.
  • This also would be the first time since 1971 that no Chevrolets were in the field.

Richmond 400[edit]

The Richmond 400 was run on February 21 at the Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway. Darrell Waltrip won the pole with a speed of 93.256 mph.

Top Ten

  1. 71-Dave Marcis
  2. 43-Richard Petty
  3. 27-Benny Parsons
  4. 15-Dale Earnhardt
  5. 44-Terry Labonte
  6. 50-Joe Millikan
  7. 21-Neil Bonnett
  8. 88-Bobby Allison
  9. 47-Ron Bouchard
  10. 98-Morgan Shepherd

Time of Race: 1 hour 51 minutes 30 seconds.
Caution Flags: 6 for 33 laps.
Margin of Victory: Under Caution
Race shortened to 250 of 400 laps due to rain.

  • Dave Marcis captured the final win of his career and the only victory with his own team.

Valleydale 500[edit]

The Valleydale 500 was held on March 14 at the Bristol International Raceway. Darrell Waltrip won the pole with a speed of 111.068 mph.

Top Ten

  1. 11-Darrell Waltrip
  2. 15-Dale Earnhardt
  3. 98-Morgan Shepherd
  4. 44-Terry Labonte
  5. 88-Bobby Allison
  6. 33-Harry Gant
  7. 43-Richard Petty
  8. 47-Ron Bouchard
  9. 28-Benny Parsons
  10. 71-Dave Marcis

Time of Race: 2 hours 49 minutes 52 seconds
Caution Flags: 3 for 25 laps
Margin of Victory: 13.2 seconds

Coca-Cola 500[edit]

The Coca-Cola 500 was held on March 21 at the Atlanta International Raceway. Dale Earnhardt won the pole with a speed of 163.774 mph.

Top Ten

  1. 11-Darrell Waltrip
  2. 43-Richard Petty
  3. 27-Cale Yarborough
  4. 28-Benny Parsons
  5. 33-Harry Gant
  6. 98-Morgan Shepherd
  7. 75-Gary Balough
  8. 44-Terry Labonte
  9. 62-Rick Wilson
  10. 5-Jim Sauter

Time of Race: 3 hours 29 minutes 58 seconds
Caution Flags: 7 for 47 laps
Margin of Victory: Under Caution
Race shortened to 287 of 328 laps due to rain.

  • Darrell Waltrip led 33 laps and when rain hit in the final laps he beat Richard Petty by inches to the race-ending yellow. It was Waltrip's second win of the 1982 Winston Cup season.
  • Dale Earnhardt led 155 laps but finished 28th.
  • Gary Balough scored his best ever finish of 7th .
  • This race provided footage for the motion picture Six Pack.

Warner W. Hodgdon Carolina 500[edit]

The Carolina 500 was originally scheduled for March 21 but due to rain it was postponed and held on March 28 at the North Carolina Motor Speedway. Benny Parsons won the pole with a speed of 141.577 mph.

Top Ten

  1. 27-Cale Yarborough
  2. 44-Terry Labonte
  3. 28-Benny Parsons
  4. 88-Bobby Allison
  5. 98-Morgan Shepherd
  6. 50-Joe Millikan
  7. 11-Darrell Waltrip
  8. 33-Harry Gant
  9. 67-Buddy Arrington
  10. 70-J. D. McDuffie

Time of Race: 4 hours 3 minutes 27 seconds
Caution Flags: 9 for 86 laps
Margin of Victory: 1 lap

  • Cale Yarborough led 51 laps on way to his first Winston Cup victory of 1982.
  • Darrell Waltrip led 148 laps and finished 7th.
  • Neil Bonnett led 128 laps and finished 19th.
  • Gary Balough whom brought out the races final caution flag for a crash ended up finishing 12th. It was his last Cup Series race until 1991 as he was shortly after this event sentenced to prison for drug trafficking charges as was Billie Harvey, Tim Richmond's car owner.
  • Last Top 10 finish for J. D. McDuffie.

CRC Chemicals Rebel 500[edit]

The CRC Chemicals Rebel 500 was held on April 4 at the Darlington Raceway. Buddy Baker won his 1st pole since 1980 with a speed of 153.979 mph.

Top Ten

  1. 15-Dale Earnhardt
  2. 27-Cale Yarborough
  3. 9-Bill Elliott
  4. 28-Benny Parsons
  5. 2-Tim Richmond (R)
  6. 44-Terry Labonte
  7. 02-Mark Martin (R)
  8. 67-Buddy Arrington
  9. 37-Donnie Allison
  10. 24-Lennie Pond

Time of Race: 4 hours 3 minutes 27 seconds
Caution Flags: 8 for 53 laps
Margin of Victory: 3 feet

  • Unfortunately pole sitter Buddy Baker would finish last (37th) due to flywheel problems.
  • Dale Earnhardt led 181 laps on way to his only Winston Cup victory of 1982 and his first victory in a Ford.

Northwestern Bank 400[edit]

The Northwestern Bank 400 was held on April 18 at the North Wilkesboro Speedway. Darrell Waltrip won the pole with a speed of 114.801 mph .

Top Ten

  1. 11-Darrell Waltrip
  2. 44-Terry Labonte
  3. 15-Dale Earnhardt
  4. 28-Benny Parsons
  5. 43-Richard Petty
  6. 33-Harry Gant
  7. 98-Morgan Shepherd
  8. 88-Bobby Allison
  9. 3-Ricky Rudd
  10. 37-Neil Bonnett

Time of Race: 2 hours 33 minutes 37 seconds
Caution Flags: 6 for 34 laps
Margin of Victory: Under Caution

Virginia National Bank 500[edit]

The Virginia National Bank 500 was held on April 25 at the Martinsville Speedway. Terry Labonte won the pole with a speed of 89.988 mph.

Top Ten

  1. 33-Harry Gant
  2. 01-Butch Lindley
  3. 21-Neil Bonnett
  4. 3-Ricky Rudd
  5. 11-Darrell Waltrip
  6. 71-Dave Marcis
  7. 02-Mark Martin (R)
  8. 67-Buddy Arrington
  9. 40-Jimmy Hensley
  10. 48-Slick Johnson

Time of Race: 3 hours 30 minutes 1 seconds
Caution Flags: 9 for 46 laps
Margin of Victory: 1 lap

  • Harry Gant led 167 laps on way to his first ever Winston Cup victory after finishing in 2nd place 9 different times.

Winston 500[edit]

The Winston 500 was held on May 2 at the Alabama International Motor Speedway. Benny Parsons won the pole with a speed of 200.176 mph.

Top Ten

  1. 11-Darrell Waltrip
  2. 44-Terry Labonte
  3. 28-Benny Parsons
  4. 42-Kyle Petty
  5. 98-Morgan Shepherd
  6. 37-Donnie Allison
  7. 2-Tim Richmond (R)
  8. 15-Dale Earnhardt
  9. 52-Jimmy Means
  10. 02-Mark Martin (R)

Time of Race: 3 hours 11 minutes 19 seconds
Caution Flags: 8 for 39 laps
Margin of Victory: 3 car lengths

  • The lead changed 53 times among 13 drivers. Parsons drafted into the lead with three laps to go; on the final lap he swung low to break the draft, but Waltrip, Labonte, and Petty drafted past on the high side; Parsons edged Petty while Labonte's last-second bid for the win fell short. Darrell Waltrip led 54 laps on way to his fourth Winston Cup victory of 1982.
  • The race is also remembered for the bizarre story of the mysterious L. W. Wright, a con-artist pretending to be a NASCAR veteran. Wright started and finished near the back, then after the race disappeared after the checks for a NASCAR license and car bounced, going in hiding for almost 40 years until resurfacing for an interview with The Scene Vault's Rick Houston[5]

Cracker Barrel Country Store 420[edit]

The Cracker Barrel Country Store 420 was held on May 8 at the Nashville Speedway. Darrell Waltrip won the pole with a speed of 102.773 mph.

Top Ten

  1. 11-Darrell Waltrip
  2. 44-Terry Labonte
  3. 47-Ron Bouchard
  4. 75-Joe Ruttman
  5. 37-Neil Bonnett
  6. 88-Bobby Allison
  7. 2-Tim Richmond (R)
  8. 71-Dave Marcis
  9. 43-Richard Petty
  10. 15-Dale Earnhardt

Time of Race: 2 hours 59 minutes 52 seconds
Caution Flags: 5 for 39 laps
Margin of Victory: 1 lap

Mason-Dixon 500[edit]

The Mason-Dixon 500 was held on May 16 at the Dover Downs International Speedway. Darrell Waltrip won the pole with a speed of 139.308 mph .

Top Ten

  1. 88-Bobby Allison
  2. 71-Dave Marcis
  3. 15-Dale Earnhardt
  4. 44-Terry Labonte
  5. 02-Mark Martin (R)
  6. 47-Ron Bouchard
  7. 98-Morgan Shepherd
  8. 37-Donnie Allison
  9. 2-Tim Richmond (R)
  10. 17-Lake Speed

Time of Race: 4 hours 9 minutes 43 seconds
Caution Flags: 6 for 32 laps
Margin of Victory: 3 laps

  • Allison led 488 of 500 laps for the first Winston Cup win by a car equipped with power steering and his second Winston Cup victory of 1982.

World 600[edit]

The World 600 was held on May 30 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. David Pearson won the pole with a speed of 162.511 mph.

Top Ten

  1. 21-Neil Bonnett
  2. 9-Bill Elliott
  3. 88-Bobby Allison
  4. 27-Cale Yarborough
  5. 1-Buddy Baker
  6. 90-Jody Ridley
  7. 3-Ricky Rudd
  8. 43-Richard Petty
  9. 71-Dave Marcis
  10. 47-Ron Bouchard

Time of Race: 4 hours 36 minutes 48 seconds
Caution Flags: 10 for 62 laps
Margin of Victory: 2 car lengths

Van Scoy Diamond Mine 500[edit]

The inaugural Van Scoy Diamond Mine 500 was held on June 6 at the Pocono International Raceway. Terry Labonte was on the pole because qualifying was rained out so the line up was set by the current Winston Cup points standings. This was the only time in 1982 that qualifying was rained out.

Top Ten

  1. 88-Bobby Allison
  2. 2-Tim Richmond (R)
  3. 28-Benny Parsons
  4. 33-Harry Gant
  5. 44-Terry Labonte
  6. 3-Ricky Rudd
  7. 43-Richard Petty
  8. 50-Geoff Bodine (R)
  9. 90-Jody Ridley
  10. 71-Dave Marcis

Time of Race: 4 hours 24 minutes 8 seconds
Caution Flags: 7 for 51 laps
Margin of Victory: Under Caution

  • Bobby Allison led the most laps (75 of 200) in route to his third Winston Cup victory of 1982.
  • Darrell Waltrip led 10 laps and finished 13th.

Budweiser 400[edit]

The Budweiser 400 was held on June 13 at the Riverside International Raceway. Terry Labonte won the pole with a speed of 162.511 mph.

Top Ten

  1. 2-Tim Richmond (R)
  2. 44-Terry Labonte
  3. 50-Geoff Bodine (R)
  4. 15-Dale Earnhardt
  5. 21-Neil Bonnett
  6. 74-Roy Smith
  7. 90-Jody Ridley
  8. 02-Mark Martin (R)
  9. 47-Ron Bouchard
  10. 25-Jim Reich

Time of Race: 2 hours 23 minutes 51 seconds
Caution Flags: 1 for 7 laps
Margin of Victory: 3.82 seconds

  • Rookie Tim Richmond led just 10 laps for his first ever Winston Cup victory.
  • Darrell Waltrip had a dismal day falling out of the race after 28 laps with a piston failure finishing 32nd with no laps led.
  • Bobby Allison didn't fare much better falling out of the race after 47 laps with engine failure but he led 15 laps.
  • Terry Labonte padded to his points lead by finishing 2nd and leading the most laps (64). Labonte now led by 144 points over Allison, 210 points over Waltrip.

Gabriel 400[edit]

The Gabriel 400 was held on June 20 at the Michigan International Speedway. Ron Bouchard won the pole (his second ever of a total three) with a speed of 162.404 mph.

Top Ten

  1. 27-Cale Yarborough
  2. 11-Darrell Waltrip
  3. 9-Bill Elliott
  4. 88-Bobby Allison
  5. 3-Ricky Rudd
  6. 42-Kyle Petty
  7. 15-Dale Earnhardt
  8. 98-Morgan Shepherd
  9. 50-Geoff Bodine (R)
  10. 33-Harry Gant

Time of Race: 3 hours 23 minutes 13 seconds
Caution Flags: 3 for 42 laps
Margin of Victory: 3 car lengths

Firecracker 400[edit]

The Firecracker 400 was held on July 4 at the Daytona International Speedway. Rookie Geoff Bodine won the first Winston Cup pole of his career (he would win 37 in his career) with a speed of 194.721 mph.

Top Ten

  1. 88-Bobby Allison
  2. 9-Bill Elliott
  3. 47-Ron Bouchard
  4. 98-Morgan Shepherd
  5. 03-David Pearson
  6. 50-Geoff Bodine (R)
  7. 3-Ricky Rudd
  8. 1-Buddy Baker
  9. 17-Lake Speed
  10. 71-Dave Marcis

Time of Race: 2 hours 27 minutes 9 seconds
Caution Flags: 5 for 25 laps
Margin of Victory: 2 car lengths

Busch Nashville 420[edit]

The Busch Nashville 420 was held on July 10 at the Nashville Speedway. Morgan Shepherd won the first Winston Cup pole of his career (he would win 7 in his career) with a speed of 103.959 mph.

Top Ten

  1. 11-Darrell Waltrip
  2. 44-Terry Labonte
  3. 33-Harry Gant
  4. 3-Ricky Rudd
  5. 2-Tim Richmond (R)
  6. 50-Geoff Bodine (R)
  7. 43-Richard Petty
  8. 90-Jody Ridley
  9. 15-Dale Earnhardt
  10. 47-Ron Bouchard

Time of Race: 2 hours 53 minutes 35 seconds
Caution Flags: 5 for 24 laps
Margin of Victory: 1 lap

Mountain Dew 500[edit]

The Mountain Dew 500 was held on July 25 at the Pocono International Raceway. Cale Yarborough won the pole with a speed of 150.764 mph.

Top Ten

  1. 88-Bobby Allison
  2. 43-Richard Petty
  3. 44-Terry Labonte
  4. 47-Ron Bouchard
  5. 28-Buddy Baker
  6. 11-Darrell Waltrip
  7. 75-Joe Ruttman
  8. 71-Dave Marcis
  9. 67-Buddy Arrington
  10. 02-Mark Martin (R)

Time of Race: 4 hours 19 minutes 45 seconds
Caution Flags: 6 for 43 laps
Margin of Victory: 17 seconds

  • Bobby Allison only led 16 laps but picked up his fifth Winston Cup victory of 1982.
  • Richard Petty led some 70 laps as the lead changed 46 times but had to pit for fuel with four laps remaining. Darrell Waltrip ran out of fuel coming out of turn one on the final lap.
  • The race saw a 23 lap caution period when Dale Earnhardt and Tim Richmond blasted the first turn boilerplate wall and track crews had to weld it back in place.

Talladega 500[edit]

The Talladega 500 was held on August 1 at the Alabama International Motor Speedway. Geoff Bodine won the second Winston Cup pole of his career with a speed of 199.4 mph.

Top Ten

  1. 11-Darrell Waltrip
  2. 28-Buddy Baker
  3. 43-Richard Petty
  4. 27-Cale Yarborough
  5. 44-Terry Labonte
  6. 9-Bill Elliott
  7. 2-Tim Richmond (R)
  8. 98-Morgan Shepherd
  9. 3-Ricky Rudd
  10. 88-Bobby Allison

Time of Race: 2 hours 58 minutes 26 seconds
Caution Flags: 5 for 25 laps
Margin of Victory: 1 car length

Champion Spark Plug 400[edit]

The Champion Spark Plug 400 was held on August 22 at the Michigan International Speedway. Just over a year after he won his first ever pole, Bill Elliott won the second Winston Cup pole of his career with a speed of 162.995 mph.

Top Ten

  1. 88-Bobby Allison
  2. 43-Richard Petty
  3. 33-Harry Gant
  4. 98-Geoff Bodine (R)
  5. 55-Benny Parsons
  6. 67-Buddy Arrington
  7. 11-Darrell Waltrip
  8. 71-Dave Marcis
  9. 21-Neil Bonnett
  10. 47-Ron Bouchard

Time of Race: 2 hours 45 minutes 53 seconds
Caution Flags: 5 for 29 laps
Margin of Victory: 2 car lengths

Busch 500[edit]

The Busch 500 was held on August 28 at the Bristol International Raceway. Rookie Tim Richmond won the first Winston Cup pole of his career at a speed of 112.507 mph.

Top Ten

  1. 11-Darrell Waltrip
  2. 88-Bobby Allison
  3. 33-Harry Gant
  4. 44-Terry Labonte
  5. 98-Morgan Shepherd
  6. 15-Dale Earnhardt
  7. 3-Ricky Rudd
  8. 90-Jody Ridley
  9. 28-Buddy Baker
  10. 50-Geoff Bodine (R)

Time of Race: 2 hours 49 minutes 32 seconds
Caution Flags: 3 for 15 laps
Margin of Victory: 0.70 seconds

Southern 500[edit]

The Southern 500 was held on September 6 at the Darlington Raceway. David Pearson won the final pole of his Hall of Fame career with a speed of 155.739 mph.

Top Ten

  1. 27-Cale Yarborough
  2. 43-Richard Petty
  3. 15-Dale Earnhardt
  4. 9-Bill Elliott
  5. 28-Buddy Baker
  6. 17-Lake Speed
  7. 50-Geoff Bodine (R)
  8. 55-Benny Parsons
  9. 67-Buddy Arrington
  10. 71-Dave Marcis

Time of Race: 4 hours 21 minutes 32 seconds
Caution Flags: 14 for 87 laps
Margin of Victory: 0.79 seconds

  • Cale Yarborough picked up his third Winston Cup victory of 1982. It was his last victory with the M.C. Anderson Racing team.
  • The lead changed 41 times among 17 drivers, the most competitive running in the event's history.

Wrangler Sanfor-Set 400[edit]

The Wrangler Sanfor-Set 400 was held on September 12 at the Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway. Bobby Allison won the pole with a speed of 93.435 mph.

Top Ten

  1. 88-Bobby Allison
  2. 2-Tim Richmond (R)
  3. 11-Darrell Waltrip
  4. 3-Ricky Rudd
  5. 21-Neil Bonnett
  6. 44-Terry Labonte
  7. 33-Harry Gant
  8. 71-Dave Marcis
  9. 28-Buddy Baker
  10. 17-Lake Speed

Time of Race: 2 hours 37 minutes 6 seconds
Caution Flags: 2 for 12 laps
Margin of Victory: 17 seconds

CRC Chemicals 500[edit]

The CRC Chemicals 500 was held on September 19 at the Dover Downs International Speedway. Ricky Rudd won the pole with a speed of 139.384 mph.

Top Ten

  1. 11-Darrell Waltrip
  2. 42-Kyle Petty
  3. 9-Bill Elliott
  4. 50-Geoff Bodine (R)
  5. 55-Benny Parsons
  6. 71-Dave Marcis
  7. 67-Buddy Arrington
  8. 47-Ron Bouchard
  9. 2-Tim Richmond (R)
  10. 88-Bobby Allison

Time of Race: 4 hours 38 minutes 43 seconds
Caution Flags: 9 for 67 laps
Margin of Victory: 2 car lengths

Holly Farms 400[edit]

The Holly Farms 400 was held on October 3 at the North Wilkesboro Speedway. Darrell Waltrip won the pole with a speed of 113.86 mph.

Top Ten

  1. 11-Darrell Waltrip
  2. 33-Harry Gant
  3. 44-Terry Labonte
  4. 43-Richard Petty
  5. 50-Geoff Bodine (R)
  6. 75-Joe Ruttman
  7. 47-Ron Bouchard
  8. 17-Lake Speed
  9. 90-Jody Ridley
  10. 42-Kyle Petty

Time of Race: 2 hours 32 minutes 57 seconds
Caution Flags: 4 for 26 laps
Margin of Victory: 13.8 seconds

  • Darrell Waltrip for the second race in a row led the most laps (329 of 400 laps) and picked up the victory, his tenth Winston Cup victory of 1982.
  • The only other lap leader was Bobby Allison who led 71 laps but only completed 141 laps before having an engine problem.

National 500[edit]

The National 500 was held on October 10 at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. Darrell Waltrip won the pole with a speed of 164.694 mph.

Top Ten

  1. 33-Harry Gant
  2. 9-Bill Elliott
  3. 03-David Pearson
  4. 75-Joe Ruttman
  5. 55-Benny Parsons
  6. 28-Buddy Baker
  7. 90-Jody Ridley
  8. 43-Richard Petty
  9. 88-Bobby Allison
  10. 62-Rick Wilson

Time of Race: 3 hours 39 minutes 5 seconds
Caution Flags: 6 for 34 laps
Margin of Victory: 2.93 seconds

  • Harry Gant won his second Winston Cup victory of 1982 (also second win of his career) after Bobby Allison, who led the most laps (280 of 334 laps), blew his engine with ten laps remaining.
  • This was Gant's first victory from pole position.
  • This was also David Pearson's 300th Winston Cup top five finish.
  • This was also Jody Ridley's 100th Winston Cup start.
  • Richard Petty finished eighth despite damage in a ten-car crash started by Dale Earnhardt; Petty was unusually angry when Earnhardt blamed Petty for the crash.

Old Dominion 500[edit]

The Old Dominion 500 was held on October 17 at the Martinsville Speedway. Ricky Rudd won the pole with a speed of 89.132 mph.

Top Ten

  1. 11-Darrell Waltrip
  2. 3-Ricky Rudd
  3. 43-Richard Petty
  4. 44-Terry Labonte
  5. 75-Joe Ruttman
  6. 28-Buddy Baker
  7. 90-Jody Ridley
  8. 33-Harry Gant
  9. 52-Jimmy Means
  10. 67-Buddy Arrington

Time of Race: 3 hours 41 minutes 5 seconds
Caution Flags: 10 for 70 laps
Margin of Victory: 2 seconds

  • Darrell Waltrip led the most laps (238 of 500) and picked up his eleventh Winston Cup victory of 1982.
  • Bobby Allison blew an engine after leading 98 laps and finished 19th.
  • Waltrip came into this race trailing Allison by 37 points. His victory and Allison's retirement meant Waltrip took over the points lead for the first time all season. Waltrip left Martinsville holding a 37-point lead over Allison.

Warner W. Hodgdon American 500[edit]

The Warner W. Hodgdon American 500 was held on October 31 at the North Carolina Motor Speedway. Cale Yarborough won the pole with a speed of 143.22 mph.

Top Ten

  1. 11-Darrell Waltrip
  2. 88-Bobby Allison
  3. 21-Neil Bonnett
  4. 44-Terry Labonte
  5. 98-Morgan Shepherd
  6. 43-Richard Petty
  7. 88-Buddy Baker
  8. 47-Ron Bouchard
  9. 48-Lennie Pond
  10. 6-D. K. Ulrich

Time of Race: 4 hours 20 minutes 47 seconds
Caution Flags: 8 for 55 laps
Margin of Victory: 9.5 seconds

  • Darrell Waltrip won his twelfth Winston Cup victory of 1982.
  • Bobby Allison led the most laps (127 of 492 laps) but spun out of the pits on Lap 450. He recovered for a 2nd place finish but the difference between he & Waltrip would remain unchanged at 37 points.
  • Wood Brothers Racing with Neil Bonnett led 108 laps. Wood Brothers prepared cars would not lead 100 laps or more in a Cup Series race again until 2017 when Ryan Blaney led for 148 laps at Texas.

Atlanta Journal 500[edit]

The Atlanta Journal 500 was held on November 7 at the Atlanta International Raceway. Morgan Shepherd won the pole with a speed of 166.779 mph.

Top Ten

  1. 88-Bobby Allison
  2. 33-Harry Gant
  3. 11-Darrell Waltrip
  4. 2-Tim Richmond (R)
  5. 75-Joe Ruttman
  6. 71-Dave Marcis
  7. 3-Ricky Rudd
  8. 44-Terry Labonte
  9. 5-Rodney Combs
  10. 02-Mark Martin (R)

Time of Race: 3 hours 48 minutes 51 seconds
Caution Flags: 10 for 56 laps
45 lead changes among 14 drivers
Margin of Victory: 0.5 seconds

  • Bobby Allison led the most laps (100 of 328) and won his eighth Winston Cup victory of 1982.
  • This was the final Winston Cup race for country singer Marty Robbins before his death in December 1982.
  • Rodney Combs made his first NASCAR start in this race.
  • Heading into the season finale at Riverside, Waltrip had a 22 point lead over Allison.
  • This was Cale Yarborough's last race in the M. C. Anderson #27. He would complete 73 laps before blowing an engine finishing 35th. He would join Mizlou as the Driver Expert for the season finale at Riverside.

Winston Western 500[edit]

The Winston Western 500 was held on November 21 at the Riverside International Raceway. He had already locked up the season long pole award for winning the most poles but Darrell Waltrip added one more to his tally for his seventh pole of 1982 with a speed of 114.995 mph.

Top Ten

  1. 2-Tim Richmond (R)
  2. 3-Ricky Rudd
  3. 11-Darrell Waltrip
  4. 21-Neil Bonnett
  5. 02-Mark Martin (R)
  6. 47-Ron Bouchard
  7. 55-Benny Parsons
  8. 98-Morgan Shepherd
  9. 90-Jody Ridley
  10. 16-Jim Bown

Time of Race: 3 hours 7 minutes 24 seconds
Caution Flags: 3 for 16 laps
Margin of Victory: 7 seconds

  • Tim Richmond led the most laps (92 of 119) and won his second Winston Cup victory of 1982. It was his final victory with the J. D. Stacy team.
  • Bobby Allison's title hopes ended on lap 111 of 119 when his engine failed - the fourth time in the last six races where engine trouble ended his race - and he finished 16th. It was Allison's last race with the number 88 and the last with sponsor Gatorade. Next season he would use number 22 and retain Miller High Life for sponsorship while staying with DiGard Racing.
  • Waltrip won his second straight title by 72 points over Allison.
  • By virture of finishing 8th & Dale Earnhardt finishing last (42nd), Morgan Shepherd was able to get to 10th in points while Earnhardt fell to 12th in the final standings. Jimmy Means finishing 12th in the race was the other reason for the 12th place final points standings as Means took 11th in the final standings, a career-best in the standings.
  • Conversely; Dale Earnhardt's 12th place finish in the standings would be the worst points finish of his career. A feat he would match in 1992, also recording only one victory that season as well.
  • This would be the last full time (entire season) race for Mark Martin in the Cup Series until 1988.
  • For the second straight season, Terry Labonte failed to win a race. However his consistency paid off with 3rd place in the final drivers points standings.
  • For the first time since the 1978 season, Richard Petty would fail to win a race.

Full Drivers' Championship[edit]

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

Pos. Driver DAY RCH BRI ATL CAR DAR NWS MAR TAL NSV DOV CLT POC RSD MCH DAY NSV POC TAL MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV NWS CLT MAR CAR ATL RSD Pts
1 Darrell Waltrip 20 27 1* 1 7* 23 1* 5 1 1* 15 22 13 32 2 36 1* 6 1* 7 1 24 3 1* 1* 14 1* 1 3 3 4489
2 Bobby Allison 1* 8 5 22 4 25 8 17 13 6 1* 3 1 27 4 1* 19 1 10 1* 2* 20 1* 10 23 9* 19 2* 1* 16 4417
3 Terry Labonte 4 5 4 8 2 6 2 20 2 2 4 34 5 2* 28 27 2 3 5 21 4 35 6 27 3 16 4 4 8 27 4211
4 Harry Gant 7 30 6 5 8 19 6 1* 14 29 30 13 4 35 10 24 3 22 38 3 3 11 7 12 2 1 8 32 2 26 3877
5 Richard Petty 27 2 7 2 30 31 5 15 27 9 24 8 7 36 26 25 7 2* 3 2 26 2 13 30 4 8 3 6 15 31 3814
6 Dave Marcis 24 1 10 12 21 27 29 6 30 8 2 9 10 30 14 10 11 8 13 8 21 10 8 6 11 32 28 11 6 29 3666
7 Buddy Arrington 15 14 15 14 9 8 16 8 11 14 11 11 12 15 15 12 22 9 20 6 16 9 16 7 21 22 10 23 14 35 3642
8 Ron Bouchard 6 9 8 36 16 34 13 19 36 3 6 10 31 9 12 3 10 4 34 10 12 26 15 8 7 35 14 8 32 6 3545
9 Ricky Rudd 35 22 27 25 15 29 9 4 24 19 22 7 6 29 5 7 4 31 9 14 7 31 4 11 25 31 2 28 7 2 3537
10 Morgan Shepherd 19 10 3 6 5 30 7 26 5 15 7 19 35 8 4 26 28 8 32 5 36 12 24 13 30 18 5 25 8 3451
11 Jimmy Means 17 18 16 16 17 11 18 13 9 23 31 14 24 18 20 21 14 17 17 11 14 23 19 17 14 11 9 15 13 12 3423
12 Dale Earnhardt 36 4 2* 28 25 1* 3 23 8 10 3 30* 34 4 7 29 9 25 35 30 6 3 27 20 20 25 27 14 34 42 3402
13 Jody Ridley 9 13 20 17 33 22 17 12 38 13 17 6 9 7 27 15 8 36 14 26 8 28 25 25 9 7 7 31 28 9 3333
14 Mark Martin (R) 30 26 14 19 32 7 25 7 10 12 5 27 26 8 33 31 15 10 12 34 11 22 26 33 12 38 20 24 10 5 3042
15 Kyle Petty 23 20 11 26 27 18 14 27 4 27 29 17 11 12 6 38 23 15 39 15 30 14 14 2 10 29 21 29 31 3024
16 Joe Ruttman 3 15 18 29 24 12 14 22 4 18 41 30 26 13 40 12 7 11 38 24 13 31 18 6 4 5 18 5 40 3021
17 Neil Bonnett 25 7 22 27 19 24 10 3 19 5 19 1 5 11 32 16 9 34 5 21 28 22 3 11 4 2966
18 Benny Parsons 26 3* 9 4 3 4 4 29 3* 22 20 39 3 23 32 28 5 8 5 5 34 20 7 2892
19 J. D. McDuffie 13 23 19 38 10 36 20 16 18 18 27 33 33 25 37 11 25 16 22 16 22 16 30 13 30 18 15 22 30 18 2886
20 Lake Speed 41 19 29 33 34 17 24 24 34 30 10 12 20 31 34 9 13 33 21 12 13 6 10 22 8 21 29 33 29 32 2850
21 Tommy Gale 16 21 17 37 11 12 DNQ 16 16 13 23 18 Wth 18 14 18 23 29 20 19 29 21 14 19 36 17 16 26 2698
22 Geoff Bodine (R) 42 15 25 33 21 21 25 8 3 9 6 6 11 15 4 10 7 28 4 5 13 11 27 19 11 2654
23 Buddy Baker 8 30 14 37 28 25 5 22 31 8 24 5 2 25 9 5 9 29 24 6 6 7 21 2591
24 D. K. Ulrich 29 26 32 26 15 19 31 15 26 14 28 15 16 22 17 18 27 20 19 15 15 12 10 23 15 2566
25 Bill Elliott 5 12 21 23 3 26 11 2 19 3 2 21 30 6 27 4 3 2 12 24 25 2558
26 Tim Richmond DNQ 31 5 11 18 7 7 9 40 2 1 25 23 5 24 7 23 25 30 2 9 22 19 13 17 4 1* 2497
27 Cale Yarborough 2 3 1 2 37 4 28 1* 22 26 4 28 1* 33 25 35 2022
28 James Hylton DNQ 17 12 23 19 20 12 25 22 23 18 17 15 17 16 1514
29 Slick Johnson DNQ 17 21 18 26 30 10 12 25 16 18 29 Wth 30 34 28 32 32 DNQ 19 1261
30 Ronnie Thomas DNQ 25 20 13 23 24 23 23 35 32 17 28 38 23 31 29 37 25 30 1093
31 Bobby Wawak 32 DNQ 28 21 20 14 19 26 DNQ 21 DNQ 13 17 1002
32 Brad Teague (R) DNQ 12 13 22 11 20 25 24 25 15 966
33 Lennie Pond 24 Wth 10 26 22 31 31 Wth 16 27 36 40 DNQ 20 9 12 756
34 Rick Wilson 18 9 32 36 33 27 10 27 731
35 Joe Millikan 40 6 13 24 6 16 QL QL 26 678
36 Rick Newsom Wth 14 DNQ 17 13 29 19 DNQ 35 DNQ 31 35 DNQ 619
37 David Pearson 21 36 5 31 37 3 Wth 613
38 Gary Balough 11 32 23 7 12 564
39 Lowell Cowell 14 21 21 13 18 554
40 Philip Duffie 17 18 23 17 DNQ 16 542
41 H. B. Bailey 35 26 21 35 29 26 462
42 Butch Lindley 28 2 24 26 435
43 Dean Combs 38 17 13 26 34 431
44 Delma Cowart 33 23 32 17 30 DNQ 410
45 Donnie Allison 34 11 22 9 30 6 8 37 Wth 38 406
46 Bobby Hillin Jr. 21 36 16 20 19 379
47 Roy Smith 10 6 24 375
48 Dick Brooks 38 28 34 Wth 32 24 347
49 Connie Saylor DNQ 31 15 39 37 20 12 39 335
50 Darryl Sage 16 17 18 30 22 324
51 Travis Tiller Wth 26 28 40 18 316
52 Bob Schacht 16 27 21 DNQ 297
53 Tom Sneva 22 31 15 QL 285
54 Rick McCray 14 34 282
55 Dick May Wth 30 20 13 20 DNQ 19 15 23 37 282
56 Jim Bown 17 10 246
57 Jim Reich 10 19 240
58 John Callis 32 27 26 DNQ DNQ 234
59 Steve Moore Wth 18 35 35 DNQ 40 230
60 Jimmy Walker 28 37 28 210
61 Jocko Maggiacomo 26 32 34 28 DNQ 207
62 Jim Sauter 12 10 33 201
63 Don Waterman 11 33 199
64 Bill Schmitt 24 21 191
65 Rusty Wallace 37 35 29 186
66 Jim Robinson 28 20 182
67 John Krebs 19 37 158
68 Elliott Forbes-Robinson 28 40 29 155
69 Jim Lee 34 23 155
70 A. J. Foyt 21 39 146
71 Rodney Combs 9 143
72 Mark Stahl 22 39 143
73 Hershel McGriff 33 28 143
74 Robin McCall DNQ 29 33 DNQ 140
75 Tommy Ellis DNQ 11 11 130
76 Rick Baldwin 12 127
77 Scott Miller 13 124
78 Glenn Francis 14 121
79 Marty Robbins 37 DNQ 33 116
80 Jeff McDuffie 16 DNQ 115
81 Al Loquasto 16 29 24 36 27 115
82 Cecil Gordon DNQ 14 16 18 QL DNQ 17 109
83 John Anderson 28 20 42 17 103
84 Randy Baker 20 103
85 Don Puskarich 20 103
86 Trevor Boys 22 97
87 John McFadden 24 DNQ DNQ 91
88 Tommy Houston 25 88
89 Richard Brickhouse 27 21 DNQ 82
90 Steve Gray 27 82
91 Joe Fields 28 22 24 DNQ 79
92 Bob Jarvis DNQ 28 35 79
93 Bill Scott DNQ 28 DNQ 79
94 Ernie Cline 29 76
95 Blackie Wangerin DNQ 30 DNQ 73
96 Stan Barrett 31 70
97 Mike Potter 20 33 DNQ DNQ 64
98 Bob Slawinski DNQ 33 DNQ 64
99 Gil Roth DNQ 34 61
100 Tom Hessert Jr. 35 58
101 Derrike Cope 36 55
102 Earle Canavan 37 39 52
103 Randy Becker 21 38 49
104 Billie Harvey 39 46
105 Glenn Jarrett 39 46
106 David Simko DNQ 40 29 43
107 Kevin Terris 41 40
108 Jimmy Hensley 9 29 23
109 Charlie Baker 18 31 19 DNQ
110 Joe Booher DNQ 21 18 DNQ
111 Terry Herman 13
112 Bosco Lowe 16
113 Ferrel Harris DNQ 23
114 Sterling Marlin DNQ 23
115 Tony Bettenhausen Jr. 24
116 Dennis DeVea 24 DNQ
117 Joel Stowe DNQ 27
118 Tighe Scott 29
119 Jimmy Insolo 30
120 J. R. Charbonneau 32
121 Jerry Bowman 36
122 L. W. Wright 39 DNQ
123 Jim Hurlbert 40
124 Dick Skillen DNQ
125 Bob Riley DNQ
126 Ronnie Sanders DNQ
127 John Haver DNQ DNQ
128 Bill Meazel DNQ DNQ
129 Bob Kennedy DNQ
130 Ed Baugess DNQ
131 Billy McGinnis DNQ
132 Paul Simms DNQ
133 Clive Skilton DNQ
134 Don Whittington Wth
135 Joey Arrington Wth
136 Bill Hollar Wth
137 Alan West
138 Steve Pfeifer Wth
139 Don Stanley Wth
140 Sam Ard Wth
Pos. Driver DAY RCH BRI ATL CAR DAR NWS MAR TAL NSV DOV CLT POC RSD MCH DAY NSV POC TAL MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV NWS CLT MAR CAR ATL RSD Pts

Rookie of the year[edit]

Geoff Bodine won the rookie of the year even though he only started 25 of the 30 races. However, he had 4 top fives, 10 top tens, 2 poles, and 118 laps led, he had a season long average finishing position of 15.16. Mark Martin, his closest competitor for the award, did start all 30 races but he only had 2 top fives, 8 top tens, 0 poles, and 4 laps led, he had a season long average finishing position of 19.47.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Race Results".
  2. ^ "02/11/1982 race: First UNO Twin 125 Qualifier (DQ) - Racing-Reference.info".
  3. ^ "02/11/1982 race: Second UNO Twin 125 Qualifier (DQ) - Racing-Reference.info".
  4. ^ "Race Results".
  5. ^ "Talladega Legend L.W. Wright Will Tell His Story on the 40th Anniversary of His Crazy NASCAR Scam". 30 April 2022.

External links[edit]