1979 NASCAR Winston Cup Series

1979 NASCAR Winston Cup Series
Previous:	1978	Next:	1980

The 1979 NASCAR Winston Cup Series was the 31st season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 8th modern-era Cup series. It began on Sunday, January 14 and ended on Sunday, November 18. Richard Petty won his seventh and final Winston Cup championship, winning by 11 points over Darrell Waltrip. Dale Earnhardt was crowned NASCAR Rookie of the Year.

Teams and drivers

Complete schedule

Make	Team	No.	Driver	Crew Chief
Chevrolet	McDuffie Racing	70	J. D. McDuffie
Dodge	Warren Racing	79	Frank Warren
Ford	Bud Moore Engineering	15	Bobby Allison	Bud Moore
Oldsmobile	Junior Johnson & Associates	11	Cale Yarborough	Travis Carter
Buick Chevrolet	Ulrich Racing	40	D. K. Ulrich 30
			Al Elmore 1
Buick Chevrolet Oldsmobile	Rod Osterlund Racing	2	Dale Earnhardt 27	Jake Elder
			David Pearson 4
	Hagan Racing	44	Terry Labonte (R)
Dodge Ford	Arrington Racing	67	Buddy Arrington
Chevrolet Oldsmobile	DeWitt Racing	72	Joe Millikan (R)
	Richard Childress Racing	3	Richard Childress
	Hylton Racing	48 1	James Hylton
	M. C. Anderson Racing	27	Benny Parsons	David Ifft
	Petty Enterprises	43	Richard Petty	Dale Inman

Limited schedule

Make	Team	No.	Driver	Crew Chief	Rounds
Buick	Ballard Racing	30	Tighe Scott	Harry Hyde	17
		50	Bruce Hill		3
	Gray Racing	19	Steve Spencer		1
			Dick May		1
	Thirkettle Racing	51	Jim Thirkettle		1
	Robertson Racing	25	Ronnie Thomas		6
Chevrolet	Al Rudd Auto	22	Richard White		2
			Kevin Housby		1
			Darrell Waltrip		1
			Al Rudd, Jr.		1
	DiGard Motorsports	88	Darrell Waltrip	Buddy Parrott	2
	Al Holbert Racing	7	Al Holbert		5
	Cunningham-Kelley Racing	14	Coo Coo Marlin		7
			Dick Kranzler		1
			Sterling Marlin		1
			Jimmy Means		1
	Donlavey Racing	90	Ricky Rudd		1
	Ellington Racing	1	Donnie Allison	Runt Pittman	18
	Gray Racing	19	Vince Giamformaggio		2
			Bill Dennis		2
			Dick May		8
			Joe Fields		1
			Lennie Pond		5
			Billy Hagan		1
			Bob Burcham		2
			Steve Spencer		1
			Steve Gray		1
			Cecil Gordon		2
			Glenn Jarrett		1
	Gordon Racing	24	Larry Isley		1
	Goularte Racing	17	Harry Goularte		1
	Hamby Motorsports		Skip Manning		2
			Roger Hamby		8
			Jim Vandiver		1
			Steve Pfeifer		2
			Bill Elliott		3
	Kennie Childers Racing	12	Harry Gant	Kennie Childers	2
			Lennie Pond		5
			Jack Ingram		2
			Butch Lindley		1
			Buck Simmons		2
	Means Racing	52	Don Graham		1
			Jimmy Means		28
	Marcis Auto Racing	02	Dave Marcis		9
		71			15
	Nelson Malloch Racing	05	Dick Brooks		27
			Elmo Langley		1
	Petty Enterprises	42	Kyle Petty	Maurice Petty	5
	Puskarich Racing	13	Don Puskarich		1
	Halverson Racing		Jeff Halverson		1
	Price Racing	45	Ferrel Harris		1
			Baxter Price		21
			Roy Smith		1
	Race Hill Farm Team	47	Harry Gant (R)		17
	Ranier-Lundy Racing	28	Buddy Baker	Waddell Wilson	21
	Robertson Racing	25	Ronnie Thomas		23
	Schmitt Racing	73	Steve Moore		1
	Slick Johnson Racing	51	Slick Johnson		2
	Williamson Racing	74	Tim Williamson		1
	Wawak Racing		Bobby Wawak		3
Dodge	Arrington Racing	7	Earl Brooks		1
	Canavan Racing	01	Earle Canavan		7
	Robbins Racing	6	Marty Robbins		1
		36			1
		42			1
	Petty Enterprises		Kyle Petty	Maurice Petty	1
	Marcis Auto Racing	71	Joey Arrington		1
Ford	Donlavey Racing	90	Ricky Rudd		11
	Langley Racing	64	Tommy Gale		28
			Elmo Langley		1
Mercury	Donlavey Racing	90	Ricky Rudd		16
	Wood Brothers Racing	21	David Pearson	Leonard Wood	5
			Neil Bonnett		17
	Elliott Racing	9	Bill Elliott	Ernie Elliott	9
		17			2
Oldsmobile	A.J. Foyt Enterprises	51	A.J. Foyt		2
	Al Holbert Racing	7	Al Holbert		1
	Ballard Racing	50	Bruce Hill		4
	Craker Racing	01	Jimmy Insolo		3
	DiGard Motorsports	88	Darrell Waltrip	Buddy Parrott	4
	Ellington Racing	1	Donnie Allison	Runt Pittman	2
	Gordon Racing	24	Cecil Gordon		26
			D.K. Ulrich		1
	Hamby Motorsports	17	Roger Hamby		5
		0			1
	Kennie Childers Racing	12	Harry Gant	Kennie Childers	1
			Neil Bonnett		1
			Lennie Pond		3
			Jack Ingram		2
	Nelson Malloch Racing	05	Dick Brooks		27
	Price Racing	45	Baxter Price		4
	Race Hill Farm Team	47	Geoffrey Bodine		3
			Harry Gant (R)		5
	Ranier-Lundy Racing	28	Buddy Baker	Waddell Wilson	5
	Schmitt Racing	73	Bill Schmitt		3
	Wawak Racing	74	Bobby Wawak		1
	Callentine Racing		Hal Callentine		2

Schedule

No.	Race Title	Track	Date	TV
1	Winston Western 500	Riverside International Raceway, Riverside	January 14
	Busch Clash	Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach	February 11	CBS
	125 Mile Qualifying Races		February 15	CBS
2	Daytona 500		February 18	CBS
3	Carolina 500	North Carolina Motor Speedway, Rockingham	March 4
4	Richmond 400	Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway, Richmond	March 11
5	Atlanta 500	Atlanta International Raceway, Hampton	March 18	ABC
6	Northwestern Bank 400	North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro	March 25
7	Valleydale 500	Bristol International Speedway, Bristol	April 1
8	CRC Chemicals Rebel 500	Darlington Raceway, Darlington	April 8	ABC
9	Virginia National Bank 500	Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway	April 22	MRN TV
10	Winston 500	Alabama International Motor Speedway, Talladega	May 6	MRN TV
11	Sun-Drop Music City USA 420	Nashville Speedway, Nashville	May 12
12	Mason-Dixon 500	Dover Downs International Speedway, Dover	May 20
13	World 600	Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord	May 27	CBS
14	Texas 400	Texas World Speedway, College Station	June 3
15	NAPA Riverside 400	Riverside International Raceway, Riverside	June 10
16	Gabriel 400	Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn	June 17	ABC
17	Firecracker 400	Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach	July 4	ABC
18	Busch Nashville 420	Nashville Speedway, Nashville	July 14
19	Coca-Cola 500	Pocono International Raceway, Long Pond	July 30
20	Talladega 500	Alabama International Motor Speedway, Talladega	August 5	CBS
21	Champion Spark Plug 400	Michigan International Speedway, Brooklyn	August 19
22	Busch 500	Bristol International Speedway, Bristol	August 25
23	Southern 500	Darlington Raceway, Darlington	September 3	ABC
24	Capital City 400	Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway, Richmond	September 9
25	CRC Chemicals 500	Dover Downs International Speedway, Dover	September 16
26	Old Dominion 500	Martinsville Speedway, Ridgeway	September 23
27	NAPA National 500	Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord	October 7	NBC
28	Holly Farms 400	North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro	October 14
29	American 500	North Carolina Motor Speedway, Rockingham	October 21
30	Dixie 500	Atlanta International Raceway, Hampton	November 4	ABC
31	Los Angeles Times 500	Ontario Motor Speedway, Ontario	November 18	CBS

Winston Western 500

The 1979 Winston Western 500 was run on January 14 at Riverside International Raceway at Riverside, California. David Pearson won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 88–Darrell Waltrip
2. 21–David Pearson
3. 11–Cale Yarborough
4. 73–Bill Schmitt
5. 1–Donnie Allison
6. 72–Joe Millikan
7. 28–Buddy Baker
8. 51–Jim Thirkettle
9. 74–Tim Williamson
10. 12–Harry Gant

Busch Clash

The inaugural Busch Clash, a non-points race for all of the pole winners from the previous season, was run on February 11 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Benny Parsons started on the pole via a random draw.

Results

1. 28–Buddy Baker
2. 88–Darrell Waltrip
3. 11–Cale Yarborough
4. 27–Benny Parsons
5. 15–Bobby Allison
6. 21–David Pearson
7. 54–Lennie Pond
8. 5–Neil Bonnett
9. 70–J. D. McDuffie

125 Mile Qualifying Races

The two Daytona 500 125-mile qualifying races were run on February 15 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Buddy Baker and Donnie Allison started on the pole for races one and two, respectively.

Race One Top Ten Results		Race Two Top Ten Results
No.	Driver	No.	Driver
28	Buddy Baker	88	Darrell Waltrip
11	Cale Yarborough	51	A. J. Foyt
27	Benny Parsons	05	Dick Brooks
15	Bobby Allison	2	Dale Earnhardt
21	David Pearson	02	Dave Marcis
90	Ricky Rudd	12	Harry Gant
43	Richard Petty	47	Geoffrey Bodine
67	Buddy Arrington	17	Roger Hamby
50	Bruce Hill	5	Neil Bonnett
44	Terry Labonte	00	John Utsman

Cale Yarborough was pessimistic about rivals' chances
against Baker, saying, "Baker is just pure horsepower."

Daytona 500

The 21st annual Daytona 500 was run on February 18 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Buddy Baker won the pole. The race, the first televised nationally in its entirety, ended in spectacular fashion, as races leaders Donnie Allison and Cale Yarborough crashed on the last lap in turn three, allowing Richard Petty to take the lead and win his sixth Daytona 500. During the cool-down lap, Allison and Yarborough got into a heated argument which later escalated into a fist-fight, which was later joined by Bobby Allison, who stepped to try to defend his brother. TV ratings were bolstered that day due to much of the U.S. Northeast being snowed in by a major blizzard. Petty would use the win as a springboard to his record seventh and final, championship but the going was anything but easy.

Top Ten Results

1. 43–Richard Petty
2. 88–Darrell Waltrip
3. 51–A. J. Foyt
4. 1–Donnie Allison
5. 11–Cale Yarborough
6. 30–Tighe Scott
7. 68–Chuck Bown
8. 2–Dale Earnhardt
9. 14–Coo Coo Marlin
10. 79–Frank Warren

Carolina 500

The 1979 Carolina 500 was run on March 4 at North Carolina Motor Speedway in Rockingham, North Carolina. Bobby Allison won the pole, but the story was Cale Yarborough and Donnie Allison, who crashed out of the lead on Lap 10 in a wreck that swept up five other cars.

Top Ten Results

1. 15–Bobby Allison
2. 72–Joe Millikan
3. 05–Dick Brooks
4. 30–Tighe Scott
5. 3–Richard Childress
6. 40–D. K. Ulrich
7. 48–James Hylton
8. 37–Dave Watson
9. 79–Frank Warren
10. 27–Benny Parsons

Richmond 400

The 1979 Richmond 400 was run on March 11 at Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway in Richmond, Virginia. The race had been postponed from its original date of February 25. Bobby Allison won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 11–Cale Yarborough
2. 15–Bobby Allison
3. 88–Darrell Waltrip
4. 27–Benny Parsons
5. 43–Richard Petty
6. 72–Joe Millikan
7. 70–J. D. McDuffie
8. 44–Terry Labonte
9. 1–Donnie Allison
10. 40–D. K. Ulrich

Atlanta 500

The 1979 Atlanta 500 was run on March 18 at Atlanta International Raceway in Hampton, Georgia. Buddy Baker won the pole and after a late yellow got tires and stormed away from Bobby Allison for his first win since May 1976. Driver Dave Watson accidentally struck a bystander on pit road and quit the race; it turned out to be his final race.

Top Ten Results

1. 28–Buddy Baker
2. 15–Bobby Allison
3. 88–Darrell Waltrip
4. 11–Cale Yarborough
5. 27–Benny Parsons
6. 02–Dave Marcis
7. 1–Donnie Allison
8. 72–Joe Millikan
9. 90–Ricky Rudd
10. 05–Dick Brooks

Northwestern Bank 400

The 1979 Northwestern Bank 400 was run on March 25 at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Benny Parsons won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 15–Bobby Allison
2. 43–Richard Petty
3. 27–Benny Parsons
4. 2–Dale Earnhardt
5. 88–Darrell Waltrip
6. 70–J. D. McDuffie
7. 3–Richard Childress
8. 28–Buddy Baker
9. 11–Cale Yarborough
10. 72–Joe Millikan

Southeastern 500

The 1979 Southeastern 500 was run on April 1 at Bristol International Raceway in Bristol, Tennessee. Buddy Baker won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 2–Dale Earnhardt
2. 15–Bobby Allison
3. 88–Darrell Waltrip
4. 43–Richard Petty
5. 27–Benny Parsons
6. 1–Donnie Allison
7. 44–Terry Labonte
8. 72–Joe Millikan
9. 48–James Hylton
10. 90–Ricky Rudd

• This was Dale Earnhardt's first Winston Cup career victory (and was a then-record for fewest races to 1st win in Cup Series, with Dale winning in just his 18th Cup start)

CRC Chemicals Rebel 500

The 1979 CRC Chemicals Rebel 500 was run on April 8 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina. Donnie Allison won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 88–Darrell Waltrip
2. 43–Richard Petty
3. 1–Donnie Allison
4. 27–Benny Parsons
5. 28–Buddy Baker
6. 11–Cale Yarborough
7. 9–Bill Elliott
8. 90–Ricky Rudd
9. 05–Dick Brooks
10. 72–Joe Millikan

• Waltrip won this race following a fierce duel with Richard Petty; they exchanged the lead eight times in the final five laps and three times on the last lap alone.
• This was also David Pearson's last race with the Wood Brothers, for whom he had driven the #21 Mercury since 1972. Following a tire-change pit stop, Pearson reached the pit road exit, when two tires came off his car (the lug nuts had not been tightened when he left the pits). Within a week, Pearson was fired from the team and replaced by Neil Bonnett.

Virginia 500

The 1979 Virginia 500 was run on April 22 at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia. Darrell Waltrip won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 43–Richard Petty
2. 28–Buddy Baker
3. 88–Darrell Waltrip
4. 15–Bobby Allison
5. 72–Joe Millikan
6. 47–Harry Gant
7. 48–James Hylton
8. 2–Dale Earnhardt
9. 44–Terry Labonte
10. 70–J. D. McDuffie

• This was Petty's first win on a short track since 1975 and his first win in a Chevrolet.

Winston 500

The 1979 Winston 500 was run on May 6 at Alabama International Motor Speedway in Talladega, Alabama. Darrell Waltrip won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 15–Bobby Allison
2. 88–Darrell Waltrip
3. 67–Buddy Arrington
4. 43–Richard Petty
5. 72–Joe Millikan
6. 9–Bill Elliott
7. 64–Tommy Gale
8. 79–Frank Warren
9. 44–Terry Labonte
10. 14–Coo Coo Marlin

• A 17-car crash erupted on the fourth lap when race-leader Baker blew a tire; Cale Yarborough came to a stop and got out of his car, then was hit by Dave Marcis' car, momentarily losing feeling in his legs; he recovered later that day.

Sun-Drop Music City USA 420

The 1979 Sun-Drop Music City USA 420 was run on May 12 at Nashville Speedway in Nashville, Tennessee. Joe Millikan won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 11–Cale Yarborough
2. 43–Richard Petty
3. 15–Bobby Allison
4. 2–Dale Earnhardt
5. 70–J. D. McDuffie
6. 3–Richard Childress
7. 27–Benny Parsons
8. 28–Buddy Baker
9. 44–Terry Labonte
10. 90–Ricky Rudd

Race notes The finish was marred by controversy. Richard Petty and Bobby Allison asserted that Cale Yarborough was a lap down at the finish. Said Petty, "He lost one lap when he spun (with J.D. McDuffie), then he lost another when he spent 22 seconds in the pits." Allison agreed, saying, "Richard won this race and I finished second. I don't know how they had Cale winning."

Mason-Dixon 500

The 1979 Mason-Dixon 500 was run on May 20 at Dover Downs International Speedway in Dover, Delaware. Darrell Waltrip won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 21–Neil Bonnett
2. 11–Cale Yarborough
3. 28–Buddy Baker
4. 15–Bobby Allison
5. 2–Dale Earnhardt
6. 44–Terry Labonte
7. 27–Benny Parsons
8. 72–Joe Millikan
9. 12–Lennie Pond
10. 67–Buddy Arrington

World 600

The 1979 World 600 was run on May 27 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. Neil Bonnett won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 88–Darrell Waltrip
2. 43–Richard Petty
3. 2–Dale Earnhardt
4. 11–Cale Yarborough
5. 27–Benny Parsons
6. 90–Ricky Rudd
7. 44–Terry Labonte
8. 7–Al Holbert
9. 12–Lennie Pond
10. 3–Richard Childress

• The race saw 59 lead changes, a still-standing track record.

Texas 400

The 1979 Texas 400 was run on June 3 at Texas World Speedway in College Station, Texas. Buddy Baker won the pole. It was NASCAR's first visit to the track in College Station, Texas since 1973; the track had closed in 1974 but reopened with USAC racing in 1976.

Top Ten Results

1. 88–Darrell Waltrip
2. 15–Donnie Allison
3. 28–Buddy Baker
4. 11–Cale Yarborough
5. 44–Terry Labonte
6. 43–Richard Petty
7. 3–Richard Childress
8. 72–Joe Millikan
9. 67–Buddy Arrington
10. 48–James Hylton

NAPA Riverside 400

The 1979 NAPA Riverside 400 was run on June 10 at Riverside International Raceway in Riverside, California. Dale Earnhardt won the pole.

1. 15–Bobby Allison
2. 88–Darrell Waltrip
3. 43–Richard Petty
4. 11–Cale Yarborough
5. 27–Benny Parsons
6. 3–Richard Childress
7. 70–J. D. McDuffie
8. 93–Norm Palmer
9. 67–Buddy Arrington
10. 72–Joe Millikan

Gabriel 400

The 1979 Gabriel 400 was run on June 17 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan. Neil Bonnett won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 28–Buddy Baker
2. 1–Donnie Allison
3. 11–Cale Yarborough
4. 21–Neil Bonnett
5. 43–Richard Petty
6. 2–Dale Earnhardt
7. 15–Bobby Allison
8. 90–Ricky Rudd
9. 30–Tighe Scott
10. 05–Dick Brooks

• The lead changed 47 times among 11 drivers. Dale Earnhardt was criticized by Darrell Waltrip and Richard Petty when he nearly spun out trying to pass Neil Bonnett late in the race in front of both ("He nearly took us all out in the third turn," Waltrip said after the race).

Firecracker 400

The 1979 Firecracker 400 was run on July 4 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Buddy Baker won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 21–Neil Bonnett
2. 27–Benny Parsons
3. 2–Dale Earnhardt
4. 88–Darrell Waltrip
5. 43–Richard Petty
6. 68–Chuck Bown
7. 47–Harry Gant
8. 72–Joe Millikan
9. 05–Dick Brooks
10. 51–A. J. Foyt

Busch Nashville 420

The 1979 Busch Nashville 420 was run on July 14 at Nashville Speedway in Nashville, Tennessee. Darrell Waltrip won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 88–Darrell Waltrip
2. 11–Cale Yarborough
3. 2–Dale Earnhardt
4. 27–Benny Parsons
5. 43–Richard Petty
6. 48–James Hylton
7. 3–Richard Childress
8. 70–J. D. McDuffie
9. 25–Ronnie Thomas
10. 52–Jimmy Means

Coca-Cola 500

The 1979 Coca-Cola 500 was run on July 30 at Pocono International Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. Initially scheduled for July 29, day-long rains forced postponement. Harry Gant won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 11–Cale Yarborough
2. 43–Richard Petty
3. 28–Buddy Baker
4. 27–Benny Parsons
5. 90–Ricky Rudd
6. 72–Joe Millikan
7. 22–Darrell Waltrip
8. 21–Neil Bonnett
9. 15–Bobby Allison
10. 30–Tighe Scott

Race notes

The lead changed a still-standing track record 55 times. Dale Earnhardt suffered broken collar bones in a bad crash in Turn Two. Darrell Waltrip lost five spots when he pitted under yellow with four to go for tires but the race never restarted. It cost him 19 points, a margin he would regret at the end of the season.

Talladega 500

The 1979 Talladega 500 was run on August 5 at Alabama International Motor Speedway in Talladega, Alabama. Neil Bonnett won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 88–Darrell Waltrip
2. 2–David Pearson
3. 90–Ricky Rudd
4. 43–Richard Petty
5. 77–Jody Ridley
6. 30–Tighe Scott
7. 47–Harry Gant
8. 67–Buddy Arrington
9. 42–Kyle Petty
10. 3–Richard Childress

This was David Pearson's first race after leaving the Wood Brothers. Pearson was hired to drive the #2 temporarily after Dale Earnhardt's injury.

Champion Spark Plug 400

The 1979 Champion Spark Plug 400 was run on August 19 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan. David Pearson won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 43–Richard Petty
2. 28–Buddy Baker
3. 27–Benny Parsons
4. 2–David Pearson
5. 08–John Anderson
6. 72–Joe Millikan
7. 90–Ricky Rudd
8. 30–Tighe Scott
9. 70–J. D. McDuffie
10. 3–Richard Childress

Blackie Wangerin flipped out of the track on Lap 2.

Volunteer 500

The 1979 Volunteer 500 was run on August 25 at Bristol International Raceway in Bristol, Tennessee. Richard Petty won the pole; it was his final pole as a driver and last for his racecar until 1996.

Top Ten Results

1. 88–Darrell Waltrip
2. 43–Richard Petty
3. 15–Bobby Allison
4. 27–Benny Parsons
5. 11–Cale Yarborough
6. 72–Joe Millikan
7. 2–David Pearson
8. 44–Terry Labonte
9. 90–Ricky Rudd
10. 17–Bill Elliott

Southern 500

The 1979 Southern 500 was run on September 3 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina. Bobby Allison won the pole. David Pearson won the race for Rod Osterlund. Top Ten Results

1. 2–David Pearson
2. 17–Bill Elliott
3. 44–Terry Labonte
4. 28–Buddy Baker
5. 27–Benny Parsons
6. 71–Dave Marcis
7. 05–Dick Brooks
8. 90–Ricky Rudd
9. 43–Richard Petty
10. 15–Bobby Allison

• Darrell Waltrip had over a lap lead when he had an accident. Darrell Waltrip had to make a pit stop which put David Pearson on the lead lap as well. Waltrip was passed by David Pearson and then involved in a second accident. David Pearson would win by 2 laps over second place.
• This was Pearson's last race for Osterlund because Dale Earnhardt was back for the Capital City 400 due to a crash at Pocono with rib injuries.

Capital City 400

The 1979 Capital City 400 was run on September 9 at Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway in Richmond, Virginia. Dale Earnhardt won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 15–Bobby Allison
2. 88–Darrell Waltrip
3. 90–Ricky Rudd
4. 2–Dale Earnhardt
5. 11–Cale Yarborough
6. 43–Richard Petty
7. 71–Dave Marcis
8. 27–Benny Parsons
9. 47–Harry Gant
10. 72–Joe Millikan

CRC Chemicals 500

The 1979 CRC Chemicals 500 was run on September 16 at Dover Downs International Speedway in Dover, Delaware. Dale Earnhardt won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 43–Richard Petty
2. 1–Donnie Allison
3. 11–Cale Yarborough
4. 28–Buddy Baker
5. 72–Joe Millikan
6. 15–Bobby Allison
7. 71–Dave Marcis
8. 90–Ricky Rudd
9. 2–Dale Earnhardt
10. 30–Tighe Scott

Old Dominion 500

The 1979 Old Dominion 500 was run on September 23 at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia. Darrell Waltrip won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 28–Buddy Baker
2. 43–Richard Petty
3. 72–Joe Millikan
4. 15–Bobby Allison
5. 71–Dave Marcis
6. 90–Ricky Rudd
7. 67–Buddy Arrington
8. 11–Cale Yarborough
9. 44–Terry Labonte
10. 40–D. K. Ulrich

Waltrip blew his engine after leading 188 laps; the DiGard team changed engines in a record 11 minutes. NASCAR outlawed mid-race engine changes after the 1979 season.

NAPA National 500

The 1979 NAPA National 500 was run on October 7 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. Neil Bonnett won the pole; it was the thirteenth straight Charlotte pole for the Wood Brothers.

Top Ten Results

1. 11–Cale Yarborough
2. 15–Bobby Allison
3. 88–Darrell Waltrip
4. 43–Richard Petty
5. 1–Donnie Allison
6. 27–Benny Parsons
7. 9–Bill Elliott
8. 05–Dick Brooks
9. 40–D. K. Ulrich
10. 2–Dale Earnhardt

Holly Farms 400

The 1979 Holly Farms 400 was run on October 14 at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. The race had been postponed two weeks due to rain. Dale Earnhardt won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 27–Benny Parsons
2. 15–Bobby Allison
3. 43–Richard Petty
4. 2–Dale Earnhardt
5. 90–Ricky Rudd
6. 44–Terry Labonte
7. 25–Ronnie Thomas
8. 40–D. K. Ulrich
9. 67–Buddy Arrington
10. 3–Richard Childress

• The story of the race was Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip. On Lap 309 Waltrip sideswiped past Allison in Turn Three; coming onto the frontstretch Allison hooked Waltrip head-on into the wall. Benny Parsons took the lead at that point; Waltrip got repairs and under yellow began crowding Allison to the wall; NASCAR black-flagged Waltrip, but after pitting he went after Allison again. NASCAR competition director Bill Gazaway went onto the track and personally waved another black flag to Waltrip, making sure Waltrip stayed out of the way of the leaders. The wreck narrowed Waltrip's point lead over Richard Petty.

American 500

The 1979 American 500 was run on October 21 at North Carolina Motor Speedway in Rockingham, North Carolina. Buddy Baker won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 43–Richard Petty
2. 27–Benny Parsons
3. 11–Cale Yarborough
4. 1–Donnie Allison
5. 2–Dale Earnhardt
6. 88–Darrell Waltrip
7. 3–Richard Childress
8. 25–Ronnie Thomas
9. 71–Dave Marcis
10. 51–Slick Johnson

• With the win, Petty finished erasing a 229-point gap to Waltrip and led the points standings.

Dixie 500

The 1979 Dixie 500 was run on November 4 at Atlanta International Raceway in Hampton, Georgia. Buddy Baker won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 21–Neil Bonnett
2. 2–Dale Earnhardt
3. 11–Cale Yarborough
4. 15–Bobby Allison
5. 88–Darrell Waltrip
6. 43–Richard Petty
7. 44–Terry Labonte
8. 90–Ricky Rudd
9. 72–Joe Millikan
10. 77–Jody Ridley

• Waltrip took a two-point lead over Petty; it was the second straight race where the point lead changed hands.

Los Angeles Times 500

The 1979 Los Angeles Times 500 was run on November 18 at Ontario Motor Speedway in Ontario, California. Cale Yarborough won the pole.

Top Ten Results

1. 27–Benny Parsons
2. 15–Bobby Allison
3. 11–Cale Yarborough
4. 28–Buddy Baker
5. 43–Richard Petty
6. 21–Neil Bonnett
7. 05–Dick Brooks
8. 88–Darrell Waltrip
9. 2–Dale Earnhardt
10. 90–Ricky Rudd

• Waltrip finished a lap down when he spun with John Rezek and pitted before the leaders did. Richard Petty won the championship by 11 points, then the smallest margin of victory in NASCAR history and the first time in the sanctioning body's history the point lead changed hands in the final race.

Final point standings

1. 43-Richard Petty 4830
2. 88-Darrell Waltrip 4819
3. 15-Bobby Allison 4633
4. 11-Cale Yarborough 4604
5. 27-Benny Parsons 4256
6. 72-Joe Millikan 4014
7. 2-Dale Earnhardt 3749
8. 3-Richard Childress 3735
9. 90-Ricky Rudd 3642
10. 44-Terry Labonte 3615

External links

• Racing-Reference.info (links to race results)