1987 NASCAR Winston Cup Series


The 1987 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Season was the 39th season of professional stock car racing in the United States and the 16th modern-era cup series. The season began on February 8 and ended on November 22. Dale Earnhardt of Richard Childress Racing won the championship for the third time.
The 1987 season was the first without David Pearson.

Team changes

After a championship together in 1985, Darrell Waltrip decided to move from the No. 11 Junior Johnson Chevrolet to the new No. 17 Chevrolet, a third full-time Hendrick Motorsports team.
A famous quote stemmed from this move, which crew chief Jeff Hammond describes in his book Real Men Work In the Pits went like this:
"I finally got me a thoroughbred." – Darrell Waltrip, referring to his new ride.
"I don't know about any thoroughbred. I do know we had a jackass around here who recently left." – Junior Johnson
The rest of "silly season" looked like this among full-time teams: Terry Labonte left the No. 44 Piedmont Oldsmobile owned by Billy Hagan to replace Waltrip in the No. 11. Johnson decided to disband the No. 12 Budweiser team and let go driver Neil Bonnett, who moved to the No. 75 Pontiac. Morgan Shepherd vacated the No. 75 in favor of the No. 26 Buick owned by Kenny Bernstein, driven by Joe Ruttman in 1986. Phil Parsons would replace older brother Benny in the No. 55 Oldsmobile owned by Leo and Richard Jackson. Lake Speed started out 1986 in the No. 75 RahMoc ride but was let go early in the season. Speed would form his own team for 1987 in the No. 83 Oldsmobile.
A few car number changes took place as well. Kyle Petty would continue to drive the Wood Brothers Ford, switching from No. 7 to No. 21. Alan Kulwicki took the No. 7 for his independent team. Cale Yarborough exited the No. 28 Ford team and drove his self-owned No. 29 Oldsmobile. Davey Allison would compete for Rookie Of The Year in the Harry Ranier No. 28 Ford.. Michael Waltrip would continue driving for Chuck Rider but switched from the No. 23 Chevrolet to the No. 30 Chevrolet.
Drivers remaining with the same teams from 1986 would be: No. 3 Dale Earnhardt, No. 4 Rick Wilson No. 5 Geoffrey Bodine, No. 8 Bobby Hillin Jr., No. 9 Bill Elliott, No. 15 Ricky Rudd, No. 18 Tommy Ellis, No. 22 Bobby Allison, No. 27 Rusty Wallace, No. 33 Harry Gant, No. 43 Richard Petty, No. 52 Jimmy Means, No. 70 J. D. McDuffie, No. 71 Dave Marcis, No. 88 Buddy Baker, No. 90 Ken Schrader and the part-time/independent efforts of No. 14 A. J. Foyt, No. 67 Buddy Arrington, No. 77 Ken Ragan, No. 81 Chet Fillip and No. 89 Jim Sauter.
Top drivers out of a ride included Benny Parsons and Joe Ruttman.
Those who officially threw their hat in the ring for NASCAR Rookie of the Year in 1987 would be: Davey Allison, Steve Christman, Rodney Combs and Derrike Cope.
Ron Bouchard, Trevor Boys, Eddie Bierschwale and a host of others would battle for the remaining open spots.

Teams and drivers

Complete schedule

Limited schedule

Preseason

Busch Clash

The Busch Clash, an annual invitational event for all Busch Pole winners the previous season, was held February 8 at Daytona International Speedway. Bill Elliott drew for the pole. Alan Kulwicki was the wild card.
Results
  1. 9-Bill Elliott
  2. 5-Geoffrey Bodine
  3. 17-Darrell Waltrip
  4. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  5. 7-Alan Kulwicki
  6. 29-Cale Yarborough
  7. 35-Benny Parsons
  8. 33-Harry Gant
  9. 11-Terry Labonte
  10. 15-Ricky Rudd

    7-Eleven Twin 125's

The 7-Eleven Twin 125's, a pair of qualifying races for the Daytona 500, were held February 12 at Daytona International Speedway. Bill Elliott and Davey Allison won the poles for both races, respectively, as a result of their speeds in qualifying on February 9.
Race One: Top Ten Results
  1. 90-Ken Schrader
  2. 9-Bill Elliott
  3. 17-Darrell Waltrip
  4. 88-Buddy Baker
  5. 4-Rick Wilson
  6. 43-Richard Petty
  7. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  8. 75-Neil Bonnett
  9. 1-Ron Bouchard
  10. 55-Phil Parsons
Notes:
Race Two: Top Ten Results
  1. 35-Benny Parsons
  2. 22-Bobby Allison
  3. 5-Geoffrey Bodine
  4. 44-Sterling Marlin
  5. 33-Harry Gant
  6. 28-Davey Allison
  7. 11-Terry Labonte
  8. 71-Dave Marcis
  9. 30-Michael Waltrip
  10. 21-Kyle Petty

    Daytona 500

Goodwrench 500

The Goodwrench 500 was held March 1 at North Carolina Motor Speedway. Davey Allison won his first career pole.
Top Ten Results
  1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  2. 15-Ricky Rudd
  3. 75-Neil Bonnett
  4. 9-Bill Elliott
  5. 26-Morgan Shepherd -1
  6. 27-Rusty Wallace -1
  7. 17-Darrell Waltrip -2
  8. 11-Terry Labonte -2
  9. 28-Davey Allison -2
  10. 90-Ken Schrader -3

    Miller High Life 400

The Miller High Life 400 was held March 8 at Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway. Alan Kulwicki won his first career pole.
Top Ten Results
  1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  2. 5-Geoffrey Bodine
  3. 27-Rusty Wallace
  4. 9-Bill Elliott
  5. 11-Terry Labonte
  6. 7-Alan Kulwicki
  7. 21-Kyle Petty -1
  8. 71-Dave Marcis -1
  9. 22-Bobby Allison -1
  10. 35-Benny Parsons -2
Failed to qualify:
34-Ron Sheppard, 83-Lake Speed, 02-Bob Hollar

Motorcraft Quality Parts 500

The Motorcraft Quality Parts 500 was held March 15 at Atlanta International Raceway. Dale Earnhardt won the pole.
Top Ten Results
  1. 15-Ricky Rudd
  2. 35-Benny Parsons
  3. 27-Rusty Wallace
  4. 11-Terry Labonte
  5. 28-Davey Allison -1
  6. 17-Darrell Waltrip -1
  7. 75-Neil Bonnett -1
  8. 29-Cale Yarborough -1
  9. 42-Kyle Petty -1
  10. 26-Morgan Shepherd -2
Failed to Qualify: 67-Eddie Bierschwale, 68-Jerry Holden, 74-Bobby Wawak

TranSouth 500

The TranSouth 500 was held March 29 at Darlington Raceway. Bill Elliott was leading at the white flag but ran out of gas in Turn 3. This allowed Dale Earnhardt to overtake Elliott and cruise to victory. Ken Schrader won the pole.
Top Ten Results
  1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  2. 9-Bill Elliott
  3. 43-Richard Petty
  4. 44-Sterling Marlin
  5. 90-Ken Schrader
  6. 75-Neil Bonnett
  7. 33-Harry Gant -1
  8. 1-Ron Bouchard -1
  9. 55-Phil Parsons -1
  10. 17-Darrell Waltrip -1

    First Union 400

The First Union 400 was held April 5 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Bill Elliott won the pole.
Top Ten Results
  1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  2. 21-Kyle Petty
  3. 75-Neil Bonnett
  4. 7-Alan Kulwicki
  5. 15-Ricky Rudd -1
  6. 43-Richard Petty -1
  7. 55-Phil Parsons -1
  8. 11-Terry Labonte* -2
  9. 27-Rusty Wallace -2
  10. 9-Bill Elliott -2
The Valleydale Meats 500 was held April 12 at Bristol International Raceway. Harry Gant won the pole.
Top Ten Results
  1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  2. 43-Richard Petty
  3. 15-Ricky Rudd
  4. 9-Bill Elliott
  5. 7-Alan Kulwicki
  6. 33-Harry Gant
  7. 21-Kyle Petty
  8. 26-Morgan Shepherd -1
  9. 11-Terry Labonte* -1
  10. 18-Dale Jarrett -3

    Sovran Bank 500

The Sovran Bank 500 was held April 26 at Martinsville Speedway. The No. 26 of Morgan Shepherd won the pole.
Top Ten Results
  1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  2. 27-Rusty Wallace
  3. 5-Geoffrey Bodine
  4. 55-Phil Parsons
  5. 11-Terry Labonte -2
  6. 9-Bill Elliott -2
  7. 90-Ken Schrader -2
  8. 22-Bobby Allison -3
  9. 75-Neil Bonnett -4
  10. 30-Michael Waltrip -5

    Winston 500

The Winston 500 was held May 3 at Alabama International Motor Speedway. Bill Elliott won the pole at a record speed of 212.809 mph, a record that still stands today and will likely never be broken.
Top Ten Results
  1. 28-Davey Allison*
  2. 11-Terry Labonte
  3. 21-Kyle Petty
  4. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  5. 8-Bobby Hillin Jr.
  6. 27-Rusty Wallace
  7. 75-Neil Bonnett
  8. 90-Ken Schrader
  9. 83-Lake Speed -1
  10. 26-Morgan Shepherd -1
, an annual invitational race for previous winners in Winston Cup, was held May 17 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Top Ten Results
  1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  2. 11-Terry Labonte
  3. 25-Tim Richmond
  4. 5-Geoffrey Bodine
  5. 27-Rusty Wallace
  6. 21-Kyle Petty
  7. 26-Morgan Shepherd
  8. 22-Bobby Allison
  9. 17-Darrell Waltrip
  10. 55-Benny Parsons
The Coca-Cola 600 was held May 24 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The No. 9 of Bill Elliott won the pole.
Top Ten Results
  1. 21-Kyle Petty
  2. 26-Morgan Shepherd -1
  3. 83-Lake Speed -1
  4. 43-Richard Petty -2
  5. 17-Darrell Waltrip -2
  6. 11-Terry Labonte -2
  7. 88-Buddy Baker -2
  8. 55-Phil Parsons *2
  9. 89-Jim Sauter -4
  10. 27-Rusty Wallace -4
The Budweiser 500 was held May 31 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Bill Elliott won the pole.
Top Ten Results
  1. 28-Davey Allison
  2. 9-Bill Elliott
  3. 11-Terry Labonte -1
  4. 3-Dale Earnhardt -2
  5. 35-Benny Parsons -2
  6. 90-Ken Schrader -2
  7. 17-Darrell Waltrip -4
  8. 71-Dave Marcis -4
  9. 75-Neil Bonnett -6
  10. 44-Sterling Marlin -6

    Miller High Life 500

The Miller High Life 500 was held June 14 at Pocono Raceway. The No. 11 of Terry Labonte won the pole.
Top Ten Results
  1. 25-Tim Richmond*
  2. 9-Bill Elliott
  3. 21-Kyle Petty
  4. 29-Cale Yarborough
  5. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  6. 22-Bobby Allison
  7. 15-Ricky Rudd
  8. 75-Neil Bonnett
  9. 5-Geoffrey Bodine
  10. 88-Buddy Baker
The Budweiser 400 was held June 21 at Riverside International Raceway. Terry Labonte won the pole.
Top Ten Results
  1. 25 - Tim Richmond
  2. 15 - Ricky Rudd
  3. 75 - Neil Bonnett
  4. 11 - Terry Labonte
  5. 9 - Bill Elliott
  6. 43 - Richard Petty/Joe Ruttman
  7. 3 - Dale Earnhardt
  8. 22 - Bobby Allison
  9. 44 - Sterling Marlin
  10. 90 - Ken Schrader
The Miller American 400 was held June 28 at Michigan International Speedway. Rusty Wallace won the pole.
Top Ten Results
  1. 3 - Dale Earnhardt
  2. 28 - Davey Allison
  3. 21 - Kyle Petty
  4. 25 - Tim Richmond
  5. 27 - Rusty Wallace
  6. 8 - Bobby Hillin Jr.
  7. 17 - Darrell Waltrip -1
  8. 90 - Ken Schrader -1
  9. 35 - Benny Parsons -1
  10. 83 - Lake Speed -1
The Pepsi Firecracker 400 was held July 4 at Daytona International Speedway. The No. 28 of Davey Allison won the pole.
Top Ten Results
  1. 22-Bobby Allison
  2. 88-Buddy Baker
  3. 71-Dave Marcis
  4. 17-Darrell Waltrip
  5. 26-Morgan Shepherd
  6. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  7. 90-Ken Schrader*
  8. 27-Rusty Wallace
  9. 33-Harry Gant
  10. 11-Terry Labonte
Failed to Qualify:
0-Delma Cowart, 6-Connie Saylor, 39-Blackie Wangerin, 48-Tony Spanos, 62-Steve Christman, 70-J. D. McDuffie, 73-Phil Barkdoll, 74-Bobby Wawak
The Summer 500 was held July 19 at Pocono Raceway. Tim Richmond won the pole.
Top Ten Results
  1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  2. 7-Alan Kulwicki
  3. 88-Buddy Baker
  4. 35-Benny Parsons
  5. 28-Davey Allison
  6. 11-Terry Labonte
  7. 75-Neil Bonnett
  8. 43-Richard Petty -1
  9. 71-Dave Marcis -1
  10. 90-Ken Schrader -1
The Talladega 500 was held July 26 at Alabama International Motor Speedway. Bill Elliott won the pole at with the smaller Busch series carburetors.
Top Ten Results
  1. 9-Bill Elliott
  2. 28-Davey Allison
  3. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  4. 17-Darrell Waltrip
  5. 29-Cale Yarborough
  6. 11-Terry Labonte
  7. 83-Lake Speed
  8. 27-Rusty Wallace
  9. 21-Kyle Petty
  10. 88-Buddy Baker

    The Budweiser At The Glen

was held August 10 at Watkins Glen International. Terry Labonte won the pole. The race started a day late due to rain.
Top Ten Results
  1. 27-Rusty Wallace
  2. 11-Terry Labonte
  3. 71-Dave Marcis
  4. 15-Ricky Rudd
  5. 35-Benny Parsons
  6. 7-Alan Kulwicki
  7. 55-Phil Parsons
  8. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  9. 22-Bobby Allison
  10. 25-Tim Richmond
The Champion Spark Plug 400 was held August 16 at Michigan International Speedway. Davey Allison won the pole.
Top Ten Results
  1. 9-Bill Elliott
  2. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  3. 26-Morgan Shepherd
  4. 27-Rusty Wallace
  5. 28-Davey Allison
  6. 7-Alan Kulwicki
  7. 22-Bobby Allison
  8. 88-Buddy Baker
  9. 75-Neil Bonnett
  10. 5-Geoffrey Bodine
The Busch 500 was held August 22 at Bristol International Raceway. Terry Labonte won the pole.
Top Ten Results
  1. 3 - Dale Earnhardt
  2. 27 - Rusty Wallace
  3. 15 - Ricky Rudd
  4. 11 - Terry Labonte
  5. 43 = Richard Petty
  6. 5 - Geoffrey Bodine -3
  7. 4 - Rick Wilson -4
  8. 33 = Harry Gant -5
  9. 9 - Bill Elliott -6
  10. 75 - Neil Bonnett -6
Failed to qualify: Tony Spanos, Troy Beebe, Mike Potter, J. D. McDuffie

Southern 500

The Southern 500 was held September 6 at Darlington Raceway. Davey Allison won the pole.
Top Ten Results
  1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  2. 27-Rusty Wallace
  3. 43-Richard Petty
  4. 44-Sterling Marlin
  5. 11-Terry Labonte
  6. 8-Bobby Hillin Jr.
  7. 15-Ricky Rudd
  8. 9-Bill Elliott
  9. 26-Morgan Shepherd
  10. 17-Darrell Waltrip

    Wrangler Jeans Indigo 400

The Wrangler Jeans Indigo 400 was held September 13 at Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway. Alan Kulwicki won the pole.
Top Ten Results
  1. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  2. 17-Darrell Waltrip
  3. 15-Ricky Rudd
  4. 9-Bill Elliott
  5. 43-Richard Petty -1
  6. 5-Geoffrey Bodine -2
  7. 71-Dave Marcis -2
  8. 11-Terry Labonte -2
  9. 52-Jimmy Means -3
  10. 75-Neil Bonnett -3

    Delaware 500

The Delaware 500 was held September 20 at Dover Downs International Speedway. Alan Kulwicki won the pole.
Top Ten Results
  1. 15-Ricky Rudd
  2. 28-Davey Allison
  3. 75-Neil Bonnett
  4. 9-Bill Elliott
  5. 44-Sterling Marlin
  6. 5-Geoffrey Bodine -2
  7. 22-Bobby Allison -2
  8. 88-Buddy Baker -2
  9. 43-Richard Petty -4
  10. 17-Darrell Waltrip -5

    Goody's 500

The Goody's 500 was held September 27 at Martinsville Speedway. Geoffrey Bodine won the pole. A late race caution set up an intense 3-lap sprint among Dale Earnhardt, Terry Labonte and Darrell Waltrip. On the final lap, going into turn 3, Labonte hooked Earnhardt's left rear quarter-panel, sending Earnhardt sideways and Labonte spinning towards the outside wall in turn 4. The contact enabled Waltrip to sneak underneath and grab the win.
Top Ten Results
  1. 17-Darrell Waltrip
  2. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  3. 11-Terry Labonte
  4. 75-Neil Bonnett -2
  5. 26-Morgan Shepherd -3
  6. 7-Alan Kulwicki -3
  7. 44-Sterling Marlin -4
  8. 22-Bobby Allison -5
  9. 21-Kyle Petty -8
  10. 18-Dale Jarrett -8
The Holly Farms 400 was held October 4 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Bill Elliott won the pole.
Top Ten Results
  1. 11-Terry Labonte
  2. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  3. 9-Bill Elliott -1
  4. 26-Morgan Shepherd -2
  5. 5-Geoffrey Bodine -2
  6. 21-Kyle Petty -2
  7. 7-Alan Kulwicki -2
  8. 8-Bobby Hillin Jr. -3
  9. 43-Richard Petty -3
  10. 27-Rusty Wallace -3

    Oakwood Homes 500

The Oakwood Homes 500 was held October 11 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Bobby Allison won the pole.
Top Ten Results
  1. 9-Bill Elliott
  2. 22-Bobby Allison
  3. 44-Sterling Marlin
  4. 11-Terry Labonte -1
  5. 43-Richard Petty -1
  6. 16-Larry Pearson -1
  7. 83-Lake Speed -2
  8. 56-Ernie Irvan -2
  9. 17-Darrell Waltrip -3
  10. 21-Kyle Petty -4
A big, chain reaction crash at lap 125 took out Geoffrey Bodine, Brett Bodine, Alan Kulwicki, and Bobby Hillin Jr. among others.

AC Delco 500

The AC Delco 500 was held October 25 at North Carolina Motor Speedway. Davey Allison won the pole.
Top Ten Results
  1. 9-Bill Elliott
  2. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  3. 17-Darrell Waltrip
  4. 11-Terry Labonte
  5. 26-Morgan Shepherd
  6. 21-Kyle Petty
  7. 88-Buddy Baker
  8. 5-Geoffrey Bodine -2
  9. 55-Phil Parsons -2
  10. 75Joe Ruttman -2
The Winston Western 500 was held November 8 at Riverside International Raceway. Geoffrey Bodine won the pole.
Top Ten Results
  1. 27-Rusty Wallace
  2. 35-Benny Parsons
  3. 21-Kyle Petty
  4. 43-Richard Petty
  5. 22-Bobby Allison
  6. 17-Darrell Waltrip
  7. 75-Joe Ruttman
  8. 11-Terry Labonte
  9. 71-Dave Marcis
  10. 5-Geoffrey Bodine
Failed to qualify: Trevor Boys, John Krebs, Brad Noffsinger, St. James Davis, Jack Sellers
The Atlanta Journal 500 was held November 22 at Atlanta International Raceway marking the 1st time that Atlanta was the season finale. Bill Elliott won the pole.
Top Ten Results
  1. 9-Bill Elliott
  2. 3-Dale Earnhardt
  3. 15-Ricky Rudd
  4. 22-Bobby Allison
  5. 28-Davey Allison -1
  6. 7-Alan Kulwicki -1
  7. 35-Benny Parsons -1
  8. 55-Phil Parsons -1
  9. 44-Sterling Marlin -1
  10. 88-Buddy Baker -1
  1. Dale Earnhardt – 4696
  2. Bill Elliott – 4207
  3. Terry Labonte – 4007
  4. Darrell Waltrip – 3911
  5. Rusty Wallace – 3818
  6. Ricky Rudd – 3742
  7. Kyle Petty – 3737
  8. Richard Petty – 3708
  9. Bobby Allison – 3525
  10. Ken Schrader – 3405
  11. Sterling Marlin – 3381
  12. Neil Bonnett – 3352
  13. Geoffrey Bodine – 3328
  14. Phil Parsons – 3327
  15. Alan Kulwicki – 3238
  16. Benny Parsons – 3215
  17. Morgan Shepherd – 3099
  18. Dave Marcis – 3080
  19. Bobby Hillin Jr. – 3027
  20. Michael Waltrip – 2840
  21. Davey Allison – 2739
  22. Harry Gant – 2725
  23. Jimmy Means – 2483
  24. Buddy Baker – 2373
  25. Buddy Arrington – 2003
  26. Dale Jarrett – 1840
  27. Steve Christman – 1727
  28. Rick Wilson – 1723
  29. Cale Yarborough – 1450
  30. J. D. McDuffie – 1361
  31. Lake Speed – 1345
  32. Brett Bodine – 1271
  33. Greg Sacks – 1200
  34. Eddie Bierschwale – 1162
  35. Rodney Combs – 1098
  36. Tim Richmond – 1063
  37. Derrike Cope – 797
  38. Mark Stahl – 687
  39. Bobby Wawak – 638
  40. D. K. Ulrich – 625
  41. Ken Ragan – 549
  42. Connie Saylor – 486
  43. Jerry Cranmer – 482
  44. Chet Fillip – 480
  45. Trevor Boys – 460
  46. Mike Potter – 456
  47. Slick Johnson – 444
  48. Ron Bouchard – 440
  49. H. B. Bailey – 428
  50. A. J. Foyt – 409

    Rookie of the Year

won the Rookie of the Year award in 1987, winning two races for Harry Ranier after making an aborted attempt at the award the previous season. He was followed by Dale Jarrett, who had two top-ten finishes, and Steve Christman, who did not race in NASCAR again following the season. The other contenders were Rodney Combs, Derrike Cope, and Jerry Cranmer, all running incomplete schedules.