1985 NASCAR Winston Cup Series


The 1985 NASCAR Winston Cup Season 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 at the end of the season. Bill Elliott, driving for Harry Melling, had won 11 races in 1985, 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 is 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.
ManufacturerTeamRace DriverCrew Chief
BuickRace Hill Farm Team47Ron BouchardJake Elder
BuickStavola Brothers Racing8Bobby Hillin Jr.
ChevroletHamby Motorsports17Ken Ragan
ChevroletHamby Motorsports17Phil Parsons
ChevroletHamby Motorsports17Bosco Lowe
ChevroletHamby Motorsports17Lennie Pond
ChevroletHendrick Motorsports5Geoffrey BodineHarry Hyde
ChevroletJunior Johnson & Associates11Darrell WaltripJeff Hammond
ChevroletJunior Johnson & Associates12Neil BonnettDoug Richert
ChevroletMach 1 Racing33Harry GantTravis Carter
ChevroletMarcis Auto Racing71Dave Marcis
ChevroletRichard Childress Racing3Dale EarnhardtKirk Shelmerdine
FordBud Moore Engineering15Ricky RuddBud Moore
FordDonlavey Racing90Ken Schrader
FordLangley Racing64Clark Dwyer
FordMelling Racing9Bill ElliottErnie Elliott
FordWood Brothers Racing7Kyle PettyLeonard Wood
OldsmobileBaker-Schiff Racing88Buddy Baker
OldsmobileHagan Racing44Terry LabonteDale Inman
PontiacBlue Max Racing27Tim RichmondBarry Dodson
PontiacCliff Stewart Racing2Rusty WallaceDarrell Bryant
PontiacCurb Racing43Richard PettyMike Beam
PontiacMeans Racing52Jimmy Means
PontiacRahMoc Enterprises75Lake SpeedBob Rahilly
Buick
Chevrolet
Ford 		Bobby Allison Motorsports22Bobby AllisonReds Kagle
Chrysler
Dodge
Ford 		Arrington Racing67Morgan Shepherd
Chrysler
Dodge
Ford 		Arrington Racing67Phil Good
Chrysler
Dodge
Ford 		Arrington Racing67Buddy Arrington Joey Arrington

Limited schedule

Schedule

Bolding indicates the race was part of the Winston Million

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 – Geoffrey 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. Cale Yarborough won the pole for races 2 with a lap average speed of.
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 – Geoffrey 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 race. Rick Newsom was on the pole.
Full Results
Average speed:
Caution flags: none

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 speed of, 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 - Geoffrey Bodine -2 Laps
  8. 2 - Rusty Wallace -3 Laps
  9. 8 - Bobby Hillin Jr. -3 Laps
  10. 12 - Neil Bonnett -5 Laps

    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 – Geoffrey 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 – Geoffrey 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
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
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 – Geoffrey 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 – Geoffrey 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 – Geoffrey 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
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

    The 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
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

    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 – Geoffrey 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
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 – Geoffrey 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
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*
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
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

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 – Geoffrey 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
The Wrangler Sanfor-Set 400 was run on September 8 at Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway in Richmond, Virginia. Geoffrey 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 – Geoffrey Bodine
  8. 7 – Kyle Petty
  9. 12 – Neil Bonnett
  10. 18 – Tommy Ellis
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
The Goody's 500 was run on September 22 at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia. Geoffrey 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
The Holly Farms 400 was run on September 29 at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Geoffrey Bodine won the pole.
Top Ten Results
  1. 33 – Harry Gant
  2. 5 – Geoffrey 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
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 – Geoffrey 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
The Nationwise 500 was run on October 20 at 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 – Geoffrey Bodine
  6. 27 – Tim Richmond
  7. 15 – Ricky Rudd
  8. 3 – Dale Earnhardt
  9. 2 – Rusty Wallace
  10. 77 – Greg Sacks
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
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 – Geoffrey Bodine
  7. 11 – Darrell Waltrip
  8. 43 – Richard Petty
  9. 75 – Lake Speed
  10. 47 – Ron Bouchard
  1. Darrell Waltrip 4292
  2. Bill Elliott 4191
  3. Harry Gant 4033
  4. Neil Bonnett 3902
  5. Geoffrey Bodine 3862
  6. Ricky Rudd 3857
  7. Terry Labonte 3683
  8. Dale Earnhardt 3561
  9. Kyle Petty 3528
  10. Lake Speed 3507
  11. Tim Richmond 3413
  12. Bobby Allison 3312
  13. Ron Bouchard 3267
  14. Richard Petty 3140
  15. Bobby Hillin Jr. 3091
  16. Ken Schrader ' 3024
  17. Buddy Baker 2986
  18. Dave Marcis 2871
  19. Rusty Wallace 2867
  20. Buddy Arrington 2780
  21. Phil Parsons 2740
  22. Clark Dwyer 2641
  23. Jimmy Means 2548
  24. Eddie Bierschwale ' 2396
  25. Greg Sacks 1944
  26. Cale Yarborough 1861
  27. J. D. McDuffie 1853
  28. Trevor Boys 1461
  29. Benny Parsons 1427
  30. Joe Ruttman 1410
  31. Morgan Shepherd 1406
  32. Bobby Wawak 1226
  33. Lennie Pond 1107
  34. Tommy Ellis 1100
  35. Mike Alexander 1046
  36. David Pearson 879
  37. Sterling Marlin 645
  38. Don Hume 637
  39. Ronnie Thomas 631
  40. Alan Kulwicki 509
  41. Rick Newsom 450
  42. Mike Potter 443
  43. Jerry Bowman 434
  44. Bobby Gerhart 422
  45. A. J. Foyt 410
  46. Phil Good 406
  47. Ken Ragan 356
  48. Slick Johnson 343
  49. Connie Saylor 296
  50. Jim Sauter 267
The above information is from

Rookie of the year

won the 1985 NASCAR Winston Cup Series rookie of the year. He beat out both Eddie Bierschwale, and Don Hume for the honors.